The top 2007-born players from Massachusetts will take part in the Mass. Hockey Festival, which gets underway on Friday and runs through the weekend at New England Sports Center.
Over the three days, evaluators will pick out the best '07s to move on to the Top 40, which is the following weekend.
It's a big year for the '07s. They will fight for a chance to represent the Massachusetts District, which is separate from the New England District, at USA Hockey's Select 17 Camp.
This story will focus on some interesting uncommitted '07 forwards to watch during the first weekend.
Here were the full slate of forwards who made it to USA Hockey's Select 16 Camp last season:
- Cam Caron
- Rian Chudzinski
- Dylan Krayer
- John McDonough
- Michael Munroe
- CJ Watroba
- Patrick Woods
Five of those seven are committed to Division 1 schools, while Chudzinski and Woods are still too young to commit.
FULL ROSTER: 238 players invited to 2024 Mass. Hockey boys festival
Let's dive into 14 uncommitted forwards to keep an eye on in the first weekend.
Tommy Anderson
Thayer, 2/2/2007, F, left shot, 5-7/161
Hometown: Braintree, Mass.Â
Anderson is one of the main reasons why I have Thayer as a team that could make some serious noise next year. He broke out with 12 goals and 32 points in 28 games for Thayer this past winter. He's undersized but has no problem generating scoring chances. Anderson made the Final 40 last season.
Rian Chudzinski
St. Sebastian's, 12/30/2007, F, right shot, 6-0/170
Hometown: Needham, Mass.Â
Chudzinski was a freshman at St. Sebastian's this past season. Unless he accelerates, it's roughly a year until he can commit anywhere as a sophomore. He's on track to be a definite Division 1 player, as he plays with a high level of speed and skill. Even on a senior-heavy Arrows team, Chudzinski saw significant time in the top nine. He made it to USA Hockey Select 16 Camp last season.
Nicholas D'Olympio
Catholic Memorial, 6/8/2007, F, right shot, 5-7/134
Hometown: Rockland, Mass.Â
D'Olympio started to stand out quite a bit last winter as a freshman with Catholic Memorial and had a strong showing at the 2023 Mass. Hockey Festival, earning a spot at the Final 40. D'Olympio continued his upward trajectory with the East Coast Militia in the fall and CM in the winter, serving as the Knights' best goal scorer.
Joe Feinberg
Milton Academy, 1/10/2007, F, right shot, 5-10/175
Hometown: Needham, Mass.Â
Feinberg finished his first season in prep, scoring seven goals and totaling 21 points in 27 games for Milton Academy. He plays a tough game on the edge, making life difficult on opposing defensemen. I'm intrigued to see how he stacks up against his own age group after a year in prep.
Jack Fitzpatrick
Xaverian, 10/22/2007, F, left shot, 6-4/190
Hometown: Canton, Mass.Â
Fitzpatrick is so intriguing due to his size. He skates well for a 6-foot-4 wing and is fresh off a 13-goal, 22-point campaign for Xaverian. He made the Final 40 last season.
JOURNEY TO COLLEGE: How many players from the Mass. Hockey Festival play college hockey?Â
Liam Gore
Little Caesars 16U, 6/22/2007, F, left shot, 5-10/161
Hometown: Arlington, Mass.Â
After two strong years for Arlington in the MIAA, Gore made the unconventional move to play for Little Caesars 16U team, which is based in Michigan. He scored 11 goals and posted 34 points in 59 games. Gore has always been known for playing with a high motor and compete.
Justin Graf
Rivers, 7/10/2007, F, left shot, 5-11/160
Hometown: Lincoln, Mass.Â
The story with Rivers this season was the eighth graders having such a big impact, but Graf quietly ranked second on the team in points with 35. He's reliable, has good offensive instincts and a high hockey IQ. He made the Final 40 last season.
Billy MacAusland
Nobles, 8/4/2007, F, left shot, 5-10/160
Hometown: Westwood, Mass.Â
Like Graf, MacAusland broke out in prep this winter. He scored 13 goals and tallied 28 points in 27 games for Nobles, who finished as the No. 1 seed in the Large School Tournament. He has a great shot and is relentless around the net for loose pucks. This will be a big showing at festival, as Division 1 schools will get another viewing of him before he enters his junior year.
Joe Marchi
Dexter Southfield, 10/30/2007, F, right shot, 5-8/170
Hometown: Foxboro, Mass.Â
Marchi adjusted to prep more and more as the season rolled on. He finished with nine goals and 26 points in 31 games. He's undersized, but has Division 1-worthy skill and a quick release. When he plays against players his own age, he typically is one of the top standouts.
Evan Nee
St. Mark's, 8/12/2007, F, left shot, 5-8/160
Hometown: Arlington, Mass.Â
In Year No. 2 at St. Mark's, Nee saw a 10-point increase, going from 14 as a freshmen to 24 as a sophomore in a more prominent role. Along with playing on the edge, he showed himself to be someone who can create for his teammates, as was evidenced by his 19 assists.
Trevor Pellecchia
Winchendon, 2/23/2007, F, right shot, 5-11/154
Hometown: Leominster, Mass.Â
Winchendon was a team in transition this past winter under first-year head coach Mike Busconi. Pellecchia was a bright spot for the future with 12 goals and 26 points in 32 games. Pellecchia is a reliable two-way forward who can get the job done in the offensive zone, while still hustling back to break up plays in his own end. I was impressed with his fall season with the Neponset Valley River Rats.
Anthony Sergeyev
Milton Academy, 1/5/2007, F, right shot, 5-10/160
Hometown: Dover, Mass.Â
Milton Academy took a step back in the win column this season after some notable departures. But Sergeyev's ascendance into one of the better '07s in prep was impressive. He led the Mustangs in goals with 16 and ranked second in points with 37.
USHL PHASE 1 DRAFT: 20 forwards who could be taken | 11 defenders who could be taken
Jake Tavares
Belmont Hill, 1/27/2007, F, right shot, 6-0/174
Hometown: Belmont, Mass.Â
Tavares was one of the biggest breakout stars in prep this past season, jumping from four goals and seven points as a freshman to 18 and 32 as a sophomore on the top line. He has a strong shot and knows how to get open in high-danger areas.
Patrick Woods
Belmont Hill, 7/5/2007, F, right shot, 6-1/170
Hometown: Charlestown, Mass.Â
Woods made it all the way to Select 16 Camp last season. Woods centered Belmont Hill's second line this past season, posting six goals and 17 points in 31 games. Despite the production not being as eye-popping as others, Woods plays a complete game with assertiveness.
