The next two weekends are big for Massachusetts's top, 2008-born hockey talent.
The 2025 Mass. Hockey boys festival begins this Friday through Sunday at New England Sports Center. In total, 228 players across the 2008, 2009 and 2010 birth years will compete for spots in the Final 40, which will be held the following weekend at Lovell Arena.
Players will hope to make USA Hockey's Select Camps at the Final 40.
So, why is this weekend big for '08s?
Various college coaches will be in attendance, hoping to see who is at their best against the top talent in their birth year. These players either are already eligible to commit to a Division 1 program, or soon will be this Aug. 1.
Click or tap here for the full rosters for the Mass. Hockey boys festival
Throughout the week, we'll have stories on '08 forwards, '08 defensemen and goalies, '09 forwards, and '09 defensemen and goalies. We will know more about the 2010-born players after this weekend.
So, to kick things off, let's dive into some uncommitted '08 forwards to watch this weekend. As always, these aren't the only '08 forwards to keep an eye on.
Luke Allen
Lawrence Academy, 5/20/2008, F, right shot, 5-8/150
Hometown: Billerica, Mass.Â
Allen posted a nice sophomore season for the Spartans, scoring the second-most goals on the team (14) and finishing with 21 points in 25 games. He has good hands and can drive play from the wing. He didn't make Select 15 or 16 Camp the last two seasons, but that doesn't mean he won't make Select 17s this year.
David Bosco
Belmont Hill, 2/8/2008, F, right shot, 5-11/163
Hometown: Winchester, Mass.Â
One of the top '08s from Massachusetts for a long time, Bosco is well-established. He was at U.S. National Team Development Evaluation Camp in 2024 and was a third-round pick by the USHL's Cedar Rapids RoughRiders in last year's Phase 1 Draft. He's also been a top producer at the last two Select Camps. He led Belmont Hill in points with 47 and is one of the most offensively creative players I watched this winter. He will be a top Division 1 prospect to commit this August.
James Curtatone
Lovell Academy, 3/21/2008, F, left shot, 5-10/161
Hometown: Somerville, Mass.Â
Curtatone was a force for Lovell Academy's 16U team this season with 45 goals and 80 points in 57 games. Curtatone has great vision, keeping his head up in the offensive zone to elongate cycles and set up teammates around the net. He also drives play and has good shiftiness in his skating to navigate through coverages. He had two goals and three points in five games at Select 16 Camp last summer.
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Michael Federico
Thayer, 7/1/2008, F, left shot, 5-10/172
Hometown: Hanover, Mass.Â
Federico was a top producer for Thayer this winter, notching 12 goals and 28 points in 29 games. His biggest attribute is his ability to get to high-danger areas. He protects pucks well, he can find soft spots in defensive coverages, and he's fearless in beating defenders to the slot. He was a top producer at Select 15 Camp two summers ago and Select 16 Camp last year.
Andrew Giguere
Belmont Hill, 1/31/2008, F, right shot, 6-0/176
Hometown: Georgetown, Mass.Â
This winter, Giguere was a nice secondary scorer for Belmont Hill, scoring six goals and finishing with 16 points in 32 games. He has a deadly shot that he can get off quickly. He was at Select 15 and 16 Camps the last two summers and was a 10th-round pick by the Madison Capitols in last year's USHL Phase 1 Draft.
Ty Hymovitz
Thayer, 2/13/2008, F, right shot, 6-1/185
Hometown: Needham, Mass.Â
Hymovitz took a big step with Thayer this winter, scoring 12 goals and posting 24 points in 29 games. Hymovitz's offensive skills are good, but his biggest attribute is being a 200-foot center. He has a very high hockey IQ and can be counted on to face other teams' top lines. With his size and all-around play, he should be getting legitimate Division 1 interest. He didn't make Select 16 Camp last year after making the cut Select 15s in 2023.
Matthew Krayer
Saint John Sea Dogs, 10/22/2008, F, left shot, 5-10/170
Hometown: Concord, Mass.Â
Krayer has been one of the top '08 forwards from Massachusetts for quite a while. He produced at over a point per game rate over the last two Selects Camps. This season, he was dominant for Mount St. Charles' 16U team (23 goals and 59 points in 35 games) before making the move to the Saint John Sea Dogs in the QMJHL. While his two goals in 30 games don't jump off the page, Krayer was a very young player in a much older league and should be a force again playing with his age group this weekend.
Cam MacPherson
St. Mark's, 6/19/2008, F, left shot, 5-7/145
Hometown: Hopkinton, Mass.Â
MacPherson is coming off another season at St. Mark's, where he produced at over a point per game rate. He scored 15 goals and notched 37 points in 30 games. While MacPherson is undersized, he has legit speed and uses it well with smart routes to the net. He has a high IQ in the offensive zone and always seems to find ways to produce. He's also long been a top player for the Neponset Valley River Rats. He has yet to make a Select Camp.
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Will Manchuso
St. Mark's, 1/8/2008, F, left shot, 6-0/185
Hometown: Concord, Mass.Â
In his first prep season, Manchuso was a force for St. Mark's with 12 goals and 37 points in 30 games. He's a powerful skater who can put opposing defenders on their heels. He drives play and has underrated vision to set up teammates in the offensive zone. He had two assists in five games at Select 16 Camp last season and has interest from Ivy League schools.
Owen McHale
Dexter Southfield, 2/17/2008, F, left shot, 6-2/190
Hometown: Charlestown, Mass.Â
McHale was productive as a sophomore for Dexter this winter with five goals and 19 points in 28 games. His biggest attribute, however, is how he plays on the edge. He can be a pest, getting under opponents' skin and finishing every hit. As he turns that into an effective power forward's game, matched with his size, he could be an intriguing college hockey prospect.
JP Messuri
Arlington, 6/19/2008, F, left shot, 5-5/152
Hometown: Arlington, Mass.Â
It was another great winter for Messuri, leading Arlington to the MIAA Division 1 semifinals. While undersized, his compete and hands help him to stand out among other top '08 forwards. He's relentless on his net drives and battling for positioning in the offensive zone. He's also a good skater who can get to top speed quickly. He had five points in five games at Select 16 Camp last season.
Noah Survilas
Dexter Southfield, 12/27/2008, F, right shot, 5-11/170
Hometown: Winthrop, Mass.Â
Survilas will undoubtedly be one of the top '08 forwards at the festival. His 40 points in 28 games ranked third for Dexter this winter. The Boston Junior Eagles product can bring the game to his pace, has outstanding hands and a wicked shot that he can score with from anywhere. He was a third-round pick by the USHL's Muskegon Lumberjacks in last year's Phase 1 Draft and has been at Select 15 and 16 Camps. He should have a lot of Division 1 interest.
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Spencer Thornborough
Governor's Academy, 6/22/2008, F, left shot, 6-0/180
Hometown: Boxford, Mass.Â
Injuries have hampered Thornborough a bit over the last two seasons. Still, the Boston Junior Eagles product managed to score eight goals and notch 20 points in 16 games for Governor's Academy this season. He's an intriguing power forward who can play in all situations and, at higher levels, should be able to play anywhere in a lineup. After being invited to the NTDP Evaluation Camp and not making it, he was a fifth-round pick by the USHL's Lincoln Stars in last season's Phase 1 Draft. He's averaged over a point per game at Select 15 and 16 Camps the last two summers.
