The list of uncommitted 2003-born forwards hailing from New England is dwindling in terms of prospects with a legitimate chance to play Division 1 college hockey.
Sixteen ’03 forwards from the region have made a college commitment, including Jack Hughes (Westwood, Mass.) and Ryan St. Louis (Riverside, Conn.), both Northeastern recruits on USA Hockey’s NTDP U-18 team.
The remaining uncommitted ’03 forwards in New England have their strengths that could lead them toward making a college hockey roster. However, all of them have an area or multiple areas of weakness that are causing pause among college recruiters.
Below is a look at the remaining uncommitted ’03s who eventually could make a college hockey roster:
1. Culin Wilson
Dexter Southfield, 3/12/03, LW, left shot, 6-0/180
Wilson, from Hingham, Mass., is a senior at Dexter Southfield. His offensive instincts, vision and stick are all coveted attributes. Wilson shows flashes of being an elite offensive player at this birth year. He had nine goals and 26 assists in 30 games last season as a junior. He missed much of this fall and some of the winter season with a broken collarbone. For Wilson to take the next step in his game, he has to keep his feet moving and show a higher compete level on a more consistent basis. He has the ability to be heavy on pucks and play a complete game, but it needs to come out more often. If he can prove that in junior hockey, there’s no reason he can’t end up at an Ivy League or Hockey East program.
2. Tyler Chenevert
Hill, 2/14/03, C, right shot, 6-1/185
Chenevert is a converted defenseman who wasn’t really on anyone’s radar until December. He had a solid showing at the Mass. College Development Camp. The Shrewsbury, Mass., native has since shined while playing for the River Rats, due to Hill’s season being canceled. He had 10 goals and 12 assists in 18 games. Chenevert skates well and has a good stick. He has good size, competes hard and plays a complete game. He backchecks and is on the right side of the puck, due to his defensive background. His offensive instincts are an area that could be improved. It’s still a work in progress and a lot of it can be chalked up to being a newcomer to the forward position. There’s a lot of upside and he’ll likely end up at a program with strong academics. For Chenevert, it will be the long game and he’ll likely have to bide his time with another prep season then a year or two of junior hockey.
3. Coleman Jenkins
Junior Bruins, 5/11/03, RW, right shot, 6-2/170
Jenkins never has been a prolific scorer, but he’s shown upside as a power forward from the right-wing position. The Mansfield, Mass., native played at Tabor last season but opted to move on to the USPHL NCDC for 2020-21 with the coronavirus wreaking havoc on prep hockey. In 26 games with the Junior Bruins so far this season, he has six goals and six assists. For Jenkins, he still has to continue working on his skating, improving his offensive hockey sense and becoming even harder on pucks. The physical tools alone are intriguing and indicate a Division 1 potential.
4. Joe Bennett
Cushing, 12/1/03, LW, left shot, 5-9/170
Bennett made the move from Thayer to Cushing for this season. While the prep season has been halted for the most part, he played some games with the River Rats during the fall and winter. From Cohasset, Mass., Bennett is a goal scorer. He’ll shoot it from anywhere and he zips it with accuracy. For Bennett to take the next step in his game, he’ll have to become a more complete player. If he can improve his habits and continue to work on his skating, there is potential for him to end up at the Division 1 level.
5. Ziv Deener-Chodirker
Rivers, 3/17/03, C, right shot, 5-11/170
Deener-Chodirker is a speedy, defensive forward who does a lot of little things for Rivers and the Junior Eagles. The Newton, Mass., native had two goals and 12 assists in 28 games for the Red Wings last winter. His skating, energy and willingness to sacrifice his body on the penalty kill are all reasons I like him. He’s never shown much of a propensity to produce offensively, but there should be mild intrigue as a defensive forward at the lower Division 1 level or Division 3.
6. Drew Haxton
Nobles, 1/12/03, RW, right shot, 5-9/165
Haxton, from Wakefield, R.I., is a speedster. There’s little doubt his best asset is his skating. He’s still a little raw and in need of becoming less one-dimensional, but his game has come quite a way in a little over a year. Haxton had 16 goals and 16 assists this fall for the South Shore Kings 18-U. If he can improve his hockey sense, he could get to the Division 1 level, likely in Atlantic Hockey.
7. Jayden Grier
St. Sebastian’s, 12/12/03, LW, left shot, 5-10/165
Grier would be somewhat of a project, but he has shown some signs of potential, especially as a bottom-six forward. He had three goals and three assists in 28 games for the Arrows last winter. Grier, from Needham, Mass., spent this fall playing for the Boston Imperials. He plays a hard-nosed game and competes hard. Every once in a while he’ll show a flash of offensive upside. With his pedigree, there likely will be a college program willing to take a chance.
8. Brandon Spaulding
Pope Francis, 8/8/03, C/LW, left shot, 5-11/165
Spaulding skates well and can make plays. Most of my viewings throughout the years have been at center, but he’s played left wing on Pope Francis’ top line with Ryan Leonard occupying the center position. He has some intriguing tools and is getting interest from a couple of Atlantic Hockey schools. If he shows well, likely in the BCHL next season, he could earn a spot in Atlantic Hockey.
9. Anthony Cafarelli
Lawrence, 4/16/03, RW/C, right shot, 5-9/170
From Middleton, Mass., Cafarelli is a quick, skilled forward who is probably better off at the wing. I’ve seen him play both offensive positions, including with the Cape Cod Whalers. He’s a playmaker who had nine goals and 17 assists in 32 games. He projects as a solid Division 3 recruit or a walk-on at the Division 1 level.
10. Vincent Gould
Dexter Southfield, 2/11/03, RW, right shot, 6-2/200
Gould is a big power forward who can shoot it hard. The Wellesley, Mass., native is heavy on pucks. He had six goals and 11 assists in 30 games for Dexter Southfield during the 2019-20 season. His skating, especially his first step, needs to get better, if he is to get to Division 1. If not, expect him to be a solid goal-scoring contributor at the Division 3 level.
11. Dom Murphy
St. Mark’s, 11/4/03, RW, right shot, 5-11/170
Murphy is a late ’03 who always has shown signs of having offensive upside. His hands are good and he’s willing to play between the dots. In 29 games during the 2019-20 prep season, Murphy posted 16 goals and 16 assists. The Worcester, Mass., native had his moments this fall for the Little Bruins. Skating and foot speed are the areas of his game that might give Division 1 recruiters concern. He certainly has the ability to play Division 1, if his skating improves.
12. Michael Cataldo
St. Sebastian’s, 5/4/03, RW, right shot, 5-11/161
Cataldo, from Norfolk, Mass., is sometimes overlooked. He has upside as a power forward with a strong stride. His foot speed needs some improvement, but he keeps it simple as a north-south power forward. He’s one of those players who plays hard, brings it each shift, and will do whatever it takes to win games. I’d like to see him get a little more ice time at St. Sebastian’s. Cataldo likely will end up at a NESCAC school or another academically inclined Division 3 hockey school.
13. Zach Glass
Thayer, 2/14/03, RW, right shot, 5-11/165
Glass is an above-average skater who you notice when watching his teams play. He hunts pucks and is around the puck a good amount. He had four goals and 11 assists in 27 games last winter for Thayer. From Weymouth, Mass., Glass is a good athlete who likely will find a home at the Division 3 level.
14. Jonathan Surrette
Woburn, 8/6/03, LW, left shot, 5-11/185
Surrette just finished a four-year career for his hometown high school, Woburn. He’s a rugged winger with a low center of gravity. He’s hard to knock off pucks and he can shoot it with authority. Surrette is a goal scorer, but his skating and footwork likely will keep him out of Division 1. After a couple of years of junior hockey, Division 3 schools should be in pursuit.
