When the puck drops on USA Hockey's All-American Game next month, New England will be well-represented.
In all, seven locals got the call to participate, which will take place on Jan. 15 in Plymouth, Mich.
The game is used to showcase top prospects eligible for the 2024 NHL Draft. The players were picked from the U.S. National Team Development Program's U18 team and the USHL.
Four locals got the call last season: Will Smith (Lexington, Mass.), Ryan Leonard (Amherst, Mass.), Will Vote (Arlington, Mass.) and Will McDonough (Duxbury, Mass.). While Smith and Leonard were eventually top-10 picks, Vote and McDonough weren't chosen in the 2023 NHL Draft.
The majority of New Englanders will play for Team White. Joe Connor (Amherst, N.H.) and Teddy Stiga (Sudbury, Mass.) will be at forward, with Will Felicio (Holden, Mass.) and Elliott Groenewold (Bellows Falls, Vt.) on defense and Thatcher Bernstein (Boston, Mass.) in net. While USA Hockey has Tory Pitner listed as being from Greenwich, Conn., the Denver commit grew up in California.
Connor is in his first season in the USHL. The Northeastern commit has been a force for Muskegon, scoring nine goals and totaling 19 points in his first 16 games. He was eligible to be taken in the 2023 NHL Draft, but was passed over. The 5-foot-10, 174-pound Avon Old Farms product plays with a high compete and looks poised to be selected this June.
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Like Connor, Stiga looks like a good bet to be taken at the draft, too. The Belmont Hill product has taken huge strides in his second year with the USNTDP. Skating on James Hagens' left wing, the Boston College commit has 18 goals and 31 points in 27 games. Stiga stands at 5-foot-10 and 176 pounds.
It's a juxtaposition on the back end with Felicio and Groenewold. Felicio is a master of moving the puck and creating offense, which has been the case going back to his time with Mount St. Charles. In his second year with the Madison Capitols, he has five goals and 13 points though 21 games. A strong showing at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup — three goals and five points in five games — surely helped his draft stock.
On the other hand, Groenewold has good size at 6-foot-2 and 201 pounds. His good stick and shutdown abilities make him a favorite in NHL scouts' eyes.
Bernstein, a Harvard commit, is one of the most technically sound 2006-born goalies in the country. Bernstein left for Dubuque in the USHL after a strong career at Nobles. Like most young goalies entering the USHL, it hasn't been easy for Bernstein, as the 6-foot-3, 209-pounder has a 3.95 GAA and .866 save percentage to begin his junior hockey career. Still, Bernstein has always been highly regarded by USA Hockey.
Team Blue won't be without New Englanders, as it boasts forwards Cole Eiserman (Newburyport, Mass.) and Ethan Gardula (Princeton, Mass.).
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Eiserman is a candidate to be drafted No. 1 overall come June and is a sure-fire bet to be selected in the top three. Even while dealing with injuries this season, he has 27 goals in 23 games and is improving his two-way play with the USNTDP's U18 team. There's no doubt Eiserman will draw the most attention in this game.
Gardula was draft-eligible last season and wasn't picked. The UConn commit has found success after graduating from Cushing and moving onto the USHL, posting nine goals and 22 points in 29 games with Sioux City.
Along with the seven natives, many more players destined for New England colleges will be playing as well.
Team White has forwards Kaden Shahan (UConn), John Mustard (Providence College) and Hagens (Boston College). Team Blue has forwards Kamil Bednarik (Boston University), Trevor Connelly (Providence College), defensemen Cole Hutson (Boston University) and Will Skahan (Boston College) and goalie Jack Parsons (Providence College).
