Continuing the analysis of 16-U split and full-season teams that have been competing in the region from late Aug. through mid-October, New England Hockey Journal looks at the forwards who have been consistent and effective in our viewings.
This post follows previous iterations by position on goaltenders and defensemen, focusing on the 2005 birth year of New England natives only.
This top-15 forwards list highlights those who have impressed the most plus honorable mentions. There are so many players deserving of mention, but based on the viewings, these are the ones who have been the most impactful, will more hockey ahead before the transition to the prep season and the continuation of the full season schedule.
We will follow up with more coverage of the 16-U division, with players from outside the region on teams in and out of New England.
1. Cullen Emery (Reading, Mass.)
Boston Jr. Eagles, 8/2/05, right shot, 5-10/185
Slick hands and a natural touch around the net with the ability to play at high pace make the former Austin Prep and Reading HS forward fun to watch. The center has been a key cog in one of the country’s top 16-U teams and will provide some scoring pop and jam for Dan Donato’s Dexter Southfield team this winter. Drafted in the USHL’s fourth round by Cedar Rapids, he has the look of a future top junior player and while uncommitted, it won’t be long before he lands somewhere.
2. Patrick Murphy (North Kingstown, R.I.)
Mount Saint Charles, 12/1/05, right shot, 5-11/175
Athletic, fast and active in all zones, it’s hard to fathom how he was not drafted in the USHL last spring, but that will almost assuredly change in 2022. Being a late ’05 might have factored into it, but he has the ability to beat defenders off the rush and fire pucks into the back of the net. He also goes to the dirty areas and digs for second effort goals. There’s a lot to like with Murphy as a player who just seems to be hitting his stride and is getting attention from top area college programs as he continues to make plays and rise.
3. Ethan Gardula (Princeton, Mass.)
Boston Jr. Eagles, 2/28/05, left shot, 6-0/165
Intriguing package of size, talent and upside was an early USHL draft selection by Sioux City. He plays a heavy game and has the tools to be a power forward at his current playing level and beyond. We’d like to see some more consistency from him in terms of getting to the net and making higher-end plays, but is coming along and has plenty of time to develop at Cushing Academy under new head coach Paul Pearl.
4. Joe Connor (Nottingham, N.H.)
Connecticut Jr. Bulldogs, 3/31/05, left shot, 5-10/170
Keeps getting better each time we watch him. The New Hampshire native and Avon Old Farms center is going to make a strong team more dangerous with his natural tenacity on the puck and ability to score with quick hands and a nifty shot. He brings a dog-on-a-bone mentality with the puck and plays with the kind of energy that makes him difficult to contain. As he grows and gets stronger, Connor, a Muskegon Lumberjacks prospect, will continue to be one of the region’s top ‘05s.
5. Brendan Giles (Ridgefield, Conn.)
Mid Fairfield, 2/18/05, right shot, 5-9/155
Every time we watch Mid Fairfield, Giles has been impactful. He can skate and create, playing with speed to back defenders up and generating offense between the hashmarks. He has the vision to set up plays but also has a pretty good shot that he can get off quickly.  Like many of his Mid Fairfield teammates, he will help drive the Brunswick train in prep this winter, and as a USHL futures pick by Madison, has a path to higher level juniors play.
6. Landan Resendes (Marlboro, Mass.)
NV River Rats, 12/10/05, right shot, 5-7/140
Late ’05 has been on our radar since watching him in summer prep league and at the Jr. Chowder Cup as a member of the winning New England Crows team. Another Cushing Academy forward, Resendes plays an uptempo, attacking game with dynamic speed and skills. A Chicago Steel draft pick last May, he fits the bill as a dangerous forward who can skate and create. Whatever he lacks in size, he makes up for with ability and want to.
7. Jake McManus (Winthrop, Mass.)
Boston Jr. Eagles, 1/3/05, left shot, 5-8/155
Active, smart and engaged forward is more than the sum of his parts. Around the puck a lot, he competes and makes a lot of plays. A complete player who has impressed with his ability to disrupt on the forecheck and create offense from turnovers.
8. Sean Gibbons (Southport, Conn.)
Mid Fairfield, 8/21/05, right shot, 5-8/155
Small but fast, shifty and creative forward is a little engine that could-type of player for the Rangers and Brunswick in prep. His size might scare some colleges off, but he’s able to generate a lot of scoring chances because he works and gets inside the dots.
9. Tate Pecknold (Southport, Conn.)
Connecticut Jr. Bulldogs, 6/23/05, left shot, 5-9/160
High IQ forward has very good habits and details in his game. He’s clicked nicely with fellow Avon Old Farms forward Joe Connor and gets better each time we watch him. Being a coach’s son, it comes out in his play, as he knows where to be on the ice and manages pucks effectively.
10. Ryan Shaw (East Longmeadow, Mass.)
Springfield Rifles, 1/29/05, left shot, 5-9/165
Former Pope Francis standout who will be at Westminster this season plays hard and strong on the puck in our viewings. Plays bigger than his listed size and able to make quick cuts to elude defenders and open up space for himself/his linemates. Plays hard and hounds pucks, an all-around player who can set the table and finish.
11. Andrew Gibbons (Wakefield, R.I.)
NV River Rats, 6/2/05, right shot, 5-10/180
St. Mark’s forward and uncommitted ’05 is on his way with a strong fall season that has been productive and impactful. He’s a scorer and natural threat who has a quick release on an accurate shot. He moves his feet and does the grunt work to get to the A-areas that other more talented players aren’t always willing to do. Plays with an energy and exuberance that rubs off on others.
12. Will Cannata (Milton, Mass.)
Boston Jr. Eagles,5/17/05, left shot, 6-0/165
There’s something to be said for hockey players who are smart, compete hard and impact the game over all 200 feet of the ice surface and this USHL prospect (Cedar Rapids) does just that. Another summer hockey standout for his effort and willingness to get to the net, the Milton Academy center has been an effective complementary piece on a top fall hockey squad.
13. Chris Battaini (Pittsfield, Mass.)
South Kent Selects, 6/27/05, left shot, 5-9/154
Instinctive scorer has jumped out for his offensive ability and intelligent approach around the net. In one Labor Day weekend game that went to shootout and had terrible ice conditions, he avoided trying a variety of dekes and just went in on net and ripped the winning shot past the netminder. He makes a lot of plays and leads the way for his club.
14. Ryan Flaherty (Milton, Mass.)
NV River Rats, 4/25/05, right shot, 6-1/165
BC High product has continued to get better over the summer and plays with good speed and energy. With his size, he can get to the net, and he’s unselfish, looking to move the puck to the right areas to create higher-grade scoring chances. He’s lanky and has a lot of mass to add, but has the talent and effort to keep climbing the ladder.
15. Taybor Aldrich (Williston, Vt.)
Seacoast Performance Academy, 7/14/05, left shot, 5-8/155
Silent assassin impressed as someone we weren’t tracking but are now. Stood out for his presence and puck poise. Saw the ice and created plays, showing some advanced awareness and above average skills. Played in all situations and had a strong, aggressive stick on the PK, forcing turnovers and creating high danger situations for the opposing power play. Someone to watch more closely going forward but has earned positive reviews with his play and well-rounded game.
Honorable Mention
Colin Gorman, EC Wizards/St. Sebastian's; 5/18/05, 6-1/160 (Arlington, Mass.)
Cam Russo, NV River Rats/Governor’s; 1/3/05, 6-1/170 (Middleton, Mass.)
Joe Hurton, Boston Jr. Eagles/Dexter Southfield; 3/23/05, 6-4/190 (Quincy, Mass.)
Matt Cataldo, NV River Rats/St. Sebastian’s; 5/19/05, 5-11/195 (Norfolk, Mass.)
Christian Maro, Cape Cod Whalers/Cardigan Mountain; 8/4/05, 6-0/170 (Stamford, Conn.)
Alex Pelletier, Conn. Jr. Bulldogs/Avon Old Farms; 6/1/05, 5-11/185 (Manchester, Conn.)
Isaac Mitchell, Boston Jr. Eagles/St. Sebastian’s; 2/28/05, 5-9/170 (Harvard, Mass.)
Tanner Duncan, Boston Hockey Academy; 7/18/05, 5-8/157 (Ridgefield, Conn.)
Matt Egan, EC Wizards/Middlesex; 9/9/05, 6-1/167 (Waltham, Mass.)
Jim Lyver, Cape Cod Whalers/St. Mark’s; 2/12/05, 6-0/175 (North Grafton, Mass.)
Eli Chodirker, Boston Jr. Eagles (Moran)/Winchendon; 1/15/05, 5-10/175 (Newton, Mass.)
Marco Beshere, North Shore Wings/Belmont Hill; 6/9/05, 5-10/154Â Â (Winthrop, Mass.)
Cole Roenick, Northern Cyclones; 4/12/05, 5-9/150 (Exeter, N.H.)
Kyle Murray-Smith, Top Gun Selects/KUA; 1/18/05, 6-5/234 (South Stafford, Vt.)
Gates Omicioli, Mount Saint Charles, 3/5/05, 5-11/170 (Milford, Mass.)
Ben Buckley, NV River Rats/St. George’s; 2/8/05, 5-11/165 (Warwick, R.I.)
Michael Nigro, North Shore Wings/Winchester HS; 3/22/05, 5-9/150 (Winchester, Mass.)
