When the 16U boys USA Hockey Nationals begin on Tuesday in Green Bay, Wisc., there won't be a large group of New England teams in attendance.
Only the Providence Capitals and Boston Junior Eagles will compete for a national title. The Junior Eagles won the Massachusetts state title in November, while the Capitals lifted the New England regional title the same weekend.
The 16U nationals provide a good spot for USHL executives to scout for Phase 2 picks, as well as CHL teams to get another glimpse of '09s for their drafts. Colleges usually scout it, too.
We already discussed the 19 uncommitted players to watch at the 18U level. Now, let's look at the 10 uncommitted prospects to watch at the 16U nationals.
Games run through Sunday. Let's dive in.
Aaron Alves-Thomas
Providence Capitals, 3/31/2009, G, catches left, 6-1/170
Hometown: Uxbridge, Mass.Â
Alves-Thomas was a breakout goalie in prep, leading the Lions to the No. 2 seed in the Elite 8 and a spot in the championship game. His numbers were strong — a 2.14 GAA and a .921 save percentage — and his athleticism and ability to make high-danger and low-percentage saves were impressive.
READ MORE:Â Predicting the 2026-27 U.S. National Team Development Program U17 team
Ryder Bisson
Boston Junior Eagles, 8/4/2009, D, left shot, 6-1/176
Hometown: Holden, Mass.Â
Bisson is fresh off a phenomenal winter for St. John's Shrewsbury in the MIAA, playing as one of the top defenders in the state. He scored the shootout-winning goal to send the Junior Eagles to nationals back in November. He's a dynamic, puck-moving defenseman who is a fantastic skater. He's moving to Dexter Southfield next winter, so it will be interesting to see how his game translates to prep.
Anthony Brunetti
Providence Capitals, 7/12/2009, F, left shot, 6-1/185
Hometown: Lewiston, MaineÂ
Brunetti is an intriguing prospect who caught my eye during the prep season with St. Mark's. While his production didn't jump off the page (six goals and 15 points in 30 games), his size, skating and offensive confidence showed flashes of a future top guy in prep. He wasn't drafted in the USHL or QMJHL last spring. But he's someone to keep an eye on against his own age group at nationals.
Isaac Davis
Woodbridge Wolfpack, 1/27/2009, F, left shot, 6-0/161
Hometown: Rockland, Mass.Â
Davis made the move to Woodbridge Wolfpack this season and has also played four games with the USHL's Sioux Falls Stampede, where he has a goal and an assist. Davis' combination of great skating and skill makes him a scoring threat on the wing. The QMJHL's Moncton Wildcats picked him in last year's draft, too.
Ryan Elrick
Boston Junior Eagles, 5/31/2009, F, right shot, 6-0/180
Hometown: Canton, Mass.Â
Elrick ended his MIAA career by winning a state championship for Canton High earlier this month. He's a powerful skater with great skill and a quick, accurate shot from in tight. He will make the move to Cushing next winter and would make for an interesting pick in a junior draft this spring.
READ MORE:Â 13 uncommitted prospects who boosted stock during NEPSAC playoffs
Justin Lee
Nobles, 6/28/2009, G, catches left, 6-1/165
Hometown: Newton Center, Mass.Â
Lee played behind a young, nine-win Nobles team this winter, which had some struggles. While his 3.05 goals-against average and .905 save percentage don't jump off the page, he's still only a sophomore and has already faced quite a bit in two seasons of prep. He's athletic and has long been one of the better '09 goalies in Massachusetts. His junior rights are held by the USHL's Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and QMJHL's Chicoutimi Saguenéens.
Cade Noonan
Boston Junior Eagles, 8/21/2009, F, left shot, 6-1/181
Hometown: Needham, Mass.Â
St. Sebastian's was one of the top breakout teams in prep this winter, and Noonan was a big reason why. He was tied for the team lead in goals with 16. He notched 26 points on the top line. His game is all about grit, compete and physicality, but he has a great shot, and his skill allows him to get into scoring areas. He would make sense as a candidate to be drafted by a junior team this spring.
Keith Olympia
Boston Junior Eagles, 2/10/2009, F, right shot, 5-8/155
Hometown: Sudbury, Mass.Â
Olympia was a key fixture in St. Mark's top six this winter, scoring nine times and posting 35 points as a sophomore. His game is predicated on skill, finesse and good vision. He should take another step as a junior next winter, which should put him on more radars for juniors and college.
Jacoby Palmer
Woodbridge Wolfpack, 10/9/2009, D, left shot, 6-1/176
Hometown: Holden, Mass.Â
Most puck-moving defensemen at this age tend to be smaller, but that's not Palmer. He has the size to go along with slick skating and intelligent decision-making with pucks. He can create offense at high rates, too. His junior rights are owned by the USHL's Des Moines Buccaneers and the QMJHL's Newfoundland Regiment. He's a good Division 1 candidate.
READ MORE: 19 uncommitted players to watch at 18U boys USA Hockey Nationals
Colton Simas
Providence Capitals, 3/22/2009, F, right shot, 5-10/165
Hometown: Coventry, R.I.Â
Simas had a nice sophomore year with eight goals and 14 points in 26 games for Deerfield. The biggest thing with Simas is his shot. Nationals will be a great spot for Simas to show it off and boost his stock, which should rise over the next 13 months. The USHL's Madison Capitols hold his junior rights.
