Every year, one of the biggest storylines surrounding 15O hockey players in the United States is the U.S. National Team Development Program. The NTDP watches high-end 15O players throughout the fall and winter and then sends out invitations to Evaluation Camp. Performing well at Evaluation Camp typically leads to making the team, which is a...
Every year, one of the biggest storylines surrounding 15O hockey players in the United States is the U.S. National Team Development Program.
The NTDP watches high-end 15O players throughout the fall and winter and then sends out invitations to Evaluation Camp.
Performing well at Evaluation Camp typically leads to making the team, which is a dream come true for most players.
Three New Englanders got the call to camp this year, which will be held from March 10-14 at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Mich.
Belmont Hill forward Sam Lee (Woburn, Mass.), St. Sebastian's forward Jack Queally (Norwood, Mass.) and Milton Academy forward Blake Wilichoski (Danvers, Mass.) all received invites.
After having a nice fall with the Minuteman Flames 15O team, Lee broke out with Belmont Hill, posting 31 points in 30 games. Lee is a highly skilled and intelligent left-winger who can beat defensemen in 1-on-1 situations with his hands and compete. He's a strong skater, too. At USA Hockey's Select 15 Camp last summer, he notched three assists in four games. He's 5-foot-11 and 161 pounds, and was a longtime member of the Boston Junior Eagles.
If he makes the NTDP, it's likely because they see him fitting in the top six.
Queally is a bit of a different story. The 200-foot center had a good fall for the Neponset Valley River Rats 15O squad before beginning his prep season with St. Sebastian's. In his second season in a prominent role for the Arrows, Queally helped lead them from six wins to the No. 4 seed in the Elite 8. He posted 35 points in 26 games as the team's No. 1 center. He's a great skater with a hard, quick shot. He also has great vision and has no issue getting back to defend. The 5-foot-11, 181-pound center had four assists at Select 15 Camp last summer.
The do-it-all center makes a lot of sense for the NTDP if they want a more well-rounded roster.
Wilichoski was teammates with Lee in the fall and had good showings throughout. The Hillside School product spent the winter with Milton Academy, where he had seven goals and 14 points in 26 games. He also had two goals and three points in four games at Select 15s last summer.
There's quite a bit of upside with Wilichoski, who plays with power, has a great shot and can drive play.
Four New Englanders made the NTDP last season in former Rivers forwards Carter Meyer (Winchester, Mass.), Finn Sears (Medford, Mass.) and Sam Pandolfo (Winchester, Mass.), as well as Mid Fairfield defenseman Jake Boguniecki (Orange, Conn.).
