MARLBORO, Mass. — The New England Sports Center was buzzing this weekend, hosting countless games over Friday-Monday for the famous Eastern Alliance Kickoff, always held Labor Day weekend.
I watched the 15O division. It's a big fall for them. For the select few, it's a chance to be looked at by the U.S. National Team Development Program. For others, it's all about making a good first impression for the Division 1 coaches in attendance.
Most, however, are looking to take a big step this fall so that they're ready to own a bigger spot in their prep or high school lineup.
Here is the full list of teams I saw:
- Boston Jr. Eagles
- New Jersey Rockets
- Mid Fairfield Rangers
- Florida Alliance North
- Long Island Gulls
- Cape Cod Whalers
- Yale Jr. Bulldogs
- St. Louis AAA Blues
- Neponset Valley River Rats
- Buffalo Jr. Sabres
The Jr. Eagles finished as the champs of the event, taking down Mid Fairfield in Monday's championship. Ryder Bisson (Winchester, Mass.) won the game in overtime on a nice shot from the high slot.
Let's dive into 15 forwards who stood out during the games I watched. A separate story will be done on defensemen and goalies.
Sasha Abolenskiy
New Jersey Rockets, 10/3/2009, F, left shot, 5-8/150
Hometown: Bridgewater, N.J.Â
What was most apparent with Abolenskiy's game was his skating. Abolenskiy could fly and was able to maintain that speed with the puck on his stick. He drove play well and made intelligent puck decisions in the face of pressure, especially when entering the offensive zone. It helped that his vision was so good, as he waited for passing lanes to open when he had possession in the offensive zone.
Joe Covelluzzi
Neponset Valley River Rats/Cushing, 1/30/09, F, right shot, 5-8/160
Hometown: Wakefield, Mass.Â
There's no doubt Covelluzzi's move from the Jr. Eagles is a big get for the River Rats. Covelluzzi was always involved in the offense for the River Rats. He had good vision off the rush, looking for open teammates driving the net or in positions for a better shot. He protected pucks well and has great chemistry with Chase Warsofsky.
Trevor Daley
Florida Alliance North, 2009, F, left shot, 5-10/170
Hometown: Dallas, TexasÂ
Yes, Daley is the son of longtime NHL defenseman Trevor Daley. An '09, Daley had a nice goal against Mid Fairfield on Friday night. He did a great job of working around the net before scoring late in the first half. He was able to drive play regularly and had a high level of awareness. A good example came against Mid Fairfield when he entered the offensive zone, drew defenders to him and made a slick pass across the zone to a teammate for a one-timer.
Brooks Demars
Long Island Gulls, 6/9/2009, F, left shot, 6-1/170
Demars played with a whole bunch of power. Against the Cape Cod Whalers on Friday, he had a great rush, putting the puck around a defender and almost going upstairs for a goal. He finally scored later in the first half when he entered the offensive zone, cut middle with his good size and fired an absolute snipe that went bar down.
Justin Fernandez
Florida Alliance North, 1/2009, F, right shot, 5-8/140
Fernandez can fly. The shifty right winger was able to drive play and push defensemen on their heels. He always seemed to be going at full speed, showcasing a high compete.
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Cayden Jackman
St. Louis AAA Blues, 10/25/09, F, left shot, 6-0/165
Hometown: St. Louis, Mo.Â
Jackman's blend of physicality and skill made him such a force to play against. His first shift against the Yale Jr. Bulldogs featured him being hard on the forecheck and being extremely physical with opposing defensemen. He played with an edge that helped him in every situation. Against the Jr. Bulldogs, he had a great rush when he beat a defender wide and instead of taking a bad angle shot, waited for the perfect seam to open up to connect with a teammate for a scoring chance. The next day, Jackman scored a hard-nosed goal around the Boston Jr. Eagles net. He's also the son of longtime St. Louis Blues defenseman Barrett Jackman.
Grant Jokic
Buffalo Jr. Sabres, 7/11/09, F, left shot, 5-7/132
Hometown: Lewiston, N.Y.Â
Jokic's hands and ability to slow the game down made him stick out in the best way possible. In the first half of Saturday's tilt with the River Rats, he got the puck in front of the opposing net, dangled the goalie like he was trying to score and dished a subtle pass to Sawyer Schmidt for an easy goal. Jokic wasn't necessarily fast, but he was a great skater, using his edges well to drive play from down the middle. He scored later in that same game, tipping a shot from the point past the netminder.
Ryan Kaczynski
Mid Fairfield, 7/2009, F, left shot, 6-0/163
Against Florida Alliance North on Friday night, Kaczynski opened the second half with a snipe into the top corner of the net. What sets Kaczynski apart are his hands and his poise with the puck. When the puck is on his stick, he looks the part of a future Division 1 prospect, as he was able to navigate the offensive zone with ease.
Carter Meyer
Boston Jr. Eagles/Rivers, 4/10/2009, F, left shot, 6-0/161
Hometown: Winchester, Mass.Â
Meyer had a great showing for the Jr. Eagles this weekend. Against the St. Louis AAA Blues on Saturday, with his team struggling to score, it was Meyer who brought the puck out from the corner, created his own route, took it to the net and lit the lamp. His vision, intelligence and ability to slow the game down elevate him above almost all other talent in his birth year (and, as proven last prep season, above those in other birth years, too). I'd expect the U.S. National Team Development Program keeping very close tabs on Meyer this fall and winter.
Liam Power
St. Louis AAA Blues, 11/28/09, F, right shot, 5-9/140
Hometown: St. Louis, Mo.Â
Power was always active in the Blues offense. He was able to support his team on the cycle. The biggest play I saw him make was shorthanded against the Jr. Bulldogs on Friday night. With the score 0-0 and his team shorthanded, Power forced a turnover at his own blue line, earned a breakaway and showcased a beautiful finish. His goal was the eventual game-winner.
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Dylan Sampair
Long Island Gulls, 9/13/09, F, right shot, 5-5/130
Sampair's shiftiness allowed him to be as effective as he was. He was regularly able to protect pucks that way with his good edgework and ability to stop and start on a dime. On the power play, he showcased an ability to hold onto pucks and wait for passing lanes to open. He had a high hockey IQ.
Sawyer Schmidt
Buffalo Jr. Sabres, 12/29/09, F, left shot, 5-10/155
Hometown: Clarence, N.Y.Â
Schmidt showcased great hands and a strong ability to stick-handle away from danger, as well as find routes to high-danger areas. His shot was heavy and accurate, which is a lethal combination. His awareness to find a soft spot in the slot and be ready for Jokic's pass on the aforementioned goal despite Jokic looking like he was going to be the one to score was impressive.
Finn Sears
Boston Jr. Eagles/Rivers, 5/4/2009, F, left shot, 6-0/165
Hometown: Medford, Mass.Â
Sears plays with power that sets him apart from others his age. When it comes to protecting pucks in corners and along the walls, he used his body positioning strategically. Against the New Jersey Rockets on Friday, he scored a beauty, entering the offensive zone and firing a quick, hard wrister past the netminder. The Rivers product also has a mean streak and isn't afraid to mix it up. He's also a high-end skater. All of these are reasons why, like Meyer, the NTDP will be watching Sears closely over the next eight months.
Chase Warsofsky
Neponset Valley River Rats/Cushing, 6/20/09, F, left shot, 5-8/145
Hometown: Northborough, Mass.Â
The former Jr. Eagle was the best forward for the River Rats. He consistently got pucks in the neutral zone, sifted through middle ice and gained the offensive blue line. In the offensive zone, Warsofsky was always able to avoid danger and use his good skating to get away from opposing defensemen and forward. He was able to use his edgework well to give himself time and space.
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Thomas Zine
Neponset Valley River Rats/Dexter Southfield, 3/8/09, F, right shot, 5-10/145
Hometown: Cohasset, Mass.Â
Zine's play below the goal line against the Buffalo Jr. Sabres on Saturday was impressive. First, he forechecked an opposing defenseman perfectly, separating him from the puck with a hit before dishing it out front for a scoring chance. Moments later, Zine made a great read by intercepting a play behind the net and feeding Brayden White (Cumberland, R.I.) for a goal. Zine was also strong on his feet when opposing players tried to knock him off pucks.
