USHL Feature – Indiana vs Youngstown Recap

TSR Features | 5 Oct 2009

The defending Clark Cup champion Indiana Ice opened their 2009-10 season against the Youngstown Phantoms this past Saturday and skated to a 6-2 victory. It was the first game in the USHL for the Phantoms and it showed as the former NAHL squad struggled to compete with Indiana. A few of Indiana’s players distinguished themselves as potential NHL draft picks in 2010 in the game, while there were also a couple of Youngstown players who will be worth keeping an eye on this year. Without further ado..

USHL 300x101 USHL Feature – Indiana vs Youngstown Recap

Nick Mattson | Indiana | D | 6’1″ | 190

The former USA U-18 defenseman displayed the skills that should allow him to be selected in the first two rounds in the June entry draft.   Mattson’s keen hockey sense and awareness put him in position to stifle several Youngstown attacks. His ability to handle the puck and make crisp first passes enabled Indiana to quickly transistion to offense. Mattson is a good, fluid skater and was able to quickly gain the blue line but was not able to muster much offense himself once in the zone. He was able to get off a few shots but they served as little more than dump ins on the goalie to get a whistle.   Mattson also seemed much more effective when he was on the ice with better players and was able to play at a higher level himself. He should continue to develop nicely this year before attending North Dakota next fall.

John Parker | Indiana | F | 5’11″ | 175

Parker got off to a rocky start being on the ice for both Youngstown goals in the first period. However, he also seemed to jump start the intensity and wake up his teammates with some feisty play as the period wore on. Parker showed a powerful stride which was evident as he backchecked and forechecked relentlessly.   He also showed a willingness to play within Indiana’s system and was their best defensive forward and skater. Parker also was called upon to kill penalties and generated some chances on his own with some nifty puck skills. If he is able to develop those skills to accummulate points this season, he may be worth a late round pick.

Brian Ferlin | Indiana | F | 6’1″ | 196

Ferlin is a very intriguing prospect. The Florida native has committed to Cornell in 2011 and should be given that time to develop his skills.   He has a good stride that needs refined a bit but should develop into a strong skater. Ferlin showed the knack for finding open spots and was able to move through the neutral zone with speed while taking all passes in stride. He was also able to get around the Youngstown D with some deft puckhandling as well. Ferlin also showed a good, hard shot….he just needs to work on releasing it a bit quicker. Also, as a right handed shot on the left side, he had a tendency to make a move to his backhand when he might have been better served shooting. To his credit though, his quick hands enabled him to get around the defenseman each time. He’ll need to address that habit as he gets acclimated to the pace of the league.

Scott Mayfield | Youngstown | D | 6’3″ | 175

Mayfield is a late ’92 and not eligible until 2011 but he should be showing up on scout’s radars. Mayfield possesses a powerful accurate shot, sees the ice well, blocks shots and attempts to make the right play defensively every time. He is also very willing to get his nose dirty and does not shy away from the physical stuff. The only negative is that he is slight and somewhat awkward on his skates but again, he makes the right play. This will be easily addressed as he grows into his body and becomes stonger. Mayfield is committed to Denver in 2011.

Andrew Lamont | Youngstown | F | 5’11 | 170

If you like smart, tough, hardnosed, in your face, skate through the boards players, you’ll like this kid.   Lamont was a 7th round pick out of the Philadelphia Jr. Flyers organization and he is just now getting a taste of USHL hockey. He is very athletic and agile on his skates and thinks the game at a high level. I’m looking forward to watching him as the season progresses. If he can get acclimated to this level quickly and contribute, he might be a sleeper that falls way under the radar.

For TSR, I’m Rich Michalowski