Over the last few months we’ve seen plenty of changes to our 2009-born American rankings, with monthly updates, as we have taken in several big events getting looks at the top teams and players across the US. To this point, our 2009-born American rankings now consists of 177 skaters.
Now is a great time to go over and review some of the big changes that have occurred over the last little while, taking a glance at particular players, regions, teams, and other things of note as we continue to refine and evolve our rankings from here-on-out.
Top 10 Americans
Our top 10 American player rankings has seen some gradual change since we debuted them almost 2 years ago. Mount St. Charles forward Rocco Pelosi continues to hold down the top spot, and although the gap between him and the field has closed a bit, he's still our clear number one thanks to his all around game and offensive prowess. Sitting at #2 and #3 are two very talented blueliners in Shattuck's Diego Gutierrez and Chicago Mission's Thaddeus McMahon, who both possess sound size, mobility, and hockey IQ. They both project very well to the major-junior level of play and beyond.
Rounding out of the top five are a pair of forwards in Carter Meyer of the Boston Jr. Eagles and Trevor Daley Jr. of Florida Alliance Elite. Meyer has really climbed the rankings over the last few months, time-and-time again displaying his elite 200-foot game complemented by a deep bag of offensive tools. Daley Jr. is one of the most intelligent playmakers in the class, stringing together plays through pressure with ease, but has fallen a bit in the rankings more so as a result of others rising than anything related to his play.
Rounding out the top 10, in order, is Kaden Aucoin, Oliver McKinney, Braiden Scuderi, Max Dessner and Finn Sears.
Aucoin and McKinney are two other key pieces on #4 ranked Chicago Missions roster in tandem with the aforementioned McMahon. Aucoin continues to demonstrate strong, athletic defensive play through reach, strength, and mobility. McKinney plays a similar game to his older brother Cole, smaller in stature, he relies much more on evasive maneuvers to create space before wiring shots on net. One of the top shooters in the class without a doubt.
Mount's Scuderi has begun to put a case together to challenge for the title of the top '09 in the country. At this point, we have him at #7, the diminutive forward has unbelievable skill and vision, perhaps the most talented puck carrier in the class. With big events such as USA Hockey Nationals and the NTDP Selection Camp ahead, keep an eye on Scuderi as he continues to shoot up the rankings.
Dessner and Sears round out the top 10. Dessner is an electric offensive blueliner for Shattuck, doing things no other defenders in the class can do, at any moment within a game he can change the dynamic. Sears is another Boston Jr. Eagle who has really risen in the last couple of months; the size, speed and skill make him an undeniable force at times, possessing plenty of projectable tools for the next level.
Other 5-Star Americans
Within our top 32 North American player rankings, which earns each skater a 5-star rating, 15 of them are from the United States.
Alexander Milojevic at 11 is a lethal bulldozer of a player who has found a way to produce at all levels. Joining Chicago Mission this season, he’s carried his momentum from the Florida Alliance Elite into this season and has been a dominant, physically strong, scoring piece.
A pair of Minnesota High School forwards slip in at #12 and #14 respectively in Freddie Schneider of Edina High and Caden Zasada of Hill-Murray. Both of these players have shown the ability to produce at a high level against some of the top competition in Minnesota High School hockey. Continual physical growth from both of them has enabled success against larger, and older opposition.
At #14 and #16 we have two blueliners in Broden McArthur of Dallas Stars Elite, and Anthony Valenti of Detroit HoneyBaked who complete our 5-star Americans. McArthur playing up an age group has shown the ability to be a rock-solid, reliable, two-way blueliner with strong defensive instincts to shutdown play and quickly move the puck back up ice. Valenti on the other hand is another high-octane offensive blueliner with a motor that never stops. Incredible puck skills, at times he’s the offensive heartbeat for his club.
On the 5-Star Bubble
There’s a wealth of American talent outside of the 5-star group that have caught our eye this season with their strong play and will push for that elusive rating.
Defender Christian Semetsis has made huge strides at Mount St. Charles this season, refining his play in the defensive end while still possessing elite offensive gifts. He's knocking on the door of 5-star status, sitting at #19 in the class. Right behind him at #20 is Little Caesars’ forward Landon Jackman, a dominant, big-bodied playmaker with a strong scoring touch to add in there. Overpowering and unstoppable at times at this level, Jackman is a player who seems primed to succeed at the next level.
Next are a pair of Shattuck skaters, Drew Roscoe at #22 is a massive defender who moves incredibly well for his size. Perhaps the best shutdown blueliner in the class, he is a player schools all over the country will have interest in. Nolan Fitzhenry at #28 has been playing up an age group this season with the 16U Shattuck squad and is currently leading the team in scoring. A lethal goal scorer who offers plenty at both ends of the ice, a meteoric rise may be in store for Fitzhenry in the coming weeks.
New Adds
Eli Tverdovsky is a long overdue addition to our rankings, slipping in at #110 within the US. He’s a crafty cerebral playmaker who is playing with British Columbia's Okanagan Hockey Academy U18 for a few seasons now.
Repping Florida Alliance North, Zackary Ibo finds himself at #98 in the class. An interesting player with good size, strong puck skills, jumping between forward and defense, remaining effective at either position.
Shattuck's Boone Chartier comes in at #52 in the '09 US class. Another long overdue addition, he’s a strong mix of power and playmaking, making him a versatile piece regardless of where, or who he plays with, in the lineup.
A pair of Mid Fairfield Rangers are other notable additions, with Braydon Sisco coming in at #99 and Thomas Jackson at #118, they’re some of the most impactful players on their team, playing up-tempo games, they can be difficult to contain once they get their feet moving and are generating chances with speed.
Mason Moreland comes in at #174 for the Anaheim Jr. Ducks. The mature power forward offers plenty of things that schools will have interest in. Selected in the WHL U.S. Draft by the Saskatoon Blades, he’s a player who as he continues to refine his skill could certainly make huge strides in these rankings.
A quartet of Buffalo Jr. Sabres skaters round out some of the new additions we’ll touch on; forwards Cole Connelly, Norman Greene, and Grant Jokic come in at #165, #173, and #175 respectively while defender Broderick Ferguson rounds things out #176. All four are integral pieces to the Jr. Sabres offense and work very well together as a unit.
There are plenty more additions that have cracked our rankings over the last little while so be sure to dive through our rankings to get a look at whose been added.
What’s Next
As we move through February into March and early spring there will be plenty of hockey to watch, as there always is, leading up to some of the most integral events for players this age group. The NTDP Selection Camp and the USA Hockey Nationals will have a huge impact on what our American '09 rankings will look like before the 2025 USHL Draft. Before we get to those events, we'll be doing a deep dive on a variety of groups including the Minnesota High School scene and those playing up at the 16U level.
In the meantime, here's a look at our up to date 2009-born US player rankings.