MARLBORO, Mass. — At the Eastern Alliance Kickoff this past weekend, I mainly focused on the 15O age group. You can read my story on standout forwards here and standout defenders here.
But there was time to kill in between games, and the 15O age group wasn't always playing.
So, naturally, I wandered into some 18U and 16U games. I focused on those two age groups last weekend at the River Rats Jamboree.
Fortunately, New England Sports Center has eight rinks under one roof, so I didn't have to go far to check out other games.
Here are eight uncommitted players from the 18U and 16U levels who caught my attention.
Let's dive in.
Matthew Almeida
South Shore Kings Azevedo 16U, 2/5/2009, F, right shot, 5-11/140
Hometown: Fall River, Mass.Â
Almeida was all over the Kings' win against the Jr. Eagles on Saturday. On Gavin O'Toole's (Canton, Mass.) goal, Almeida won the puck battle behind the opposing net to feed him. Almeida continued to showcase a high compete in corners and on the cycle to help create offense throughout the game. Late in the game, Matthew Azevedo (Providence, R.I.) scored on a shot from the point, and it was Almeida who screened the netminder.
Nick D'Olympio
Brookline Whalers 18U, 6/8/2007, F, right shot, 5-9/165
Hometown: Rockland, Mass.Â
In my viewing of D'Olympio against the New Jersey Hitmen on Friday, the Dexter Southfield product consistently generated offense. He was great at generating speed quickly to get to the front of the net with and without the puck. He wasn't afraid to try to dangle through defenders to get to the middle either.
READ MORE:Â Would the QMJHL expanding to New England hurt prep hockey?
Ty Hymovitz
Boston Jr. Eagles 18U, 2/13/2008, F, right shot, 6-1/198
Hometown: Needham, Mass.Â
Hymovitz scored a nice goal in the second half of Saturday's game against the Nor'Easter when he drove the net hard and deposited a rebound off the rush. Hymovitz was physical throughout the game and supported play well in the neutral zone. While killing a penalty early in the second half, his hard forecheck led to a shorthanded chance.
David O'Brien
Boston Jr. Eagles 18U, 3/29/2008, D, left shot, 5-6/155
Hometown: Weymouth, Mass.Â
O'Brien was a force against the Northern CT Nor'Easter on Saturday. He broke up multiple odd-man rushes with smart reads. In the offensive zone, he utilized his fleet feet to be as mobile as possible at the point and get shots through. Sure, he's 5-foot-6, but he has a nice edge to him. He will be at Thayer this winter.
Chase Pavlesich
Philadelphia Jr. Flyers 15O, 7/8/2009, F, left shot, 5-9/178
Hometown: Palmyra, Penn.Â
Pavlesich was a force in the time I watched the Jr. Flyers beat the Nor'Easter. In the second half, he scored on a breakaway with a slick forehand to backhand move to beat the netminder. He showcased great compete in the corners. On one play, he won a battle in the corner with defenders on him and fed Chase Logue in front for a goal.
Sean Sweeney
Boston Jr. Eagles 16U, 7/14/2009, F, right shot, 6-1/175
Hometown: Hanson, Mass.Â
Sweeney consistently drove play in Saturday's game against the South Shore Kings. He made smart, subtle, small-area passes in transition to aid the rush. He was quick on his passing, too, and is a solid skater. Sweeney will be on a very good Thayer team this winter.
Alex Taylor
Northern CT Nor'Easter 16U, 1/14/2009, F, right shot, 5-8/130
Hometown: Milton, OntarioÂ
I was unable to watch the Nor'Easters 16U's entire game with the Philadelphia Jr. Flyers. But when I was watching, Taylor was impossible to miss. He scored on a complete laser from the high slot. His puck-handling abilities and vision were also terrific, too, as he found teammates across the offensive zone with ease. He will be with Frederick Gunn this winter.
EASTERN ALLIANCE KICKOFF: 20 standout 15O forwards | 7 standout 15O defendersÂ
Nate Watson
Northern CT Nor'Easter 18U, 3/16/2007, D, right shot, 5-9/175
Hometown: Mascouche, QuebecÂ
I'm intrigued by Watson's skating. It's a long, effortless stride that allows him to get up ice quickly. In the second half of this team's game against the Boston Jr. Eagles on Saturday, he broke up a 3-on-2 and zipped the puck the other way for a chance. His hands also allowed him to navigate forecheckers well. He's slated to be back at Deerfield this winter.
