A prototypical LSM who handles his pole like a short stick, Hayes Neal caught my eye at Project 9 with a great check on one of the event’s best players. Neal has everything you want in an LSM. His quickness and reliability off the ground make him a strong option on the face-off wing. He’s incredibly rangy between the lines, able to stretch out and pressure opposing midfielders out of their comfort zones. His stick caught my eye all summer. He handles pressure well, throws passes from all angles, and shoots confidently from range and inside. If he can add some weight while keeping his athleticism, he’s going to be a real problem at the next level.