10 uncommitted 16U standout forwards from Beast Columbus Day Showcase

FOXBORO, Mass. — It was a long weekend. So you know what that meant.

Several rinks in Massachusetts and Rhode Island hosted the Beast Columbus Day Showcase from Friday through Monday, with players getting a chance to play in front of prep coaches, college coaches, junior scouts and NHL scouts.

I focused on the 16Us this weekend, mainly at Foxboro Sports Center. What's interesting about the 16Us is not only are they looking to perform for a Division 1 commitment, but many are on the cusp of breaking out in prep.

Here are all the teams I got a chance to see this weekend:

• Black Bear Academy
• Long Island Gulls
• Neponset Valley River Rats
• Northern Connecticut Nor'Easter Storm
• Pittsburgh Vengeance
• South Hill Panthers
• South Shore Kings (Damon)

And now for 10 uncommitted 16U forwards who stood out. A separate story will be done on defensemen and goalies.

Noah Callender

South Hill Panthers, 6/19/08, F, left shot, 5-8/143
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Penn. 

Callender was the best player on the Panthers. He was instrumental in his team's game-opening goal on Saturday. It started with him taking smart routes on the forecheck and keeping the cycle going. Eventually, he was the forward in front of the net, putting pressure on the Kings' defense and screening the netminder, which allowed Cullen Campbell to come around the net and fire in a goal. Callender was poised with the puck and despite being undersized, showed good strength when hit, as he stayed up and was consistently able to hold onto pucks.

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Nikko Chiaradonna

South Shore Kings, 2008, F, left shot, 5-9/150
Hometown: Foxboro, Mass. 

The Kings struggled to create offense on Saturday against the South Hill Panthers, but Chiaradonna was a bright spot. Late in the first half, he used his speed to get a breakaway and draw a penalty, leading to a penalty shot. He was smart on the forecheck and got above the play well to cause fits for some Panther breakouts. He was often the reason the Kings were able to keep the puck in the offensive zone. In the second half, he made a nice play cutting hard to the net with the puck to put pressure on the Panthers. He will be with Foxboro High this winter.

Cooper Cox

South Hill Panthers, 3/30/08, F, left shot, 5-10/154
Home state: West Virginia 

Cox worked well on a line with Callender. He was able to drive play and was always involved in the offense. He made crafty passing plays off the rush to generate offense. He was also physical, never shying away from contact, which helped elongate offensive zone sequences and cycling.

Liam Donnelly

Northern Connecticut Nor'Easter Storm, 5/29/08, F, left shot, 6-0/200
Hometown: Ringwood, N.J. 

Donnelly can be so lethal off the rush. His blend of powerful skating and his frame make him difficult to stop. That allows him to gain offensive zone entries and navigate around the offensive zone with the puck longer than most of his peers. Add in his pro shot and ability to win 1-on-1 battles and I'd be shocked if he isn't committed to a Division 1 program within the next couple of months. He should be a major player at Avon Old Farms this winter.

Ethan Gingeleskie

Northern Connecticut Nor'Easter Storm, 6/2/09, F, right shot, 5-10/150
Hometown: West Hartford, Conn. 

Gingeleskie, who is playing up a level as an '09, was dominant against the Pittsburgh Vengeance on Saturday. In the first half, he hit Aiden Strzelecki in front of the net with a creative pass for a goal. Later in the game, he showcased a hard, quick release for a goal. Gingeleskie had great hands, showing an ability to get out of danger and around defenders when necessary. He will be at Avon Old Farms this season.

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Jacob Jett

Northern Connecticut Nor'Easter Storm, 1/15/08, F, left shot, 5-10/160
Hometown: Summit, N.J. 

Jett has quickness and agility in his skating which sets him apart. On Saturday against Pittsburgh Vengeance, there was a sequence where he got the puck in neutral ice, gained speed off his first three steps and took off, entering the offensive zone, cutting middle and getting a shot off. Like Donnelly, he will be a major player at Avon Old Farms this season. And, also like Donnelly, I'm surprised he's not a Division 1 commit yet.

Will Manchuso

Neponset Valley River Rats, 1/9/09, F, left shot, 5-11/180
Hometown: Stow, Mass. 

Manchuso opened his game against Black Bear Academy on Saturday with a goal, reading the play well and jamming in the rebound. But it was his play that didn't show up on the scoresheet that made him stand out. He showed a high compete when disrupting breakouts and extending offensive zone trips. He showcased a bunch of speed off the rush, putting defenders on their heels. He will be at St. Mark's this winter and has Division 1 interest.

Aiden Strzelecki

Northern Connecticut Nor'Easter Storm, 5/8/08, F, right shot, 6-2/170
Hometown: Huntington, N.Y. 

Strzelecki showed great hands in tight when he dangled around a Pittsburgh Vengeance defender and made a pass to stretch out the opposing defense. Moments later, Strzelecki correctly followed the play, got open and deposited a pass from Gingeleskie. Strzelecki also made smart passes in the neutral zone to optimize his team's zone entries. In the offensive zone, he was a big part of the cycle game. He will be at Avon Old Farms this winter.

Anthony Thomas-Maroon

Long Island Gulls, 9/2/08, F, left shot, 5-11/170
Hometown: St. Louis, Mo. 

Against the South Hill Panthers on Sunday, Thomas-Maroon let go of a laser that beat the goalie high glove. It was an impressive snipe through traffic from in tight. He also showcased great hands late in the game when he zipped through the neutral zone and dangled a Panther defenseman to get a scoring chance. Thomas-Maroon is the son of longtime NHL forward Pat Maroon.

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Aleksei Zhukov

Long Island Gulls, 4/18/08, F, right shot, 5-11/145
Home country: Russia 

Zhukov has such a high level of poise with the puck. He never panicked in my viewing of him this weekend on Sunday against the South Hill Panthers. He had one sequence when he dangled through defenders in the neutral zone, got into the offensive zone and cut middle for a hard shot. He utilized head fakes, deception and his great hands to navigate through the defenders in the offensive zone.