EXETER, N.H. — We've covered the big takeaways from the Phillips Exeter Invitational Tournament. Now, it's time to look at the standouts.
This story will feature standouts who weren't the focus of my takeaways story.
That said, there were quite a few players who stood out during my time at Exeter on Saturday, as I took in all four games. I wasn't there on Sunday.
There were multiple junior hockey scouts, as well as a sprinkling of college coaches, taking in the action. Because eight teams from all over New England are under one roof, it gives everyone a chance to see everyone.
Here are the scores from all 16 games this weekend.
Saturday
- Kimball Union 2, Rivers 1
- Kent 3, Dexter 2
- Brunswick 5, Phillips Exeter 1
- Frederick Gunn 7, New Hampton 2
Sunday
- Kimball Union 3, Brunswick 2
- Kent 3, New Hampton 2
- Rivers 3, Phillips Exeter 1
- Frederick Gunn 4, Dexter 4
With that, here are some standouts from the games this weekend. Let's dive in.
Donovan Dunlay
Kent, 6/13/2008, G, catches left, 6-0/175
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.Â
Dunlay put forward one of the best goaltending performances I've seen in quite some time on Saturday. He made 35 saves, and many of them were on high-danger chances. Midway through the first period, he robbed Dexter junior forward JP Messuri (Arlington, Mass.) on two straight chances from right in front. He made another big one on Messuri midway through the second period, before absolutely robbing Austin Wu (Dedham, Mass.), who looked to have a wide-open net, later in the period.
READ MORE: 5 takeaways from Belmont Hill’s win over Nobles
Carter Felt
Rivers, 8/7/2010, F, left shot, 5-10/170
Hometown: Natick, Mass.Â
Felt was impressive against Kimball Union. The '10 laid a big hit early, setting a tone. Midway through the second period, Felt slid to block a shot, which led to Rivers getting a 3-on-1 the other way. His offensive game never suffered, as he consistently drove play and created chances. He was rewarded on Sunday with a goal and an assist. Felt is the kind of guy you want on your side — a total gamer.
Cam Fiasconaro
Phillips Exeter, 11/5/2006, D, left shot, 5-11/190
Hometown: Pittsfield, N.H.Â
Fiasconaro's mobility was impressive. The '06 made smart breakouts and eluded pressure well. In the offensive zone, he navigated the puck below the blue line so well. On a third-period power play, Fiasconaro went all the way around the zone with the puck and hit the post with a shot. He created chances with his patience and overall skill at the point.
Dylan Hall
Frederick Gunn, 4/26/2007, D, left shot, 6-3/185
Hometown: Glastonbury, Conn.Â
Hall showed himself as a stout, reliable defender for Frederick Gunn. The big man made smart plays with the puck, making simple passes, but not being afraid of using his feet to get to a new space to open up a different passing lane, which helped him drive play. In his own zone, he showcased a good stick to cut off angles to the net. He's an '07 with size, so he should have some legit junior hockey options come the end of the winter.
Dylan Mallgrave
Kent, 5/3/2008, D, right shot, 6-1/190
Hometown: Summit, N.J.Â
Mallgrave showed himself as a stout, shutdown defender who can play nasty against Dexter. He was tough in front of his own net and showcased a great stick to cut off plays. He finished his hits and never hesitated to get tied up with a forward in front. He went at it with McHale all game, hitting him from behind at one point, stepping over him on another and then being the first person who fought with McHale in that above video. Mallgrave has some good snarl to his game, which should serve him well.
RANKINGS:Â Kent upended the top 5 in our first in-season top 10
Johnny Niemela
New Hampton, 7/17/2007, F, right shot, 6-4/195
Hometown: Santa Barbara, Calif.Â
Niemela potted one of New Hampton's two goals against Frederick Gunn. The big man put in a rebound after Quong's shot was stopped. On the goal, Niemela and his line cycled the puck well, which led to a long offensive zone sequence. Niemela's size helped him a lot in tight. Through three games, he leads New Hampton with four points.
Chris Paolone
Frederick Gunn, 11/8/2007, D, right shot, 6-1/176
Hometown: Scarborough, OntarioÂ
Paolone showed quite a bit of poise with pucks, especially coming out of his own zone. He skated with power, forcing opposing forecheckers to respect that. Against New Hampton, there was one sequence when he rushed it end to end, cut middle on a defenseman and drew a penalty. He scored on a power-play one-timer late in the third period, showcasing his heavy shot. His size and puck-moving abilities make him an intriguing prospect.
Richard Shin
Kent, 1/7/2008, F, right shot, 5-8/170
Hometown: Fort Lee, N.J.Â
I was thoroughly impressed by Shin against Dexter. His shiftiness and skating allowed him to get around defenders to the outside and still get back into high-danger ice. He broke up multiple plays in the neutral zone by getting above pucks, too, providing a reliable, two-way game down the middle. On one penalty-killing sequence, Shin locked down a forward at the far post and then hustled out high to block a shot.
READ MORE: 11 takeaways from Phillips Exeter Invitational Tournament
Will Torres
Rivers, 4/21/2010, G, catches left, 5-10/140
Hometown: Framingham, Mass.Â
Torres was sensational on Saturday against Kimball Union. He made multiple vital, in-tight saves on Kimball Union chances. Midway through the first period, he got hit and drew a penalty, yet still stayed on his game. Whether it was a point-blank chance, one through traffic, or off the rush, Torres stood tall. That was a statement game by Torres, who is already viewed as one of the better '10 goalies in New England.
It's also worth noting that senior Derrick Huang (Carlisle, Mass.) notched 41 saves to beat Exeter on Sunday.
