ROCKLAND, Mass. — The Beast Fall Classic was held this past weekend at several rinks across Massachusetts.
Teams from the 13U to 18U level battled Friday-Sunday.
I focused on the 18U teams at Lovell Arena on Saturday. Here is the full list of teams I got a chance to view:
- Amherst Knights
- Boston Advantage
- Central Mass. Penguins
- Connecticut Chiefs
- Neponset Valley River Rats
- Northern Cyclones
- Northern Connecticut Nor'Easter Storm
- Phoenix Jr. Coyotes
- Rockets Hockey Club
- Yale Jr. Bulldogs
It's a big time for the uncommitted 18U players looking to play their best in front of college eyes. There are also players in here who are on the cusp of being legitimate impact prep players.
Here are six uncommitted standout 18U defenseman and goalies from the weekend. We covered 12 standout 18U forwards from The Beast in a story that published yesterday.
Chris Baird-Gajdos
Northern Connecticut Nor'Easter Storm, 1/25/2008, D, left shot, 6-2/181
Hometown: Detroit, Mich.Â
An '08 playing up with the U18s, Baird-Gajdos did more than just fit in — he stood out. He showed to be a very good skater. In the defensive zone, his stick placement was great in taking away passing lanes and eventually breaking up plays. He made smart breakout passes, too. He's an intriguing prospect out of Little Caesars who will play at Salisbury this winter.
Finn Boyd
Amherst Knights, 7/8/2006, D, left shot, 6-0/174
Hometown: West Hartford, Conn.Â
If Boyd got the puck behind his own net and there wasn't anyone open, he had no issue taking it himself. His head was always up on rushes and his good skating helped him navigate the neutral zone to gain offensive zone entries for his team. But, when he wasn't rushing it, he made smart, simple passes that advanced his squad. He projects to be impactful for Salisbury this winter.
GEARING UP: What should recruiting prospects be doing to best prepare for Aug. 1?Â
Will Henderson
Yale Jr. Bulldogs, 4/3/2006, D, right shot, 6-0/165
Hometown: Branford, Conn.Â
The biggest thing that stood out with Henderson was his skating. In Saturday's matchup with the Connecticut Chiefs, he had the puck behind his own net and used great edgework to elude two forecheckers. He took it himself the length of the ice, sifting through the rest of the opposing team and getting a scoring chance. He is back at Choate this season.
James Odyniec
Northern Connecticut Nor'Easter Storm, 1/2/2007, D, right shot, 6-1/190
Hometown: Wilton, Conn.Â
Odyniec does a lot of things really well and that was on display Saturday. He is good with the puck on his stick and makes smart decisions. He can skate the puck and uses his awareness well to access the right plays to make. He knows how to elude pressure and he never seems to panic. He will be back at Avon Old Farms this winter.
Denis Pasler
New Jersey Rockets, 4/22/2008, D, left shot, 6-5/205
Hometown: Yekaterinburg, RussiaÂ
This was a name I circled as a potential Division 1 prospect. An '08 who just came over from playing in Russia, Pasler has the size and skating ability to excite Division 1 onlookers. His stride is powerful and he was strong on puck retrievals even while forecheckers pressured him. He also knew when to jump into the rush. In his own zone, his reach was a wet blanket on any offense the Cyclones were trying to create.
BEAST FALL CLASSIC: 12 uncommitted 18U standout forwards from the weekend
Cole Pouliot-Porter
Northern Connecticut Nor'Easter Storm, 7/24/2006, G, catches left, 6-1/168
Hometown: Wrentham, Mass.Â
Pouliot-Porter put up a shutout against the Phoenix Jr. Coyotes on Saturday. He was outstanding on shots in tight, using his athleticism and aggressiveness to get out to the top of his crease and cut down angles for shooters. His athleticism is the basis of his entire existence as a goaltender and will be big at New Hampton this winter.
