ROCKLAND, Mass. — The Beast Fall Classic was held this past weekend at several rinks across Massachusetts.
Teams from the 13U to 18U level battled Friday-Sunday.
I focused on the 18U teams at Lovell Arena on Saturday. Here is the full list of teams I got a chance to view:
- Amherst Knights
- Boston Advantage
- Central Mass. Penguins
- Connecticut Chiefs
- Neponset Valley River Rats
- Northern Cyclones
- Northern Connecticut Nor'Easter Storm
- Phoenix Jr. Coyotes
- Rockets Hockey Club
- Yale Jr. Bulldogs
It's a big time for the uncommitted 18U players looking to play their best in front of college eyes. There are also quite a few players in here who are on the cusp of being legitimate impact prep players.
Here are 12 uncommitted standout 18U forwards from the weekend. A separate story will be written on defensemen and goalies.
Blake Baksay
Yale Jr. Bulldogs, 1/17/2006, F, right shot, 5-8/165
Hometown: Fairfield, Conn.Â
Baksay showcased terrific hands and vision, especially off the rush. He was able to get to high-danger areas with good puck control in tight areas and core strength, as he was difficult to knock off the puck. In Saturday's game against the Connecticut Chiefs, there was a strong sequence for him when he dangled through the slot and ripped a deceptive shot that surprised the netminder. Baksay is at Northfield Mount Hermon this season.
Domenico Clarizio
Yale Jr. Bulldogs, 4/30/2007, F, right shot, 6-0/180
Hometown: Laval, QuebecÂ
Clarizio was able to drive play when he had the puck in transition. He used his frame well to protect pucks and was able to get past defenders with his good skating. I also liked his patience when the puck was on his stick. He's back at Taft this winter.
Max Dineen
Central Mass. Penguins, 7/5/2006, F, left shot, 5-9/150
Hometown: Brentwood, N.H.Â
In Saturday's thrilling 5-5 tie with the Neponset Valley River Rats, Dineen scored a slick breakaway goal, gaining separation and feathering a backhand finish into the back of the net. In the offensive zone, he had poise with the puck and often waited for passing lanes to open before threading the needle to a teammate. Dineen will be at Cushing again this winter.
Alex Gomes
Central Mass. Penguins, 2/17/2006, F, left shot, 6-0/190
Hometown: Ludlow, Mass.Â
Gomes had a goal in Saturday's matchup with the River Rats, going hard to the net and having a puck bounce off his chest and in. But it was his ability to get to high-danger areas and his nice vision in creating sustained offensive zone time that made him stand out. He will be at Cushing again this winter.
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Rui Han
Neponset Valley River Rats, 2/23/2007, F, left shot, 6-0/170
Hometown: Birmingham, Ala.Â
Han played with a lot of speed. That helped him drive play and put defenders on their heels. He was always active around the net trying to get to loose rebounds. Han had 21 points for Phillips Andover last season and looks poised for a big boost from that this winter.
Daniel Hussa
New Jersey Rockets, 5/6/2007, F, left shot, 6-4/192
Hometown: North Wales, Penn.Â
Hussa was always involved in the offense and showed no hesitation in driving the net. Against the Northern Cyclones on Saturday night, he was even able to drive play while killing a penalty. When he entered the offensive zone with the puck, he was able to draw defenders and properly identify where to pass the puck. He had a nice setup on Brent Beswick goal on the power play.
Joe Marchi
Neponset Valley River Rats, 10/30/2007, F, right shot, 5-8/170
Hometown: Foxboro, Mass.Â
Marchi scored a goal in the River Rats' four-goal, third period comeback on Saturday, showcasing a nice finish. He was able to create offense off the rush and his penalty-killing was intelligent too. His positioning was strong and he applied his stick well in passing lanes. Marchi continued to play a confident game. He will be at Dexter Southfield again this winter.
Jake Novak
Northern Connecticut Nor'Easter Storm, 4/29/2006, F, right shot, 5-10/165
Hometown: Needham, Mass.Â
The words underrated and underappreciated get thrown around a lot when talking about prospects. Novak fits into both categories as he is quietly coming off of two strong seasons at Roxbury Latin. Novak enters Salisbury as a postgrad and was great in the time I saw him this past weekend. He had a nice goal against the Jr. Coyotes on Saturday, stick-handling around a defender and finishing a chance.
Nicholas Petrut
Northern Connecticut Nor'Easter Storm, 12/14/2006, F, right shot, 5-10/160
Hometown: Russell, OntarioÂ
Petrut was strong on board battles, using his frame to get under defenders and protect pucks. His shiftiness and skill allowed him to get to high-danger areas. He was also able to generate speed quickly, powering past defenders. When driving play, he used head fakes well to trick opposing defenders. He will be back at Salisbury this winter.
Alex Reed
Northern Cyclones, 2/26/2007, F, right shot, 6-1/180
Hometown: Atlanta, Ga.Â
In a game in which the Rockets controlled the puck for the majority of the time, Reed made his puck touches count. He drove play and showcased great hands, slowing the game down and being able to get around and through defenders. Reed, who used to play for the Nashville Jr. Predators, was with Vermont Academy last season and will be back there again.
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Riley Slovis
Amherst Knights, 7/6/2007, F, left shot, 5-11/165
Hometown: Lexington, Ky.Â
It was Slovis' 200-foot game that stood out the most. He was active on backchecks. A great example of that came on Saturday when Slovis hustled back and prevented a goal by tying up a Boston Advantage forward so he couldn't get a swipe at a rebound. Slovis is also a good skater. He will be a nice addition for Salisbury this season, coming over from the Cleveland Barons.
Nico Smilovic
New Jersey Rockets, 4/24/2007, F, left shot, 6-4/200
Hometown: Wyckoff, N.J.Â
Smilovic made smart reads in the opposing zone on Cyclones' breakouts, at one point intercepting a pass for a point-blank scoring chance. He showcased good vision and was always driving play.
