NORTHFORD, Conn. – It’s not about how you start, but how you finish.
After losing its first game of the Northeast Pack playoffs, the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite won the last three en route to skating off the Northford Ice Pavilion’s Red Rink with the banner on Sunday.
Pittsburgh defeated the New Jersey Rockets, 6-1, in Sunday’s final. The Penguins Elite got to the final by two straight victories over Mount Saint Charles. Bishop Kearney Selects was the only team to trip up Pittsburgh in the first game. The other team at the event was the Long Island Gulls.
A number of college coaches from Hockey East, Big Ten, ECAC Hockey and Atlantic Hockey took in the action at the 18U division over the course of the three days.
Below are evaluations of 10 players who stood out this past weekend in Northford.
Cal Huston
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, 8/8/05, D, right shot, 6-0/170
Huston is one of those players that you have to watch closely to truly appreciate. He won’t jump off the page at you, but he has good size, moves pucks efficiently and smartly, and defends well. He does a good job on shoulder checks and keeps his head up to make simple breakout passes on the tape. Defensively, he’s strong and good positionally. He keeps opposing players to the outside and protects the net front. A number of schools should be interested in Huston.
Reid Morich
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, 4/11/05, C, right shot, 6-1/183
Morich is a goal scorer who excels below the dots. From Scottsdale, Ariz., this is his first year with the Penguins after previously playing for the Junior Coyotes. He has good size and is rugged, which allows him to cycle pucks down low and win battles for space. He scored a goal in the final and was a big part of the team’s offensive success all weekend. His skating is a little bit of an issue, but he’ll find a home in Division 1 hockey someday.
Luke Malboeuf
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, 1/7/05, D, right shot, 6-0/170
Malboeuf is a little bit of a throwback. He’s got good size and plays a simple, hard-nosed game. He’s not overly offensive, but he’s physical and covers ground defensively. He’ll be one of those players that probably age out of junior hockey and end up at a CCHA or Atlantic Hockey school.
Saxton Tess
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, 7/7/05, LW, left shot, 5-11/170
Tess has bounced around, going from Dallas Stars Elite to Seacoast Academy to the Penguins, but he’s a skilled winger with the potential to play Division 1. He still has to prove he can be less perimeter and play in the dirty areas. However, he showed a good stick and playmaking ability over the course of the three days in Connecticut this past weekend.
Ian Emery
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, 9/21/05, C/RW, right shot, 6-0/183
Emery scored at least two goals on the weekend and impressed with his north-south game. He goes to the scoring areas, is heavy on pucks, and can finish. That’s his strength as a player, so it’s good to see he plays to his identity. He was the glue guy on the team’s line the last few years with Boston University commit Brandon Svoboda and Miami commit Justin Stupka, who are both in the USHL now. The path might be a little longer for Emery, but he has a shot to play in the NAHL or USHL down the road.
Tyler Shaver
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, 1/14/05, C/RW, right shot, 6-1/185
Shaver is one of those players that won’t ever be in the top six in junior or college, but he will find a role as a bottom-six winger. He will never get outworked and he’s heavy on pucks. His skating needs to improve, but he’s a coach’s dream, as he gives an honest effort each shift.
Billy Sheridan
New Jersey Rockets, 3/26/05, C/RW, right shot, 5-11/160 NCAA: Sacred Heart
Sheridan is the only committed player on the Rockets’ 18U team. The Sewell, N.J., native is a skilled, playmaking winger. He made a terrific touch pass from the wall on a transitional play that led to a quality scoring chance. He’s not overly flashy, but he sees the ice well and has shown he keeps getting better. He’s one of a few '05s Sacred Heart has in their pipeline that indicates the Pioneers will continue to see gains on the recruiting trail, due to the new rink.
Anthony Cappello
Long Island Gulls, 8/26/05, C, left shot, 6-3/180
Cappello stood out a few times for his ability to come off the wall, protect pucks and get to scoring areas. From Ossining, N.Y., Cappello’s tools are off the charts, but he needs to show more consistency. If he can bring a top-notch effort every night once he gets to junior hockey, there is a ton of potential.
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Jake Gutwirth
Mount Saint Charles, 7/15/05, C, left shot, 5-8/165
Gutwirth scored a power play goal in one of the games I watched Mount’s 18U team over the weekend. When watching Mount, other players might be bigger, have better hands, or longer skating strides, but no one gets the most out of their ability as Gutwirth does. The Brooklyn, N.Y., native is gritty and plays hard every shift.
Brendan Gillmore
Bishop Kearney Selects, 5/10/05, D, left shot, 5-10/160
Gillmore is a mobile, puck-moving defenseman who did a good job this weekend getting shots through from the point. He’s on the smaller side, but he has the chance to play college hockey at either Division 1 or 3, due to his skating.
