BUFFALO, N.Y. — How about those New England District kids?
The New England District took home the USA Hockey Select 17 championship on Wednesday when they edged out the Pacific District, 6-5, in overtime. Brunswick defenseman and Dartmouth commit Cooper Cleaves (Riverside, Conn.) had the game-winning tally.
Needless to say, it was a tournament to remember for the New England District.
Four of the top 10 point-getters came from the New England District. The team also featured a goalie who was one of the best in the tournament.
I flew into Buffalo on Sunday morning, which meant I missed the game that started at 8:30 a.m. that day. I did, however, get to see the New Englanders on Monday and Tuesday, as they secured wins over the Central District and Atlantic District.
Here are seven standouts from my viewings of the New England District.
Blake Burke
Westminster, 5/18/2006, LW, left shot, 6-0/175Â
Burke finished his time at national camp with four goals and seven points in six games. One of his best goals came in Monday's game when he fought off a defender, eluded him and slid a shot past the netminder — it was the eventual game-winner. In the offensive zone, the Trumbull, Conn., native worked hard to get open. He did the same thing in the neutral zone when his team was in transition. In the defensive zone, Burke worked hard to get into passing lanes up top.
Zach Ericson
Seacoast Performance Academy 16U, 7/15/2006, G, catches left, 5-11/170
In both of my viewings of the New England District, Ericson was phenomenal, and the numbers back that up. Of the 24 goalies, he ranked second in save percentage (.923) and seventh in goals-against average (2.60). In Monday's 3-2 win, Ericson made some massive saves down the stretch, showcasing his composure and ability to stop shots through traffic in a one-goal game and he was rewarded with Player of the Game honors.
On Tuesday, he played the first half and picked up where he left off from the day before. He made three stops on breakaways and made a post-to-post save to rob a sure goal. His athleticism was on display and I was really impressed with his ability to track pucks.
https://twitter.com/usahockey/status/1674129780461977602?s=20
Elliot Groenewald
Bishop's College School Varsity, 2/4/2006, D, left shot, 6-2/185
NCAA:Â Quinnipiac
Groenewald's two-way game was on full display in my viewings of his team. The Bellows Falls, Vt., native used his stick and body well to separate opposing forwards from the puck, especially off the rush. In Monday's game, there was one instance when he hustled back to stop what could've been a breakaway. He never stopped moving his feet, put his stick out and went under the forward, preventing a scoring chance. At 6-foot-2, his biggest defensive asset appears to be his reach. On the offensive side, he was effective with the puck on his stick and was apt at joining the rush.
He rightfully made the Hlinka Gretzky Cup camp, which will take place July 20-24 in Plymouth, Mich.
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Kole Hyles
Seacoast Performance Academy 16U, 1/16/2006, C, left shot, 5-10/161Â
Hyles centered New England's most productive line along with Kolin Sisson and Niko Tournas — two names we'll get to in a bit. His pressuring as the F1 on forecheck was strong and created chaos at times as opposing defenders tried to break the puck out. After a long offensive zone shift from his line in Monday's game, Hyles finished it off when he picked up a loose puck in front of the net and scored. As a center, he provided good support for his defensemen as they battled in the corners and he showed a willingness to go to high-danger areas, such as when he was in front of the net on the power play.
Hyles will play for head coach Paul Pearl's Cushing team in 2023-24.
Kolin Sisson
Mount Saint Charles 16U, 9/30/2006, RW, right shot, 5-9/154Â
Sisson was the New England District's most dynamic forward. His quick feet and hands were on display every time he had the puck. His shiftiness makes up for the fact that he's certainly not the heaviest player on the ice. In Monday's game, he scored an eye-opening goal on a snipe that went short side. He created tons of scoring chances with his speed and offensive creativity. He was on a line with Tournas, and their skill sets complimented one another perfectly.
The Lincoln, R.I., native finished the camp tied for second in points with nine and earned a spot at Hlinka Gretzky Cup Camp, establishing that he's a prime candidate for Division 1.
Ryan Staples
Loomis Chaffee, 2/24/2006, C, right shot, 6-0/168Â
Staples brought a two-way game to Buffalo and it paid off. The Loomis Chaffee alum, who will attend St. George's in 2023-24, read plays well, such as doing a good job being the third forward high on the forecheck. In his own zone, he hustled back on the backcheck. In Tuesday's game, he flew back into his own zone and knocked the puck away from an opposing forward who was wide open entering the slot. The Middletown, R.I., native has really good hands and has a nice stride.
He finished the camp with one goal and six points in six games, becoming an early candidate for a breakout 2023-24 season in prep hockey.
NEXT ROUND: 7 New Englanders make 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup Camp rosterÂ
Niko Tournas
New Jersey Rockets, 2/17/2006, RW, right shot, 6-2/185Â
Tournas, a Redding, Conn., native, used his size to his advantage. He created space for Hyles and Sisson, his linemates. He's big, but he moves well and has good hands. He has a quick release on his shot and he showed that in Tuesday's game when he turned around off a faceoff and fired a quick snipe past the goalie. He finished the six games tied with Sisson for points (9) and earned a spot at Hlinka Gretzky Cup Camp.
