The first of the 2003-born players from across New England are playing college hockey this season, including NTDP products Jack Hughes (Westwood, Mass.) and Ryan St. Louis (Riverside, Conn.) at Northeastern and Dexter Southfield alum Matt Copponi (Mansfield, Mass.) at Merrimack.
There is a slew of other talented '03s who are committed, highlighted by Boston University recruit and Edmonton Oilers draft pick Shane Lachance (Andover, Mass.) who is skating for the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms.
While all of the top '03s are off the board, there are several uncommitted players (New England natives only- not all players competing in the region from other areas) in the birth year who are on the slower path to Division 1 college hockey.
Below is my New England 2003 All-Uncommitted Team.
Tyler Chenevert
Hill/River Rats 18-U, 2/13/03, C, right shot, 6-1/190
Chenevert is a two-way forward with a long stride and jam to his game. He has a good stick and can impact the play at both ends of the ice. He’s around a point per game in the split season and will play for Hill School in Pottstown, Pa., this winter. A converted defenseman from Shrewsbury, Mass., Chenevert is a good student who is attracting interest from a number of top academic schools in Division 1 and Division 3.
Hank Cleaves
Brunswick/Mid Fairfield 18-U, 12/25/03, LW, left shot, 6-4/181
Brennan Ali, a recent commit to Notre Dame, has deservedly gotten a ton of attention on the Mid Fairfield 18-U squad. However, Cleaves has scored a number of big goals for his team. The Riverside, Conn., native has gone through a major growth spurt and his game has become more dynamic. He’s a power forward who can shoot it with zip and accuracy. His ability to protect pucks, drive the net and play a strong north-south game have all been notable this fall.
Jaiden Moriello
Kimball Union/GBL Bruins 18-U, 5/4/03, C/RW, right shot, 6-1/175
GBL Bruins don’t get as much exposure as most of the other split season teams. However, I’ve seen him enough over the summer and a few times this fall to have conviction in Moriello’s inclusion on this list. The Saugus, Mass., native is a big power forward whose skating has gotten better over the last year. He has recovered from a serious leg injury suffered during his first year at Kimball Union. Moriello can make plays and finish by using his size and strength to get to the scoring areas and draw opposing defenders to create time and space for teammates. A couple of lower end Division 1 schools have offered him and the interest should continue to grow.
Will Elias
St. Sebastian’s/Junior Eagles 18-U, 1/28/03, D, right shot, 6-0/180
I’ve liked Elias for several years now, dating back to when I first saw him as a Bantam Major with the Junior Eagles. Elias, from Weston, Mass., has good size, skates well, and keeps things simple for the most part. He doesn’t have much offensive upside, but his skating and smart decisions on breakouts should make him an intriguing recruit for places such as Bentley, Holy Cross, Colgate, St. Lawrence or RPI.
Will Killoran
Belmont Hill/Boston Imperials 18-U, 1/30/03, D, right shot, 6-3/200
Killoran is a big blueliner who has been a solid physical, defensive defenseman for a few years now. He’s big, thick and can deliver some big hits. The Charlestown, Mass., native does a good job of defending the rush and breaking up plays. He’s added a little bit of an offensive element to his game. Regardless of what level he plays in college, he’ll be best known for his defensive prowess. He’ll have to play a couple of years of junior hockey, but Division 1 isn’t out of reach for Killoran.
Michael Salvatore
Phillips Exeter/River Rats 18-U, 8/9/03, G, catches left, 5-11/170
It’s hard to argue with numbers. Salvatore, from Newburyport, Mass., has been terrific all fall for the River Rats. His goals-against average has been hovering around two for most of the split season. Salvatore doesn’t have great size, but he does a good job of tracking pucks and preventing rebounds. He’s been very good in several big games. He could be a recruited walk-on for several academically inclined Division 1 schools or potentially a starter in the NESCAC, Babson or Hobart.
Honorable Mention: Forwards Jayden Grier (St. Sebastian’s/Boston Imperials 18-U), Culin Wilson (Dexter Southfield/Junior Eagles 18-U), Michael Cataldo (St. Sebastian’s/Junior Eagles 18-U), Brandon Spaulding (Hill), Drew Haxton (Nobles/Boston Imperials 18-U) and Vincent Gould (Jersey Hitmen), defensemen Aidan Lyons (Nobles/Boston Imperials 18-U), Conner Chalmers (Kimball Union/GBL Bruins 18-U), and Mick Frechette (Dexter Southfield/Junior Eagles 18-U), and goaltender Conor Sullivan (Rivers/Little Bruins 18-U)
