Melvin Novotny is Developing Nicely

Hockeyology

by Russ_Cohen - October 9, 2025October 9, 20250

Melvin Novotny plays for the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL. He’s a versatile forward with some jam. He’s currently playing at a point-per-game pace with his team, and the four goals in six games jump out. He made the jump from J20 and pointed out the differences in the leagues. “I feel like it's way more physical. It's way faster,

USHL Fall Classic Additional Standouts

Hockeyology

by Russ_Cohen - September 20, 2025September 20, 20250

We are well into this, and I’m talking about non-NTDP players. Here are a few more: Jack Hextall – Youngstown – This center is a top 15 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. When I watched him last year, I was taken by the fact that he wants the puck. He’s

Jacob Fowler Is Hoping For Big Things This Year

Hockeyology

by Russ_Cohen - June 29, 2023June 29, 20230

Jacob Fowler won a championship in the USHL with the Youngstown Phantoms. That’s a dream for a lot of players. The way this year has worked out for him so far has been magical. “It was super special,” Fowler said. “We had good people. It’s something I’ll never forget. We did

Sam Lipkin and Kenny Connors Are Teammates Again

Hockeyology

by Russ_Cohen - December 17, 2022December 17, 20220

When USA Hockey tweeted the roster for the 2023 World Junior squad. I noticed two names. Sam Lipkin and Kenny Connors are both local Philadelphia guys. It’s amazing to see how hockey has grown in this area, and I remember when it started to grow. In 2018-19, both players were teammates

Nicholas Vantassell Has Some Interesting Tools

Hockeyology

by Russ_Cohen - February 2, 20220

Vantassell is a 6-3 ¾, 190 pound right wing who plays for the Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL hails from Basking Ridge, New Jersey. It’s a town known for having the corporate headquarters for Verizon Wireless and a few more companies. Surely, it must have a bit more an

Gleb Veremyev Is Trending Up Towards the 2022 NHL Draft

Hockeyology

by Russ_Cohen - January 24, 2022January 25, 20220

Gleb Veremyev was a player I’d seen before in this calendar year. I’ve been to Plymouth, Michigan a lot lately for various games and camps. He's improved a lot since the beginning of this season. This New Jersey-born left wing is a fun player to watch. “I live in Monroe Township

Connor Kurth Hopes A Big Season Gets Him Drafted

Hockeyology

by Russ_Cohen - December 7, 2021March 11, 20220

Connor Kurth is a right wing who is in the midst of his second season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints. He scored 41 points in 52 games last season, and in 2021-22 his scoring has been elevated. His 27 points and 13 goals in 20 games will obliterate what he

Matty Beniers Rise To The Top of the 2021 NHL Draft

Hockeyology

by Russ_Cohen - March 15, 2021May 17, 20210

Matty Beniers hasn’t been hiding. He hasn’t come out of nowhere. Nobody is surprised to see him performing at a high level. He’s had an interesting path this season, and through it all, the talented center has continued to see his draft stock rise. Beniers has a great cutting motion in

Continued Excitement Regarding Luke Hughes Will Help to Usher in the 24th Season of the NTDP

Hockeyology

by Russ_Cohen - August 29, 2020September 28, 20200

Normally around this time of the year, we would be talking about the new group of NTDP players who would be getting ready for their new season. Luke Hughes is one of the big returning names who should land in the top ten in the 2021 NHL Draft. He’s the

Future Stars USHL Edition

Hockeyology

by Russ_Cohen - September 30, 2018September 30, 20180

Here are some younger players to watch: Danil Gushchin – 5-9, 161 – Muskegon - He’s a 2002 birthdate. This Russian has speed, feistiness on defense, enough to play the PK. He had a goal and an assist in one period but has been solid every time I’ve seen him. Sean Farrell