MARLBORO, Mass. — The annual Beantown Fall Classic was held at New England Sports Center this past weekend.
While the tournament had some strong teams at different age levels, it's hard to ignore that we're at that part of the fall where many split-season players are looking ahead to their prep and high school seasons.
Still, this weekend provided a great glimpse of who might be making a big impact in prep this season, along with full-season players who are shining.
I took in some 16U action on Saturday with the top matchup being between the Boston Junior Eagles and Mount St. Charles. The game ended in a 1-1 tie.
Here are 12 uncommitted standouts from my viewing of a handful of 16U teams on Saturday.
Gavin Callahan
Mount St. Charles, 4/12/2008, D, left shot, 6-1/181
Hometown: Lexington, Mass.Â
Callahan's been a standout '08 defenseman in this region for a while. On Saturday against the Junior Eagles, he held the offensive blue line well. When he had the puck with pressure on him, he would spin away from pressure at the blue line. He was also able to aid in the offense with smart passes to forwards low in the zone or by getting shots through.
Grady Cohen
Bishop's College 16U, 6/10/2009, F, right shot, 5-5/122
Hometown: New Glasnow, Nova ScotiaÂ
Cohen played up on the 16U team as an '09. He had a nice goal towards the end of the first half against Boston Advantage, posting up next to the net in open space and tipping a shot from defenseman Philippe Vachon. Cohen was great at protecting pucks along the wall, cutting middle and using his skill to get to the slot for chances. I'm really curious to see how Cohen's game progresses as he adds some more height and weight.
Xavier Cormier
Bishop's College 16U, 12/18/2008, D, left shot, 5-10/154
Hometown: Dieppe, New BrunswickÂ
Cormier showcased a high level of mobility and skating on Saturday. He was able to dance away from pressure with ease, using fleet feet to get to space. He was creative with passes coming out of his own zone, waiting for open lanes up ice. In the offensive zone, he walked the blue line well and was able to help out in the cycle being an outlet at the point. As a very late '08, he's someone Division 1 programs should be watching.
PREP PREVIEWS: Avon Old Farms | Belmont Hill | Berkshire | Brunswick | Phillips Andover Â
James Curtatone
Lovell Academy, 3/21/2008, F, left shot, 5-10/154
Hometown: Somerville, Mass.Â
Curtatone posted a nice assist on Finn Feeney's goal midway through the first half, showcasing good vision. Curtatone was able to drive play through the neutral zone, using his skill to navigate through coverage. In the offensive zone, he handled and protected pucks well along the walls. He was also vital on the power play, getting creative to get passing lanes to open up.
Finn Feeney
Lovell Academy, 10/13/2008, F, left shot, 5-7/154
Hometown: Billerica, Mass.Â
Feeney had a nice goal in the first half against the Nor'Easters, driving the net hard and tipping a pass from Curtatone. Feeney's shiftiness and mobility served him well when his line was cycling the puck in the offensive zone. I also liked Feeney's penalty-killing. With under a minute to go in the first half and the Nor'Easters on a power play, Feeney pinned them in their own end for a while, killing time off the clock.
Jacob Jett
Northern Connecticut Nor'Easters, 1/1/2008, F, left shot, 5-10/154
Hometown: Summit, N.J.Â
I've written about Jett quite a bit this fall and for good reason. He showcased great vision on Saturday, making nice passes in transition while drawing defenders to him to create space for teammates. That was on display when he cut middle and dished a puck to forward Russell Kelleran, who went in and scored to give his team a lead with 8:21 to go in the game. Jett was also able to navigate through the neutral zone with ease. He continues to prove why he's a legitimate Division 1 prospect.
George Komadoski
Mount St. Charles, 8/2008, D, right shot, 6-3/194
Hometown: St. Louis, MissouriÂ
Komadoski was great with the puck on Saturday. An example of what he brings came in the first half when he won a puck battle with a Junior Eagles forward, skated out of his own zone and got play going the other way. When he had forechecking pressure on him, he would regularly reverse and quick stops to change direction. He also knew when to join the rush.
Matthew Krayer
Mount St. Charles, 10/22/2008, F, left shot, 5-10/170
Hometown: Concord, Mass.Â
Krayer played such a smart game on Saturday. He got above plays well and anticipated Junior Eagle breakouts. He was good on his faceoffs and helped generate chances with linemates Alexandre Monarque and Will Bent (Dover, Mass.). Krayer is in the midst of a strong season, leading Mount St. Charles with 15 goals and 36 points in 20 games.
Alexandre Monarque
Mount St. Charles, 8/27/2008, F, left shot, 5-9/161
Hometown: Albertville, FranceÂ
Mount St. Charles is known to get high-end prospects from around the world and Monarque is certainly one of them, coming from France. He played with the U20 Geneve-Servette Hockey Club in Geneva, Switzerland last season. On Saturday, he scored Mount St. Charles' lone goal, cleaning up a rebound after a strong shift from him and his linemates. He's a great skater who has shiftiness and an ability to weave through coverage with the puck. A great example of his high compete was when he hustled back in the neutral zone to steal a puck from Junior Eagles forward Noah Survilas (Winthrop, Mass.) and took play the other way.
NHL DRAFT IN FALL: 10 prospects to watch in New England fall hockey
Tommy Saulnier
Boston Junior Eagles, 2/15/2008, G, catches left, 6-0/165
Hometown: Medfield, Mass.Â
Saulnier came to play against a high-end Mount St. Charles 16U team on Saturday, stopping all but one shot in a 1-1 tie. While the lone goal for Mount St. Charles came on a rebound, Saulnier's rebound control after the lamplighter was terrific. He robbed Mount St. Charles forward Chance Adams on a point-blank chance in the second period. He also denied Cole Sabourin (Cumberland, R.I.) on a breakaway late. Saulnier will be with St. Sebastian's come the prep season.
Brady Sloper
Boston Junior Eagles, 5/21/2008, D, right shot, 6-2/198
Hometown: North Andover, Mass.Â
I've seen Sloper a lot since his 14U days and Saturday may have been the best showing that I was in attendance for. Sloper was a standout in a defensive showdown with Mount St. Charles on Saturday. He was physical, finishing checks and keeping his feet moving when chasing down an opposing puck carrier to catch up and separate them from the puck. His puck-moving skills were strong, as he showed poise on breakouts and zone exits. His skating also looked the best it's ever been as he continues to fill into his frame. Sloper will be a Division 1 prospect to track at Belmont Hill this winter.
