USHL Fall Classic: Tri-State prospects in the draft spotlight for 2022

Michael Emerson played for North Jersey Avalanche 18-U at 2021 USA Hockey Nationals. (Paul Bryant/USA Hockey)

PITTSBURGH — With the USHL 2021-22 regular season underway here for the Fall Classic event at UPMC Arena in Cranberry Township, several regional players are expected to make an impact at the annual Tier 1 showcase.

New York Hockey Journal’s top 2022 draft eligible appearing here are headlined by Devin Kaplan (Bridgewater, N.J.) and Michael Emerson (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.) playing for the U.S. National Team Development Program under-18 squad and Chicago Steel respectively.

Here, we preview the anticipated most likely NHL draft prospects to have their names called in Montreal July 7-8, and also look at some second-year eligible players from the Tri-State area who could be in the mix to be drafted if they have big years in the USHL.

First year draft eligible: Top-5

1. Devin Kaplan (Bridgewater, N.J.)
C/RW, U.S. NTDP U18, 1/10/04, right shot, 6-3/199

Big, physical forward has been on NHL radars for quite some time, going back to his days in the North Jersey Avalanche midget program. He can get to the net and is very difficult to contain or defend in the possession game. While not overly instinctive with elite vision, he can still find open passing lanes. There are times when he glides versus moving his feet and putting defenders on their heels. If he finds more urgency in his game, he’s a surefire first-rounder in July with the natural talent and athletic ability.

2. Michael Emerson (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.)
RW, Chicago Steel, 12/26/03, right shot, 6-0/165

Intelligent and talented right wing and UMass commit benefited from being a late ’03, as he might not have been drafted the first time around coming out of prep hockey at Kent and the North Jersey Avalanche. Now, playing in the USHL for a premier organization, he will have the chance to make a lot of plays and put up points, getting himself in firmly in the draft conversation.

3. Andon Cerbone (Stamford, Conn.)
C, Chicago Steel, 4/13/04, left shot, 5-9/150

Another in a long line of skilled, offensively gifted players who can beat you in a variety of ways coming out of the Chicago Steel organization. Cerbone is creative and uses his quickness and rapid direction change to shake free from defenders and generate scoring chances. He’s not all that big or strong right now, but got a valuable introduction to the older, faster and more physical USHL last season.

4. Seamus Powell (Marcellus, N.Y.)
LD, U.S. NTDP U18, 4/26/04, left shot, 6-0/166

Outstanding skater and intelligent puck-moving defender followed his older brother to the Program in Plymouth, Mich. and also committed to Boston College. Now, hopes to also land in the NHL draft after Tampa Bay selected Eamon Powell in the fourth round in 2020. His feet are sublime and he plays with pace and quick decisions.

5. Liam Lesakowski (Buffalo, N.Y.)
LD, Cedar Rapids Roughriders, 12/12/03, left shot, 6-4/223

Massive if raw Western New York product has good mobility and a long stick. He takes pride in defending, but also has enough puck poise to get the transition game moving. The former Buffalo Jr. Sabres product who played briefly for Salisbury School and helped the Rochester Coalition win the 18-U Tier 1 national championship last spring committed to the University of Maine this summer as part of Ben Barr’s recruiting wave. As a point-per-game player at ROCO last season, his offensive dimension is coming along.

Sleepers

Nick VanTassell (Basking Ridge, N.J.)
F, Green Bay Gamblers, 4/18/04, right shot, 6-3/185

With his size and powerful skating, he has the tools to appeal to NHL teams and will have a chance to make the Gamblers roster and play in the premier Tier 1 junior league.

Tyler Muszelik (Long Valley, N.J.)
G, U.S. NTDP U18, 7/1/04, catches left, 6-3/194

It has been a tougher adjustment to the demands of playing for Team USA for the Garden State native, but he has NHL tools and talent. If he can get his confidence up, he’s on a strong team that will provide offensive support.

Second time the charm?

Gleb Veremyev (Monroe Township, N.J.)
Lincoln Stars, 6/28/03, left shot, 6-4/195

Big, skilled forward got off to a poor start in 2020-21, but by the end of the season, was one of Lincoln’s more productive and dangerous players. He plays on the edge, taking undisciplined penalties at times, but can back it up with his fists. Tough, and has a legitimate chance to be a second-year draft in the USHL.

Jacob Napier (Lancaster, N.Y.)
Muskegon Lumberjacks, 3/31/03, left shot, 6-2/195

He left Western New York to play for the burgeoning North Star Christian Academy in Alexandria, Minn. and was a 2021 NHL draft sleeper, but went unselected. Now at Muskegon, he’ll have the chance to show off his size, skating and hard, heavy shot after being a first-round pick of the Lumberjacks in last May’s entry draft.

Jeremy Wilmer (Rockville Centre, N.Y.)
Tri-City Storm, 8/16/03, left shot, 5-7/150

Former NTDP center stood out on Team USA for his speed and puck skills. Although he lacks size, he checks boxes for undersized players with his agility, separation gear and ability to get his passes through traffic. A Boston University recruit going into school in 2022, he was drafted by Waterloo but traded to Tri-City, who is loading up for another run as one of the USHL’s top clubs.