The 18-U division at the River Rats Jamboree and Eastern Alliance Kickoff gave a good glimpse into talented players from the region.
The two events, held over the last week mostly at Canton Ice House and New England Sports Center, allowed college coaches and NHL scouts to get at some top prospects and some late bloomers who could become household names.
There was no champion at the River Rats Jamboree, but the Yale Junior Bulldogs took home the honor at the Eastern Alliance Kickoff. The team, coached by Sean Conner, Steve Novodor and Jon Bellonio, took down Bishop Kearney Selects in the final. The Junior Bulldogs have some good players, but it was the depth of the team that ultimately pushed them to the top.
A number of players from the 18-U division at both events have since made college commitments, including Chris Romaine (Providence), Donovan and Julian Frias (Yale), Matt Kursonis (Holy Cross), Brennan Ali (Notre Dame), Dylan Hryckowian (Northeastern), and Drew Garzone (Princeton). It’s a testament to the exposure the players were getting at these events as well as the overall talent on display.
Below is a look at several uncommitted players from the 18-U division at the River Rats Jamboree and Eastern Alliance Kickoff who deservedly are getting more college attention, due to their strong play.
Matthew Biotti
EC Wizards/Belmont Hill, 8/27/04, D, right shot, 6-4/187
Biotti has been a defenseman with raw ability for a couple of years now. He’s starting to figure things out but still developing. The Cambridge, Mass., native has good size and some physical tools to work with. He’s the top uncommitted player on a Wizards team with three big-time college commits in Ben MacDonald (Nobles/Harvard), James Fisher (Belmont Hill/Northeastern) and Michael Fisher (St. Mark's/Princeton).
Tyler Chenevert
River Rats/Hill, 2/14/03, C, right shot, 6-1/185
Chenevert, from Shrewsbury, Mass., is starting to generate some interest from ECAC Hockey and Hockey East programs. He had previously been getting some attention from Atlantic Hockey programs. A converted defenseman, he’s steadily improved his game over the past 18 months. His skating, ability to get to the dirty areas, and play with jam all impressed me at both events. He’s averaging a point per game and is responsible in his own zone, as well.
Hank Cleaves
Mid Fairfield/Brunswick, 12/25/03, C/LW, left shot, 6-3/175
Cleaves had a big-time overtime game-winner on Sunday night to help propel his team to victory at the EAK. From Riverside, Conn., Cleaves has gotten bigger and more explosive. He was very good at the River Rats Jamboree. His length, ability to protect pucks and his laser-like precision on his shot were all notable. He’s gone from an afterthought on past Brunswick teams to looking like he should get a commitment to play at an Ivy League school.
Sam Court
River Rats/Avon Old Farms, 1/7/04, D, right shot, 5-10/180
Court, from Winnipeg, Manitoba, has a full scholarship offer from a Hockey East school. He’s getting interest from a myriad of other programs from all conferences. Court’s feet and agility were what stood out in both of these first two events. His straight-line speed won’t blow anyone away, but he can certainly make opposing forecheckers miss by sidestepping them. Court makes some good breakout passes. He’ll need to move the puck quicker and keep it simpler, but he’s a good player with plenty of college interest.
Mick Frechette
Junior Eagles/Dexter Southfield, 10/27/03, D, left shot, 6-1/200
Frechette is a good-sized, strong defenseman, who previously played forward. He makes a good first pass and skates well. He’s hard to knock off pucks. From Weston, Mass., he’s transferring to Dexter Southfield after spending a couple of seasons at St. Paul’s.
Thomas Giroux
Little Bruins/Groton, 9/18/03, G, catches left, 6-0/165
Giroux, from Verdun, Quebec, is now in his third season at Groton. He’s bounced around some in terms of where he’s played fall hockey. He spent one season playing for Top Gun. He’s always caught my eye to an extent. I wanted to credit him here for keeping his team in a game against BK Selects. His team was shorthanded, due to prep school lockdowns. Giroux made some acrobatic saves and limited rebounds. Eventually, the barrage was too much, but he made it a lot closer than it should have been.
Brian Grant
South Shore Kings Prep/Nobles, 3/18/04, D, right shot, 6-1/180
Grant sometimes gets caught in the shadow of all the recent commits and other good players on the South Shore Kings Prep squad. The Mansfield, Mass., native has good size, skates well, and has an above-average stick. His decision-making is still a work in progress, but he shows flashes. He’s certainly a Division 1 player down the road. I wouldn’t be surprised if an Ivy League school tried to wrap him up soon. Grant is in his second school year at Nobles after spending his freshman year at Deerfield.
Jacob Kraft
Junior Bulldogs/Kent, 4/26/03, C, left shot, 5-9/165
Kraft is a small, skilled forward with quickness, agility and elusiveness. He’s always been a good skater who could separate from opposing defenders. He’s added a little more explosiveness and gained some strength. The Rochester, N.Y., native is in his second year at Kent after coming up through the Buffalo Junior Sabres organization. Kraft earned some attention from Hockey East, ECAC Hockey and Atlantic Hockey schools following the River Rats Jamboree.
Jake Manfre
Long Island Gulls, 4/222/04, LW, left shot, 6-1/217
Manfre is a big power forward whose skating has improved over the past year or two. The big lefty from Kings Park, N.Y., scored a beauty of a goal on a power move to start the scoring in his team’s opener at the River Rats Jamboree. He protects pucks and is able to fend off opposing defenders, which gives his linemates more time and space. His skating still needs to get better, but he’s trending in the right direction.
Geno McEnery
Jr. Bulldogs/Kent, 10/21/03, LW, left shot, 5-11/155
McEnery was one of a myriad of offensive players on the Junior Bulldogs who made key plays in the team’s run to the EAK championship. From Geneva, Ill., McEnery stood out to me for big hard to play against. He ran through a wall to get to loose pucks and he played a gritty, physical game. The former Chicago Mission winger is in his second year at Kent.
Austin McNicholas
Buffalo Regals/Salisbury, 5/24/04, G, catches left, 6-1/173
McNicholas had his ups and downs throughout the River Rats Jamboree and EAK. He looks the part of a solid goaltender, but he let in a few soft goals that he undoubtedly would want back. The Clarence Center, N.Y., native has potential but will need to shore things up in order to take that next step in his game. He did make the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup roster for the Americans, which will keep him on the radar of college coaches.
Marian Mosko
Selects Academy, 5/11/04, D, left shot, 5-11/175
Mosko’s best attribute at the EAK was his skating. He had a smooth stride and was able to impact the game with his long reach, good gaps, and ability to defend. He makes a solid first pass, even if his stick skills are just slightly above average. The Zilina, Slovakia, native is earning himself interest from a couple of Hockey East schools. He played for his native country at the 2021 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup and will be on the radar of NHL scouts throughout the 2021-22 campaign.
Jordin Palmer
River Rats/Avon Old Farms, 1/6/04, D, left shot, 6-1/175
Palmer’s skating stands out right away. He has very good edges and competes hard every shift. He retrieves pucks and gets them going up ice quickly. He keeps things simple and makes smart, efficient plays. Defensively, he plays hard and brings a physical element. He delivered a couple of huge hits to knock opposing players off the puck. He’s not overly gifted offensively, but he chipped in a few timely assists. He projects as a defensive defenseman who can absolutely play in Hockey East. He’s getting interest from about six Hockey East schools and a few programs in ECAC Hockey.
Nick Peluso
BK Selects, 2/14/04, RW, right shot, 5-7/151
Peluso had been getting some interest from mid-tier Hockey East schools for a year or so now. The Victor, N.Y., native is on the smaller side, but he scores. In one viewing last week, he scored twice and set up another tally. He’s around the puck and plays in all situations. He manned the point on the power play.
Patrick Reilly
NJ Rockets, 9/27/04, D, right shot, 6-0/170
Reilly is a mobile, puck-moving defenseman from Avon-by-the-Sea, N.J. He’s still a work in progress defensively, but his skating and footwork allow him to sidestep oncoming forecheckers.
Eric Vivinetto
Jersey Rats/Lawrenceville, 10/8/04, RW, right shot, 5-10/170
A few observers might remember Vivinetto from his time with the North Jersey Avalanche. The Wyckoff, N.J., native is in his second school year at Lawrenceville. He still has many of the same traits he had with the Avs. He’s heavy on pucks, drives the net, plays hard, and has a goal-scoring touch. His skating has gotten a little better, but there is still room for improvement in that regard.
Zach Wagnon
NJ Rockets, 3/26/04, C, right shot, 5-10/162
Wagnon is one of those players that you keep watching and realizing that his lack of size isn’t a major deterrent to his continued success. From Red Bank, N.J., Wagnon just produces, due to his high motor, energy and tenacity. He’s not overly skilled nor is he a super dynamic skater. However, he can get around and his skill is certainly above average. He’s a Division 1 player without a doubt.
