2013 NHL Draft Profile: Adam Tambellini

With the 2013 NHL Entry Draft but a couple of days away, TOE continues its profile series featuring UND's committed recruits who could hear their names called during Sunday's draft. Next up is incoming freshman forward Adam Tambellini of Port Moody, BC, Canada.

Photo Credit: Damon James

Player Profiles:

• TOE: Recruit Profile: Adam Tambellini
• Future Considerations: Player Profile
• The Hockey Writers: Prospect Profile
• Grand Forks Herald: NHL Draft Feature Story
• The Province: NHL Draft Feature Story
• The Vancouver Sun: NHL Draft Feature Story
• Buzzing the Net: NHL Draft Tracker
• NHL: Scouting Combine Feature

Player Rankings:

• No. 42: NHL Central Scouting (NAS)
• No. 52: The Hockey Writers
• No. 55: Hockey Prospect
• No. 56: The Hockey Writers
• No. 60: The Hockey News (Ryan Kennedy)
• No. 60: North American Central Scouting
• No. 65: TSN (Bob McKenzie)
• No. 69: McKeen's Hockey
• No. 72: Future Considerations
• No. 83: The Hockey News Draft Preview
• No. 93: International Scouting Service
• No. 104: Hockey Prospectus

What People Are Saying:

• Future Considerations: "a big rangy forward with good hockey sense...likes to find his position and have the puck distributed to him...his reach is a major strength as he uses it to keep the puck away from defenders and to get pucks around goaltenders in tight...has good sense of where to get to both with and without the puck to generate pressure and a scoring chance...at his best when he plays with a sense of confidence and authority on the ice...given adequate time and a team with some patience in developing the young Tambellini, he could be a good project that turns into a gem down the road."
• Hockey Prospect: "plays the game at a very quick pace, and is a very impressive skater for his size...is very dangerous in the offensive zone because of his size, speed and skill...has good vision, a nice release and is able to do everything with the puck at a high pace...opponents had a very tough time containing him this season because not many players in the league can play the game at the same speed as him...can easily drive to the net and score around the net because teams did not have a defenseman who could match him with size and speed at once...can play in so many different areas on the power play because of his unique skill set...teams really had to create game plans around Tambellini to try to stop him on a consistent basis...the big knock on Tambellini’s game at this point is his lack of a physical game...could provide a more physical presence with his size."
• Matt Erhart (Surrey Eagles head coach): "a pure sniper...big league shot and release...a power forward, he's still a little bit slight, but he's going to fill out and mature."
• Trent Klatt (NY Islanders Player Development): "a big scorer in the BCHL...will take his talents to the University of North Dakota where he will continue to learn good habits and be placed in situations to succeed...has a very good skill set and the ability to find soft areas in the offensive zone to score."

Previous Draft Profiles:
Gage Ausmus
Luke Johnson
Tucker Poolman


*Special thanks to these scouting services who granted permission to use their scouting reports for this profile series:
Hockey Prospect
Future Considerations

2013 NHL Draft Profile: Tucker Poolman

With the 2013 NHL Entry Draft just a few days away, TOE continues its profile series featuring UND's committed recruits who could hear their names called during Sunday's draft. Next up is current Omaha Lancer (USHL) defenseman Tucker Poolman of East Grand Forks, MN.


Photo: ushl.com by Steve Loop

Player Profiles:

• TOE Recruit Profile: Tucker Poolman

Player Rankings:

• No. 172: Future Considerations

What People Are Saying:

• Future Considerations: "a good-sized defenseman who patrols his own zone well...real upside is in his intriguing, but raw, offensive potential...if he's able to put together his package, the reward is big."
• Mike Aikens, former Omaha Lancers head coach: "A lot of NHL scouts have been calling about Tucker, and a lot of them have been in the building this year. I think he could be a great later-round draft pick. He’s just scratching the surface of how good he can be."
• Omaha World-Herald: "a reliable, steady player who also brings a solid offensive game. With his size and strength, expect Poolman to play in all situations."

Previous Draft Profiles:
Gage Ausmus
Luke Johnson


*Special thanks to these scouting services who granted permission to use their scouting reports for this profile series:
Hockey Prospect
Future Considerations

2013 NHL Draft Profile: Luke Johnson

With the 2013 NHL Entry Draft but a handful of days away, TOE will be providing draft profiles on UND's committed recruits who could hear their names called during Sunday's draft. Next up is incoming freshman forward Luke Johnson of Grand Forks, ND.


Photo: hockeysfuture.com by Brandon Anderson

Player Profiles:

• TOE Recruit Profile: Luke Johnson
• Western College Hockey Blog 2013 NHL Draft Prospect
• Future Considerations: Player Profile
• McKeen's Hockey Luke Johnson Heads Full Lincoln Draft Menu
• First Round Bust: Wisconsin & North Dakota NHL Draft Prospects

Player Rankings:

• No. 96: NHL Central Scouting (NAS)
• No. 105: The Hockey News (Ryan Kennedy)
• No. 139: Hockey Prospectus
• No. 146: Future Considerations
• No. 149: The Hockey Writers
• No. 151: North American Central Scouting
• No. 200: Hockey Prospect

What People Are Saying:

• Future Considerations: "an offensively skilled forward who, when he is playing the game at an appropriate effort level, is hard to stop...room for added muscle on his slight frame."
• Hockey Prospect: "will cut to the middle off the rush to get shots on net and can get open and park himself right in front of the opposition’s goal for chances in tight...goes to the net to pick up rebounds and loose pucks, but has to watch that he isn’t always taking long outside shots rather than driving the puck to the net...has the offensive instincts...pretty strong on his feet but still needs to add some size and strength."
• Jim Johannson (USA Hockey): "a really smart centerman, sees the ice well, uses linemates...makes linemates better."

Previous Draft Profiles:
Gage Ausmus


*Special thanks to these scouting services who granted permission to use their scouting reports for this profile series:
Hockey Prospect
Future Considerations

2013 NHL Draft Profile: Gage Ausmus

With the 2013 NHL Entry Draft but a handful of days away, TOE will be providing draft profiles on UND's committed recruits who could hear their names called during Sunday's draft. First up is incoming freshman defense recruit Gage Ausmus of East Grand Forks, MN.
 

Photo by Tom Sorenson - usantdp.com

Player Profiles:

• TOE Recruit Profile: Gage Ausmus
• USA Hockey WJCEC Profile
• Minnesota Hockey Prospects 2013 NHL Draft Prospect

Player Rankings:

• No. 98: The Hockey News Draft Preview
• No. 104: The Hockey Writers
• No. 106: Hockey Prospectus
• No. 148: NHL Central Scouting (NAS)
• No. 153: North American Central Scouting
• No. 172: Hockey Prospect
• No. 178: Future Considerations
• No. 196: The Hockey Writers

What People Are Saying:

• The Hockey News: "Defensive defenseman brings bite; makes nice first pass."
• Hockey Buzz: "a steady defensive defenseman who plays an intelligent positional game with a bit of physicality."
• Future Considerations: "a gritty, hardworking defenseman...skates well and while he does not possess much offensive upside, he can move the puck efficiently."
• Hockey Prospect: "steady game with smart defensive positioning and safe plays with the puck...his end comes first, but if he sees a sure-thing opportunity to provide a little extra, he can do it...has the potential to be an NHL defenseman based on his humble approach and intelligence on the ice."

*Special thanks to these scouting services who granted permission to use their scouting reports for this profile series:
Hockey Prospect
Future Considerations

Recruit Profile: Cam Johnson

Photo-USHL.com

Current Team:  Fargo Force (USHL)
Anticipated Arrival at UND: Fall 2014
Position: Goaltender
Birthday:  July 11th, 1994
Hometown:  Troy, MI
Height:  6'2"
Weight:  200
Catches: Left


Profiles & Press Clippings:

• USHL 2013-14 Profile/Stat Page
• Elite Prospects Profile/Stat Page
• Brad Schlossman Blog Commitment Post (June 2013)
• USHL Commitment Press Release (June 2013)
• USHL: Fargo Goalies Share Rivalry Over World Series (Oct 2012)

2013-14:

• Will play for the Fargo Force of the USHL

2012-13:

• Playing in 28 regular season games for the Fargo Force he went 14-8-6 while posting a 3.10 GAA and .908 Save %. In eight playoff games he went 4-3 with one shutout while producing a 2.40 GAA and .931 Save % as Fargo advanced to the Clark Cup Finals.

2011-12:

• In 25 games with the Little Caesar's Midget Major team he posted a 2.61 GAA with one shutout.

2010-11:

• Spearheaded Summit Plastics to the USA Hockey Tier 2 Under-16 national championship by stopping 84 of the 85 shots he faced during the tournament. In five games, he posted four shutouts to go along with a 0.25 GAA and .988 Save %.

Recruit Profile: Gage Ausmus

Photo-USHL.com

Previous Team:  US National Team Dev. Program Under-18 Team
Arrival at UND: Fall 2013
Position:  Defense
Birthday:  April 22nd, 1995
Hometown:  East Grand Forks, MN
Height:  6'1"
Weight:  204
Shoots:  Left


Profiles & Press Clippings:

• USA Hockey NTDP 2012-13 Profile/Stat Page
• Elite Prospects Profile/Stat Page
• Brad Schlossman UND Hockey: Commitment Post (May 2013)
• Forum Communications: Ausmus Commits to UND (May 2013)
• United States of Hockey: World U-18 Championship Player Reports (May 2013)
• USA Hockey: Ausmus Grows to Become a More Complete Player (Nov 2012)
• 2013 NHL Entry Draft Prospect Profile
• Ranked #148 among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting's 2013 Draft Prospect Final Rankings.

2012-13:

• Played in 66 games for the USA Hockey NTDP Under-18 Team, registering 14 points (2G, 12A) and a +22 rating.
• In April he helped Team USA earn silver at the Under-18 World Championships in Sochi, Russia. In seven tournament games he notched a pair of assists and a +5 rating.
• In February he & Team USA participated in the 2013 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament in Jonkoping, Sweden. He went pointless in four games as Team USA finished the tournament with a 2-2 record.
• In November he played on Team USA's gold-medal winning team at the 2012 Under-18 Four Nations Tournament in Ann Arbor, MI. He recorded zero points in four tournament games as Team USA finished with a 3-1 record.
• Along with fellow UND recruits Luke Johnson and Keaton Thompson, he participated in the CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game September 29 in Buffalo, NY.

2011-12:

• He played for the USA Hockey NTDP Under-17 Team, producing six points (2G, 4A) in 59 games.
• Played on Team USA's silver medal winning team at the 2012 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, earning All-Tournament honors.
• Played on Team USA's undefeated gold medal winning team at the 2011 Under-17 Four Nations Cup and had one goal and two assists in four games.
• In June of 2011 he attended USA Hockey's Select 16 Development Camp, where he earned All-Star honors. The US Hockey Report ranked him as the #16 defenseman at camp after picking up one assist in five games.

2010-11:

• As a sophomore at East Grand Forks (MN-HS), he recorded 12 points (4G, 8A) in 17 games.
• He participated in the Upper Midwest High School Elite League for Team Great Plains, registering two goals in 15 games.
• In July he attended the USA Hockey Select 15 Development Camp where he recorded one goal in five games. USHR ranked him as the #16 defenseman at camp, calling him an "Agile, athletic, physical defensive defenseman."

Recruit Profile: Matt Hrynkiw

Photo - SJHL

Previous Team:  Humboldt Broncos (Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League)
Arrival at UND: Fall 2013
Position:  Goaltender
Birthday:  April 4th, 1992
Hometown:  Saskatoon, SK
Height:  5'11"
Weight: 179
Catches:  Left


Profiles & Press Clippings:

• SJHL 2012-13 Profile/Stat Page
• Elite Prospects Profile/Stat Page
• The Star Phoenix: Non-Stop Week For Canada's Top Junior A Goalie Hrynkiw (May 2013)
• CJHL: CJHL 2012-13 Top Goaltender Award (May 2013)
• Brad Schlossman Blog: Hrynkiw is CJHL Goaltender of the Year (May 2013)
• Discover Humboldt: Hrynkiw Commits to North Dakota (May 2013)
• Humboldt Broncos: Commitment Release (May 2013)
• Discover Humboldt: Hrynkiw Headlines SJHL Award Winners (Feb 2013)

2012-13:

• Played in 40 regular season games for the Humboldt Broncos (SJHL), posting a record of 27-11-2 while leading the league with a 1.83 GAA, .939 Save %, and six shutouts. In the postseason he recorded a 10-6 record to go along with a 2.11 GAA and .932 Save %.
• He earned SJHL Goaltender of the Month honors four of the six months the award was handed out, ultimately taking home SJHL Goaltender of the Year honors as well.
• He was named Canada's national Junior A Goaltender of the Year.
• He was named the Humboldt Bronco Team MVP, Hardest Worker, Best Team Player, Most Dedicated Player, and 3 Star Award winner.

2011-12:

• Produced a sterling 22-3-0 record in 27 appearances during the Humboldt Broncos' regular season, leading the SJHL with a 2.28 GAA and four shutouts. His 0.921 Save % was second best in the league. He helped guide the Broncos to the SJHL's Canalta Cup (playoff championship) by going 8-1 with two shutouts and a playoff best 1.73 GAA & .933 Save %.
• At the 2012 Anavet Cup (seven game series featuring the SJHL and MJHL playoff champions) he went 3-2 with one shutout while posting a GAA of 1.62 and a Save % of 0.939.
• He played in four games at the 2012 RBC Cup (Canada's Junior A national championship tournament), going 3-1 with a .930 Save % and 2.48 GAA.

2010-11:

• In 25 regular season games with Humboldt, he went 10-12-0 with a 3.69 GAA and .885 Save %.

2009-10:

• Played with the Saskatoon Contacts of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League, producing a 17-7-4 record in 29 regular season games while leading the SMAAAHL in shutouts (4), GAA (2.56) and Save % (.910). In the postseason he went 8-3 with a league-best 2.37 GAA to go along with a .914 GAA.
• Earned an invite to the SMAAAHL All-Star Game and was the starting goaltender for the North All-Stars.

2008-09:

• Played in 19 regular season games for the Saskatoon Contacts, going 8-8-3 with two shutouts, a .909 Save %, and a league-leading 2.21 GAA. In four playoff games he went 3-1 with a 2.59 GAA and .922 Save %.

Recruit Update

• North Dakota received its latest verbal commitment from Sioux City (USHL) forward Trevor Olson. Olson is a Duluth, Minnesota native who is expected to arrive on campus in the fall of 2014. For more information, check out his recruit profile. Olson and the Musketeers (including fellow UND recruit Ryan Mantha) will be closing out their USHL regular season with a weekend set against Charlie Pelnik (featured in this video profile) and the Fargo Force. This is a good opportunity to check out three future Sioux if you can make it out to Scheels Arena either Friday or Saturday night.
• Keaton Thompson and the NTDP Under-18 team will be seeking to win the fifth consecutive Under-18 World Championship for USA Hockey, a streak that began with the 2009 event held in Fargo-Moorhead. The tournament begins next week in Sochi, Russia, and Thompson will play a key role for Team USA.
• Recruit Adam Tambellini and the Surrey Eagles begin the BCHL Finals tonight against the Penticton Vees, whose roster includes UND commits Wade Murphy and Troy Stecher. The winner of the best of seven series will hoist the Fred Page Cup as BCHL champions and advance in the RBC Cup playoffs to take on the Alberta Junior Hockey League champions. Tambellini, who earlier in the playoffs squared off against his older brother Jeff's former team, is the leading goal scorer in the BCHL playoffs and he is third in total points with 13 (9G, 4A) in 11 games.  Murphy is averaging a point per game in the postseason with nine points (3G, 6A) in nine games while Stecher has recorded four assists in nine contests.
• Nick Schmaltz will finish the regular season as the highest scoring 1996-born player in the USHL. He has recorded 50 points (17G, 33A) in 62 games for the Green Bay Gamblers and has ten more points than Youngstown forward Kyle Connor. Schmaltz and the Gamblers have already clinched a playoff spot but they will be looking to earn home ice this weekend as regular season play wraps up.
• With two games left to play, Paul LaDue holds a five point edge as the USHL's top point producing defenseman. LaDue has recorded 47 points (12G, 35A) in 60 games for Lincoln.
• Rhett Gardner recently earned the Moose Jaw Generals' Team MVP and Top Forward awards. He also made his USHL debut with the Green Bay Gamblers, but he is unsure as to whether he will play with the Gamblers next season or remain with the Generals.
• Christian Evers was recently named to the All-NAPHL Under-16 First Team. He averaged more than a point per game from the blueline in NAPHL play this season, producing 29 points (10G, 19A) in 23 games. Evers, who is expected to play for the USA Hockey NTDP for the next two years, was selected by the London Knights in the fifth round of the OHL Priority Selection last weekend. He was considered to be a second round talent heading into the draft, but he dropped to the last pick of the fifth round due to his commitment to UND and expected commitment to the NTDP.  
• Thompson and Tambellini both made NHL Central Scouting's Top 10 lists of 2013 NHL Draft-eligible players for their respective divisions.

Recruit Profile: Trevor Olson

Photo-USHL.com

Current Team:  Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
Potential Arrival at UND:  2014
Position:  Forward
Birthday:  November 22nd, 1993
Hometown:  Duluth, MN
Height:  6'2"
Weight:  188
Shoots:  Right


Profiles & Press Clippings:

• USHL 2013-14 Profile/Stat Page
• Elite Prospects Profile/Stat Page
• Brad Schlossman UND Hockey Blog: Trevor Olson Commits To UND (Apr 2013)
• USHL: Musketeers Forward Commits to University of North Dakota (Apr 2013)
• Sioux City Journal: Olson Helps Muskies Race Past Omaha (Mar 2013)

2013-14:

• He will return to Sioux City (USHL), where he will serve as team captain.

2012-13:

• Began the season with the USHL's Green Bay Gamblers, where he recorded 16 points (7G, 9A) in 31 games. A mid-season trade sent him to Sioux City, where he produced 34 points (10G, 24A) in 32 games while serving as an alternate captain with the Musketeers. Despite spending just half the season with Sioux City, his +17 rating led the team, his 24 assists were second most among Musketeers and his 34 points tied for third most.

2011-12:

• He played in seven games for the Green Bay Gamblers, recording zero points.
• Playing in an injury shortened senior season for Duluth East (MN-HS), he recorded 35 points (11G, 24A) in 20 games in helping the Greyhounds to a 5th place finish at the Minnesota State HS AA Hockey Tournament.
• In the fall of 2011 he participated in the Upper Midwest High School Elite League, leading Team North in both goals (13) and points (25) in 24 games played.

2010-11:

• As a junior at Duluth East, he led the 'Hounds in scoring with 69 points (28G, 41A) in 30 games, helping them to a runner-up finish at the 2011 Minnesota State HS AA Hockey Tournament. In the state championship game he scored both Greyhound goals in a 3-2 triple OT loss to Eden Prairie.

2009-10:

• As a high school sophomore, he produced 15 points (7G, 8A) in 29 games for Duluth East, which finished 5th at the Minnesota State HS AA Hockey Tournament.

Signings, Awards, Etc.

Signings:

• Danny Kristo signed a two-year Entry Level Contract with the Montreal Canadiens Wednesday. He has reported to Hamilton, the Canadiens' AHL affiliate, and he is expected to be in action tonight when the Bulldogs take on San Antonio. He is excited to take on this new challenge.
• Captain Andrew MacWilliam signed a two-year ELC with the Toronto Maple Leafs Wednesday and he will report to the Toronto Marlies, their AHL affiliate.
• Former Sioux captain Chris Porter signed a two-year, one way contract with St. Louis yesterday. It is the first one way deal for Porter, who celebrated the signing by picking up a pair of assists in the Blues' 4-3 shootout win over Chicago last night.
• North Dakota junior defenseman Derek Forbort is expected to forsake his senior year of eligibility and sign with the Los Angeles Kings, who will be making a push to get their former first round pick into the fold.
• Dillon Simpson tweeted his intentions of returning to North Dakota for his senior season.

Awards:

• Danny Kristo was named the College Hockey News Player of the Year this week. He was also named to the All-CHN First Team, while linemate Corban Knight made the All-CHN Second Team.
• The Ontario Reign's Mario Lamoureux led all ECHL rookies with 65 points (25G, 40A) this season and was named to the ECHL All-Roookie Team. Lamoureux, who was a very impressive +30 on the season, also finished second in the ECHL Rookie of the Year voting.
• Michael Forney of the Colorado Eagles finished the ECHL season with 79 points (35G, 44A) in 71 games, and for his efforts he was named to the All-ECHL First Team. Forney's 79 points were second most in the league while his 35 goals were the fourth most.
• Aaron Dell of the Allen Americans led the CHL in GAA (2.30) and finished second with a save percentage of .916, numbers good enough to earn him CHL Most Outstanding Goaltender honors for the 2012-13 season. He was also named to the All-CHL Team and the CHL All-Rookie Team.

Etc:

• Former Sioux great Tony Hrkac came in at number five among the Top 35 All-Time Milwaukee Admirals (AHL).
• Zach Parise recently took part in a Q&A with ESPN.
• Evan Trupp's Alaskan homecoming was a good move for the ECHL's Alaska Aces.
• Matt Greene is recovering nicely from back surgery and could return to the LA King lineup in time for the postseason.