FOXBORO, Mass. — The Boston Junior Eagles took down Islanders Hockey Club, 4-1, at the 15O level on Saturday afternoon.
Both teams played more Eastern Hockey Federation (EHF) games throughout the weekend, but I wanted to see them go head-to-head.
For starters, they're both strong teams. But they're also full of 2011-born players that USHL, QMJHL and U.S. National Team Development Program scouts are watching. Multiple CHL scouts were at Saturday's game.
Many of these '11s will be leaned on heavily in prep this winter, which means a lot will change between now and NTDP Evaluation Camp selections, the USHL Phase 1 Draft, and the QMJHL Draft.
One thing to note: high-end forward Max Prudovsky (Newton, Mass.) has been out due to injury, so he didn't play on Saturday.
These are 12 prospects from the game who are early candidates to be taken.
Bryce Albano
Islanders Hockey Club, 1/1/2011, F, right shot, 5-7/138
Hometown: Gloucester, Mass.Â
Albano may have been the most dynamic player in the game. He's so quick, consistently using his speed to beat defensemen and gain offensive zone entries. He always wanted the puck, and when he got it, he made his possessions count. On one sequence, he blew past both Eagles defensemen and got in alone for a scoring chance. His speed and offensive upside will be why USHL and QMJHL teams watch him this winter.
Emmett Aufiero
Islanders Hockey Club, 1/12/2011, D, right shot, 6-0/154
Hometown: Winchester, Mass.Â
Aufiero was his typical, reliable self on Saturday. He showed poise with the puck and was elusive at times on breakouts. He picked his spots well on when to sink into the slot in the offensive zone to sneak in for scoring chances. Aufiero made intelligent step-ups in the neutral zone to kill plays, and did the same when defending the rush in his own zone. He's likely a shutdown defender at higher levels, and will be looked at as such by junior teams in the spring and summer.
Stephen Belde
Islanders Hockey Club, 3/4/2011, D, left shot, 5-10
Hometown: Lake Elmo, Minn.Â
Belde showed himself as a great puck-mover and, at times, a dynamic offensive presence. On the Islanders' only goal, it was Belde's shot that was blocked, which Griffin Erickson picked up and scored on. Belde was efficient in running the Islanders' power plays, showing mobility and good vision from the point.
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Alexander Bobrov
Boston Junior Eagles, 1/26/2011, D, left shot, 6-0/164
Hometown: Milton, Mass.Â
I've liked Bobrov for a while, but what I really liked from him on Saturday was his poise under pressure. Multiple times, there was heavy pressure on him when he had the puck, and he always seemed to make the right decision, using his feet to get to space and make intelligent passes up ice. Even on some breakouts, he sensed pressure well and got the puck to the weak side. I have him on the U.S. National Team Development Program and QMJHL/USHL high-pick watch.
Brayden Campanale
Boston Junior Eagles, 3/15/2011, F, left shot, 5-10/172
Hometown: Norwell, Mass.Â
Campanale is everything you want in a center. He supported his defensemen well in the defensive end. He showcased a dogged compete on the forecheck. In the offensive zone, his great hands and IQ helped him get around and through defenders into high-danger areas. He was rewarded when he stole the puck from an Islanders defender, went in all alone and sniped on from in tight. He's moving into NTDP territory for me.
Jackson Dyment
Islanders Hockey Club, 2011, D, right shot, 6-2/177
Hometown: Burlington, Mass.Â
The size jumps out most with Dyment. He used it well, making life difficult for Eagles forwards cutting to high-danger areas with physicality. He showed poise with the puck, especially on breakouts, never rushing to make a play. Dyment has a heavy shot, too. Like Aufiero, he's probably a shutdown defenseman at higher levels.
Griffin Erickson
Islanders Hockey Club, 1/14/2011, F, left shot, 5-10/155
Hometown: Keene, N.H.Â
Erickson will be a forward who USHL and QMJHL teams keep tabs on all winter. He scored a nice goal on Saturday, reading the play well, cutting to the net, picking up a blocked shot and depositing it. He'll be at Deerfield this winter.
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Jack Irwin
Boston Junior Eagles, 1/21/2011, D, right shot, 5-11/163
Hometown: Nashua, N.H.Â
Irwin was great at defending the front of his own net with both a good stick and biting physicality. Along with those qualities of a good shutdown defenseman, he's also a good puck-mover. On Saturday, he had a handful of rushes where he showed elusiveness. He feels like either a USHL tender or a high pick in that league or the QMJHL.
Aaron Lee
Islanders Hockey Club, 2/7/2011, F, left shot, 5-11/161
Hometown: Newport Beach, Calif.Â
Lee caught my attention when he was flying down the ice. The California native is a powerful, great skater who consistently drove play. He made intelligent small-area passes with speed. On one play, he won a board battle behind the opposing net, used his skill to evade pressure and set up a scoring chance. He'll be at St. Mark's this winter.
Mason McGovern
Islanders Hockey Club, 6/3/2011, F, right shot, 5-11/170
Hometown: Andover, Mass.Â
McGovern was at his best in the offensive zone. He was physical, finishing hits on opposing defensemen and using his size to get to high-danger areas in the slot. He also showcased great hands. He'll be heavily watched at Winchendon this winter after standing out with Austin Prep last year.
Carter Watson
Boston Junior Eagles, 2/28/2011, F, right shot, 5-11/170
Hometown: Brockton, Mass.Â
Watson's deception and ability to slow the game down are elite. He sifted through coverage with relative ease on Saturday. He scored a beauty when he got an offensive zone entry by himself, went around the defender, faked going middle and then wrapped it around the net for a goal. His shot is also heavy. With Prudovsky out, there's more on Watson's plate — and he did a great job with that against the Islanders. Watson is a surefire NTDP candidate or top pick in the QMJHL Draft for me.
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Chris Welby
Boston Junior Eagles, 3/14/2011, F, right shot, 6-0/195
Hometown: Westwood, Mass.Â
Welby uncorked a missile on a one-timer for a goal against the Islanders. The St. Sebastian's product was great at both forcing his way past defenders to get to the interior and quietly finding soft spots in coverage. At higher levels, he's likely a good shot-first winger to put with playmaking linemates. He will also need to keep being a physical pest.
