MARLBORO, Mass. — 'Tis the season for showcases every weekend.
This past weekend, the Eastern Hockey Federation hosted one at the New England Sports Center across the 18U, 16U and 15O age groups.
I watched the 18Us this weekend. It's an interesting time for them. While some are committed, many aren't and are looking to play their best in front of college coaches. Some haven't even hit their stride yet and are late-bloomers.
As we track many of them through the prep season, now is a good time to see which players are showing signs of breakout performances this winter.
Let's dive into 12 uncommitted standout forwards from the 18U level. A separate story will be done on defensemen and goalies.
Drew Carr
Minuteman Flames, 8/26/2006, F, right shot, 5-10/145
Hometown: Medway, Mass.Â
Carr posted a hat trick against the GBL Bruins on Sunday. His first goal came from a nice burst of speed in the offensive zone that helped him get past a defender and score. His second came off a set-up by Max Santos, while the third was another breakaway. Carr was knocked out of the game on a hit late in the game and was down on the ice for awhile. Given what he was going through this time last year, it's impossible not to root for Carr and hope he'll be back on the ice as soon as possible.
Dennis Davidson
Boston Little Bruins, 5/16/2006, F, right shot, 5-9/154
Hometown: Newton, Mass.Â
Off the rush and in the offensive zone, Davidson was able to make an impact with his speed and vision, choosing smart passes. But I also really liked his work in his own zone, especially when killing penalties. He had a good stick and when he had the puck, he held onto it and killed time since players can't ice the puck while killing penalties in fall hockey games. Now a senior, he will be vital for Nobles this winter.
Max Donatelli
Boston Little Bruins, 6/15/2007, F, left shot, 5-9/154
Hometown: Barrington, R.I.Â
Donatelli has a high Hockey IQ, which was on display Saturday. In the first half, he picked off a breakout and earned a scoring chance. In the second half, with his team trying for a comeback, he was in front of the opposing net, lifted a defender's stick, stole the puck and rifled a shot past Jr. Eagles goalie J.J. Thibodeau's (Waltham, Mass.) blocker. Donatelli was also a force in the cycle game, helping to elongate offensive zone time.
NORTHEAST PACK: 13 standouts from the 14Us | 13 standouts from the 15Os
Brodie Donovan
Top Gun, 8/1/2006, F, left shot, 5-9/165
Hometown: Los Gatos, Calif.Â
In both of Top Gun's games this weekend, it was impossible to miss Donovan. His hands were great, as he was able to dangle around defenders to get to open ice. He was able to use his edgework and puck protection to come off the half wall and get to high-danger areas. On Sunday, he scored to tie the game late in the first half. He hit the post later in the game as well. Donovan was with Cushing last year, but moved to Governor's Academy for this season.
Aidan Fitzpatrick
Central Mass. Penguins, 2/10/2008, F, left shot, 6-1/170
Hometown: Peabody, Mass.Â
The Penguins have some intriguing '08s. Miles Mireault (Topsfield, Mass.) is one of them, as he notched two goals and an assist in the Penguins' 4-1 win over American Hockey Academy on Saturday. I didn't get a chance to see that game and was at Sunday's game, which is when Fitzpatrick stood out.
Fitzpatrick showcased great speed, especially on forechecks when he took smart routes. With the puck on his stick, he was creative and had skill to get to high-danger areas. He was also vital in the cycle.
Alex Gomes
Central Mass. Penguins, 2/17/2006, F, left shot, 6-0/190
Hometown: Ludlow, Mass.Â
Gomes had a big second half against Top Gun on Sunday. He scored on the power play to give the Penguins a late lead. He flipped the puck over a defender and then roofed a shot over the netminder's glove. Up to that point, Gomes had been impactful in the offensive zone and showcased great chemistry with Fitzpatrick. Gomes showed off his speed and always seemed to be buzzing around the puck.
Tyler Hamilton
Boston Jr. Eagles, 12/7/2006, F, right shot, 5-11/170
Hometown: Framingham, Mass.Â
Hamilton did the little things really well on Saturday. He played with a lot of speed and drove play. On penalty kills, he was physical and aggressive on players high in the offensive zone, making nice reads, too. On Jake Tavares' (Belmont, Mass.) goal, it was Hamilton who made an intelligent dump-in, followed the play and passed the puck to Darren Iversen (Framingham, Mass.) at the point whose shot was tipped for a goal.
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Colby Jewell
Top Gun, 7/9/2006, F, left shot
Hometown: Gloucester, Mass.Â
Jewell's vision was on display Sunday. He got a primary assist on Kye Smyrinos' game-opening goal in the first half. Later in the half, he kickstarted a play with a nice pass that led to Donovan's goal. Jewell also showed himself to have great hands, dangling a Penguins defender and throwing a pass back to the point for a shot. Jewell was a standout for Gloucester High last winter.
Brendan Keaveney
Boston Jr. Eagles, 3/22/2006, F, right shot
Hometown: Westwood, Mass.Â
Keaveney posted a hat trick on Saturday. The first was via a breakaway, which he earned with good speed. He eventually tucked a shot through Bernstein. He got another breakaway later in the game, which he rifled over Bernstein's blocker. I'll be honest — I totally missed his second goal. This winter, on an extremely young St. Sebastian's team, Keaveney will be the lone veteran head coach Sean McCann relies on.
Teddy MacAusland
Boston Jr. Eagles, 1/13/2006, F, right shot, 5-9/179
Hometown: Westwood, Mass.Â
MacAusland finished the weekend with one goal and three assists. In my viewing of him Saturday, he scored on a hard net drive, depositing a rebound. He showcased his great skating and skill when driving play. He also continued to display his great vision. Every time I watch MacAusland, along with his brother Billy, I'm wondering why local ECAC and Atlantic schools aren't pouncing on both of them.
BEAST FALL CLASSIC: 12 uncommitted 18U standout forwards | 6 uncommitted 18U standout defenders
Max Santos
Minuteman Flames, 8/27/2006, F, left shot, 5-9/155
Hometown: Evanston, Ill.Â
Santos looks to be a prime candidate to make a big impact at St. Mark's this winter. On Sunday, he showed his great skating and an ability to make skilled plays at high speed. Whether it was passes off the rush, playmaking from sustained zone time or just Santos taking it himself, he looks poised to step up this winter. He had 23 points in 29 games as a sophomore last winter. I'd expect that number to go up quite a bit.
Kye Smyrinos
Top Gun, 7/21/2006, F, left shot, 5-9/165
Hometown: Lynnfield, Mass.Â
On Saturday, Smyrinos made a great read to earn a breakaway and a prime scoring chance. Later in the game, a backcheck from Smyrinos saved a potential goal. He was all over the scoresheet on Sunday, scoring a goal off the rush to take an early lead against the Central Mass. Penguins. Later in the half, he made a great pass to Donovan in front for a goal.
