Some of the top 14U players in the region flocked to Winchendon and Cushing this past weekend for the Route 12 Fall Classic. It was the perfect opportunity to get first impressions on many top 2012-born players in New England. How many future Division 1 college commits were on the ice? How many first-round NHL...
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Some of the top 14U players in the region flocked to Winchendon and Cushing this past weekend for the Route 12 Fall Classic.
It was the perfect opportunity to get first impressions on many top 2012-born players in New England.
How many future Division 1 college commits were on the ice? How many first-round NHL Draft picks were out there? Was the next Connor McDavid on that ice?
The answers to all three: It's way too early to tell. But it was still a good chance to see which prospects are coming up. There could be a few '12s who make an impact in prep this winter, but it likely won't be until next winter (2027-28) that we see an influx of them.
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This story will focus on forwards. A separate one will highlight the top defensemen and goalies.
Let's dive in.
Logan Andreotta
South Shore Kings, 9/16/2012, F, right shot
Home state: MassachusettsÂ
Andreotta's fingerprints were all over the offense. Against the Militia National 2 team, he was outstanding at driving the net for scoring chances. He scored early in the second half from driving the net. And then late in the game, he found a soft spot to gather the rebound and deposit it.
Brayden Aucoin
Top Gun, 2012, F, left shot
Home state: MassachusettsÂ
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Aucoin was clearly a step above. His hands and vision, especially under pressure, made him such an effective playmaker. He often made small plays to move pucks and was crafty when it looked like he didn't have much available. Add in his strong skating and Aucoin is a fascinating left wing prospect to keep tabs on.
Top Gun, 5/5/2012, F, right shot, 5-5/146
Hometown: Hershey, Penn.Â
Like Aucoin, Bourque looked a step above. As a center, he was a shifty skater with a high level of skill and a great ability to navigate through defenders in tight spaces. He made intelligent plays away from the puck and defended in his own zone. He's an intriguing prospect to track for the '12s. Yes, Bourque is the son of former pro Chris and is the grandson of Ray (remember him?).
Keegan Chamberlain
Boston Junior Eagles, 2012, F, right shot
Home state: MassachusettsÂ
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This was my first time watching Chamberlain, so I am by no means an authority on him (or any '12s). But my first impression was that he reminded me of Avon Old Farms forward and Brown commit Nico Ciardiello, an '08. Chamberlain's ability to protect pucks, find soft spots in coverage and composure when stickhandling through defenders was outstanding.
Warren Holtslag
Top Gun, 2012, F, right shot
Home state: MassachusettsÂ
Holtslag showcased great deception when defended closely and had great hands, dangling to space and to middle ice. He also had a physical side, laying out a Washington Little Caps player in open ice.
PBK, 2012, F, right shot
Home state: PennsylvaniaÂ
Maher was an apt play driver who slowed the game down when he had possession. He was rewarded in the first half when he tipped in a goal. His chemistry with linemate Colton Manz was apparent.
Luke Manley
East Coast Militia National 1, 5/23/2012, F, left shot, 5-5/130
Hometown: Weymouth, Mass.Â
Manley had fantastic hands in tight. Against Masters Academy, he got the puck off a draw outside the offensive zone, entered the zone with the puck, cut middle and wired a shot to the top corner. He showed himself to be a super-skilled forward.
Colton Manz
PBK, 2012, F, right shot
Home state: PennsylvaniaÂ
An underrated skill in young forwards is an ability to find soft spots in the offensive zone, and Manz was very good at that. Early in his game against the Boston Junior Terriers, Manz struck twice doing that and had other scoring chances throughout the matchup. He showcased good skill, too.
William McConnell
South Shore Kings, 5/7/2012, F, right shot
Hometown: Saunderstown, R.I.Â
Against the Militia National 2 team, McConnell was fantastic at gathering the puck along the half wall and cutting middle for chances. He got rewarded for it late when he did that and sniped one past the netminder. He showcased great poise and hands, making him dangerous when he had the puck.
Callen Nelson
South Shore Kings, 2012, F, right shot
Hometown: Weymouth, Mass.Â
Nelson was a force. Against the Militia National 2 team, he opened the game with a beauty, dangling around a defender, getting to the net front and showcasing a great finish. As the center, he did a great job of supporting plays and being a strong presence as the third forward high in the offensive zone, leading to elongated cycles. His line hemmed the Militia in for long periods of time.
Julian Rocheleau
Boston Junior Terriers, 2012, F, left shot
Home state: MassachusettsÂ
Rocheleau was a powerful play driver. His physicality helped him get into scoring areas. He was rewarded hugely against PBK when he curled and dragged around a defenseman, got to space and sniped a shot with 1:17 to play, tying the game, 3-3.
East Coast Militia National 2, 4/20/2012, F, right shot, 6-1/141
Hometown: Plymouth, Mass.Â
It certainly helps that Robino is bigger than most players at his level. He used it to his advantage quite a bit, playing physical, finishing hits and generally making life difficult for puck-carriers in his vicinity. He also showed an ability to drive play with nice hands. Robino notched a goal against the South Shore Kings on a smart net drive, too.
Iker Sanchez Castellanos Rea
Boston Junior Terriers, 2012, F, left shot
Home state: MassachusettsÂ
Castellanos Rea was a force at left wing. In my viewing of the Junior Terriers, he was assertive and confident with the puck all game and is a fantastic skater. His highlight was a sick goal, entering the offensive zone, curling and dragging around a defender and sniping one. His hands and skating made him so difficult to contain.
Kellan Stachelski
Islanders Hockey Club, 2012, F, right shot
Home state: MassachusettsÂ
Stachelski scored on a beauty against the Washington Little Caps. The shifty center cut middle after a zone entry, drew the defenders with him and then sniped one across his body. While he has plenty of skill, is a good passer and has great hands, he was responsible in the not-so-showy duties of being a center. He was physical, too.
Tanner Sullivan
Neponset Valley River Rats, 2012, F, left shot
Home state: MassachusettsÂ
Sullivan was impossible to miss against the Junior Eagles on Sunday. He scored the River Rats' first goal, driving hard to the net, gloving down a rebound, putting it down and scoring. His speed was evident, as he was able to use those first few strides to put defenders on their heels. I really like his ability to get open in high-danger areas.
Neponset Valley River Rats, 2012, F, right shot
Home state: MassachusettsÂ
Tran was vital down the middle for the River Rats. He won three straight defensive zone draws with under 15 seconds left while protecting a one-goal lead against the Junior Eagles. In that same game, he was able to drive play with power and showcased nice hands.
WATCH: New England vs. Minnesota: Who produces more NHL talent?
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Logan Andreotta
Tanner Sullivan
