MARLBORO, Mass. — The annual Beantown Fall Classic was held at New England Sports Center this past weekend.
While the tournament had some strong teams at different age levels, it’s hard to ignore that we’re at that part of the fall where many split-season players are looking ahead to their prep and high school seasons.
Even with that, this weekend provided another glimpse of prep juniors and seniors who will be making big impacts this winter.
I watched a handful of 18U games on Sunday. The highlight of the day was Boston Junior Eagles defenseman Evan Jones (Arlington, Mass.) notching a hat trick. Fortunately for him, he's a Dartmouth commit. The massive downside to that is not being an "uncommitted standout" because, well, he's committed.
Here are eight uncommitted standouts from my viewings.
Max Donatelli
Boston Little Bruins, 6/15/2007, F, left shot, 5-9/154
Hometown: Barrington, R.I.Â
It wasn't the most offensive day for the Little Bruins, as they were shut out by the Fall Prep Wildcats. But Donatelli still made an impact. He dished nice area passes in the offensive zone to elongate zone time. In transition, he made heads-up passes to teammates, such as subtle drop passes as he cut middle, creating time and space for other Little Bruins forwards. He also took smart routes on forechecks.
Lucas Siomos
Fall Prep Wildcats, 7/3/2007, D, right shot, 5-11/179
Hometown: Newtown, Penn.Â
Siomos, who arrived at Kimball Union from South Kent, had a power play goal on Sunday, getting a shot in through a screen. He was constantly active in the offense, as well as with moving the puck out of his own zone. He anticipated plays well, such as when he stepped up in the neutral zone and intercepted a Little Bruins pass. He also had a good stick when defending the rush.
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Ryan Hedley
Mid Fairfield, 8/9/2007, F, left shot, 6-0/176
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.Â
Hedley was very involved in the Mid Fairfield offense against the Nor'Easter Storm on Sunday. He scored a power-play goal to tie the game late in the second half when he rifled a perfect shot from the top of the circle. He consistently drove play and was great at driving the middle of the offensive zone to draw defenders in and create space for teammates along the outside. Hedley will be back at Salisbury this year.
Jake Novak
Northern Connecticut Nor'Easter Storm, 4/29/2006, F, right shot, 5-9/154
Hometown: Needham, Mass.Â
Novak scored a really nice goal on Sunday. It came after he won two straight battles. The first was in the corner to free the puck. After that, he skated to the front of the net, won another battle and scored because of it. He was also effective at protecting pucks behind the net and always showed a high compete. He will be at Salisbury this winter after the last three seasons at Roxbury Latin.
Brooks Armstrong
Northern Connecticut Nor'Easter Storm, 3/5/2007, F, right shot, 5-8/161
Hometown: Suwanee, Ga.Â
Armstrong had a goal on Sunday, scoring on a shot from the slot after a strong offensive zone shift from his line. Armstrong handled pucks along the wall well and was able to cut middle to high-danger areas. He pushed the pace and was able to turn up his speed at different times to put defensemen on their heels. He has a deceptive shot that he was able to get off from different angles. Armstrong is at Avon Old Farms this season after the last two at South Kent.
Billy MacAusland
Boston Jr. Eagles, 8/4/2007, F, left shot, 5-10/160
Hometown: Westwood, Mass.Â
MacAusland was flat-out dominant on Sunday against the Yale Jr. Bulldogs. He scored two goals in the second half. One was off depositing a chance from the rush. The other came from MacAusland blocking a shot, passing up to Junior Eagles forward Evan Nee (Arlington, Mass.) and scoring on the ensuing 2-on-1. MacAusland fed Nee for a goal earlier in the game off a great play, carrying the puck toward the blue line and throwing it back down low to Nee, who scored on a beautiful shot. MacAusland has improved at such a high rate since last prep season.
Rian Chudzinski
Boston Jr. Eagles, 12/30/2007, F, right shot, 6-0/172
Hometown: Needham, Mass.Â
This was my second time seeing Chudzinski this fall. The first time was at Harvard on Oct. 18 when he got called up to the U.S. National Team Development Program's U18 squad. On Sunday, he showed off his speed when closing on defenders who had pucks. He had great hands when coming off the wall, getting to space and firing off hard, quick shots. He also has such a high Hockey IQ, as was evident when a Yale Jr. Bulldogs defender was passing up ice to a forward and Chudzinski lifted the forwards stick before the pass could get there so he could intercept the play. Chudzinski is one of the top uncommitted players in the region.
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Darren Iversen
Boston Jr. Eagles, 9/28/2007, D, left shot, 5-9/165
Hometown: Framingham, Mass.Â
This is the second time this fall that Iversen has impressed in a game I've been at. He moves pucks so well, often using the net on breakouts to avoid forecheckers. His head is always up looking for space and passing lanes. Late in the first half, he hustled up the ice, won a footrace and got a 2-on-1, resulting in a shot. He's taken massive steps in his game ahead of an important senior year at Rivers.
