USHL Rookie Watch: Katzin, Roed Leading Exciting Crop Of First-Year Players
A look at several of the top-performing rookies around the USHL thus far
A look at several of the top-performing rookies around the USHL thus far.
Lev Katzin, F, Green Bay
At 5-foot-7, 171 pounds, Katzin may lack the prototypical frame that NHL scouts look for, but the Harvard commit is a good skater, features a quick shot, and displays good vision. Green Bay’s 2023 tender signing tallied five of his first seven points in one game, a 6-2 win over the NTDP U17s. Katzin has played well against younger teams, but he was held scoreless in his last three games and limited to just two shots on goal over that span against the NTDP U18s and Dubuque Fighting Saints — older and more physical teams.
Nolan Roed, F, Tri-City
Roed checks in as an older USHL rookie, turning 18 at the end of October. He was drafted by Tri-City in the fifth round of the 2022 USHL Phase II Draft but opted to play for White Bear Lake High School in 2022-23, where he led the team in points (55). Roed has seamlessly transitioned to the USHL and shouldered a fair amount of the offensive contributions for the Storm, potting three goals and five points through the first six games. He’s seen time on the top line alongside Trevor Connelly and figures to be a regular in the top-six forward group.
Sascha Boumedienne, D, Youngstown
Boumedienne’s first career USHL goal was a sight to behold, an absolute missile from the blueline in a 2-1 loss to Tri-City at the USHL Fall Classic. One of two tender signings for Youngstown last year, he led all Ohio Blue Jackets 16U defenders in points (42) last season by a wide margin. Through his first five USHL games, the 16-year-old has been an excellent puck distributor, collecting a season-high four assists in Youngstown’s 12-0 win over the NTDP U17s. Boumedienne has just six shots on goal this season, but look for that to change as he settles in.
Hagen Burrows, F, Sioux City
Minnetonka High School may look to Burrows to help defend their state title, but the Denver commit seems already at home in the USHL. The 17-year-old potted his first career USHL goal at the Fall Classic and is tied for the second-most points (5) among rookies in the league. Burrows has exuded consistency thus far, registering a point in five of his first six games. At 6-foot-2, 165 pounds, he has good size, but he’ll look to fill out his frame as he develops as he faces bigger competition.
Hampton Slukynsky, G, Fargo
Slukynsky dabbled in the USHL with a couple of appearances for the NTDP U18 squad last year, but most of his time was spent at Warroad High School. The Los Angeles Kings selected the 18-year-old in the fourth round of the 2023 NHL Draft. He gives an already talented Fargo team a wealth of depth in net and will continue his development under the tutelage of veteran goalie Anton Castro. Slukynsky picked up wins in his first two starts, posting a rookie-best 2.84 goals-against average thus far.
Lukas Sawcyn, F, Chicago
The Chicago Steel have gotten off to a difficult start, with their only win coming in overtime at the Fall Classic. Sawchyn picked up his first point in the team’s loss to Lincoln in Pittsburgh and has points in four of his first six games. The 16-year-old potted his first career USHL goal against Madison, a game in which Sawchyn recorded a multi-point effort.
John Mustard, F, Waterloo
Mustard was a player that really intrigued me during the preseason, and he’s had a fantastic showing to start his rookie campaign. The Providence commit has three points through five games, recording 11 shots on net and a shootout goal during that span. As a 2022 USHL Phase II pick, Mustard led all AYHL 16U skaters with 117 points (56 goals, 61 assists) in 2022-23. The 17-year-old picked up his first goal against Madison at the Fall Classic. He’s consistently been a driver of offense and recorded his first multi-point game this past weekend in a 7-4 loss to Sioux Falls.
Zach Morin, F, Youngstown
One of two high-profile tender signings for Youngstown last year, Zach Morin had a quiet showing at the USHL Fall Classic, but he has shown flashes of what made him so coveted after recording 130 points in 77 games for the Little Caesars 15U club last year. The BU commit forced eight shots on net over his last three games, resulting in two goals and four points. Morin seems to be settling in, and the points could start coming in bunches.
Caleb Heil, G, Sioux Falls
Following up on his performance at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, there was plenty of hype surrounding Caleb Heil coming into the year. The North Dakota commit has answered the bell, collecting wins in each of his first three starts. Heil’s brief nine-game sample size with the Herd last year allowed him to pick up the speed of the USHL, which helped him get off to a good start this season. Better yet, the 17-year-old has a wonderful opportunity to learn under former NTDP netminder Michael Chambre for at least a season before potentially assuming an expanded workload for the Stampede next year.
Michael Barron, F, Dubuque
Like Katzin, Barron lacks the ideal size that scouts have in mind, but at 5-foot-7, 161 pounds, he has a terrific net-front presence that puts him in a prime position to put up points. The 17-year-old appeared in seven games last year as an affiliate call-up for Dubuque. He didn’t register any points, but the experience of getting up to speed has allowed him to make an immediate impact in 2023-24. Barron has four points (one goal, three assists) through five games and already has two multi-point efforts.
(Videos courtesy of FloHockey)