14 standout forwards from 2010s at first weekend of Mass. Hockey boys festival

Austin Wu loads up for a shot at the Mass. Hockey boys festival. (Brian Kelly/NEHJ)

MARLBORO, Mass. — The top 2010-born players in Massachusetts took part in their first Mass. Hockey boys festival this past weekend.

Four teams took to the ice to play against one another over the three days at New England Sports Center. From there, players hope to get a spot in the Final 40, which is held next weekend at Lovell Arena on Saturday and Sunday.

This was my first viewing of the ’10s altogether. Since the ’08s, ’09s and ’10s played simultaneously over three days, I spent one day with each group. Friday was my day watching the ’10s.

I’ll make sure to reserve my overall judgement on the group for later. These are just some first impressions below.

Let’s dive into some forwards who stood out. A separate story will be done on defensemen.

Jamie Calla

Islanders Hockey Club, 2010, F, right shot
Hometown: Lynnfield, Mass. 

Calla scored an unbelievable goal on Friday when he dangled through what seemed like everyone on the ice, taking on each defender and stick-handling around them. He even completely faked out the netminder for the incredible finish. It was absurd.

Robert Dekleine

Minuteman Flames, 3/21/2010, F, left shot, 5-11/146
Hometown: Westboro, Mass. 

Dekleine’s vision was on display in all situations. He was able to find passing lanes off the rush, but was also able to do so on extended offensive zone possessions. He hit Grady Stickney (Haverhill, Mass.) with a pass driving to the net that he almost scored on. Dekleine scored late in Friday’s game on a tip-in front of the net. He had 45 goals and 74 points in 46 games for the Minuteman Flames’ 14U team this season.

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Carter Felt

Neponset Valley River Rats, 2010, F, left shot, 5-10/165
Hometown: Natick, Mass. 

Felt played a powerful game, always finishing hits and making his presence known. He was assertive with pucks, especially on one play in Friday’s game when he drove the net hard, fending off defenders and getting the puck in front to Jack Queally (Milton, Mass.), who knocked it in. Felt is slated to be at Rivers this fall.

James Hamlin

Islanders Hockey Club, 10/29/2010, F, right shot, 5-7/106
Hometown: Wellesley, Mass. 

Hamlin showcased a wicked shot, firing a quick, hard one off the crossbar in the first half of Friday’s game. Later in the game, he used his speed in a 1-on-1 rush to get the opposing defenseman to trip him, which drew a penalty. He almost had a goal in the game when he got the puck by the side of the net, but goalie Jesse Bernardinelli (Wakefield, Mass.) robbed him.

Jake Jaffe

Belmont Hill, 2010, F, right shot, 5-11/180
Hometown: Newton, Mass. 

Jaffe was bigger and stronger than most other players in his age group. He has a powerful stride and uses it to get up ice quickly. Early in Friday’s first half, he won a puck battle at center ice and hit a teammate with a small-area pass to jumpstart a rush. He showcased great vision in passing up ice, especially coming out of his own zone. He scored on a nice tap-in in front of the net, which was an area he excelled in getting to.

Sam Lee

Boston Junior Eagles, 2010, F, left shot
Hometown: Woburn, Mass. 

Lee was always around the puck on Friday, using his good edgework and frame to protect pucks. He showcased poise when he had possession, evading defenders by stick-handling to safety and keeping his head up to look for passing options. Power plays can be awkward at these kinds of events since these players don’t usually play together. But Lee made smart puck plays on the man-advantage. He scored at the end of Friday’s game by deking out the goalie on a silky play.

Owen Lundin

Minuteman Flames, 2010, F, right shot, 5-10/154
Hometown: Bolton, Mass. 

Lundin’s ability to get into inside ice for scoring chances was highly impressive. He used his hands and sound skating ability to know when to cut to the middle, shield the puck from defenders and get shots off. His most impressive play on Friday was when he dangled most of the other team with poise and scored on a beautiful finish. His ability to slow the game down should translate to higher levels.

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Jack Manley

South Shore Kings, 2010, F, left shot
Hometown: Duxbury, Mass. 

Manley was one of the smallest players among the 2010s, but his compete was extremely high. He was always battling for pucks, and when he got them, he was patient and never rushed plays. He scored early in Friday’s game on a nice shot off the far post. Manley was also a strong forechecker, taking smart routes against defensemen.

Jack Queally

St. Sebastian’s, 7/27/2010, F, left shot, 5-11/175
Hometown: Milton, Mass. 

Queally was impossible to miss on Friday. He was a powerful skater who consistently drove play with terrific vision. He tallied two goals. The first was a tap-in that all started when he used his edgework and frame to protect the puck and get it to Wu. Queally then went straight to the net, where Wu hit him with a pass for the goal. Queally’s other goal came from maintaining position in front of the net and batting in a rebound.

Nico Santella

Minuteman Flames, 2010, F, left shot
Hometown: Worcester, Mass. 

Santella started strong on Friday, using his speed to get a breakaway and showcase a nice finish for a goal. Later in the first half, he drew a defender to him off the rush and hit a teammate with a behind-the-back pass for a scoring chance. Santella was a bit of a water bug for his team, always finding ways to get involved every shift.

Drew Short

Winchendon, 3/14/2010, F, left shot, 5-10/175
Hometown: Lunenberg, Mass. 

Short was able to drive play well down the middle all game on Friday. He showed himself to be a good skater who took smart routes on the forecheck. He made nice passes in transition, smartly identifying when to engage with a passing lane. Short played at Winchendon this past season as a freshman, while also skating for the Neponset Valley River Rats’ 14U squad.

Colin Walsh

Framingham High, 8/18/2010, F, left shot, 6-0/180
Hometown: Framingham, Mass. 

Walsh was one of the best ’10s on Friday night. He’s a powerful skater who showcased outstanding vision. He used his hands in tight to get around defenders and into Grade-A ice. He had smart positioning to force turnovers and get play going again the other way. Walsh registered a nice assist late in Friday’s game when he won a puck battle behind the net and fed Jameson Needham (Woburn, Mass.) in front for a goal.

Austin Wu

St. Sebastian’s, 1/28/2010, F, left shot
Hometown: Dedham, Mass. 

Wu played like someone who had success against older players all winter. He protected pucks well and used his speed to create space from defenders, especially off the rush. In the corners, he shielded the puck from defenders and was able to sense where pressure was coming from. I liked his habits, too. One play that highlighted that was when he forced a turnover in neutral ice, he stopped and started skating the other way immediately, rather than just curling around. His pass to Queally for his first goal was phenomenal.

READ MORE: 5 standout defenders from the 2010s at the first weekend of Mass. Hockey Festival 

Blake Wilichoski

Hillside School, 4/18/2010, F, right shot
Hometown: Danvers, Mass. 

Wilichoski showcased outstanding hands and an ability to bring the game to his pace. He had an end-to-end rush in the first half of Friday’s game, deking out defenders, slowing the game down and getting a scoring chance. In the offensive zone, Wilichoski had a great, quick release on his shot, too. I also loved his compete, such as when he backchecked hard to force a turnover and get play going the other way.

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