BOSTON – Big-time players are supposed to step up in meaningful games. A number of NHL prospects did that on Monday night at the 70th annual Beanpot Tournament at TD Garden.
That couldn't have been more prevalent than when Buffalo Sabres prospect Devon Levi stole the show by making 33 saves in Northeastern’s 3-1 win over Boston University.
In the first game, Calgary Flames first-round pick Matthew Coronato scored two goals in Harvard’s 4-3 overtime victory over Boston College. Cutter Gauthier and Nikita Nesterenko, the Eagles’ top two forwards, led a late third period comeback to force the extra session.
It wasn’t just NHL prospects who helped set up the first-ever Harvard-Northeastern final at the Beanpot. Crimson freshman Marek Hejduk found the twine twice, including on the overtime buzzer-beater.
With Monday’s light schedule on the prospect front across the continent, a number of NHL scouts and management personnel were present at TD Garden. The two most watched players were Northeastern senior left wing Aidan McDonough (Milton, Mass.) and Boston College junior left wing Nikita Nesterenko. Both are property of Vancouver and Minnesota, respectively, but could become free agents on Aug. 15, due to the loophole in the collective bargaining agreement. McDonough and Nesterenko each scored goals in their games on Monday.
Below are evaluations of 12 NHL prospects who played well Monday night plus a look at three other, less heralded players who impacted the games in a positive way:
Devon Levi
Northeastern, 12/27/01, G, catches left, 6-0/190
NHL: Buffalo Sabres (2020, 7th round, 212th overall)
One of the highlights of the night was Levi’s glove save on Boston University center Wilmer Skoog a few minutes into the third period. Skoog snapped off a shot from just a few feet outside of the crease, but Levi quickly snagged it with his glove. While that was the stop that people will remember most, I was equally impressed with his ability to track pucks and prevent second chances. He ate a number of pucks and kept calm during BU’s barrage. There isn’t a goaltender in college hockey that I’d rather have backstopping my team.
Cutter Gauthier
Boston College, 1/19/04, C, left shot, 6-2/193
NHL: Philadelphia (2022, 1st round, 5th overall)
Gauthier had seven shots on goal in the first game, which was more than anyone else had in either contest Monday. He scored a goal from just off the right wing wall to tie the score and send the game to overtime. It seemed like a harmless wrist shot when it initially left his stick, but it was perfectly placed. Through the first 25 minutes or so of the game when Harvard was outplaying BC, it seemed the only offensive chances the Eagles were getting were coming off the stick of Gauthier. He’s big, long, skilled and plays a powerful game. While his shot rightfully gets the most accolades, credit Gauthier for a big shot block late in the first period.
Matthew Coronato
Harvard, 11/14/02, C, right shot, 5-10/185
NHL: Calgary (2021, 1st round, 13th overall)
It’s called Alex Ovechkin’s office, but on Monday night at TD Garden, it was Coronato’s real estate. From Greenlaw, N.Y., he scored both of his power play goals from the left wing circle. On the first one, he one-timed a shot past BC goaltender Mitch Benson. The pass was in his feet, but he did a good job of opening up and adjusting. The second was a beauty for how quickly he deposited it into the back of the net. On both, he should be commended for pulling up, moving away from the puck and finding a soft spot in the BC defense. Coronato was back to playing center in this game, due to an injury to Zakary Karpa. He’s a right wing once he gets to pro hockey.
Hunter McDonald
Northeastern, 5/11/02, D, left shot, 6-4/215
NHL: Philadelphia Flyers (2022, 6th round, 165th overall)
McDonald had at least three key blocks in the game. He ate a shot on a second period penalty kill and then two more in the third period. Fittingly, he broke up a zone entry chance and skated the puck down to the other end for an empty net goal to seal the deal in the final minute. It was his first career goal and it was a nice reward for a hard night’s work. He’s big, tough and can log a ton of minutes. His ability and confidence to jump up into the play seem to increase each game. As I’ve stated a number of times, McDonald is a sure bet to make the NHL. His sixth-round selection by Philadelphia in his third year of draft eligibility was remarkable value.
Sean Farrell
Harvard, 11/2/01, LW, left shot, 5-9/175
NHL: Montreal (2020, 4th round, 124th overall)
Farrell had the primary assist on both of Coronato’s power play goals. The duo has developed quite the chemistry, dating back to their time together in the USHL with the Chicago Steel. Farrell is undersized, but he’s a wizard with the puck on his stick. It’s not because he’s the most skilled player on the ice, but his vision stands out. The Hopkinton, Mass., native skated with his head up and looked to make plays.
BEANPOT 2023: Takeaways from semifinal wins for Harvard and Northeastern
Ian Moore
Harvard, 1/4/02, D, right shot, 6-3/185
NHL: Anaheim (2021, 3rd round, 67th overall)
Moore exemplified one of Harvard’s strengths in the first game. The Crimson defenders did a good job of breaking pucks out. The Concord, Mass., native and former St. Mark’s star had two secondary assists on both of Hejduk’s goals. They were crisp passes right on the tape that traveled over 50 feet. On the first one, he sprung Casey Severo and in overtime, he fed Laferriere. Moore’s size, skating and stick are all good attributes. He had an increased role as the game went along, having to step up and eat minutes usually reserved for senior Henry Thrun (Southboro, Mass.) who left the game with an injury.
Nikita Nesterenko
Boston College, LW, left shot, 6-2/185
NHL: Minnesota (2019, 6th round, 172nd overall)
Nesterenko scored a highlight reel goal to cut the Harvard lead in half with just over four minutes to play in regulation. He split the two Crimson defenders, using his second gear and his elite stick. The finish was equally nice as he flipped the shot up above the goaltender’s glove. He’s shifty and able to stickhandle in a phone booth. From Brooklyn, N.Y., he has the capability to change the tune of a game offensively.
https://twitter.com/BC_MHockey/status/1622755318169059329?s=20&t=HOy43oNmQ7gbratWshrTTQ
There are parts of his game that concern me when it comes to his potential at the NHL level. He has to become harder and be less perimeter. With the way the game is trending, he has more of a chance than he did 10 to 20 years ago. Giving him credit, he’s continued to improve by being stronger and more dynamic.
Justin Hryckowian
Northeastern, 2/23/01, C, left shot, 5-10/195
It’s no secret that Hryckowian is one of my favorite players in Hockey East. He picked up a somewhat phantom assist on McDonald’s empty net goal. From Ile Bizard, Quebec, he did get a stick into the lane and helped force the turnover. Hryckowian’s best shift of the night came on a second period penalty kill. He got a chance to score a shorthanded goal then helped waste time for five or so seconds. Hryckowian’s hockey sense, compete and heaviness on pucks are all reasons he could land an NHL contract someday. His skating and size are issues he’ll have to overcome.
Aidan McDonough
Northeastern, 11/6/99, LW, left shot, 6-2/200
NHL: Vancouver Canucks (2019, 7th round, 195th overall)
McDonough scored his 18th of the season on the first Northeastern goal of the game. He took a great seam pass from defenseman Vinny Borgesi and knew exactly what to do with it. He roofed a wrist shot past the blocker of BU goaltender Drew Commesso (Norwell, Mass.). McDonough has a presence about him as the captain of the Huskies. Don’t underestimate how badly the senior, who grew up less than 30 minutes from TD Garden, wants to win the Beanpot in his final chance at it.
https://twitter.com/GoNUmhockey/status/1622780239276384257?s=20&t=HOy43oNmQ7gbratWshrTTQ
Ryan Greene
Boston University, 10/21/03, C, right shot, 6-1/174
NHL: Chicago Blackhawks (2022, 2nd round, 57th overall)
Greene won 10 of 14 draws and made some good plays as linemates Quinn Hutson and Jeremy Wilmer racked up six and eight shots, respectively. A smooth skater, Greene’s compete and overall game have come a long way since I first saw him at South Kent.
Alex Laferriere
Harvard, 10/28/01, RW, right shot, 6-0/178
NHL: Los Angeles Kings (2020, 3rd round, 83rd overall)
Laferriere made a great pass on the two-on-one rush that led to Hejduk’s overtime goal. He stretched the zone once he recognized Moore had possession. From Chatham, N.J., Laferriere skated into the attacking zone and fed a tape-to-tape pass over to Hejduk for the heroic goal. It was his second assist of the night as he also picked up a secondary on one of the power play tallies. In an interesting tidbit, Laferriere was able to help beat Boston College, the program his dad, Rob, played for from 1991 to 1995. Laferriere’s skating and compete help him be a significant threat as a secondary scoring option for the Crimson.
NEW FACES: Why the Beanpot looks a bit different this year
Eamon Powell
Boston College, 5/10/02, D, right shot, 5-11/175
NHL: Tampa Bay (2020, 4th round, 116th overall)
This was my best viewing of Powell in quite a while. He was on the ice for the two Harvard power play tallies, but the rest of the night was mainly positive for the Marcellus, N.Y., native. He was the most impactful BC defenseman in terms of moving pucks north. He had a couple of highlight-reel plays on zone entry. It showed off his skating and stick skills. His best attribute is his agility and feet to sidestep oncoming forecheckers. Elsewhere in the game, he showed his poise and smart puck decisions.
Jack Williams
Northeastern, 3/2/02, RW, right shot, 5-11/174
I sang his praises following Northeastern’s Hockey East win over Boston College last week, but Williams deserved further recognition based on his play Monday night. The Biddeford, Maine, native had the secondary assist on McDonough’s goal that gave Northeastern a 1-0 lead. He competed hard and played in all situations.
Lukas Gustafsson
Boston College, 12/16/02, D, left shot, 5-10/188
Gustafsson had a power play assist to help get BC on the board. He drove the net from right to left, drawing a defender his way. He flung a backhand on net that deflected off Michael Posma and past Gibson. The Atlanta, Ga., native plays on BC’s second power play unit. He’s an offensive defenseman who has stepped in and contributed immediately for BC. He’s a smooth skater, but his size has always been a concern for NHL scouts. It won’t come after this season, but it’s possible he’ll eventually get offered an NHL contract.
Sam Stevens
Boston University, 4/27/00, C, left shot, 6-1/186
Stevens didn’t get on the score sheet Monday night, but I liked the tone he set in front of the Northeastern net. He got into a couple of scrums and played tough to the whistle. In addition, he won six of the 10 draws he took. A senior from Montreal, his future in hockey likely isn’t in the NHL, but he could make for a solid bottom six center at the AHL level.
