DALLAS – The dust has barely settled on the 2018 NHL Draft, but scouts and organizations will soon turn their focus to prospects eligible for the 2019 NHL Draft in Vancouver. In fact, the first major scouting opportunity for 2019 draft prospects begins in just a few days.
The 2018 USA Hockey Select 17 Player Development Camp takes place June 26-July 2 at the Northtown Center in Amherst, N.Y. The event brings together the top 2001-born Americans who aren’t playing for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program (NTDP).
2019 is shaping up to be a fantastic year for American prospects, with U.S. NTDP U-18 center Jack Hughes an early favorite to be the first overall selection. While Hughes hails from Orlando, Fla., and grew up in Toronto, his mom and dad both played college hockey in New England. He also spent summers at Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire.
Specific to New England, the 2019 draft class could be a banner year, with several prospects already churning up first-round talk.
Below is an an initial look at first-year eligible prospects from New England who will be scouted ahead of that fateful weekend in Vancouver:
Spencer Knight
• U.S. NTDP U18, 4/19/01, Goaltender, Catches Left, Darien, Conn., 6-3/194
• Commitment: Boston College
It’s rare for goaltenders to be picked in the first round, but Knight has proven he’s a special talent. After playing a season of prep hockey at Avon Old Farms, Knight took his game to the USA Hockey’s NTDP. After a stellar season with the U17s, he earned a call-up to play with the U18s at the IIHF U18 World Championship, posting a save percentage north of .900.
What makes Knight so good? He combines his size, athleticism and strong fundamentals to play the goaltending position better than anyone else in this age group. He takes up the net, cuts down on a shooter’s angle, and eats up rebounds.
He counts New York Rangers star goaltender Henrik Lundqvist as one of his childhood idols.
Matthew Boldy
• U.S. NTDP U18, 4/5/01, Left Wing, Left Shot, Millis, Mass., 6-0/175
• Commitment: Boston College
Boldy was hardly a household name entering his freshman season at Dexter, but he continued to improve. That progression landed him a commitment to Boston College and a roster spot at the NTDP.
Boldy is a good-sized winger who boasts a good first step and overall skating ability. His offensive skill set is impressive, highlighted by his vision and passing touch. It's Boldy's hockey sense that stands out the most, though. He reads and anticipates plays with precision, plus he’s versatile in all three zones. With strong skating and a hockey sense to match, he gets to loose pucks and makes plays.
As Boldy continues to trend upwards, it's entirely possible he ends up being a first-round pick in 2019.
Henry Thrun
• U.S. NTDP U18, 3/12/01, Defense, Left Shot, Southborough, Mass., 6-1/184
• Commitment: Harvard
Thrun is another prospect who has continually improved. The St. Mark’s School product is wildly underrated, largely due to the lack of flash in his game, but he keeps things simple and is consistently reliable. He skates well and can break pucks out with his feet or by making heady first passes on retrievals. He has a good stick defensively and he gaps well.
Don’t underestimate Thrun's character either. NHL teams certainly won’t when weighing him as a potential pick. Universally, he’s regarded as an A+ person and teammate. Coaches of programs who recruited him have gone out of their way to point out what a great kid he is from an equally terrific family.
Arlo Merritt
• Kimball Union, 1/31/01, Left Wing, Left Shot, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 6-3/190
• Commitment: Ohio State
Merritt has shown flashes of elite ability while playing for Tim Whitehead’s Wildcats the past two seasons. He could be more dominant, especially considering his size and skating ability. He has that second gear to separate from defenders and he has good hands to finish around the net. He’s still young and there will be plenty of suitors.
Tyler Young
• Lawrence Academy, 5/8/01, Right Wing, Right Shot, Lancaster, Mass., 6-0/163
• Commitment: Providence
Young continues to get better with each viewing as he fills out. He’s the son of former Boston University and NHL star Scott Young, now the director of player development with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Young has good speed and can easily separate from defenders and to create offense. NHL teams love a player who is projecting upwards and boasts a pedigree.
Cade Webber
• Rivers School, 1/5/01, Defense, Left Shot, Milford, Mass., 6-5/194
• Commitment: Boston University
Webber is a fascinating prospect. He was selected for a spot at the NTDP, but declined to stay developing at the prep school level. After the 2016 USA Hockey Select 15 Player Development Camp, Webber generated loads of hype for his raw ability and size.
Originally from Meadville, Pa., he moved to New England in 2016 when his father, Michael, was named the head coach of the women’s soccer program at Regis College. While there is still plenty of upside, Webber's game has yet to take off like many agents, scouts, and college coaches thought it would two years ago.
Ilya Usau
• Salisbury School, 8/3/01, Forward, Left Shot, Minsk, Belarus, 6-0/174
• Commitment: UConn
After the prep season, Usau played four USHL games with the Central Illinois Flying Aces, then competed for Belarus at the U-18 World Championship, scoring two goals against some of the best 2018 draft-eligible players. He has a well-rounded offensive skill set, both finishing and setting up scoring chances. He has decent size and is heavy on pucks.
Malik Alishlalov
• Westminster School, 1/7/01, Defense, Left Shot, Moskva, Russia, 6-1/194
• Commitment: UConn
Alishlalov is an offensive defenseman with good size and skating ability. He likes to jump into the offense and isn’t afraid to make a long-distance breakout pass or shoot. There’s plenty of upside, but Alishlalov is still somewhat raw. However, with his physical tools, NHL scouts will undoubtedly pay attention.
Cooper Moore
• Brunswick School, 2/16/01, Defense, Left Shot, Cos Cob, Conn., 6-2/190
Moore has made great strides the past few years as he’s filled into his frame and learned the game. He’s a tall, lanky defender who skates well and makes plays. He's eager to activate into the offense, but is getting better at picking his spots. He uses his reach and closing ability to defend well. Interest will surely pick up as scouts get a chance to see the imposing blueliner.
Arseni Smekhnov
• Salisbury School, 1/28/01, Forward, Left Shot, Kirov, Russia, 6-1/185
• Commitment: UConn
Smekhnov is another European slated to play for Mike Cavanaugh’s Huskies. His size presents plenty of upside, and he plays a strong north-south power game. He has good vision and sees the ice well. He didn’t produce as much as expected on a deep prep team, but can unload a hard shot.
Patrick Moynihan
• U.S. NTDP U18, 1/23/01, Forward, Right Shot, Millis, Mass., 5-10/175
• Commitment: Boston College
The former Nobles star hasn't put up big numbers with the NTDP, but that's not a demerit considering he was down the depth chart and up against much older players during USHL games.
Moynihan is on the smaller side, but his speed and compete level make up for it. He’s not afraid to go crashing in on the forecheck. He’ll recover loose pucks and look to make plays. With his size, and the fact he likely won’t get much power play time, his draft stock could take a hit.
John Farinacci
• Dexter School, 2/14/01, Center, Right Shot, Chatham, N.J., 5-11/165
• Commitment: Harvard
There’s no doubting Farinacci incredible offensive skill set. He has great hands, can stickhandle and has good touch on his passes. His straight-line speed and skating ability are a concern, but his production speaks for itself.
Farinacci completed his first season of prep hockey in 2017-18, playing for Dan Donato at Dexter. He’s the nephew of his future college coach, Harvard’s Ted Donato.
He played five games with the NTDP U-17 team following the prep season. He’ll need to take advantage of opportunities such as that in 2018-19 if he’s going to hear his name called in Vancouver.
Braden Doyle
• Lawrence Academy, 8/24/01, Defense, Left Shot, Lynnfield, Mass., 5-10/165
• Commitment: Boston University
Doyle has played two seasons at Lawrence Academy after returning from Shattuck St. Mary’s. His skating, vision and puck skills immediately stand out. He can activate and join the rush as the fourth forward. He does a good job of walking the blue line and can quarterback a power play. Play in his own zone and a propensity for turnovers are areas of concern.
Luke Krys
• Salisbury School, 9/27/00, Defense, Right Shot, Ridgefield, Conn., 6-1/150
Krys is a very different prospect from his older brother, Chad, who plays at Boston University and is a Chicago Blackhawks draft pick. The younger Krys is a tall, lanky defender with minimal offensive upside.
However, he retrieves pucks well and makes a solid first pass out of the zone. He defends with his reach and does a good job of being on the right side of the puck. He’ll need to prove to scouts that he has the toughness that NHL teams look for in a defender with low offensive production.
Robbie Griffin
• Junior Bruins NCDC, 1/8/01, Forward, Right Shot, Burlington, Mass., 6-0/168
• Commitment: Northeastern
Griffin spent last season in the USPHL NCDC, unlike others who were either in the USHL or at prep schools. He’s a good skater who gets to loose pucks and makes plays. He’s a facilitator and his hockey sense allows him to be one step ahead of many of his opponents.
