ROCKLAND, Mass. — What's cool about the Mass. Hockey boys festival is players go through it three times. So over the course of three years, onlookers get to watch players raise their stock.
For the '08s, this was their third time through, meaning we've gotten a full look at their development from ages 15-17. It's the second time through for the '09s, so this season marks a nice midway point to see how they're progressing.
It's the first time seeing the '10s. They won't be included in this story.
But which players boosted their stock through the Mass. Hockey boys festival this season? Here are 10.
Let's dive in.
Preston Abbott
New Hampton, 4/5/2009, D, left shot, 5-11/175
Hometown: Middleton, Mass.Â
Abbott shined over both weekends, showing a lot of assertiveness with the puck and an ability to kick-start offense from the back. He was also physical and used a great stick to break up plays in his own zone, too. They got it right in sending him to Select 16 Camp and I'm fascinated to see how he progresses as a top defender at New Hampton next season.
Cooper Campbell
Lovell Academy 16U, 9/20/2008, D, right shot, 6-3/190
Hometown: Cohasset, Mass.Â
In his final year of the festival, Campbell made a USA Hockey Select Camp for the first time. He has the size to intrigue onlookers, but he also is a steady, reliable puck-mover who seems to just be coming into his own. He had a fantastic season with Lovell Academy's 16U team this past season, scoring 11 goals and totaling 69 points in 57 games. He's slated to be back at Lovell Academy next season.
Owen Kailher
Mount St. Charles, 4/7/2009, F, right shot, 5-11/161
Hometown: Plymouth, Mass.Â
Kailher was fantastic at last season's festival, but was a low point-getter on a stacked Mount St. Charles 15O team this past season. He showed himself as a speedy, skillful, play-driving center at both weekends of the festival, and should be a top player for Mount's 16U team next winter.
Cam MacPherson
St. Mark's, 6/19/2008, F, left shot, 5-7/145
Hometown: Hopkinton, Mass.Â
Like Campbell, MacPherson will be attending his first USA Hockey Select Camp this summer — and rightfully so. Despite being undersized, MacPherson produces wherever he goes. He's been a high-end point-getter for the Neponset Valley River Rats for the last three falls, and has quietly put together two strong seasons with St. Mark's, notching 30 goals as a freshman and 37 as a sophomore this past season.
USNTDP: Which '10s from Massachusetts are on the NTDP track?Â
Will Manchuso
St. Mark's, 1/8/2008, F, left shot, 6-0/175
Hometown: Stow, Mass.Â
I mentioned Manchuso as a prospect whose stock rose last season. He moved into being one of the better '08 forwards in Massachusetts last season. This year? He's arguably the top '08 forward coming out of the festival. His skating and powerful shot set him apart. The big thing with him will be maintaining that consistency through the summer and the fall, before being one of the top players in prep next winter.
Brian McFadden
Thayer, 1/8/2008, D, right shot, 6-5/181
Hometown: Holbrook, Mass.Â
McFadden showed some promise last season, but put on a show at the festival, proving he's become the top '08 defenseman from Massachusetts. He has a great mix of size, puck-moving abilities and an ability to create offense. He's also responsible in his own zone. A good showing at Select 17 Camp should make him someone NHL teams can't pass up come June 2026.
Owen McHale
Dexter Southfield, 2/17/2008, F, left shot, 6-0/174
Hometown: Charlestown, Mass.Â
Over the last year, McHale moved from being a low-in-the-lineup agitator to looking like a top-six regular due to his production. He had 19 points in 28 games on a stacked Dexter team this past winter and was a force at the festival. He's a classic power forward who never shies away from conflict or contact. In an age where most players are trying to be as skilled as possible, McHale's uniqueness has him in Division 1 territory.
Gavin O'Toole
Canton High School, 8/22/2009, F, right shot, 6-0/160
Hometown: Canton, Mass.Â
O'Toole was a prospect I wasn't super familiar with entering the festival. O'Toole was impossible to miss in the Final 40, showcasing a high compete to force turnovers. He was always around the puck and on Saturday, he hustled to the front of the net, got the puck and fired it in for a goal. He also backchecked just as hard to prevent rushes the other way.
Stephen Pinette
Hillside School, 6/15/2009, F, left shot, 6-2/172
Hometown: Dracut, Mass.Â
Pinette has been a force at Hillside School for the past two seasons, scoring 16 goals and posting 50 points in 30 games this past season. Pinette protected pucks well at the festival and was able to generate offense from his patience. He forced turnovers, too. The most important thing about these kinds of events is to always be around the puck, and Pinette certainly was.
SELECTIONS: 17 make Select 15 Camp | 15 make Select 16 Camp | 15 make Select 17 Camp
Tommy Wilkinson
Thayer, 9/8/2008, F, right shot, 6-1/165
Hometown: Duxbury, Mass.Â
Wilkinson broke out over the winter with Thayer, scoring 12 goals and tallying 26 points in 29 games. That continued at the festival as he drove play at center, showcasing a fantastic shot and an ability to peruse into Grade-A scoring areas. This is his first trip to a USA Hockey Select Camp, and it is well deserved.
