MARLBORO, Mass. — The 2024 Mass. Hockey boys festival got underway this weekend, with games held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Ultimately, players played to advance to next weekend's Final 40. We will have those selections here when they're announced. From there, evaluators will pick the players in each birth year (2007, 2008 and 2009) to go to USA Hockey's Select Camps.
On Saturday, I focused on the '09s, taking in both games.
These aren't all the players who stood out this weekend. All age groups played at the same time, so I only focused on one per day.
Still, these are the '09s who caught my attention when I was watching.
Let's dive in.
Paulo Gualberto Jr.
Team Royal, 4/9/2009, F, left shot, 5-8/165
Hometown: Barnstable, Mass.Â
Gualberto Jr., has great hands in tight and was able to make an impact anywhere in the offensive zone. He also always seemed to be able to find open space. He drove play well and had powerful strides. On Saturday, he scored on a nice shot from in front of the net. He had 46 goals and 106 points in 64 games for Mount St. Charles' 14U team this past winter.
Troy Hamelin
Team Red, 2009, F, left shot
Hometown: Southwick, Mass.Â
Hamelin showcased a quick, hard shot and a high compete this weekend. On Saturday, he had a rush that got broken up, but instead of giving up on the play, he read the following play and darted for the net. He scored on the net drive off a nice pass from Alexander Zaneski (Pembroke, Mass.). Hamelin also had great vision on his passes. Hamelin plays for Pope Francis.
Brock Hanlon
Team Gray, 6/25/2009, F, right shot, 5-10/154
Hometown: Auburndale, Mass.Â
Hanlon showed off his speed and hands on multiple occasions Saturday. His best sequence featured him earning a breakaway and scoring. He played for the South Shore Kings 14U team this past winter.
PHASE 1:Â 14 New Englanders taken in USHL Phase 1 Draft
Owen Kailher
Team White, 4/7/2009, F, right shot, 5-7/134
Hometown: Plymouth, Mass.Â
It was impossible not to notice Kailher's skill. His hands in tight, especially with the puck along the wall, were impressive. By doing that, he was able to either eventually find open space or create a passing lane to thread a dish to a teammate. He also had good edgework and speed, which helped him draw two penalties on Saturday. Kailher was a member of Mount St. Charles' 14U squad.
Carter Meyer
Team Royal, 4/10/2009, F, left shot, 5-11/153
Hometown: Winchester, Mass.Â
It should surprise no one that Meyer stood out. His hands were great, as he was able to stick handle in tight around opposing players to get to open space. His release on his shot might be the best in his birth year in Massachusetts. It's quick, hard and accurate, which can be rare for 14- and 15-year-olds. He played on the same line as Gualberto Jr., on Saturday, and those two, who were rivals with the Jr. Eagles and Mount St. Charles, had strong chemistry.
JP Montgomery
Team Red, 6/20/2009, D, left shot, 5-11/170
Hometown: Winchester, Mass.Â
It's easy for defensemen to want to try and do too much in showcases like the Mass. Hockey Festival. But Montgomery played a simple game, showcasing a good stick in his own zone and making smart passes. He was rewarded with a goal at the end of Saturday's game. He darted for the back post, which is where Finn Sears (Medford, Mass.) intelligently found him for the tally. Montgomery also uses his frame well to protect pucks and defend the front of his own net. Montgomery played a prominent role on defense for MIAA Division 1 title runner-up Winchester.
Landon Nickulas
Team White, 2009, D, left shot
Hometown: West Barnstable, Mass.Â
One thing about this level is there are players who are still very undersized, and Nickulas falls under that category. But his edgework and overall mobility made him impactful as a puck-moving defenseman. That was especially on display when he had the puck at the opposing blue line, as he evaded the other team's forward coming to defend him. It will be interesting to see how he evolves as a player as he gets bigger and stronger. He played for Boston Advantage's 14U team this past winter.
Jacoby Palmer
Team Gray, 9/8/2009, D, left shot, 6-0/165
Hometown: Holden, Mass.Â
It's early, but Palmer is developing into a very good two-way defenseman. In his own zone, he has a good stick and utilizes good gaps while defending the rush. He has good vision on breakout passes and when carrying the puck. He also had no issue going deep into the offensive zone and still being effective. He played for the Boston Jr. Eagles 14U team and Hillside School this past winter.
Finn Sears
Team Red, 5/4/2009, F, left shot, 6-0/155
Hometown: Medford, Mass.Â
It's also not a surprise that Sears was the best player on the ice in his game against Team White. He has such a good first burst of speed when accelerating with the puck. His skill and deception on his passes is far ahead of those in his age group. He had one play on Saturday when he had the puck behind the opposing net, went one way and behind-the-back passed it to a teammate in front for a scoring chance. Sears was a standout for Rivers this season as an eighth grader.
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Chase Warsofsky
Team Gray, 2009, F, left shot
Hometown: Northboro, Mass.Â
Warsofsky was a standout with St. John's Shrewsbury this past winter and that continued into this weekend. He has a nice combination of good speed and skill, which helped him stand out among those in his birth year. In transition, he was able to dangle around defenders.
