Top Draft Eligible American Hockey Players

The NHL Entry Draft used to be dominated by Canadians and Europeans. But slowly, more and more Americans are starting to get selected by NHL teams. Next summer's 2009 NHL Draft should be no exception , as there are a number of excellent American prospects that will be drafted next June. Here is a look at the ten best American-born prospects for next year's draft.

1. Jordan Schroeder, University of Minnesota

The Minnesotan-born forward lacks the type of size that NHL teams usually covet, but Schroeder has shown the ability to score points against elite international competition. Schroeder accelerated his last two years of high school in order to play for the University of Minnesota this upcoming season. Schroeder was two weeks too young to qualify for the 2008 NHL Draft where he would have been a first round selection. A good year with the Gophers could make him a top 10 or even top 5 draft pick.

2. Jeremy Morin, US National Development Program

Morin emerged last season as the top forward on the United States Under-17 team. It's still unclear where he will be playing in the future. He could play for the United States Development Program again before moving on to play college hockey, or he could join the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League. Morin is one of the best pure goal scorers available in the draft and could go early in the first round.

3. Zach Budish, Edina High School(Minnesota)

Budish looks like a linebacker because he is one. Aside from being a top hockey player, he is a star football player on the Edina High School football team. That size makes him one of the better power forwards available in the NHL Draft. Budish will choose to spend his senior year of high school with Edina where he will try to lead the Hornets to a state title, before heading off to the University of Minnesota in 2009.

4. Danny Mattson, Academy of Holy Angels(Minnesota)

Mattson has been one of the top players in the Minnesota high school ranks for years. Mattson didn't have a strong supporting cast around him last year, which kept him under the radar a little bit, but he is an exceptional skater and excellent scorer. Mattson is committed to play for the University of North Dakota once he graduates from Holy Angels.

5. Drew Shore, US National Development Program

Shore is a budding young power forward with excellent offensive skills. He turned down an offer from the Chilliwack Bruins of the WHL to stay with the US Development Program for one more year, before heading off to the University of Denver. Shore should be one of the offensive leaders on the US NTDP team this year,and with an impressive at the World Under-18 tournament, he could move into the late first round of the draft.

6. Beau Schmitz, Plymouth Whalers

Schmitz was one of the top defenseman on the US NTDP Under-17 team last year, before signing with the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL. Schmitz isn't very big for a defenseman, but he is an excellent skater and very smart hockey player. He'll likely shine in the OHL next season, which could make him a very high draft pick.

7. Seth Helgeson, Sioux City Musketeers

Thought Helgeson is from hockey-rich Minnesota, he comes from the southern part of the state which isn't known for producing great hockey players. Helgeson is one of the best raw talents in the draft. The big defenseman has great skills including a blistering slap shot, but still needs to become a more polished player. He played with Sioux City last season, and if he can become one of the top defensemen in the league this year, he should really move up draft boards. Helgeson is committed to the University of Minnesota.

8. Collin Bowman, Kelowna Rockets

Bowman had a great rookie season with the Rockets of the Western Hockey League last year. Despite playing on Kelowna's third pairing, the big defensive defenseman had a great +/- rating. He is the younger brother of Carolina draft pick Drayson Bowman, who had a great Memorial Cup with Spokane and signed with Carolina after the season.

9. William Wrenn, National Development Program

Wrenn is a big defenseman from Alaska that spent last year with the US Development Program. While he's primarily more of a defensive defenseman, he does have an excellent shot from the point and can move the puck very effectively. Wrenn also plays with a bit of a mean streak. He is committed to play for the University of Denver starting in the fall of 2009.

10. Nick Leddy, Eden Prairie High School(Minnesota)

Leddy started to really gain attention last year, and is one of the fastest rising players on many teams' draft boards. Leddy is an exceptional skater and moves the puck very well. He's drawn rave reviews over this past summer and could be a sleeper pick to make his way into the first round of the draft. Leddy is committed to play for the University of Minnesota.