Many players made a favorable impression at the Blues Pro Orientation Camp this week at The Mills. Most of the key prospects were on hand and most advanced their cases.

Here is the rundown:

ERIK JOHNSON, D: He is about “95 percent” back from knee surgery, by his own estimation. Team president John Davidson raved about Johnson’s fitness level. If anything. Erik needs to pull back a  bit to prevent burnout.  He didn’t play in Saturday’s scrimmage, to protect his still-healing knee, but he was predictably dominant in drills. He is headed to regular Blues duty.

LARS ELLER, W: He, too, is on the mend. (From shoulder surgery, in his case.) Eller, too, didn’t play Satuday.  But he, too, dazzled during drills. Davidson raved about Eller’s offensive skills and his ability to do everything quickly. Thanks to good coaching in Sweden by long-time NHL forward Ulf Dahlen, Eller shows good hockey sense at both ends of the ice. His adaptation to North American hockey could start at Peoria and move to St. Louis next season.

ALEX PIETRANGELO, D: He took a step forward, showing better focus and more intensity this time around. Everything comes pretty easily to this high-end offensive talent. He is maturing, but he still has a lot to prove to the coaching staff. The pact of training camp will be much faster than this orientation camp. How will Alex respond? If he doesn’t earn a spot on the Blues roster, he will return to junior hockey and then play in the World Junior Championships.

IAN COLE, D: He built his reputation on sturdy defensive play, but he is comfortable rushing the puck. He can trigger the rush and then join it. He isn’t a pure offensive defenseman, but he has the skill to become a Top Four defenseman in the new NHL. The Blues would love him to turn pro and come to trainign camp, but Cole seemed torn about that decision this week. He could return to Notre Dame for one more year.

PHIL MCRAE, C: He dominated during Saturday’s scrimmage, pumping in a couple of goals. He has NHL-caliber hands right now and a rangy build. The Blues expect him to star at the major junior level next season and play in the WJC. Rather than rush McRae along, the Blues want him to arrive ready to score. That day will come.

BRETT PONICH, D: Many experts believe the Blue reached to get this 6-7 defenseman so high in the draft. He is still early in his development. But Blues executive Al MacInnis loved what he saw this week and Davidson said Ponich’s skating and puck skills were better than he expected. Ponich has surprising agility for such a gangly kid. He kept his head up and made tape-to-tape passes. He plays with an edge, too. It’ll be fun to see what he looks like at 22 or 23 years old.

BRETT SONNE, C: Despite his 100-point season in junior hockey, the Blues project him to become a third-line checker/counterattack with some finishing skill. He isn’t big or fast, but his puck skills were obvious in this camp.

KRIS BERGLUND, D: This veteran Swedish defenseman already has NHL hair. He skated circles around some of the kids in this camp. He can rush the puck and pass it. After another year in the Swedish Elite League, he could become an option for the Blues.

RETA BERRA, GT: He is moving to a new team after playing just 16 games for HC Davos in Switzerland last season. He looked very athletic during the scrimmage Saturday — which is notable for a 6-foot-4 netminder — so you can see why the Blues feel he may take a shot at the NHL down the road.

SIMON HJALMARSSON, W: Davidson was pleased with his added bulk since last summer. Eller’s old running mate from two seasons back will move up to the Swedish Elite League this season and test himself against men. He has great wheels and an advanced offensive game.

AARON PALUSHAJ, W: He wasn’t able to play in Saturday’s scrimmage. And he didn’t make a huge impression at Peoria last season after departing the University of Michigan. But he has great wheels and nice skills. Like several smallish forwards in this camp, he will have to get much stronger to flourish at the pro level.

JAMES LIVINGSTON, W: Peoria took a look at him at the end of last season but didn’t put him to work.  The Blues wanted him to get stronger and he did. He made himself noticed during Saturday’s scrimmage, using his 6-foot-2 frame to full advantage. He will have to muck and grind his way to the NHL — and the Blues will several wingers just like him to the NHL and AHL camps.

DAVID WARSOFSKY, D: In the old NHL, such a small defenseman would have no chance to advance. But he has the wheels to get the puck in his zone and the moves to skate it out if necessary. He needs to build on his impressive 2008-09 season at Boston University.

JAKE ALLEN, GT: He wasn’t spectacular in this camp, but the Note still likes his potential. His next step is to play his way into the next WJC while starring at the major junior level. Like Berra, he is very athletic. Davidson praised him, Berra and fellow goaltenders Keith Kinkaid (from the St. Louis Bandits) and Paul Karpowich.

BTW, Hockey Guy loved the atmosphere at the Mills. Fans waited in line for hours to see this scrimmage and the place was rocking. Fans are getting very excited about the coming season.

It reminded Hockey Guy of the old days when Brett Hull and Co. electrified the Brentwood rink during camp.