FOXBORO, Mass. — The Summer Prep League’s first week kicked off Monday night at Foxboro Sports Center. New England Hockey Journal was there to observe the top players from the (mostly) 2003-05 birth years, with a few 2002 and 2006-born prospects sprinkled around the four-team rosters.
One key omission from the printed league rosters was Cushing Academy and Junior Bruins forward Cam Lund, who by virtue of being selected to play in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup next month, reportedly opted out of play this month to avoid the injury risk. Even without Lund, who is expected to skate in the USHL this season for the Green Bay Gamblers, there was a lot of solid local talent on the ice.
Here is a quick roundup of the standout performances in the first week of play, closing out the July 4th holiday weekend. These are just my raw observations taken from my scout’s notebook. This is not intended to rank or project players but should be taken in the context of instant analysis of summer hockey.
2003
Coleman Jenkins, F, Team Levine (Red), Holy Cross
5/11/03, right shot, 6-2/170
Recent Crusader commit looks like a real diamond-in-the-rough for Bill Riga and his staff. As reported in New England Hockey Journal in March, the former Tabor Academy standout from Mansfield, Mass. showed an offensive dimension playing for the Boston Jr. Bruins, and he was one of the top forwards in Foxboro. He looks like he’s picked up a step, and his pace was consistent throughout. He took the puck into traffic and was rewarded with a goal scored by going hard to the net. Impressive first live viewing and look forward to tracking him going forward.
Will Killoran, D, Team Levine (Red), uncommitted
1/30/03, right shot, 6-3/194
Noticeable for the real jump in his skating and aggressive, attacking mindset. Used his long stride to separate from players and enter the zone cleanly and had several memorable scoring chances and hard net drives from the back end. The Charlestown, Mass. native is a Belmont Hill product and activated at the right times. With no checking in place, he couldn’t use his size/physicality, but had an effective reach. Real good showing here.
Will Elias, D, Team Holske (Gold), uncommitted
1/28/03, right shot, 6-0/165
If you like simple, effective defenders who take care of their own end and exude efficiency, Elias is your guy. He played a lot, but didn’t try a lot of flashy, low percentage stuff. He got back quickly on retrievals, moved pucks up the ice and used his stick and gaps effectively. Has room to improve his transitions/direction change, but moves well overall. St. Sebastian’s player from Weston, Mass. is someone to watch.
2004
James Fisher, F, Team Levine (Red), uncommitted
4/28/04, right shot, 6-2/175
Smooth operator. You can’t help but notice the fluid skating stride, the ease with which he handles the puck and the vision/hockey IQ, all of which were on display in this one. Some players just look the part, and from his first shift to his last, Fisher figured out a way to make something happen. His second goal was a quick rip of a pass with the puck on-and-off his stick in a blur. The Belmont Hill standout from Wilmington, Mass. uses his size effectively on the cycle and along the walls, but will also get to the middle of the ice where the majority of plays are to be made. He has higher-end junior, D-1 and pro hockey upside.
Ben MacDonald, F, Team Levine (Red), uncommitted
2/24/04, left shot, 6-1/170
This Des Moines 2021 draft pick just made plays all over the ice. The vision is there, and he's effective with and without the puck. I liked the way he used his speed and sense to get pucks up the ice without turning it over, but if his side lost possession, MacDonald went in there hard to get the puck back. The Weston, Mass. native is a key cog for Nobles and has a lot of potential going forward with his all-around package of size, IQ, skills, and spirit/effort.
C.J. Foley, D, Team Franzosa/Buckley (Green), uncommited
2/11/04, right shot, 5-10/160
The rangy and athletic Thayer Academy defender had the puck on his stick a lot in this one. He plays with good length and was confident and noticeable throughout, especially going back for retrievals. He moved well laterally along the blue line and had several good keep-ins. Tried to force some passes that weren’t there, but overall a strong performance from the Green Bay prospect.
2005
Landan Resendes, F, Team Omicioli (Light Blue), uncommitted
12/10/05, right shot, 5-7/150
The late ’05 and Chicago Steel late-round draft pick is smaller in stature, but fast, slick, and competed hard. On one particular play, a teammate turned the puck over in the middle of the o-zone. Resendes tracked the opponent down, stole the puck away and got the shot off. He didn’t score, but those are the kind of plays that will allow him to keep climbing the hockey ladder.
Joe Hurton, F, Team Holske (Gold), uncommitted
3/23/05, right shot, 6-3/190
The Dexter forward looked like a giant out there. He was all over the place, winning races to loose pucks and beating defenders off the rush or using his size to get to the net. He scored an empty-net goal to secure the victory, but for not knowing him prior to the game, Hurton was the most pleasant surprise of the night.
Sam Scopa, G, Team Holske (Gold), uncommitted
1/10/05, catches left, 6-0/172
Belmont Hill netminder stole this one with a bevy of athletic saves that looked like he had no chance on. Luck? Maybe, but he showed impressive lateral movement and competed hard thoughout. He was the best goalie on this night, winning a good duel with ’02 Jed Baliotti at the other end.
2006
Will Felicio, D, Team Omicioli (Light Blue), uncommitted
5/19/06, left shot, /5-9/154
Mount St. Charles 15U defender has some superb wheels and showed off some real puck poise and ability to make plays without looking nervous or out of sorts playing against older players. He doesn't have a lot of size, but moved pucks quickly and wasn’t afraid to shoot the puck on net from all over the ice. It was just one summer league game, but that kind of body of work over a season could earn some national team consideration and will get him on USHL radars for the futures draft.
