While the New England prep hockey season is over, there are still important games left to play.
USA Hockey's 18U Tier 1 national championship for full-season and half-season teams begins April 1 and runs through April 6 in Cranberry Township, Pa.
Three local teams will compete: the Boston Junior Eagles, Northern Conn. Nor'Easters and the Central Mass. Penguins.
This tournament offers players a final chance to be looked at by college coaches, junior coaches and NHL scouts before the spring arrives.
Here are 10 uncommitted players with much to gain next week.
Let's dive in.
Chris Baird-Gajdos
Northern Conn. Nor'Easters, 1/25/2008, D, left shot, 6-3/190
Hometown: Clarence, N.Y.Â
Baird-Gajdos is someone who stood out to me a lot in the fall. His combination of puck-moving ability with his size is really intriguing and something you don't often see. He had a solid first season in prep with three goals and 12 points for Salisbury. He should be due for a much greater jump in his senior year. A good showing at nationals should go a long way with college coaches.
Myles Brosnan
Boston Jr. Eagles, 10/19/2007, D, right shot, 6-1/190
Hometown: Winchester, Mass.Â
Brosnan entered the Elite 8 Tournament with high stock and finished with it much, much higher. The Dexter defenseman finished the season with nine goals and 36 points in 28 games. He proved to be a great power play quarterback, an offensive dynamo who picked the right times to join the rush and was responsible in his own end. He's a two-way force who, as of now, can't commit to a Division 1 program until Aug. 1. This week will give colleges one of their final competitive looks at his abilities.
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Zachary Chehade
Northern Conn. Nor'Easters, 3/30/2006, D, left shot, 6-0/180
Hometown: Beaconsfield, QuebecÂ
Chehade had a strong senior year with Deerfield, providing two-way play and helping the Big Green land the No. 1 spot in the Elite 8 Tournament. Chehade finished with nine goals and 18 points in 27 games this season. He proved he could play in all situations this season.
Maksim Corovic
Central Mass. Penguins, 5/28/2008, G, catches left, 6-2/180
Hometown: Stony Creek, OntarioÂ
Corovic's numbers were solid throughout the season — a 2.44 GAA and a .911 save percentage. But what turned heads was his play in the Elite 8 championship game against Dexter. Corovic made 30 saves, including multiple high-danger ones, in a 4-3 win. When Corovic is on, he's one of the best '08 goalies in the region. He also has the size to intrigue Division 1 coaches.
Max Dineen
Central Mass. Penguins, 7/5/2006, F, left shot, 5-10/155
Hometown: Brentwood, N.H.Â
Cushing's Elite 8 title was in large part due to Dineen's play all season. The senior '06 led the team in goals (26) and points (58). His high compete earned him so much of his offense this season, as he would regularly outskate defenders to open spots around the net. He brought his best in the Elite 8 Tournament, winning our MVP and scoring twice (including the game-winner) in the championship. He recently signed with the BCHL's West Kelowna Warriors for next season.
Cal Gustafson
Northern Conn. Nor'Easters, 1/15/2007, D, left shot, 6-3/185
Hometown: Montpelier, Vt.Â
Gustafson was someone I liked in my viewing of Kent this season. He has the size, but he's also a good skater who can be imposing on opposing forwards, as well as effective in the offensive zone and moving pucks. He finished with seven goals and 12 points in 25 games for Kent. He should be due for an uptick in play and production as a senior.
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Billy MacAusland
Boston Jr. Eagles, 8/4/2007, F, left shot, 5-10/170
Hometown: Westwood, Mass.Â
I'm surprised MacAusland is still uncommitted. The Nobles forward exploded for 28 goals and 61 points — both good for fourth in the region — in 27 games this season. He drove play with his strong skating and elite ability to find soft spots in high-danger areas. He has a good shot, too. A strong showing at nationals should give colleges yet another reason to extend an offer.
Freddy Meyer
Boston Jr. Eagles, 10/16/2007, D, left shot, 5-10/160
Hometown: Winchester, Mass.Â
This was Meyer's first full season as a defenseman, and he proved to be a useful one. The offensive instincts he had when he was a forward were still there. He's patient with pucks, too. But on defense, he's physical and takes smart angles on forwards off the rush and when they're trying to cycle. He finished the season as Rivers' No. 1 defenseman and with two goals and 22 points.
Evan Nee
Boston Jr. Eagles, 8/12/2007, F, left shot, 5-8/160
Hometown: Arlington, Mass.Â
Nee went from being a nice complementary piece for St. Mark's to the guy this winter. Nee led his team in goals (23) and points (51), helping the Lions to the No. 2 spot in the Elite 8 Tournament. He's crafty and has a high motor, helping to set up offense from the wing. He can get to inside ice well and knows how to use his frame to do that. He's only a junior, so he has another full year of development under head coach Carl Corazzini.
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Anthony Palmer
Northern Conn. Nor'Easters, 10/28/2007, G, catches left, 5-10/160
Hometown: Lynnfield, Mass.Â
Palmer is hot off a great junior year at Avon Old Farms. Of goalies who played 1,000 minutes in prep, he ranked fourth in save percentage (.926) and sixth in goals-against average (2.20). Palmer has long been one of the top goalies in his age group and even at 5-foot-10, he continues to put up great numbers. In 2023-24, he had a 1.60 GAA and a .939 save percentage, leading Avon to the Elite 8. He just gets the job done.
