When the Mass. Hockey Festival rolls around, it's always fascinating to watch the youngest age group.
This year, it was the 2009-born players.
The '09s are vying for spots at USA Hockey's Select 15 Camp this summer. However, evaluators from the U.S. National Team Development Program are also keeping an eye on them because next year, these '09s will begin receiving invitations to NTDP Evaluation Camp.
At the festival this past weekend, one thing was clear with the '09s: Some high-end forwards are on track to be U.S. NTDP candidates next year.
It's still early. Lots can change over the summer and during next season, but here are some candidates to receive U.S. NTDP Evaluation Camp invitations next year. Every candidate listed will play at either a prep school or an academy during the 2024-25 season.
Carter Meyer
Rivers, 4/10/2009, C/LW, left shot, 5-11/155
Hometown: Winchester, Mass.Â
I'm not an expert on the rest of the '09s around the United States. But if Meyer continues on this track, I'd be shocked if he didn't make the USNTDP team next year. What impresses me most about him is his ability to slow the game down. It was one thing to do that against players his own age, but it was another when he did that against older players this winter with Rivers when he led his team with 39 points. His IQ is so high with the puck on his stick that he can always get to open space and make a play. He has a pro shot, too, which helps him score often. He knows all this, too, because he plays like he's the best player on the ice at all times. He's a lock to at least get an invite to camp next spring. Meyer is the son of former NHL defenseman and current Rivers head coach Freddy Meyer (Sanbornville, N.H.).
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Finn Sears
Rivers, 5/4/2009, LW, left shot, 6-0/155
Hometown: Medford, Mass.Â
Sears is right there with Meyer, and he proved that this winter. The Boston Jr. Eagles standout tallied 13 goals and 34 points in 30 games. It was no surprise to see him dominate the previous two weekends. He dangled around and through opposing players and it seemed impossible to get the puck off of his stick. In the first half of Saturday's game, he brought the puck behind the net and made a heads-up, behind-the-back pass to Paulo Gualberto Jr., in front for an easy goal. Sears has a high level of skill to go along with great skating, as he was able to zip past opposing players with ease. He should be a lock to at least receive an invite to Evaluation Camp next year. For him and Meyer, the goal next season should be to continue getting stronger and fully dominate prep.
Sam Pandolfo
Rivers, 7/2/2009, C/LW, left shot, 6-2/160
Hometown: Winchester, Mass.Â
Pandolfo is an interesting case. He's blessed with size, he plays such a smart game and he has an extremely high ceiling. None of that is surprising given that longtime NHLer and current Boston University men's coach Jay Pandolfo (Burlington, Mass.) is his father. But, like most players who have that kind of size at that age, he's raw and there's still lots of development needed — and that's a good thing.
He will continue to become more comfortable in his frame with more reps, which he will surely get. One thing that was on display this weekend was he has really good hands and can navigate well through the neutral zone and into the offensive zone. He had a good first year in prep this winter, scoring four goals and tallying 21 assists mostly playing between Meyer and Sears. If he continues to trend upward, I'd expect he gets an Evaluation Camp invite next year given his potential.
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Paulo Gualberto Jr.
Mount St. Charles, 4/9/2009, C, left shot, 5-9/174
Hometown: Barnstable, Mass.Â
Finally — a non-Rivers player. Phew. Gualberto Jr., plays a hard game with physicality. He's creative offensively and takes smart routes into and around the offensive zone. He also protects pucks well. He lit it up for Mount St. Charles' 14U team this season, scoring 46 goals and totaling 106 points in 64 games, ranking third on his team behind Rocco Pelosi and Braiden Scuderi. Putting up that many points doesn't automatically guarantee an invite, but it at least should put him on the radar. Gualberto Jr., will play for the Mount St. Charles 15O squad next season. To stay in the NTDP's view, he will need another highly productive season since he's only playing kids his own age. This season, Jamie Glance (Stratham, N.H.) and William Bent (Dover, Mass.) were the two Mount 15O players who got invites and they led the team in points.
