NASHUA, N.H. — This past weekend, the top New England District 2006 birth year players were at Conway Arena to compete for a chance to participate in the USA Hockey Select 15 Player Development Camp, and I was able to take in the action on Saturday as well as Sunday, along with Jeff Cox for the All-Star Game.
His comprehensive recap was posted here Monday morning, but on occasion, when the two of us are at the same hockey events in the region, we’ll run a Second Opinion feature where I weigh in with my own thoughts on the top players, while also identifying some others/sleepers who showed potential and stood out to me, as well.
It was great to be back in the rinks again on my first official assignment and this is meant to supplement and complement the outstanding coverage Cox brought to the event and the top hockey showcases/events he will continue to assess and report on going forward.
Here is a quick look at my all-district team and some intriguing sleepers from the weekend as I saw it. All members of the district team received S15 nominations for July’s national camp in Amherst, N.Y.
Kirk’s All-New England District Festival Team
Cameron Cooke, Forward
Minuteman Flames, 2/2/06, right shot, 6-0/165
Cooke stood out positively from his very first shift in blue on Saturday. The Granite State pivot has the right combination of size, skating, skills and hockey sense. He’s not just a flashy forward who relies on his talent to dangle or toe-drag, but has some creativity as well. He used the walls and glass to chip pucks to space where he could either skate there and generate speed through the neutral zone to back defenses up, or allow his teammates get to those pucks and go. As he progresses, he’ll benefit from focusing on his details and habits, but he was the best forward here both days in my opinion.
Niko Tournas, Forward
CT Whalers, 2/1/06, right shot, 5-11/145
Impressed on the off-wing in the all-star game with a hat trick and willingness to fire it from just about anywhere. His first goal was a just a hard, heavy drive that beat the goaltender over the glove and went in off the far post, but as the game progressed, he just kept shooting it. That morning, he caught my eye on the green team with the game’s first goal, stripping the puck from a defender at the blue line and then ripping a shot into the back of the net. Every time he was on the ice, I noticed him, and that’s the sign of a player who’s doing things right. Tournas can keep working on his initial quickness and small-area foot speed, but that natural scoring touch is something you can’t teach.
Ronnie Hill, Forward
Seacoast, 1/3/06, right shot, 5-7/130
Although he didn’t have the same impact in the all-star game as he did for gold on Sunday morning, Hill has the energy, jam and a sneaky-good offensive tool kit to be a player at the higher levels. He has a bit of a wide-base/bow-legged stride, but it doesn’t impact his ability to get from point A to B, and he’s a perpetual motion machine with not much gliding or standing around. He’s disruptive and an effective forechecker who can generate turnovers and created chaos in front of the opposition net. Good player who looked/played bigger than his listed size and is someone to watch going forward if his puck skills/scoring can match his effort and physicality.
HM: Kolin Sisson
Mount Saint Charles, 9/30/06, right shot, 5-0/95
Little water bug was all over the ice in every game and always around the puck/had more touches than anyone. He’s a late ’06, so he’s behind the physical development curve right now, but he can really fly and showed a fearlessness and competitive drive that you love to see in smaller players. Classic little engine that could type- winner.
Deke Davidson, Defense
Seacoast, 6/4/06, left shot, 5-8/140
No player grew on me more as the games went on than Davidson did in this event. He’s a good skater and smart defender- his stick was always in the right position and few if any players were able to get around him. He showed advanced awareness, angling and an active stick to negate a lot of attempted plays at his own blue line and around the net. Coaches at the higher levels all want a player like this on their team because he does the little things, and appears to have the skill set to be a two-way threat as he grows and matures.
Lucas Van Mullen, Defense
Cardigan Mountain, 12/9/06, right shot, 5-11/145
I had to do a double-take when I saw how late his birthday is, but this defender impressed with his puck poise and ability to make the simple play shift after shift without overcomplicating things or making mental mistakes with and without pressure on him. Like Davidson, he showed pride in his defensive play, but also showed the vision and confidence to get pucks up the ice and support the rush at the right times. Like most players his age, will have to be patient with the process to add strength and mass to his light frame.
HM: Colton Whitfield
Bishop Hendricken, 4/10/06, left shot, 5-10/150
Impressed both days with his consistency and ability to make the right reads in all zones and impact the games. He has NHL bloodlines and several times, I noticed a maturity in his game rare for younger players in selection event like this one in that he was patient and didn’t force a lot of low-risk passes, managing the puck well. The consistency he showed was key to his nomination to the USAH Select 15 Development Camp.
Treva Murphy, Goaltender
Cardigan Mountain, 1/11/06, catches left, 5-9/154
Not the biggest netminder here, but he made the stops he had to and more than a few he had no business making. He moves well and is athletic, showing lateral quickness on his pushes to get to the right spots and set his feet for the first shot. Smaller goalies can be susceptible to getting beaten through screens, but he aggressively used his head and body to maintain visual sightlines and did a nice job of adjusting to shots while on the way to the net and absorbing them into his body or glove. You can’t coach that- it’s instinctive… and impressive.
HM: Kyle Bolduc
CT Huskies, 1/1/06, catches left, 5-10/140
Not flashy, but when his team needed a stop they got it both days. He saved his best for the final game, and it translated into a nod for Natty camp. He’s squares up and blocks the first shot, recovering quickly for the next one(s).
Sleepers
Tyler Kenney, Forward
North Yarmouth Academy, 5/15/06, left shot, 5-10/161
Noticeable on the blue team in Saturday’s game because he was smart, engaged and made his linemates better, making the All-Star Game. He’s got a nice package of size/IQ to build on as he works to improve his puck skills, but showed a nifty passing touch in the offensive zone.
Logan Lambrecht, Forward
CP Dynamo, 1/1/06, left shot
Effective at using his size to get to the net and generate scoring chances/finish off plays in tight. I thought he showed some decent offensive awareness and an attacking mindset.
Blake Stant, Defense
Mid Fairfield, 4/7/06, left shot, 5-6/126
Had a strong Sunday morning performance and would have been in play for nomination to national development camp with a better all-star game. Although smaller in stature, he sees the ice well, moves pucks with authority and can get back quickly on retrievals. Could focus on improving balance to stay on his feet better when making hard cuts and rapid turns.
Logan Hurd, Defense
Mid Fairfield, 1/12/06, right shot, 5-6/130
Saw some impressive ability in flashes over the weekend, but consistency will be the name of the game for the Connecticut native to reach his potential. He can skate, move pucks, activate and has a pretty good stick- just didn’t see all of it at once enough for him to break through for a spot in Amherst.
Tristan Kerr, Goaltender
Boston Jr. Rangers
Didn’t make the all-star game, but kept the green team in the second half of their game vs gold when they were outshot by a wide margin. Battled hard, competed and made some athletic saves- gave his team a chance, which is all you can ask for.
