Chipotle All-American Game Standouts from Monday
The Chipotle All-American Game took place in Plymouth, Michigan on Monday afternoon, with the likes of many talented players playing in the game for Team White and Blue. The game featured players from the NTDP U18 team, as well as many players eligible for the upcoming draft from the USHL as well. It was another great year for the event, capping it off with an overtime winner from John Mustard (Waterloo Black Hawks, Providence commit), which we'll get to later.
Projected 1st round picks in this year's draft included the likes of players such as Cole Eiserman, Trevor Connelly, Cole Hutson, EJ Emery, and many more as well. 2025 draft eligibles were also in the mix as late 06s, which includes star forward James Hagens, and projected high pick Logan Hensler, who is a defenseman.
Team Blue
Trevor Connelly, F (Tri-City Storm - USHL, Providence commit): There's no doubt that Connelly thrives as a pass-first distributor, as he brings high-end creativity and vision which makes his game standout. Very nimble on his edges and can elude contact effectively there, but also does a terrific job utilizing his feet to add to his playmaking element. The dynamic edges and hands link together well, which helps him find passing seams on the weak side and in small areas that other players miss. He is instinct driven on the rush, and thrived driving the middle lane, and using his off-puck awareness to cruise into space. He was excellent.
Cole Eiserman, LW (NTDP U18, Boston University commit): Cole Eiserman was buzzing around all game long, as he usually does in league play with the NTDP when playing collegiate programs and junior programs. The power and depth of his skating, his speed, his ability to control the play at high octane levels of speed, his quick release from any angle, his ability to slip passes around checks. There's no real limit to what he can do, as he looks like a perfectionist on the ice, but in a good way. His motor never stops, and it's easy to tell that he is extremely hard on himself between shifts, even if the littlest of things goes wrong. Sky's the limit for upside based on his physical ability, mental processing and strength, and the style of mindset he brings is rare.
James Reeder, RW (Dubuque Fighting Saints - USHL, Denver commit): Reeder is an instinct driven goal-scorer, using his instincts around the net to fight for body position and first touch on rebounds. He was everywhere inside the offensive zone, whether it be net drives with speed, using wraparound sequences to extend possession, and battling in front of the net in areas that other players don't want to go to. He isn't the biggest player, standing at 5'9, but looks to drive sequences based on his speed, instincts around the net, and body positioning as leverage. He's been lighting up the USHL this year, as his projection has him on pace for around 30 goals, so he can score in bunches and in nuanced ways.
Sacha Boisvert, F (Muskegon Lumberjacks - USHL, North Dakota commit): He is swift, uses pace to his feet, and has hand skill that thrived in a limited role to start this game. He is extremely gifted with his smarts, making him a natural fit as a center, and even could mix in a bit of wing in there as well. He wasn't a massive standout, but the finite details of his routes, his awareness off-puck in the defensive zone and through neutral ice, as well as his ability to elude checks without the puck was noticeable with his hockey sense. There's rhythm and structure to his game that make him an intriguing player for development, since the hockey sense is already there, layers can easily be implemented into his game with further time as well.
Cole Hutson, LD (NTDP U18, Boston University commit): Similar in style to Lane, Cole's deceptive flair and manipulative element on his puck touches allowed him to be a one man breakout and puck rusher in neutral ice. He isn't afraid of mistakes, as he made a few early on, but bounced back very quickly inside those shift sequences. That fearless creativity is hard to find in an offensive-minded, defensive prospect, as he brings an innate ability to find soft ice on his passes utilizing his vision. He thrives as a playmaker, using his swift skating and ability to play on his toes to elude checks, walk the line, create downhill activation sequences, and handle pressure well. Not sure why he seems to be a consensus outside the top-20 pick based on rankings, but he is way better than that. The translatable components will allow him to make a smooth transition to his freshman year at Boston University next season.
Other Standouts:
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Team White
John Mustard, RW (Waterloo Black Hawks - USHL, Providence commit): Right from the start, his net drives were elite with speed differential to manipulate defenders. His east-west playmaking shined, as well as his north-south old-school style. He pursued 50/50 pucks with pace, looked to drive from the outside lane on entry with speed to the crease area effectively, and he brought wicked hands to use inside the offensive zone. His motor was similar to Eiserman's in which it never stopped, as his compete and resilience was a deciding factor in his play all game. There's scoring upside there in his future at Providence based on his dual-threat playmaking, his smarts, and motor. That all compiles into a great package. He ended up scoring the OT winner to top it off as well, and also, the name is elite.
James Hagens, C (NTDP U18, Boston College commit): There's wizardry in his hand speed, puck skill, and playmaking inside the neutral zone and off the rush that is similar to Jack Hughes. Here's the thing about Hagens, because there's always going to be critics about his slight frame. It's actually leverage. Long-term, if a player like Hagens (Similar to Hughes) adds too much muscle and too much bulk, it might help physically, but it might limit some of his on-ice playmaking that dazzles every game. With a player like him, he is already so fundamentally and tactically skilled, that he doesn't need to bulk a ton. If he adds slightly more mass, it'll help for body positioning and handling stronger players, but we don't want to see him lose the creative, speedy, instinct-style game. Hagens ended up being named MVP of the game based on that offensive creativity, the nifty stickhandling between checks and to get off the wall with purpose, and his inside the house play is rare to come by. He is a late 06, so watch for his name as a premier player in the 2025 NHL Draft.
EJ Emery, RD (NTDP U18, North Dakota commit): A big, physical, toolsy right shot defenseman with first round upside is always intriguing. With Emery, there's more offensive activation coming out of his game and rush patterns as well, which is allowing him to play a comfortable offensive style game. His defensive patterns, defending line rush against, closing gaps with his long reach and frame, and ability to slow play down already allows him to have defensive fundamentals down. He had a goal through rush activation in this game, which made him a fascinating player to watch with his size and puck skills inside the offensive zone. Brad Berry has had success developing marquee defensive prospects in recent years with North Dakota, which will allow Emery to blossom in that style system as well.
Teddy Stiga, LW (NTDP U18, Boston College commit): He plays with a lot of pace, tenacity, forecheck driven play, but also brings a skill touch as a player who can shoot and score. He controls play at higher speeds, allowing him to control the boards and wall play through neutral ice, but can also find ways to create off the wall inside the offensive zone. He plays a style that fits well with BC's mold, as his high octane game with offensive ability in and around the net will be interesting to follow. His shot is underrated, as he can pick his angles well, and isn't afraid to test goalies when presented either.
Will Felicio, LD (Waterloo Black Hawks - USHL, Denver commit): Felicio was recently traded away from Madison to Waterloo, and looked great here at the game. He does a great job activating on the rush offensively, using his puck skills and handling to elude the first few forecheckers. He continued to show good pace to his play as the game went on, using his swift skating and wrist shots to get pucks on net from the point. The offensive activation, two-way defensive game, and his ability to contribute on give-and-go sequences inside the offensive zone will make him a great fit on Denver's blueline in the near future.
Other Standouts:
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