MARLBORO, Mass. — The 2019 Beantown Fall Classic brought top prospects from across the continent and parts of Europe to the New England Sports Center over the course of five days.
The 2019 Beantown Fall Classic field was highlighted by the younger teams from the HPHL, Phoenix Jr. Coyotes, Rothesay Netherwood, West Van Academy, Mount Academy, Bishops College, and numerous local entries. Kudos to Boston Junior Bruins owner Peter Masters for bringing in teams worth watching and scouting.
While there was a lot of hockey to be watched with games going on simultaneously across eight rinks at the expansive New England Sports Center, there was adequate time to see all of the top teams a few times and most others at least once.
Most of the focus was on 16-U and 15 Pure divisions, but NEHJ watched 18-U, 14-U, and NCDC, as well. Broken down by division, here are the prospects who stood out at the 2019 Beantown Fall Classic:
USPHL NCDC
Harrison Bazianos
New Jersey Rockets, 9/7/01, C, left shot, 5-9/177
Bazianos competes well and keeps his feet moving. He has a little bit of skill and should be a player to watch.
Frank Ireland
Junior Bruins, 2/6/01, LW, left shot, 5-10/170
Ireland isn’t the most skilled player on the ice, but he works hard, forechecks with a purpose, and goes to the net. He was rewarded with a goal and an assist in one game.
Paul Letto
New Jersey Rockets, 10/10/01, D, 5-11/169
Letto’s feet need to improve, but he’s smart and defends with a good stick. He can make a good and smart first touch with the puck.
Nicky Niemo
Islanders HC, 3/28/01, RW, right shot, 5-9/165
Niemo is a good story as he’s risen up the ranks with Islanders HC. He’s small, but he’s quick and makes plays. He and UNH commit Cy LeClerc are the two best offensive threats, but it was Niemo who did much of the damage over the weekend.
Andrew Ramsey
New Jersey Rockets, 6/21/02, D, left shot, 6-0/192
Ramsey is a solid defensive prospect out of Arizona. He has good size, plays with a little physicality, and sees the ice well enough. He’s one of the better prospects in this league.
Johan Rosenquist
Islanders HC, 10/28/02, RW, right shot, 6-2/174
Rosenquist is a big winger from Florida who could be a late bloomer as a late ‘02. He’s still a little raw and adjusting to junior hockey, but there looks to be something there.
Javi Ubarri
New Jersey Rockets, 5/4/01, D, right shot, 5-10/180
Ubarri is a mobile defender and he has above average hockey sense. He’s a player who could be a late bloomer and should be watched.
Logan Valkama
New Jersey Rockets, 1/7/02, LW, left shot, 5-11/160
Valkama is in his first year of junior hockey and having to adjust to the pace, but he’s a player worth watching. He had three goals during the Beantown Fall Classic.
18-U Forwards
Anthony Achille
Boston Advantage, 1/8/02, LW, left shot, 5-11/155
Achille is quick and keeps his feet moving. He’s starting to generate more chances and is becoming more of a noticeable threat each shift.
Matys Brassard
Bishop’s College, 3/28/03, RW, left shot, 5-8/148
Brassard is a goalscorer with a knack for the net. He’s a player to watch, especially with his success playing up an age group.
Evan Brown
Elite Hockey Program, 12/3/02, LW, left shot, 6-1/175
Brown is heavy on pucks and is an above average skater who can make some plays after hunting pucks down and winning battles.
Brady Carlock
Oakland Jr. Grizzlies, 2/8/01, D, left shot, 5-9/170
Carlock’s speed was noticeable on the rush, despite being a little on the smaller side.
Danny Ciccarello
Little Bruins, 3/23/01, C, right shot, 6-0/201
Ciccarello just seems to be around the puck a lot and find a way to deposit it into the back of the net. He doesn’t do much to standout, but he’s solid and scores.
Matthew Cobetto-Roy
Bishop’s College, 10/21/03, C, left shot, 5-10/154
Cobetto-Roy found the back of the net a few times this weekend. He was solid in his team’s game against Virtua on Thursday night.
Wesley Coquet
Elite Hockey Program, 5/29/02, LW, left shot, 5-11/168
Coquet seemed to find his way onto the score sheet, at least here in these viewings.
Ryan Corcoran
Boston Advantage, 4/4/02, C, left shot, 5-11/175
Corcoran is a good skater who sees the ice well and plays well on both sides of the puck. He does little things like keeping his feet moving to draw penalties and killing penalties. His skill is an area of his game that could use some improvement.
Will Donato
Northwood, 1/10/03, RW, right shot, 6-1/188
Donato is a big, physical winger with some raw tools. He’s a player to keep an eye on after going to Northwood from Hill School.
Riley Duran
Cape Cod Whalers, 1/25/02, C, right shot, 6-1/174
NCAA commit: Providence
Duran is a hard, 200-foot forward who skates well. I keep saying it, but once he gets in a more structured environment, his game will take off to the next level. He should be a late round NHL pick come next June in Montreal.
Florian Elias
Jungadler Mannheim, 8/7/02, C, left shot, 5-8/170
Elias is a little on the smaller side, but he skates well and made plays. He was good in small areas in the attacking zone. The team as a whole really did a good job playing together and making plays, but Elias stood out the most. He could also find the back of the net.
Matthew Esquerre
Elite Hockey Program, 8/18/02, RW, right shot, 5-9/160
Esquerre is heavy on pucks and brings it physically. He’s probably not much of a top six player going forward, but he could make an impact for a team looking at a bottom six winger.
Adam Fantilli
Top Gun/NEFPHL, 10/12/04, LW, left shot, 6-2/180
Fantilli was lights out, even playing against much older opponents. He scored a few absolutely highlight reel goals. He has deception on his release and a ton of skill overall. He skates well and looks like a future pro.
Raymond Fust
Northwood, 10/23/02, LW, left shot, 6-3/183
Fust is a big winger who will need to improve his skating, but there is certainly some potential as a goal scorer. He supposedly has some suitors among Hockey East schools.
Nicholas Larkin
South Shore Kings, 5/28/03, RW, right shot, 5-11/150
Larkin is playing up an age here and looked to be the most skilled player on his team. He has good wheels and slightly above average skill. He plays hard and keeps his feet moving. He’s a player prep schools and NCDC teams should be looking to procure for 2020-21.
Matt MacDonald
Boston Advantage, 4/16/02, RW, right shot, 6-1/194
NCAA commit: Merrimack
MacDonald works hard, drives the net, and plays with intensity. He scores rebound goals and is a grinder who just makes it difficult for opposing players. He hits hard and can shoot it hard as well.
Tomas Mazura
Top Gun/NEFPHL, 9/23/00, C, left shot, 6-4/170
NCAA commit: Providence
NHL rights: Edmonton Oilers (6th, 2019)
Mazura is a big, lanky center who can skate well and see the ice well. He makes a lot of great passes and facilitates offense. He fed Fantilli a few times and was a threat to generate offensive chances each shift.
Ryan McGuire
East Coast Wizards, 7/27/02, C, right shot, 5-10/165
NCAA commit: Colgate
McGuire looks to have added some size and was noticeable a few times in his team’s game Friday night. His skating has gotten a little better, and he’s an extremely smart, 200 foot player.
Sam Oliver
Rothesay Netherwood, 7/4/04, C, left shot, 5-10/180
Oliver is a strong-skating center who can shoot the puck hard and with pinpoint accuracy.
Massimo Pietroniro
Bishop’s College, 8/2/02, C, right shot, 5-10/154
Pietroniro sees the ice well and plays the game with a little bit of a chip on his shoulder. He’s not afraid to mix it up and get physical.
Max Pineo
Top Gun/NEFPHL, 8/7/00, C, right shot, 5-10/170
The former Austin Prep leading scorer had a beauty of a snipe in his team’s win Thursday night. He’s hard to knock off pucks and has a good shot. He’ll be a nice PG player for Tilton.
Nick Ring
Boston Advantage, 10/26/03, C, right shot, 5-9/153
NCAA commit: New Hampshire
Ring skates well and is able to make plays with his vision and shiftiness in tight spaces. He was the best player for the Boston Advantage in a couple games over the weekend.
Antoine Roy
Rothesay Netherwood, 6/3/04, C, left shot, 6-1/175
Roy has some potential with his good size and scoring ability. He could blossom into a power forward.
Finnegan Sayers
Skipjacks, 4/14/01, LW, left shot, 5-8/145
Sayers skates well and is a crafty winger. He looked very good against Northwood.
Jan-Luca Schumacher
Jungadler Mannheim, 8/30/01, LW, left shot, 5-10/167
Schumacher made a couple of really good passes and saw the ice well.Â
Simon Thiel
Jungadler Mannheim, 8/4/01, C, left shot, 6-0/156
Thiel is a good skater who was noticeable a few times for his team.
Shayne Tomlinson
Oakland Jr. Grizzlies, 3/7/01, C/RW, right shot, 6-2/170
Tomlinson has some potential as a power forward with size who takes the puck to the net.
Jonathan Wescoe
Skipjacks, 6/6/01, RW, left shot, 5-8/145
Wescoe is a good skater who stood out on the team’s top line for his vision.
Carson Whitman
Boston Advantage, 6/4/02, C, right shot, 5-10/165
Whitman needs to be more consistent, but he’s a quick, crafty forward who can make plays. He does a good job moving pucks and he forces turnovers with his puck pursuit.
18-U Defensemen
Ian Moore
Little Bruins, 1/4/02, D, right shot, 6-3/175
NCAA commit: Princeton
Moore was his usual self this weekend. He has good size and can really skate. He has a hard shot and good offensive instincts. His own zone isn’t his strength, but he has the athleticism and reach to be more than adequate at this level and setting.
Nate Boak
Northwood, 7/12/02, D, left shot, 5-7/159
Boak is a small defenseman with mobility. His feet and quickness allow him to make plays, whether it be on the rush or quarterbacking the power play.
Brian Craven
South Shore Kings, 3/7/02, D, left shot, 6-4/190
Craven is a big defenseman who shoots it hard and has above average wheels. He’s a player to keep an eye on if you’re a Division III coach or a NCDC organization looking to add size to the blue line for 2020-21.
Ethan Dollemont
Rothesay Netherwood, 3/23/04, D, right shot, 5-10/180
Dollemont had some intriguing upside as an offensive defenseman. He skated well and is a player to keep an eye on the rest of the year.
Jacob Guevin
Northwood, 1/17/03, D, right shot, 5-9/164
NCAA commit: Nebraska-Omaha
Guevin is a puck-moving defenseman with good skill and skating ability. His offensive ability is his strength, but he’ll need to solidify his play in his own zone going forward.
Tucker Hartmann
Little Bruins, 4/4/02, D, right shot, 5-10/170
Hartmann has his inefficiencies in his own zone and is prone to the occasional turnover, but he’s an athletic defenseman who competes hard and makes things happen offensively. He’s a player who should certainly be able to play at a school like St. Lawrence, Colgate, or an Ivy after a year or two of junior hockey.
Timmy Lovell
Boston Advantage, 2/8/02, D, left shot, 5-5/124
NCAA commit: Ohio State
Lovell struggled a little with the ice so choppy, but he still has the smarts, puck skills and skating to retrieve pucks and get it going offensively for his team. He’ll need to keep bulking up to be able to fend off the forecheck of big wingers coming at him at the next level.
Sean Melso
Virtua, 9/26/02, D, left shot, 5-10/180
Melso skates well and is a potential offensive defenseman going forward, but he should also be credited for playing with jam.
Jack Page
Virtua, 11/27/01, D, right shot, 6-4/190
Page is a big, right-shot defender worth watching. He looked to be intriguing in a game early in the weekend.
16-U Forwards
Xander Babich
Chicago Mission, 3/13/03, C, left shot, 5-9/170
NCAA commit: RPI
Babich works really hard and gives it his all each shift. He gets in on the forecheck and plays a hard game, despite being undersized. His offensive skill set and instincts are parts of his game that could use improvement.
Shane Baker
Junior Bruins, 4/21/04, C/RW, right shot, 5-10/165
Baker has a lot of potential and is coming from Division 3 high school hockey in Mass. so his game has a lot of room to grow. He makes some good power moves to the net and can score. He’s a player trending upward.
Connor Bedard
West Van Academy, 7/17/05, C, left shot, 5-8/165
Despite playing up an age group, Bedard dazzled with his skill. He's an elite hockey player, perhaps the best '05 in Canada, and it showed. He skates well and he's incredibly gifted with the puck on his stick.
Alexandre Blais
Bishop’s College, 11/14/05, LW, left shot, 5-5/123
Blais is a late ‘05 so his skating and offensive skill set was even more noteworthy here.
Dominic Boccelli
Minuteman Flames, 9/22/03, C, left shot, 6-1/155
This was Boccelli’s best viewing to date. He was around the puck a lot and was making an impact.
Medric Bolduc
South Florida Hockey Academy, 7/9/03, C, left shot, 5-8/145
Bolduc is a smart center who sees the ice well and can make some great passes. He skates well and is able to get to pucks and separate because of it. He’s the best offensive talent on his team.
Matthew Brille
New Jersey Rockets, 1/2/03, RW, right shot, 5-7/160
NCAA commit: Brown
Brille isn’t overly big, but he always does a good job crashing the net and being an impactful player on the forecheck. He’s heavy on pucks and keeps his feet moving. He committed to Brown during the Beantown Fall Classic.
Evan Brown
New Jersey Rockets, 10/14/04, C, right shot, 5-6/135
Brown has a high motor, hunts pucks, and makes some plays. He keeps getting better. Once he adds more muscle over the next few years, he will be even more impactful.
Michael Cataldo
Cape Cod Whalers, 5/4/03, RW, right shot, 5-11/165
Cataldo kept up his strong fall here by scoring more goals. He doesn’t possess blazing speed, but he’s hard and heavy on pucks and can shoot it hard. He also isn’t afraid to go to the greasy areas and cash in on garbage goals.
Kenny Connors
Mount Saint Charles, 3/10/03, C, left shot, 6-0/185
NCAA commit: UMass
Connors didn’t play in every game here as the team was moving on to play in the Beast Series playoffs after Thursday and Friday. In minimal viewing, he didn’t do anything to disprove my thought that he’s a power forward with pro potential.
Sterling Cooke
Mount Saint Charles, 2/7/03, LW, left shot, 5-9/168
Cooke has a high motor, keeps his feet moving, and works hard. He skates well and is quick to get to pucks below the dots.
Hayden Cox
Compuware, 1/1/03, RW, right shot, 6-1/177
Cox had a couple of noticeable shifts and had above average hands.
Chris Delaney
Junior Bruins, 9/25/04, C, left shot, 5-4/121
Delaney is on the small side, but he’s quick and makes really good plays in small areas. He makes a ton of nice passes from below the dots because of his agility and shiftiness. His straight line speed is an area that could use improvement.
Zachary Filak
Compuware, 1/21/04, C/LW, left shot, 6-1/177
NCAA commit: Michigan State
Filak has the potential to be a power forward who can use his size and strength to his advantage. He was really good at times over the last year or so, but this wasn’t his best showing.
Riley Fitzgerald
East Coast Wizards, 6/2/03, LW, right shot, 5-8/130
Fitzgerald has grown some and it’s helped him be more explosive in terms of his skating. He was able to separate for a chance and drew a penalty shot in one game.
Tanner Freed
Islanders HC, 9/6/03, LW, left shot, 5-11/160
Freed is in his first year with the Islanders program after playing for Seacoast last year. A Colorado native, he had a really good weekend, but his compete has to be noted. He kept his feet moving and worked extremely hard.
Simon Gaul
Bishop’s College, 2/1/04, RW, right shot, 5-9/157
Gaul is a good passer who was a big threat on the power play.
Cutter Gauthier
Compuware, 1/19/04, LW, left shot, 6-1/186
Gauthier is a big power forward who can dominate at this level by using his powerful stride and size to get to where he wants to be on the ice to score. His hockey sense isn’t bad, but it’s an area of his game that could use improvement.
Vincent Gould
East Coast Wizards, 2/11/03, RW, right shot, 6-1/187
Gould looks to have made some strides in terms of his footwork and skating ability. He has a very good shot, like he always has had, but his puck skills are getting better.
Matthew Gross
Phoenix Jr. Coyotes, 6/27/03, LW, left shot, 5-10/170
Gross is a forward who can really shoot it and he has the strength to get himself into the tough areas and fend off opposing defenders.
Tyler Haskins
Chicago Mission, 7/7/03, C, left shot, 6-0/153
NCAA commit: Michigan
Haskins is a big time power forward with skill. He can drive the net and his skating jumps right out at you. He can rip a puck and he can deliver some hits. He has pro prospect written all over him.
David Hymovitch
Phoenix Jr. Coyotes, 8/14/03, RW, right shot, 5-10/155
NCAA commit: Quinnipiac
Hymovitch is a forward who does a good job in small areas. He plays hard and hunts pucks. He was solid here.
Jackson Kyrkostas
Islanders HC, 8/19/04, C/RW, right shot, 5-9/140
Kyrkostas has a lot of skill and speed. It was one of his best viewings since bantam here this weekend. He made some plays and scored at least one goal on the power play.
Chase LeClerc
Islanders HC, 11/1/03, C, left shot, 5-10/165
LeClerc needs to be more consistent, but he’s a skilled player who creates offensive chances and has good hands to keep pucks away from opposing defenders.
Sean McWhinnie
Minuteman Flames, 10/23/03, LW, left shot, 6-2/170
McWhinnie is a big power forward who is the best prospect on this team that is very underrated. He drives the net and has some upside.
CJ Monturio
Cape Cod Whalers, 2/21/03, RW, right shot, 5-9/166
NCAA commit: Army (lacrosse)
Monturio was back after missing a lot of the fall with an injury he suffered at national camp. He works hard and gets the most out of his athleticism. He skates well and competes, which gets him chances. If his hockey sense can keep coming, he could become an even better player than he already is.
Daniel Nekhamiyev
Compuware, 1/16/03, LW, left shot, 6-1/166
Nekhamiyev showed some finishing ability and was an impactful player with good hands.
Caleb Owens
South Florida Hockey Academy, 8/20/04, C, left shot, 5-5/135
Owens is a good center who plays with an edge. He hunts pucks and can facilitate offense.
Mathieu Pelletier
Bishop’s College, 3/1/05, LW, left shot, 5-7/150
Pelletier is quick and can make plays with good vision. He’s able to separate and can be shifty in small areas. He was a standout, despite playing up.
Dominick Rivelli
Chicago Mission, 8/1/03, C/RW, right shot, 5-9/162
NCAA commit: Miami
Rivelli has a lot of skill and is quick, but he needs to learn to play more inside the dots. He makes a ton of good passes, but seems to shy away from contact.
Greg Spitznagel
New Jersey Rockets, 3/10/03, RW, right shot, 6-2/200
Spitznagel is a big power forward who I’d like to see a little more consistency from. He can shoot it hard and has the ability to drive the net and dominate down low.
Jackson Truchan
Compuware, 2/28/03, RW, right shot, 5-6/155
Truchan catches your eye for his quickness.
Gleb Veremyev
New Jersey Rockets, 6/28/03, C, left shot, 6-3/195
Veremyev keeps making huge statements at all of these showcases. He scored an absolute snipe from the high slot in one game and was dominant at times throughout the weekend. He’s a big time power forward who can finish. He also isn’t afraid to throw his weight around. Veremyev protects pucks and is able to facilitate offense from below the dots. He’s without a doubt a top two or three uncommitted ‘03 in the U.S.
Henry Wilson
Islanders HC, 5/13/04, LW, left shot, 6-0/150
Wilson has some shifts where he looks like an elite player, but then fades some at times. He was good here this weekend. He’s big and can scoot. He’s getting first unit power play minutes and is a player to watch.
Michael Woll
Mount Saint Charles, 4/4/03, LW, left shot, 6-3/185
Woll did a good job of using his size and strength to his advantage. He was around the net and cashed in at least once.
Thomas Wright
Chicago Mission, 2/14/03, C/LW, left shot, 5-10/183
Wright is a strong, rugged forward, but his skating needs to get a little better. He’s a kid who is starting to stand out a little more than he has in the past.
16-U Defensemen
Anthony Cliche
Mount Saint Charles, 6/9/03, D, right shot, 6-2/193
Cliche is a big defender with above average skating ability and skill. His hockey sense is the area of his game that he needs to shore up.
Ben Cook
Junior Bruins, 1/31/05, D, right shot, 5-10/150
Cook is a big defender with a lot of potential. He makes good puck touches and has the length and reach to defend. Playing up a year, he seems to have a ton of upside.
Jonah Copre
Chicago Mission, 1/9/03, D, right shot, 5-3/145
NCAA commit: Quinnipiac
Copre obviously needs to add some size and strength, but he’s a smart, puck-moving defender who can jumpstart the breakout with his outlet passes.
Grayden Daul
Chicago Mission, 1/31/03, D, right shot, 5-11/167
NCAA commit: Wisconsin
Daul is a solid, puck-moving defender who can play with some jam defensively when he needs to. He can make good decisions on the breakout and has the skill and skating ability to go with it. He’s not flashy, but he’s effective.
Tyler DesRochers
Mount Saint Charles, 4/2/03, D, right shot, 6-0/160
NCAA commit: Providence
Expectations are high for DesRochers. He was just average for his lofty standards, but he was still very good. His skating is coming and he’s a puck-moving defender with a good shot from the point.
Logan Dittenhafer
Compuware, 1/12/03, D, right shot, 6-4/210
Dittenhafer has above average feet, especially for a player his size. He’s a player to keep an eye on going forward.
Colin Doherty
Team Illinois, 7/7/03, D, left shot, 6-0/190
Doherty skates well, has good size and plays with some jam. He’s a really good defenseman who is just scratching the surface of how good he can be.
Anthony Dowd
New Jersey Titans, 4/25/03, D, right shot, 5-5/127
Dowd is on the smaller side, but he has a really good stick defensively to break up passes and get in shooting lanes. He’s also mobile and can make plays with the puck on his stick. He was solid this weekend.
Dylan Duke
Compuware, 7/19/04, D, left shot, 5-8/163
NCAA commit: Notre Dame
Duke is an elite defenseman at this age group and seemingly is a lock for the NTDP. He thinks the game well and plays with jam. He’s good in both ends and can move pucks up ice quickly.
Thomas Goguen
East Coast Wizards, 2/27/03, D, right shot, 6-3/170
Goguen is a good athlete who has always been a sleeper at this age group. He scored a really nice goal while joining the rush and showed that he can be a solid, physical presence out there.
Andrew Jeffers
Oakland Jr. Grizzlies, 5/2/03, D, right shot, 6-4/200
Jeffers has good size and is a rangy defender. He has some ability to move pucks north, but he’s a little bit of an awkward puck handler. There’s potential, but he’s still raw.
James Jurcev
Team Illinois, 5/5/03, D, right shot, 6-3/145
Jurcev wasn’t as good as his two teammates mentioned on the blue line, but he’s a big defender with some potential. He grew on me as the weekend went along.
Rasmus Kauppila
South Florida Hockey Academy, 11/20/03, D, left shot, 5-10/154
Kauppila was solid in a game Friday night against Minuteman Flames and jumped into the offense a few times, including a goal he scored.
Finnegan Kilbride
Compuware, 4/8/03, D, right shot, 5-11/165
Kilbride is a very good skater and has solid mobility. He’s a little of a work in progress, but there’s plenty to like about his potential upside. He plays with a little jam, too.
William Killoran
East Coast Wizards, 1/30/03, D, right shot, 6-2/180
Killoran is a big, strong defender who is tough to play against. He can shut down opposing forwards and had a couple of really strong outings here. He has a hard shot and his feet are improving. He’s a player that could prove to be really good in a few years.
Brendan Kimball
Islanders HC, 8/24/03, D, left shot, 5-9/135
Kimball needs to be tougher on pucks, but he’s a very good skater who gets first unit power play minutes and makes plays with the puck on his stick.
Rhett Kodsi
South Florida Hockey Academy, 1/4/04, D, right shot, 5-10/180
Kodsi is a solid defensive defenseman who does a good job getting in the way of shooting and passing lanes. He has the ability to play with jam, but I’d like to see him be a little more assertive.
Jake Livanavage
Phoenix Jr. Coyotes, 5/6/04, D, left shot, 5-8/141
Livanavage is a mobile defenseman who skates really well. He keeps his head up and sees the ice well while defending well with his stick and feet. He’ll learn to be a little more poised as he adjusts to the increased pace of midget hockey.
Trevor Mitchell
Honeybaked, 5/8/03, D, left shot, 6-2/167
Mitchell is a big, two-way defenseman who skates well. He has some jam and delivered a couple of big hits. He also is confident with the puck on his stick. His game is trending in the right direction.
Guillaume Richard
Mount Saint Charles, 2/10/03, D, left shot, 6-0/155
NCAA commit: Maine
Richard is a big time, two-way defenseman. He skates well and can defend as well as he can go forward. He moves pucks north and gaps well defensively. He’s just a terrific hockey player.
Riley Rosenthal
South Florida Hockey Academy, 12/10/03, D, right shot, 6-2/236
Rosenthal has good vision and can make good passes in transition. A big defenseman, Rosenthal’s feet are still a work in progress, but he’s getting better and certainly has upside. For anyone who saw SFHA, he wore No. 5 instead of No. 6 at the Beantown Fall Classic.
Michael Rubin
New Jersey Rockets, 5/5/03, D, right shot, 5-11/184
Rubin is a solid defensive defenseman who can make a good outlet pass. He’s strong and is showing more ability to use his physical tools to his advantage.
Luke Santilli
Islanders HC, 12/5/04, D, right shot, 6-0/156
Santilli is still raw, but there’s a lot of upside here. He’s a big defenseman who skates well and can contribute offensively. He’s rangy in his own zone. He’ll play Division I.
Jack Shemligan
Minuteman Flames, 4/22/03, D, right shot, 5-11/156
Shemligan is a good skater and he can move pucks north. He’s solid in his own zone and has some potential. Prep schools should be in pursuit of him for next season.
Kasper Soini
South Florida Hockey Academy, 5/17/03, D, left shot, 5-11/145
Soini has really good feet and skating ability.
Therien Thiesing
Chicago Mission, 1/5/03, D, left shot, 5-11/165
Thiesing is a puck-moving defenseman, but his feet need to get a little better to make more of an impact when joining the rush, and also to defend more adequately.
Gunnar Williams
Team Illinois, 6/11/03, D, right shot, 5-11/165
Williams is a mobile defenseman whose skating caught my eye a few times.
Griffin Zaske
Honeybaked, 12/8/03, D, right shot, 6-3/180
Zaske is a big, physical defender who stood out in one of his team’s games over the weekend.
Easton Zueger
Phoenix Jr. Coyotes, 6/7/03, D, right shot, 5-8/183
Zueger isn’t a big defender, but he plays hard and is steady in his own zone. He makes some good stretch passes and has very good mobility.
16-U Goaltenders
Jackson Baker
Team Illinois, 3/3/03, G, catches left, 6-0/147
Baker is a solid goaltender with above average size. He moves well and has strong fundamentals.
Benjamin Boon
CSJV Dragons, 3/15/03, G, catches left, 5-11/157
Boon was really good, especially in the first half of his team’s game against Islanders HC.
Tade Carman
Mount Saint Charles, 2/12/03, G, catches left, 5-11/155
Carman moves well and has good athleticism as a butterfly goaltender.
Stefan Carney
Team Illinois, 10/30/03, G, catches left, 5-8/159
While Carney is the smaller of the two goaltenders on his team, he was really good against Mount Saint Charles. His reflexes helped him make numerous big saves.
Luca DiPasquo
Honeybaked, 9/24/03, G, catches right, 5-11/180
DiPasquo is a solid goaltender for this age group and had a real good game against Mount Saint Charles.
15s Forwards
Ryan Abraham
Compuware, 4/5/04, C/LW, left shot, 5-7/148
Abraham is a quick, crafty forward who hunts pucks and isn’t afraid to get into the greasy areas. He’s a fun player to watch and made an impact most shifts.
Jonah Aegerter
Oakland Jr. Grizzlies, 1/21/04, C/RW, right shot, 5-9/160
Aegerter’s speed is a huge factor on almost every shift. He can create offense on the rush by blowing by opposing defenders. He gets to pucks and can separate in the zone. His hockey sense isn’t bad, but it’s an area of his game that could improve in order to make the most of his speed and skill.
Owen Baker
Honeybaked, 1/29/04, RW, right shot, 5-9/160
Baker is quick, skilled and keeps his feet moving. He produces just about every game.
Nicholas DelGaizo
New Jersey Rockets, 1/7/04, C, right shot, 5-9/160
DelGaizo is a smart player who sees the ice well and makes plays. He’s not overly flashy, but he has the vision to generate offensive chances for his linemates.
James Fisher
East Coast Wizards, 4/28/04, C, right shot, 6-0/155
Fisher is a big power forward with above average skating ability. He has some skill and was able to protect pucks and drive the net.
Gavin Hayes
Compuware, 5/14/04, RW, right shot, 6-1/160
Hayes is a good north-south winger with some skill and jam. He’s a solid winger on the team’s top line and hangs around the puck a lot.
Nathan Lewis
Oakland Jr. Grizzlies, 7/27/04, LW, right shot, 6-3/180
Lewis is a power forward who hangs around the net and scores a lot of rebound goals. He’s heavy on pucks and has a hard shot as well. He was good here and is a nice complementary winger to McGroarty.
Ben MacDonald
East Coast Wizards, 2/24/04, C, left shot, 5-9/146
MacDonald is a 200-foot center with some skill, but his strengths are away from the puck.
Will McDonough
Boston Advantage, 6/18/05, RW, right shot, 5-11/165
Playing up a year, McDonough has a funky stride, but he’s a power forward who just scores in every viewing it seems like. He goes to the net and has a hard shot. He knows where to go to find loose pucks and rebounds.
Rutger McGroarty
Oakland Jr. Grizzlies, 3/30/04, C, left shot, 6-1/185
NCAA commit: Notre Dame
McGroarty continues to show he’s an elite goal scorer. He drives the net and he finishes with good dekes or hard shots. He’s heavy on pucks and is a power forward with skill. McGroarty seems like a lock to make the NTDP.
Lucas McLennan
West Van Academy, 11/12/04, C/RW, right shot, 5-10/165
McLennan was the team’s top offensive threat in the games I saw. He can finish and he has above average hands and skating ability.
Michael Mesic
Compuware, 8/15/04, LW, left shot, 5-8/140
Mesic is a good skater and stood out more this weekend than he has in the past. He made some good low to high passes and made good plays on more than one occasion.
Maxim Namestnikov
Honeybaked, 2/6/04, C/LW, left shot, 5-7/165
NCAA commit: Michigan State
Namestnikov is quick and has skill. His hockey sense is an issue at times when he hangs on to the puck for too long.
Ronan O’Donnell
East Coast Wizards, 2/26/04, RW, right shot, 5-11/190
O’Donnell is a big, sturdy winger who scored a goal in his team’s game Thursday night.
Raymond Owens
Chicago Mission, 1/17/04, C, right shot, 5-9/145
Owens is a rugged forward who goes to the greasy areas. He scores goals, despite not being the fastest or most skilled player on the ice. He just has that nose for the net.
Connor Pickard
Chicago Mission, 7/28/04, RW, right shot, 6-1/185
Picard is a power forward. He protects the puck and has reach. His feet need some work, but he has some potential.
Spencer Sasenbury
Utica Comets, 5/24/04, C, left shot, 6-1/145
Sasenbury is a big center with fairly good skating ability for his size. He was the team’s biggest standout against Team Illinois.
Cole Spicer
Honeybaked, 6/13/04, C, left shot, 5-10/160
NCAA commit: North Dakota
Spicer is a 200-foot player who is on the right side of the puck all the time. He can score, but he just plays the game the right way.
Paul Tollet
Seacoast Academy, 8/9/04, C, left shot, 5-11/157
Tollet was the team’s best player in a game against Honeybaked. He’s a finisher with a knack for finding loose pucks and going to the net. His skating is an area of weakness, but it’s not bad enough to keep him off the radar.
Laurent Trepanier
Seacoast Academy, 4/1/04, C, left shot, 5-7/153
Trepanier is on the smaller side, but he’s quick and he plays hard.
Camron VanSickle
Honeybaked, 2/24/04, LW, left shot, 6-1/192
VanSickle is a power forward who is heavy on pucks and can be versatile as a middle six forward or potentially a top line guy. He hunts pucks and has an extremely high compete level. He wins a ton of battles along the wall and down low before making good passes to facilitate offense. He shoots it hard as well. His skating isn’t bad, but it’s an area that could use improvement. He’s a sleeper for the NTDP.
Nicholas VanTassell
New Jersey Rockets, 4/18/04, RW, right shot, 6-1/155
VanTassell has the physical tools to be a very good player down the road, but he’s still not put it all together. If he can do that, he could be a very good player.
Justin Varner
Honeybaked, 2/13/04, RW, right shot, 6-0/165
Varner is a good north-south winger who makes good passes down low. He scored a goal by going to the net. He’s a good playmaker.
Zachary Wagnon
New Jersey Rockets, 3/26/04, C/RW, right shot, 5-10/155
Wagnon was his team’s best player over the weekend, as he has been several other times this fall. He’s quick and competes hard while making plays with his vision and energy.
15s Defensemen
Chris Able
Chicago Mission, 11/4/04, D, right shot, 6-0/180
NCAA commit: Ohio State
Able is a puck-moving defenseman whose feet looked a little better here than at national camp. He’s rugged and hard to knock off pucks and makes some good stretch passes.
Kareem Alazem
New Jersey Rockets, 1/2/04, D, right shot, 6-2/170
Alazem is another tough, physical defender on his team. He’s raw, but there’s some potential here to grow into an intimidating defenseman.
Grant Babcock
Compuware, 5/17/04, D, left shot, 6-0/175
Babcock is a solid, defensive defenseman who can also contribute offensively. He skates well and doesn’t keep things flashy so he sometimes isn’t all that noticeable, but in a good way.
Matthew Biotti
East Coast Wizards, 8/27/04, D, right shot, 6-2/170
Biotti still has room to grow into his frame, but he’s a tall, lanky defender worth watching to see if he develops over the coming years.
Hunter Brzustewicz
Oakland Jr. Grizzlies, 11/29/04, D, right shot, 5-11/180
NCAA commit: Michigan
Brzustewicz is an elite offensive defenseman with terrific mobility. His skill with the puck on his stick coupled with his footwork make him a puck-moving threat who can jump into the attack. He looks destined to make the NTDP.
Thomas Budnick
Honeybaked, 2/14/04, D, left shot, 6-1/185
Budnick is a big, physical, defensive defenseman. His footwork and puck skills need some work, but he shoots it hard and he’s strong.
Tim Busconi
Boston Advantage, 9/4/04, D, right shot, 5-10/140
Busconi is a good two-way defenseman who skates well. He can move pucks and he defends with his feet and a good stick.
Olivier Chessler
East Coast Wizards, 7/9/04, D, left shot, 5-8/133
Chessler has skill and good footwork. His hockey sense is still a work in progress, but he should be a nice young defender at Rivers this season.
Patrick Czarnecki
Honeybaked, 2/6/04, D, left shot, 5-9/156
NCAA commit: UMass
Czarnecki is a two-way defenseman who can jump into the rush. He’s a good skater who gaps well and defends aggressively.
Landon Fleming
Oakland Jr. Grizzlies, 2/24/04, D, left shot, 6-0/190
Fleming is a smart, two-way defender who keeps things simple for the most part. He’s not a player you’ll notice every shift, but he does a good job in both ends and makes smart, simple outlet passes.
Peter Forgione
Compuware, 11/12/04, D, left shot, 6-2/185
Forgione is a big physical defender who throws his weight around. His mean streak was felt a few times throughout the weekend.
Dylan Gordon
Honeybaked, 8/13/04, D, left shot, 5-8/155
Gordon gets less attention than the rest of the team’s D, but he’s a good player in his own right. He’s mobile and makes good stretch passes.
Ryan Healey
Boston Advantage, 6/5/04, D, right shot, 5-11/160
Healey is a smooth puck-moving defenseman. He’s very smart and skates well going forward. He plays forward on the power play and has strong offensive instincts. He picks off passes and makes good reads going back. His backwards skating is the one area of his game that needs some work. Overall, he’s a really good defenseman who will play in college, likely at a Beanpot school.
Noah Jones
New Jersey Rockets, 2/22/04, D, right shot, 6-1/155
Jones is a big, physical defensive defenseman.
William Moloney
New Jersey Rockets, 1/11/04, D, right shot, 6-2/154
Moloney is a big physical, two-way defenseman. He has the skill, but he sometimes does too much with the puck. When he keeps it simple and moves the puck quickly, he can be impactful. He has the ability to play with a mean streak in his own end.
Jordin Palmer
Seacoast Academy, 1/6/04, D, left shot, 6-0/176
Palmer is a big, physical defenseman. He has potential with his ability to jump into the play offensively and in his own end, he’s hard to play against.
Chase Pietila
Honeybaked, 3/3/04, D, right shot, 6-2/175
Pietila is a solid defensive defenseman who is smart in his own zone. He defends well and has some jam. He also makes good, simple outlet passes.
Tucker Shedd
Compuware, 9/8/04, D, left shot, 6-0/175
Shedd is a solid defender who plays hard and with jam. His hockey sense and skating are both areas that could use improvement to make the most of his game as a defensive defender.
Spencer Sova
Honeybaked, 1/10/04, D, left shot, 5-11/163
Sova is a strong, two-way defenseman. He keeps things steady and is reliable in his own zone while showing the ability to jump into the attack offensively. He has a hard shot and makes good passes on breakouts.
15s Goaltenders
Benjamin Motew
Chicago Mission, 11/24/04, G, catches left, 5-9/150
Motew is on the smaller side, but he’s athletic and has quick reflexes. He was good in the team’s win over Boston Advantage.
Lucas Szyszka
Chicago Mission, 4/23/04, G, catches left, 6-1/181
Szyszka has good size and is a solid goaltender. He’s a top 10 goaltender in this age group.
14-U
Kaden Freelove
Minuteman Flames, 1/28/05, C, left shot, 5-11/140
Freelove has the potential to be a really special player. He skates well, has good hands, and is able to separate and protect pucks.
Eli Pendergrass
Minuteman Flames, 6/6/05, LW, left shot, 5-10/180
Pendergrass is a rugged winger who can rip shots and be heavy on pucks.
Jackson Powers
Minuteman Flames, 4/30/05, C, left shot, 5-4/120
Powers is a smart, 200 foot center who skates well.
Landan Resendes
Minuteman Flames, 12/10/05, RW, right shot, 5-2/105
Resendes is on the smaller side, but he’s quick and very skilled. He made a couple of nifty plays here.
