FOXBORO, Mass. — The biggest event in Foxboro this week took place on Wednesday night.
Oh, you think the World Cup is a big deal? It pales in comparison to the opening night of the Foxboro Prep League.
The Foxboro Prep League got underway on Wednesday night with three games, as Team Cox took on Team Moran, Team Holske faced Team Omicioli and Team Richard battled Team Donatelli. The final game was the best and fastest of the night.
Ultimately, it was summer hockey. I didn't keep track, but I don't think there were more than one or two hits across all the games, and backchecking wasn't really on the menu either.
But that's fine. The Foxboro Prep League is a great summer showcase to try moves and take some chances with the puck.
Here are 10 standouts from the first slate of games.
Sam Archibald
Mount St. Charles, 2/2/2011, D, right shot, 6-0/165
Hometown: Canton, Mass.Â
Archibald was his typical assertive self. He picked his spots well on puck rushes and pinches at the opposing blue line and was creative in his decision-making. He scored a nice goal by sneaking in on the far side behind the defense and getting a pass from Jake Donatelli. He and Donatelli were outstanding as a pair together, transporting pucks and pushing the pace.
Deacon Brackett
Team Cox/Mount St. Charles, 5/17/2011, F, left shot, 5-5/104
Hometown: Hingham, Mass.Â
Brackett's hands and skill set him apart. Late in the first half of his game, he dangled a defender in the slot, got to a scoring area and sniped a goal. His vision was also outstanding, as he hit teammates with passes while under pressure. His poise against older, stronger players was promising, as he will be back at Mount St. Charles this coming season.
READ MORE: Our boys MIAA awards | Our girls MIAA awards
Connor Callahan
Team Moran/Nobles, 2010, F, right shot, 5-8/140
Hometown: Needham, Mass.Â
Callahan was hard to miss on Wednesday night. The Nobles freshman was extremely involved offensively, with many strong puck touches. He showcased good hands and an ability to get into high-danger areas to rip his good shot. He almost scored at the end of the first half of his game, driving the far post and almost depositing a goal off a nice pass from Bruce Ghostlaw.
Jake Donatelli
St. George's, 2/4/2010, D, left shot, 5-9/157
Hometown: Barrington, R.I.Â
Donatelli was elusive and patient with pucks, especially on breakouts. He found a new gear while rushing the puck, skating through the neutral zone, and entering the offensive zone. His set-up on Archibald's goal was fantastic, as he skated through the whole zone, came back up high and found Archibald at the far post.
Cam MacPherson
Team Cox/St. Mark's, 6/19/2008, F, left shot, 5-9/165
Hometown: Hopkinton, Mass.Â
MacPherson showing well isn't much of a surprise. The St. Mark's forward scored a nice goal in the second half of his game, getting the puck in the slot off a passing play and sniping a shot. His speed led to scoring chances, and his poise allowed him to make smart passes in the offensive zone.
Cam Menhall
Team Richard/Lawrence Academy, 6/26/2008, F, left shot, 6-2/170
Hometown: Shrewsbury, Mass.Â
Menhall was an offensive force. The Lawrence Academy forward was everywhere in the offensive zone, using his high compete and good hands to get into scoring areas. Early in the second half, Nick Apostol scored due to Menhall's work around the net. Menhall also showed no issue driving the net hard with the puck. His size is intriguing.
TJ Petropoulos
Team Richard/Milton Academy, 7/16/2010, F, right shot, 5-7/161
Hometown: Brockton, Mass.Â
Petropoulos' speed and compete were on full display. He hit the post with a shot early in the first half. He forechecked extremely hard, staying with defenders when they had the puck and forcing them to make mistakes. His rushes and ability to sift through the opposing team were impressive. He got open near the top of the crease and almost potted one in the second half.
John Shaughnessy
Team Holske/Tabor, 3/12/2009, F, left shot, 5-9/150
Hometown: Medfield, Mass.Â
Shaughnessy had a big night. In the first half, he sniped a goal off the rush, depositing a pass from William Raymond. Shaughnessy pulled off a terrific, cross-zone pass in the second half, finding Matt Spalla in front for a goal. Right after, the Tabor forward dangled a defender and sniped a goal short side.
READ MORE: Our boys prep awards | Our girls prep awards
Nick Stevens
Team Omicioli/Williston Northampton, 8/1/2008, F, left shot, 5-11/170
Hometown: Newton, Mass.Â
The former Bishop Hendricken (R.I.) star lived up to the hype on Wednesday. He scored a goal on a complete missile early in the first half, when he entered the zone, did a quick curl and drag and fired a quick snipe far side over the goalie's blocker. He consistently found soft spots in the offensive zone to fire shots from. He showcased nice hands to get around defenders and had good vision, too. He will be at Williston Northampton this coming season.
