The Mass. Hockey boys festival kicks off this weekend at New England Sports Center. From there, Mass. Hockey will make cuts for Final 40, which is the next weekend.
Then it's all about who gets picked for USA Hockey Select Camps.
For the '09s, this is their final time at the Mass. Hockey Festival. They will fight for spots at USA Hockey's Select 17 Camp, which is heavily scouted by colleges, junior teams and NHL teams.
Several '09s at the festival are already committed. The large majority, however, are not. The festival is also heavily watched by college coaches, giving players one last impression before hanging up the skates until the summer.
Here are 10 to keep an eye on this weekend.
Preston Abbott
New Hampton, 4/5/2009, D, left shot, 6-1/190
Hometown: Middleton, Mass.Â
Abbott had a solid winter at New Hampton with four goals and 19 points in 33 games. He's mobile and an apt puck-mover. And with his size, his future is intriguing. He was one of the top '09 defensemen at festival last season and made USA Hockey's Select 16 Camp. He still needs to round out some areas of his game and is slated to go to Salisbury next season.
Ryder Bisson
St. John's Shrewsbury, 8/4/2009, D, left shot, 6-1/176
Hometown: Holden, Mass.Â
Bisson dominated in the MIAA this winter through consistently pushing the pace and being confident with the puck. He's a smooth skater, and with his size, that should make him palatable for Division 1 programs to give him a look. He's a fantastic puck-mover and is terrific at getting shots through from the point. Bisson has never been to a USA Hockey Select Camp, but he should push hard at this festival.
Jack Funk
Thayer, 3/12/2009, F, left shot, 5-7/150
Hometown: Duxbury, Mass.Â
Funk was a breakout forward in prep this winter with 19 goals and 31 points in 29 games for Thayer. While not known for his size, Funk is fearless in getting to the front of the net. He has really good hands and a quick, hard shot he can get off from in tight. Dominating an event like this would help solidify his case for college looks.
Paulo Gualberto Jr.
Halifax Mooseheads, 4/9/2009, F, left shot, 5-9/170
Hometown: Barnstable, Mass.Â
Gualberto opted to challenge himself this winter by going to the QMJHL's Mooseheads, and he posted two goals and seven points in 40 games. He's a feisty forward who can play down the middle and on the wing. He has high-end offensive upside and has no issue getting to high-danger areas. He's been at Select 15 and 16 Camp the last two summers.
READ MORE:Â 25 locals picked in Phase 1Â |Â 16 locals picked in Phase 2
Liam Guilderson
Dexter Southfield, 3/30/2009, F, left shot, 6-0/170
Hometown: Belmont, Mass.Â
Guilderson was on a stacked Dexter team and missed part of the season due to injury, so he only put up three points in 16 games. But the skill is there for him to break out next winter as a top forward for Dexter. While he was at Select 15 Camp two summers ago, he didn't make 16s last year.
Cade Noonan
St. Sebastian's, 8/21/2009, F, left shot, 6-1/181
Hometown: Needham, Mass.Â
Noonan popped with St. Sebastian's this winter, scoring 16 goals and putting up 26 points on the Arrows' lethal top line. While Noonan isn't the fastest skater, the routes he takes and his IQ more than make up for it. He's extremely physical and wears down defensemen throughout the course of a game due to how hard and smart he forechecks. The majority of his offense comes from that and the cycle.
Keith Olympia
St. Mark's, 2/10/2009, F, right shot, 5-8/155
Hometown: Sudbury, Mass.Â
This past winter, Olympia put up nine goals and 35 points in 30 games for St. Mark's. He's a skilled, smooth-skating winger who makes crafty plays with the puck and has great vision. While he's never made a USA Hockey Select Camp, he enters this year's festival in a good position to do so.
Jacoby Palmer
Woodbridge Wolfpack, 8/9/2009, D, left shot, 6-1/176
Hometown: Holden, Mass.Â
Palmer was a standout with Woodbridge's 16U team this winter. He's a very good skater and a creative puck-mover who can aid in the offense at any time. His size, combined with just how good his breakouts, defensive zone exits and offensive zone entries are, make him a Division 1 prospect.
Chase Warsofsky
Cushing, 6/19/2009, F, left shot, 5-9/160
Hometown: Northboro, Mass.Â
Warsofsky is an interesting prospect. He has good speed and play-driving abilities as a center. He makes smart decisions with the puck and aids his defensemen in his own zone. The production in prep has been solid (23 points in 31 games this past winter), but he should be able to break out and take that next step as a senior. He was recently named one of Cushing's captains for next winter.
READ MORE: 20 takeaways from the USHL Phase 1 and Phase 2 Drafts
Colin Yandle
Cushing, 10/15/2009, D, right shot, 5-9/146
Hometown: Dorchester, Mass.Â
Yandle is known for his strong two-way game. He put up three goals and 17 points in 33 games for Cushing this winter while also consistently taking on hard defensive matchups. He's a good skater who has a great stick and can be physical. He's also mobile enough to run a power play.
