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Forwards
#40 Lane Pederson
C - 6'0" - 192 lbs - Shoots L - 17 Yr/O - Seattle (WHL) - Junior Invite
Teammate of Shea Theodore in juniors, Pederson completed his first full season with the Thunderbirds after appearing in two regular season and three playoff games with the club in 2013-14. In an offseason Q&A with the T-Birds site before this year Pederson described his biggest strengths as being able to read the play and create opportunities for himself and teammates, as well as comparing his playing style to Claude Giroux. This past season he appeared in 63 games as a WHL rookie, posting eight goals and 12 assists good for third on the team amongst rookies and 14th overall.
#49 Nathan Noel
C - 5'11" - 171 - R - 18 - Saint John (QMJHL) - Junior Invite
An undrafted prospect in 2015 after finishing ranked as the 54th ranked North American skater in his first draft eligible season, Noel lead the Sea Dogs in his second season with the team with 62 points (41st in the league) and tying for the team lead with 24 goals in the regular season. He a team best five goals and tied for top seven points in the playoffs. He prepped at the famous Shattuck St. Mary's program and according to EliteProspects is a high skill reliable player with a "non-stop motor", as well as good hockey sense and creativity in the offensive end.
#76 Chad Heffernan
LW - 6'2" - 190 - L - 19 - Sudbury, Belleville (OHL) - Junior Invite
The stepson of former Chicago Blackhawks great and New York Rangers Stanley Cup Champion Steve Larmer, Heffernan played his first two full seasons in the Ontario with the Bulls before being traded to Sudbury this past season. A tenacious physical presence who told Belleville's website during his rookie season that as a self-proclaimed power forward he "loves" fighting, and would readily drop the gloves to defend a teammate. Heffernan was an unfortunate third party in Los Angeles Kings draft pick Jake Marchment's Tinder sexual harassment issue, the LA selection using Heffernan's phone to make inappropriate, harassing comments.
#77 Scott Conway
C - 6'0" - 190 - L - 20 - Penn State (Big Ten) - College Invite
Born in Basingstoke, England, Conway attended Penn State after earning honors with the Texas Tornado in the North American Hockey League in 12-13 and making the United States Hockey League's First All League Team with the Indiana Ice in 13-14. With the Nittany Lions he was the team's top scoring freshman, posting 10 goals and 16 assists in 34 games which was good for second in the conference and 15th in the nation. During the offseason he was dismissed from the team by coach Guy Gadowsky for violating team rules, and would have to sit out the 15-16 NCAA season if he transfers to another school.
#80 Dennis Kravchenko
C - 5'9" - 176 - L - 21 - UMass (Hockey East) - College Invite
Finishing as the Minutemen's leading scorer as a freshman, Kravchenko accomplished something done only three times in program history since they joined Hockey East 21 years ago. Born in Laguna Niguel, his 10 goals and 23 assists in 36 games were good for fifth in the nation in freshman scoring and earned him the UMass Rookie of the Year award. Minutemen assistant coach Ryan Miller told the Daily Collegian that Kravchenko has elite hockey skills, with a good stick, playmaking ability and is a very good athlete.
#82 Matt Berry
RW - 5'10" - 168 - R - 22 - Norfolk (AHL), Michigan State (Big Ten) - Free Agent
After completing his senior season at Michigan State last season, Berry signed on with the former Ducks affiliate Norfolk Admirals and saw five games. In his Spartan career he lead the team in scoring as a sophomore, and was named an All Big Ten Honorable Mention as a senior, putting up 48 goals and 48 assists in 130 games over his four years. A feature on the Red Wings website written in 2012 notes that coaches have always wanted him around the net, and he's been much obliged thanks to solid finishing ability that's followed him his entire career.
#83 Eric Scheid
C - 5'10" - 174 - L - 23 - Penn State (Big Ten) - College Invite
Redshirting after transferring from University of Alaska-Anchorage following his freshman year, Scheid's 14 goals were good for third and 29 points fourth on the Nittany Lions as a redshirt Junior this past season. Despite suffering a concussion during the season his speed was a vital part of his success, as well as an attitude that "no matter what happens, your next shift you have to try to go out and make it your best." SB Nation's College Hockey page describes him as a small but gritty forward with scoring, toughness, and defensive responsibility.
#84 Patrick Russell
RW - 6'1" - 200 - R - 22 - St. Cloud State (NCHC) - College Invite
Countryman of Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen, the Birkerød, Denmark born winger has been a fixture for Danish international sides since the 09-10 season. He played in the Linköping system in Sweden from 09-10 to 12-13 before moving to the US and leading the Waterloo Hawks to the USHL title before enrolling at St. Cloud State. Waterlook head coach P.K. O'Handley told the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier that the power forward has an NHL caliber shot, while St. Cloud State head coach Bob Motzko told the Saint Cloud Times that Russell's greatest strengths are battling for pucks and getting in front of the net on the playoffs.
#85 Bryan Moore
LW - 6'0" - 199 - L - 21 - Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) - Free Agent
Ranked the 195 skater in North America in 2015 when he went undrafted, Moore has attended prospect camps for the New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes in the past few seasons. He's a teammate of Nick Ritchie with the Greyhounds, where Moore finished ninth on the team with 50 points. Born in Indian Trail, North Carolina in the same area where the AHL's Charlotte Checkers play, Moore credits mid 13-14 season trade from the struggling Sarnia Sting to the Soo for raising his profile as a prospect, telling the Checkers website that moving to the Greyhounds made him a better player.
Defensemen
#87 C.J. Garcia
6'0" - 185 - L - 19 - Guelph, Barrie (OHL) - Junior Invite
A stay at home defenseman who spent two seasons working his way into the lineup and skating with 2014 Calder trophy winner Aaron Ekblad with the Colts, Garcia was picked up by the Storm at the trade deadline this past season. In a player spotlight article on Guelph's website Garcia projects himself as a smooth-skating defenseman that moves the puck well and provide a hit, blocked shot, whatever it takes to succeed. EliteProspects noted in 2014 that he is not overly physical but has a good understanding of the game, and has continued to develop as he's gotten more comfortable with the pace of the game.
#88 Nic Nonis
6'3" - 184 - L - 19 - Powell River (BCHL) - College Invite
Son of former Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Dave Nonis, who the Ducks have expressed interest in potentially bringing on board in a management capacity, Nic committed to the University of New Hampshire after spending this past season with the Powell River Kings of the British Columbia Hockey League following graduation from Governor's Academy. He attended the Ducks Summer Development Camp last season, scoring a goal in the second scrimmage. Nonis spoke with UNH Men's Hockey Blog about the experience, saying it caught him off guard when he was invited but he felt he was able to hold his own.
Goalies
#30 Veini Vehvilainen
6'1" - 180 - Glove L - 18 - JYP Jyvaskyla (Finland JR) - Junior Invite
An undrafted prospect in 2015 after finishing as the sixth ranked European goalie, Vehvilainen has played with JYP Jyvaskyla since the 12-13 season when he played at the U16, U18 and U20 levels. He has represented Finland internationally at the U16, U17, and U18 levels, including appearing in all seven games at 2015 U18 World Championship in Switzerland where he went 5-2 with a 1.65 GAA, .949 save percentage and one shutout as the Finns lost in the championship game to the US 2-1. This past season Vehvilainen split time with JYP Jyvaskyla's Junior (U20) and Second League (JYP Akatemia in Mestis) sides, posting a 2.57 GAA and .917 SV% in 26 regular season appearances in Mestis play.
#79 Jake Hildebrand
6'0" - 187 - L - 22 - Michigan State (Big Ten) - College Invite
Teammate of free agent invitee Matt Berry and entering his senior season with the Spartans, Hildebrand became the 11th goalie in program history to earn All American honors and the first since Ryan Miller in 2002 to be named to the first team. He was also named Big Ten Player and Goaltender of the Year, became just the fourth player in MSU history to be named team MVP for three seasons, and played in all 35 games for the program with a 17-16-2 record, 2.18 GAA and .930 SV%. Last year Hildebrand, born in Butler, PA, was invited to the Pittsburgh Penguins summer development camp.