BOSTON — Let's talk about the 2008-born defensemen and goalies at the Harvard Crimson Combine, which was held Monday and Tuesday.
Players got help navigating the next few years with seminars and Q&As, along with practices. It was a solid cast of players from many different places, including a good number from New England.
I already did a story highlighting the 10 standout forwards from the '08s at the Crimson Combine.
Here are four standout defenders and one goalie who stood out over the two days.
Devran Brown (Team 2, White 77)
Ottawa Myers Automotive, 4/23/2008, D, left shot
Hometown: Ottawa, Ont.Â
I noticed Brown a lot more on Monday than on Tuesday. In the offensive zone, he made a nice pass from the corner to a teammate for a goal. When his team controlled the puck low in the zone, he didn't show any hesitation in dropping into the slot to get open for scoring chances. In his own zone, he blocked shots and showed a good stick.
Henry Chmiel (Team 3, Red 77)
Shattuck St. Mary's 14U, 2/29/2008, D, left shot, 5-10/159
Hometown: Woodbury, Minn.Â
Chmiel stood out a lot to me in Tuesday's game. On breakouts, he moved the puck well under pressure. When the puck was on his stick, he wasn't afraid to rush the puck, leave his own zone and enter the opposition's end. He's a strong skater, too. He showed a good physical edge, laying an open-ice hit on Payne Riffey while defending the rush.
Callum Croskery (Team 3, Red 7)
Oakville Rangers, 1/29/2008, D, left shot
Hometown: CanadaÂ
In Monday's game, JP Hurlbert ran wild in the offensive zone, pretty much doing anything he pleased. Croskery was one of the first Team 3 defensemen to oppose him well, taking the body and strictly watching his chest in 1-on-1s off the rush. When Croskery had the puck, he showed confidence in his trips through the neutral zone. He showed patience on breakouts, especially in Tuesday's matchup.
Brady Sloper (Team 3, Red 8)
Boston Jr. Eagles 14U, 5/21/2008, D, right shot, 6-0/175
Hometown: North Andover, Mass.Â
Sloper was visible in both games. On Monday, he scored on a penalty shot in the first half of the game. He scored another when he showed a ton of confidence rushing the puck, going around a defender and showing a good finish when he potted a goal under the goalie's blocker. Sloper plays physically and has a mean streak, never avoiding physicality. On Tuesday, Sloper stepped up and played forward due to some missing players from Team 3. He will be at Belmont Hill this winter.
Jacoby Weiner (Team 3, Red 30)
Hartford Jr. Wolfpack, 6/19/2008, G, catches right, 6-3/220
Hometown: Riverside, Conn.Â
It's hard to judge goalies in summer hockey, hence why there's only one netminder in this story. But Weiner was good over the two days. He was really strong moving laterally, has a good glove hand and made some hectic saves on chances around the crease. From Riverside, Conn., he has the size and mobility to become one of the more intriguing goalie prospects in the region.
RELATED READING:Â
