It will be a big day for the top 2008-born prospects in hockey.
The USHL holds its Phase 1 Draft at 5 p.m. EST on Monday. Every team will take turns selecting players born in 2008 they believe can make an impact in the future. The draft will be 10 rounds as the 16 teams make their selections. The USHL Phase 2 Draft will be held on Tuesday at 12 p.m. EST. Prospects in the 2004-2008 birth years are eligible to be taken.
There are quite a few New Englanders who should take their phone off "Do not disturb" for Phase 1.
From talking to those around the USHL, the vibe is that New England has a lot of forwards who are candidates to be drafted.
In this story, we'll put players into three categories: definite, probably and maybe. This is purely based on my opinion from watching these '08 prospects over the last two years. A separate story will be done on defensemen and goalies.
Let's dive in.
DefinitesÂ
Will Bent
Mount St. Charles 15O, 3/12/2008, F, right shot, 6-1/190
Hometown: Dover, Mass.Â
Bent was invited to U.S. National Team Development Program Evaluation Camp. While he didn't make the team, he will be a top target of USHL teams. With Mount St. Charles' 15O team, Bent exploded for 51 goals and 93 points in 58 games this season. His offensive upside and hands matched with his size make him a prime candidate to be taken early.
David Bosco
Belmont Hill, 2/8/2008, F, right shot, 5-10/150
Hometown: Winchester, Mass.Â
Like Bent, Bosco also scored an invite to NTDP camp. While he didn't make it, he will certainly be gone early in the Phase 1 Draft. Bosco was a perfect fit at Belmont Hill this winter, scoring 18 goals and tallying 37 points on the top line as a freshman. He has terrific vision and hockey sense, especially in the offensive zone. He can create offense from pretty much anywhere in the opponent's end.
Timothy Kazda
Seacoast Performance Academy 15O, 10/4/2008, F, right shot, 6-0/172
Hometown: Ilava, SlovakiaÂ
Yes, I know — Kazda isn't from the region. But he played here this winter so...we'll accept him. We're like that as New Englanders, right? Kazda was outstanding for Seacoast Performance Academy's 15O team, posting 53 goals and 86 points in 67 games. Kazda's best asset is his hands. He has a lot of skill, which puts him in optimal positions to score. He has no problem finishing either.
Bexultan Makysh
Boston Hockey Academy 15O, 5/24/2008, F, left shot, 5-10/150
Hometown: Astana, KazakhstanÂ
Again, he's not from New England. But he played here in the winter. Makysh dominated with Boston Hockey Academy's 15O team. He scored a whopping 66 goals and finished with 115 points in 55 games. Makysh has a great shot that's quick and accurate, along with poise when he has the puck in the offensive zone. He should be an early pick.
Noah Survilas
Dexter Southfield, 12/27/2008, F, right shot, 5-9/160
Hometown: Winthrop, Mass.Â
I was shocked Survilas didn't at least get an invite to NTDP Evaluation Camp. Survilas was one of Dexter's best players as a freshman. He scored 12 goals and tallied 30 points in 31 games. There were times this winter when he took over a game, using his poise to slow the pace down. He has high-end skill as well.
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Spencer Thornborough
Governor's Academy, 6/22/2008, F, left shot, 6-0/170
Hometown: Boxford, Mass.Â
Thornborough earned an invite to NTDP Evaluation Camp, which means he's a lock to go somewhere in the first three rounds. He fit in nicely at Governor's Academy, scoring six goals and totaling 15 points in 18 games. Those totals are a bit low due to him missing time due to injury and because he got the call to compete for Team USA in the Youth Olympics, where he won a gold medal. Thornborough is a powerful skater and uses his size well to protect pucks and create offense.
ProbablyÂ
Nico Ciardiello
Mount St. Charles 15O, 11/10/2008, F, right shot, 5-11/161
Hometown: Guilford, Conn.Â
Ciardiello is fresh off of a very strong showing at New England District Camp, making USA Hockey's Select 16 Camp. He also was a standout for Mount St. Charles' 15O team, scoring 30 goals and tallying 57 points in as many games. Ciardiello is a strong play-driver who has no problem getting to high-danger areas.
Matthew Krayer
Mount St. Charles 15O, 10/22/2008, F, left shot, 5-9/160
Hometown: Concord, Mass.Â
Krayer was one of Mount's top players this past season. He finished with 32 goals and 79 points in 56 games. At the center of Krayer's game is a very high compete level. He battles hard in puck battles and he's never out of a play. Having great skill on top of that doesn't hurt. He should be an early- to mid-round pick.
Cole Sabourin
Mount St. Charles 15O, 1/23/2008, F, right shot, 5-10/165
Hometown: Cumberland, R.I.Â
Sabourin also had a strong showing at New England District Festival, making Select 16 Camp. He has good speed and can create offense, especially off the rush. He had 12 goals and 46 points in 58 games for Mount St. Charles this winter.
NEW ENGLAND DISTRICT SELECTIONS: 13 picked for Select 17 | 14 picked for Select 16
Svit Ravnik
Boston Hockey Academy, 12/31/2008, F, left shot, 6-3/170
Hometown: Ljubljana, SloveniaÂ
Like Makysh, Ravnik was a force for Boston Hockey Academy this winter. Ravnik has the size that will draw attention from USHL teams, but he also skates well for a 15-year-old who's 6-foot-3. He has a heavy shot and uses his body well to get to interior ice. In 67 games, he has 29 goals and 79 points.
Danick St. Pierre
Seacoast Performance Academy 15O, 5/13/2008, F, left shot, 6-1/165
Hometown: North Hampton, N.H.Â
St. Pierre made Select 16 Camp out of New England District Camp, and rightfully so. His hands and awareness in the offensive zone are impressive. That helped him post 31 goals and 62 points in 67 games for Seacoast Performance Academy's 15O team.
Garrit Turcotte
Seacoast Performance Academy 15O, 2/3/2008, F, right shot
Hometown: South Berwick, MaineÂ
Like St. Pierre, Turcotte earned a spot in Buffalo, N.Y. He's a good skater who uses his speed to put defenders on their heels and gain offensive zone entries for his team. He also is able to find smart routes to better ice in the offensive zone. He finished this season with 21 goals and 56 points in 67 games.
MaybeÂ
Luke Allen
Lawrence Academy, 5/20/2008, F, right shot
Hometown: Billerica, Mass.Â
Lawrence Academy had a good number of veteran contributors this season. Still, Allen played valuable minutes and produced, scoring four goals and adding 17 assists in 28 games. Any '08 who produces in prep school against older players is worthy of keeping an eye on for Phase 1.
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Nolan Duskocy
BK Selects 15O, 1/26/2008, F, right shot, 6-1/165
Hometown: Ellington, Conn.Â
Duskocy showcased a high compete at New England District Camp, which certainly helped him make the group headed to Select 16s. I also enjoyed his two-way game at camp. He had a good campaign with BK Selects, tallying 27 goals and 61 points in 62 games for BK Selects.
Jude Herron
South Kent 15O, 4/29/2008, F, right shot
Hometown: Duxbury, Mass.Â
Herron just gets the job done. He has good hands and strong puck-protection skills. Off the rush, he protects pucks well and is good at deciding what to do when entering the offensive zone. He had a very good season with South Kent, scoring 24 goals and posting 53 points in 45 games.
Michael Federico
Thayer, 7/1/2008, F, left shot, 5-9/170
Hometown: Hanover, Mass.Â
This past winter was Federico's first at Thayer and he made an impact, scoring eight goals and totaling 27 points in 29 games. He was also a standout with the Neponset Valley River Rats' 15U squad in the fall. His vision and ability to get into high-danger areas are notable.
Chase Field
Neponset Valley River Rats/Barnstable High, 3/1/2008, F, left shot, 5-8/130
Hometown: Centerville, Mass.Â
Speaking of standouts with the River Rats, there's Field. The Centerville, Mass., native was great with the River Rats before continuing his production with Barnstable. It's not often that players in the MIAA are picked for the USHL, but Field is good enough. He has a good hockey IQ in the offensive zone and is a strong skater.
Ty Hymovitz
St. Sebastian's, 11/14/2008, F, right shot,
Hometown: Needham, Mass.Â
Hymovitz was on a St. Sebastian's team full of veterans this past winter, meaning he didn't get to play as much as he might have on another team. What stands out about Hymovitz is his IQ and ability to make small plays that make a big difference. He's not flashy, but he's reliable and can play in all situations.
NEW ENGLAND DISTRICT CAMP: 11 standout '08 forwards | 9 standout '08 defendersÂ
Cam MacPherson
St. Mark's, 6/19/2008, F, left shot, 5-7/145
Hometown: Hopkinton, Mass.Â
MacPherson was tied with Survilas for second in points for '08s in prep this season with 30. He was a catalyst for St. Mark's. The only reason he isn't in the "probably" section is due to his size. But the base is there for MacPherson to be a strong USHL candidate someday.
Easton Walos
Mount St. Charles 15O, 12/28/2008, F, left shot, 5-10/161
Hometown: Hartland, Wisc.Â
Yes, I know — another non-New England native. Still, he played here this winter so he gets a pass. Walos normally would be in the "Definites" section. He had 23 goals and 89 points for Mount St. Charles' 15O team and is dynamic offensively. But he's slated to play for the Salmon Arms Silverbacks of the BCHL next season. Maybe a USHL team uses a late pick on him in Phase 1 — or even Phase 2 — just in case.
