Florida Panthers prospect Ian McCoshen was part of a group of 15 players sent home from the USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation camp on Tuesday.
NHL.com’s Adam Kimelman reports McCoshen was joined by fellow defensemen Michael Brodzinski, a Sharks’ prospect, Coyotes’ Connor Clifton and the Blues’ Thomas Vannelli. Additionally, blue liners Clint Lewis and Scott Savage were handed plane tickets home from Lake Placid, NY.
Forwards Taylor Cammarata of the Islanders, Connor Hurley and Sean Malone of the Sabres, the Rangers’ Keegan Iverson, Coyotes’ Ryan MacInnis, Canadiens’ Michael McCarron and the Blues’ Austin Poganski were also cut along with Ryan Hitchcock and Vinni Lettieri.
Twenty-seven players remain at the U.S. camp including 2015 NHL Draft-eligible forwards Jack Eichel, Kyle Connor and defenseman Brandon Carlo.
Eichel and Erie Otters’ forward Connor McDavid headlined NHL Central Scouting’s list in June for the 2015 NHL Draft.
“He’d be fun to coach for a long period of time,” said US coach Mark Osiecki of Eichel. “He’s so talented, a great kid. I think he’s developed some leadership skills. High-level skater; he’d probably be a top-10 skater in the NHL right now. His skating is effortless. He’s fun to watch and a fun kid to be around.
“I think those high-level players, they’re special players. You can’t teach that. He knows where everything is on the ice at any given point, not only his own players but the opponent. He has a great knack for understanding where everyone’s at. He has a great feel for the game, great hockey sense.”
Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Sonny Milano, who confirmed his commitment to Boston College Monday, remains with the forward group as does 16-year-old Auston Matthews, the youngest player still at camp.
All four goaltenders, who were invited to camp, still remain in Lake Placid. Brendan Burke of the Coyotes, Evan Cowley of the Panthers, the Canucks’ Thatcher Demko and the Rangers’ Brandon Halverson will have three more games, beginning Wednesday against Sweden, to showcase their game.
Demko, as Kimelman reported Monday, has struggled at camp thus far. Vancouver’s second-round pick from June allowed two goals on seven shots in the Americans’ 4-3 loss to Finland.
Eight defensemen also remain in camp.
The Americans’ other exhibition games include Finland and the Czech Republic.
Related: Eichel, McCarron highlight U.S. junior camp roster