MARLBORO, Mass. — Boys fall hockey is over.
The New England Sports Center hosted the Massachusetts state championships for fall split-season teams this weekend. I focused mainly on the 18U group.
The Boston Junior Eagles emerged victorious, narrowly edging out the Central Mass. Penguins for the second straight year.
Games were mostly at or around the same time, which made it difficult to watch every team in depth. There were teams I saw a lot more of than others.
For the final time this fall, let's dive into some standouts from the weekend.
Walker Bright
Islanders HC West, 6/3/2006, F, right shot, 5-9/165
Hometown: New Canaan, Conn.Â
Bright showed himself to be a great secondary scorer for Holderness this season. He showcased great skill and a lot of shiftiness in his skating. When his line was cycling deep in the offensive zone, Bright was a big part of it, shielding pucks and knowing when to cut to the net. He also won his board battles. Bright is with Holderness this season after the last three at Berkshire.
Rian Chudzinski
Boston Jr. Eagles, 12/30/2007, F, right shot, 6-0/172
Hometown: Needham, Mass.Â
Chudzinski was vital for the Junior Eagles. Against American Hockey Academy on Saturday, he got a nice drop pass from defenseman Evan Jones (Arlington, Mass.), cut middle and went bar down. He was a force in the championship game, scoring a goal and creating numerous chances and long offensive zone sequences. There were lots of Division 1 programs watching the Junior Eagles this weekend, in large part due to Chudzinski still being uncommitted.
PREP PREVIEWS: Avon Old Farms | Belmont Hill | Berkshire | Brunswick | Frederick Gunn | Holderness | Phillips Andover Â
Axel Favreau
Central Mass. Penguins, 7/29/2007, F, left shot, 5-9/154
Hometown: Auburn, MaineÂ
Favreau potted two goals in his team's win over the Islanders in the semifinals. The first came through him driving the net, getting a pass and depositing it. The second was the most important because it was the eventual game-winner. With 49.3 seconds left, Favreau got the puck in the slot and rifled it past the goalie's blocker and into the net. Favreau was also important to his team's cycle game.
Alex Gomes
Central Mass. Penguins, 2/17/2006, F, left shot, 6-0/190
Hometown: Ludlow, Mass.Â
This will be a big prep season for Gomes at Cushing. In his final fall hockey showcase, he looks to be in prime position to make the most of it. He scored twice in his team's semifinal win over the Islanders. The first goal came off a nice passing play, while the second was a perfect snipe from the face-off dot. He was all over the offensive zone for the Penguins in that game.
Tyler Hamilton
Boston Jr. Eagles, 12/7/2006, F, right shot, 5-11/170
Hometown: Framingham, Mass.Â
Hamilton chases down loose pucks so well. When his line is cycling in the offensive zone, the Dexter Southfield forward is such a force below the dots. He was patient when he had the puck, too, not just settling for throwing it down low, but waiting until passing lanes were open. His compete should serve him well this winter with Dexter.
Dylan Marszalek
American Hockey Academy, 6/28/2007, F, left shot, 6-0/170
Hometown: Bellmore, N.Y.Â
I caught Marszalek's game against the Junior Eagles on Saturday. He has a wicked shot that he could get off from in tight and off the rush. On power plays, he showed a lot of patience with the puck and waited for passing lanes to open. Plus, he has a great one-timer.
Freddy Meyer
Boston Jr. Eagles, 10/16/2007, D, left shot, 5-9/146
Hometown: Winchester, Mass.Â
Meyer has quietly become a very steady defenseman and he hasn't even been on the back end for a full year. He made the move midway through the last prep season. This weekend, it was the best I've seen him. He was his usual physical self and made calculated decisions when defending an opposing puck-carrier. He makes smart decisions when going into corners with bigger players. But his biggest bright spots were his puck plays. Deception has become a big part of his game.
There was one sequence against American Hockey Academy when he rushed the puck and when he got to the opposing blue line, looked like he was going to just stay at the point and look for a pass. But the Rivers defenseman changed speeds and raced towards the net, putting AHA on its heels.
Jeremy Poirier
Islanders HC West, 7/28/2006, D, right shot, 6-1/185
Hometown: Salem, N.H.Â
Poirier projects to be one of the pillars on defense for Holderness this winter. After watching him this weekend, that projection should be accurate. He was hard to play against in his own zone. At the offensive blue line, he moved pucks quickly and accurately. On a power play against the Central Mass. Penguins, he had a phenomenal passing sequence with Will Rob (who we will get to in a bit) that resulted in a nice goal from the point. He never shied away from joining the rush either.
Will Rob
Islanders HC West, 8/2/2007, D, left shot, 5-11/174
Hometown: Montpelier, Vt.Â
Rob is so mobile and elusive whenever he has the puck that it makes it extremely difficult for opposing players to defend him. Against the Central Mass. Penguins, he ended up getting a breakaway when he used his speed to blow through the opposition and create a 2-on-0. He passed it across to forward Jack Welby (Windham, N.H.) for a goal. Rob made smart puck decisions in all three zones.
Viktor Samal
Islanders HC West, 5/5/2007, F, left shot, 5-11/161
Home country: CzechiaÂ
When I chatted with Holderness boss Alan Thompson recently, he mentioned that Samal's big trait is playmaking. Boy, was he right. Samal's vision helped him create chance after chance with his linemates, especially off the rush. Samal also uses his reach well and keeps pucks away from defenders while keeping his head up to look for passing lanes. He connected with Brayden Wade for a really nice goal in the semifinals on Sunday morning.
Duncan Thompson
Holy Name, 9/21/2006, F, right shot, 6-1/181
Hometown: London, OntarioÂ
Thompson was a force for Holy Name. In my only viewing of him this weekend, he scored a beauty against Islanders HC West. He went end-to-end and used his body to protect the puck and get under a defender who was all over him. Thompson never lost an edge, cut to the net and scored with a backhand finish. While the Islanders won, 9-6, Thompson was the biggest reason why his team continued to stay in the game. He plays with so much power.
CHAMPS: Junior Eagles win the 15O title | Militia win the 16U title | Junior Eagles win the 18U title
Brayden Wade
Islanders HC West, 9/5/2007, F, right shot, 5-8/172
Hometown: Commerce Township, Mich.Â
Wade was a stalwart down the middle as the Islanders' No. 1 center this weekend. He's extremely shifty and has a high IQ, knowing how to get in tight on defenders and how to optimize offensive zone entries. The best play I saw him make was a sweet goal against Holy Name on Saturday. While killing a penalty, he hustled down the ice, toasted a defender and scored on a sick breakaway finish.
Josh Williams
Holy Name, 7/31/2006, D, right shot, 6-1/190
Hometown: Boxford, Mass.Â
Williams sure isn't shy about rushing the puck and creating offense as a defenseman. Against the Islanders, he went end to end early in the third period, sifting through defenders and posting a beautiful finish. He made smart passes throughout the game and was active and mobile at the offensive blue line.
