For the final time, the best 2009-born players hit the ice at the New England District boys camp in hopes of making USA Hockey's Select 17 Camp, which will be held July 7-13 in Amherst, N.Y.
This weekend's camp culminated in the All-Star game on Sunday morning, where the top 36 players (four goalies, 12 defensemen and 20 forwards) were separated into two teams: White and Blue.
Blue took down White, 2-1, in a tight, defensive battle — yes, I know that sounds insane for a showcase like this one, but that's what it was.
Let's dive into six standouts from the matchup.
Sam Chartier
Williston Northampton, 1/30/2009, D, right shot, 5-10/180
Hometown: Narragansett, R.I.Â
Chartier's goal was sick. Just a few minutes into the game, he got a pass from Ethan Hung. Chartier used his edges to mohawk turn down the boards, which gave him separation from (and faked out) the forward covering him. He skated down the boards, cut middle and absolutely sniped one.
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Ethan Gingeleskie
Avon Old Farms, 6/2/2009, F, right shot, 5-11/165
Hometown: West Hartford, Conn.Â
White was hemmed in its zone for a lot of the first half, but Gingeleskie and his line always seemed to play in the offensive zone. He was rewarded with a beauty of a goal in the second half, when he entered the zone by himself, leaned on the defender and put the puck between his own feet before grabbing it back and firing one over the netminder's blocker. Gingeleskie's hands are just so good.
Ethan Hung
Hotchkiss, 8/9/2009, D, left shot, 6-2/194
Hometown: Fairfield, Conn.Â
Hung was the best player in Sunday's game. His day started with a primary assist on Chartier's goal. Then, a few minutes later, Hung took a pass from Alexander Strug and fired a one-timer in for a goal. The two points were nice, but Hung's game was a lot more than that. He showcased clean breakouts and great puck-moving abilities. When defending the rush in the neutral zone, Hung often stepped up and cut off plays before they could get near his own blue line. His hands and heavy shot were a threat in the offensive zone, too.
Cam Minella
Halifax Mooseheads, 8/29/2009, D, left shot, 5-11/163
Hometown: Darien, Conn.Â
Minella was much more noticeable in the second half. His elusiveness and vision were on display when transporting pucks from his side of the neutral zone. He used his edgework to get new shooting lanes from the point, and his puck movement was so crafty under pressure. He was terrific at quickly identifying passing lanes.
Grady Rowley
Mount St. Charles, 7/21/2009, F, left shot, 5-10/174
Hometown: Cumberland, R.I.Â
Rowley was noticeable on Sunday. He had a chance that just missed wide of the net early in the first half. Later in the half, he blocked a shot off a defensive zone draw and sent the play the other way. He used his speed to get a shorthanded breakaway in the second half, which drew a penalty. He consistently took smart routes to the net, too.
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Alexander Strug
Deerfield, 5/1/2009, F, left shot, 5-10/160
Hometown: Westport, Conn.Â
Strug was effective all game. After a long offensive zone shift, he dished the primary assist on Hung's goal. He had multiple scoring chances using his quickness. He showcased smart positioning in the offensive zone to prevent exits and extend cycles. Strug was physical, too. Early in the second half, he hustled back hard and intercepted a pass destined for an open forward driving the far post. He later hit the post on a chance.
