A defender who could easily reach the higher levels of Division I, Palmer is sneaky athletic. He’s not the biggest or most athletic defender on the board, but he gets it done by playing his angles well and leaning on a high IQ—knowing when to jump on ball carriers both on and off the ball, and when to sit back and stick to the fundamentals. When the Kings weren’t getting it done at the X, Palmer was the first one to bump up for a double-pole option. That speaks to his ability as an LSM: great on groundballs, rangy when he needs to be, and a solid stick in transition.

A steady, technically sound defender, Brady brings reliability and discipline to the back end of the Valor Christian defense. He’s strong on-ball, using good footwork and positioning to stay in front of his matchup, while his off-ball awareness allows him to consistently make the small, winning plays that don’t always show up in the box score. Brady’s game is rooted in fundamentals; he communicates well, anticipates slides, and takes pride in doing his job the right way. Also competing with the Colorado Kings, he’s continued to grow into a dependable, all-around defenseman who makes his unit better every time he’s on the field.