When the 2025 USHL Phase 1 Draft kicks off on Monday, all eyes will be on the '09s.
It's the 2009-born player's year to be taken in the Phase 1 Draft. Even with the CHL ruling allowing prospects to play for CHL teams and still be eligible for NCAA Division 1 hockey, getting drafted — and eventually playing — in the USHL is a big deal.
Fourteen New Englanders were picked in the 10-round draft last season. This season, four locals made the U.S. National Team Development Program, so they won't be picked on Monday. The draft will be 15 rounds this season.
Along with them, Braiden Scuderi and Stephen Cover, high-end forwards for Mount St. Charles' 15O team, were tendered by USHL teams — Scuderi signed on with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, while Cover opted for the Madison Capitols.
Players picked in Phase 1 don't typically go right to their USHL teams. All 14 locals picked last season at least began their season with their former team.
Here are 11 forwards who could hear their name called on Monday when the draft begins at 6 p.m. EST. A separate story will be done on defensemen and goalies.
Joe Covelluzzi
Cushing, 1/15/2009, F, right shot, 5-8/160
Hometown: Wakefield, Mass.Â
While Covelluzzi missed time down the stretch for the Elite 8 champion Penguins, he still finished second on the team in goals (18) and points (31). The former Boston Junior Eagle turned Neponset Valley River Rat has a great shot and outstanding vision, especially off the rush. He's smart offensively and knows how to put himself in positions to produce.
Ethan Gingeleskie
Avon Old Farms, 6/2/2009, F, right shot, 5-10/150
Hometown: West Hartford, Conn.Â
Gingeleskie played up as an '09 in the fall with the Northern Connecticut Nor'Easter Storm's 16U team. He also contributed at Avon this winter with five goals and 12 points in 26 games. He has outstanding hands and doesn't hesitate to take on bigger defenders. Add in a heavy shot, and he's an offensive threat. He projects to be a breakout candidate next season at Avon and just recently made USA Hockey's Select 16 Camp from the New England District.
Paulo Gualberto Jr.
Mount St. Charles, 4/9/2009, F, left shot, 5-9/174
Hometown: Barnstable, Mass.Â
He didn't get one, but Gualberto had a compelling case for an invite to the U.S. National Team Development Program Evaluation Camp. In two seasons with Mount St. Charles' 14U and 15O teams, he posted over 100 points each. He's a fiery competitor with a wicked shot, great skill and a penchant for getting to the front of the net. I'd expect him to be picked in the first half of the draft.
Liam Guilderson
Belmont High, 3/30/2009, F, left shot, 6-0/160
Hometown: Belmont, Mass.Â
Guilderson was a force for Belmont High in the MIAA this winter, posting 25 goals and 51 points riding on the top line. He's a smooth skater who can reach top speed quickly. He uses that speed to get to scoring areas where he has a nice shot and solid vision to set up linemates. He can play in any situation, as he killed penalties for Belmont over the winter (along with starring on the top power play). Guilderson played for the Boston Junior Eagles 15O team in the fall.
RECRUITING: Jamie Glance commits to Boston University and other news
Troy Hamelin
Pope Francis, 6/8/2009, F, left shot, 6-0/163
Hometown: Springfield, Mass.Â
Hamelin was somewhat of a hidden gem for a deep Pope Francis team in the MIAA this winter. He's a good skater who uses his frame well to protect pucks. He has good hands, too, as he's able to navigate through the neutral zone well to drive offense. The MIAA doesn't have a lot of high-end skill, but it's uber physical. That Hamelin was as productive (22 points) and dominant as he was speaks volumes. He was also at USA Hockey's Select 15 Camp last season.
Ryan Kaczynski
Mid Fairfield, 7/8/2009, F, left shot, 6-0/170
Hometown: Get thisÂ
Like Gualberto Jr., I thought Kaczynski also had a compelling case to be invited to NTDP Evaluation Camp. Kaczynski's game is predicated on high-end skill, and he notched 57 goals and 118 points in 60 games for Mid Fairfield's 15O team. Most recently, he was picked in the first round (19th overall) by the Soo Greyhounds in the OHL Draft.
Caiden Pellegrino
St. Mark's, 12/4/2009, F, left shot, 5-8/155
Hometown: Uxbridge, Mass.Â
Pellegrino, a late '09, had a terrific first season in prep, leading St. Mark's with 30 assists and ranking second on the team in points with 41. He's a crafty center with high-end vision and an ability to set up teammates for scoring. That he had that much success against older, stronger players in his first prep season speaks volumes about where his game could go as he, too, gets bigger and stronger.
Grady Rowley
Mount St. Charles, 7/21/2009, F, left shot, 5-9/168
Hometown: Cumberland, R.I.Â
Rowley recently made Select 16 Camp from the New England District. He had 31 points in 61 games for Mount's 15O team this season and posted 53 points the season before with the 14Us. Rowley's two biggest assets are his compete and his ability to play anywhere in a lineup. He also has good skill, which means an offensive breakout could be coming.
NEW ENGLAND DISTRICT PICKS: 13 headed to Select 17 | 14 headed to Select 16 | 16 headed to Select 15
Colton Sommer
Mount St. Charles, 5/10/2009, F, right shot, 5-10/170
Hometown: Auburn, N.Y.Â
Sommer took a big step for Mount St. Charles this past season, breaking out for 18 goals and 72 points in 61 games for the 15O squad. Sommer has also been a proven winner, along with the rest of his Mount teammates, after winning national championships at the 14U and 15O levels. He recently made Select 16 Camp from the New England District.
Chase Warsofsky
Cushing, 6/19/2009, F, left shot, 5-9/160
Hometown: Northboro, Mass.Â
Warsofsky missed part of the prep season due to injury, but came back and was a steady, reliable center for head coach Ryan Bourque's Penguins. He has high-end skating and can drive play. His hands are good in tight, and he takes smart routes upon offensive zone entries. He's a sure-fire bet for a breakout in prep next winter.
READ MORE: 11 defenders to watch for the USHL Phase 1 Draft
Declan Wotton
Seacoast Performance Academy, 5/16/2009, F, left shot, 6-1/201
Hometown: MaineÂ
Wotton has been a top '09 at Seacoast Performance Academy for the last two seasons, posting a team-high 86 points for the 15O team this year and 109 for the 14Us last year. He was at Select 15 Camp last season, scoring a goal in four games, and will be back in Buffalo this summer for Select 16 Camp.
Editor's note:Â Chase Warsofsky was inadvertently omitted from the first version of this story.Â
