MARLBORO, Mass. — Of the four Tier 1 championships on Sunday, there was no doubt which game was the most exciting.
I don't find myself often getting super invested in fall hockey results. But as the clock ticked down in the third period and into overtime of the 16U championship, I found myself on the edge of my seat. It was also no coincidence that numerous parents and children with no stake in the game gathered around the windows looking on at New England Sports Center's Rink 1 to watch.
That said, the championship wasn't emblematic of the 16U slate throughout the fall. It had less high-end talent than in previous seasons — and that goes for the entire region.
Still, some players showed major progress and have positioned themselves for big prep and high school seasons. Many of the players in this story fit that bill.
Here are nine uncommitted 16U standouts from the Mass. State Tournament this weekend.
Let's dive in.
Ryder Bisson
Boston Jr. Eagles, 8/4/2009, D, left shot, 6-1/176
Hometown: Holden, Mass.Â
Bisson had a big game in the championship, scoring a goal in regulation and then netting the shootout winner. His smooth skating, nice hands and good vision make him an ideal puck-moving defenseman who should have a massive winter with St. John's Shrewsbury.
Will Busconi
Islanders Hockey Club East, 5/2/2009, F, right shot, 6-2/180
Hometown: Oyster Bay, N.Y.Â
Busconi showcased intriguing size. The Taft product was able to gain separation from defenders in front of the opposing net and screen the netminder. While his feet were heavy, he had nice vision off the rush and protected pucks well. He also used his size to wreak havoc on forechecks.
James Dempsey
South Shore Kings, 1/9/2009, D, right shot, 6-0/170
Hometown: Natick, Mass.Â
Dempsey showcased some offensive flair. Against the Islanders Hockey Club East, Dempsey entered the offensive zone with the puck, sniped one off the crossbar and followed the rebound to knock it in. He showed nice hands when getting around forecheckers and had poise running the power play. He will be at Natick High School this winter.
READ MORE: Who won the 2025 New England District boys championships?Â
Walter Dzavik
East Coast Militia, 1/22/2009, F, left shot, 6-0/160
Hometown: Hingham, Mass.Â
Dzavik was dominant in my viewings of him this weekend. He consistently drove play and was able to get to inside ice to show off his good shot. His speed typically helped him get into high-danger areas, but so did his hands. He was lethal on the cycle, too, as he would often be the first one on loose pucks. When he had possession, he drew defenders up higher in the zone, taking them out of position. He's back at Hingham High School this winter.
Troy Hamelin
Neponset Valley River Rats, 6/8/2009, F, left shot, 6-1/165
Hometown: Southwick, Mass.Â
Hamelin looked a step above in my viewings of him this weekend. His skating, puck decisions and shot made him such an effective offensive force. Against the South Shore Kings, he scored a beauty, flying down the wing on his backhand and roofing a goal. In the championship game, he had an active stick on tips, deflecting an Easton Anello (Windsor, Mass.) shot into the back of the net and almost scoring on another. I'd have Hamelin's name circled if I were a Division 1 coach.
Brock Hanlon
Cape Cod Whalers, 6/25/2009, F, right shot, 5-10/170
Hometown: Auburndale, Mass.Â
Hanlon's compete and hands were on full display this weekend. His ability to sift through defenses from along the walls into high-danger areas was impressive. When he had the puck along the wall, he used his speed to open up passing lanes to high-danger areas. Dexter Southfield has the deepest forward group in New England, but Hanlon should still see time.
Colin O'Leary
Boston Jr. Eagles, 2/13/2009, D, right shot, 6-2/165
Hometown: Medfield, Mass.Â
O'Leary grew this offseason, and it showed. The 6-foot-2, right-shot defenseman was much tougher to play against than in recent seasons. He was physical and focused on playing shutdown defense. He defended the front of his own net hard and was willing to get down and make big blocks. His puck play hasn't suffered. In the championship, he started to bring the puck out of his own zone, but he curled back when there weren't options. When he turned to face up ice, he picked his head up and found a forward up ice, who got a prime scoring chance.
Sean Sweeney
Boston Jr. Eagles, 7/14/2009, F, right shot, 6-0/175
Hometown: Hanson, Mass.Â
The Junior Eagles '09 squad lost a lot of talent after last season. What that allowed was for other players to step up. Nobody embodied that more than Sweeney, who was noticeable this weekend. He drove play down the middle, showcasing his very good hands and vision. I have high hopes for Sweeney at Thayer this winter.
READ MORE: 6 standouts from 18U Mass. championship | 7 standouts from 16U Mass. championship | 7 standouts from 15O Mass. championship | 5 standouts from 14U Mass. championship
Alex Wang
Neponset Valley River Rats, 1/28/2009, G, catches left, 6-3/190
Hometown: Concord, Mass.Â
Wang was fantastic in the championship game, especially in the third period. His size, mixed with his athleticism, made him such a tough netminder to score on this weekend. Even on in-tight chances, Wang was able to extend his legs to make the necessary stops. He will be vital to St. George's being in the playoff race this winter.
