FOXBORO, Mass. – The Foxboro Summer Prep League is just over the halfway point, having played six of the 10 weeks. Each Wednesday night, six teams take to the ice at the Foxboro Sports Center to stay in game shape, keep up with friends, and even showcase their ability to the handful of college coaches and NHL scouts who have made their way down.
There is quite a bit of talent on the rosters, varying from those expected to skate for the NTDP U17 team in 2022-23 to role players for their respective prep school teams. A number of players have missed a week while being at USA Hockey Player Development Camps and USHL main camps.
It’s expected that more college coaches will start making the trek to Foxboro Sports Center on Wednesday nights now that national camps have concluded. They’ve been keeping tabs on those '05s through '07s who earned the right to compete on the national stage in the camps just outside of Buffalo. While those players have caught my eye in Foxboro, a few others who are more under the radar have impressed.
Here is a look at five uncommitted prospects who were not chosen to attend national camps, but have shined in games at the Foxboro Summer Prep League. I have attended four of the six weeks so far and plan on being at all of the remaining games.
Dylan Krayer
Mount Saint Charles 15O, 3/12/07, RW, right shot, 5-7/135
Krayer has been the best under-the-radar prospect through six weeks. It’s criminal that he didn’t get an opportunity to showcase his ability in Buffalo at national camp, but he’s made the most of his ice time in Foxboro. The Concord, Mass., native skates well and has more skill than he’s given credit for. He’s had a couple of snipes where he’s picked corners and buried wrist shots. Once he gets stronger, he’ll be even better. For an '07, he hasn’t looked out of place against older competition and he’s gotten better since the first week.
Brad Guden
Tabor, 8/29/05, D, left shot, 5-11/172
Guden has shined with the puck on his stick. He’s an elite skater and has a good stick. Whether it’s breaking pucks out of his own zone or transitioning from defense to offense, he’s able to be a difference-maker. This Wednesday, he scored a beauty of a goal, spinning away from an opposing forechecker and going bar down. He’s played some forward throughout his career and that shows as he’s still a work in progress defensively. That part of his game will come with more coaching at the prep level. The Norfolk, Mass., native is leaving King Phillip Regional High School to attend Tabor in the fall.
Matty Cataldo
St. Sebastian’s, 5/19/05, LW, left shot, 6-0/190
Cataldo is one of the biggest surprises of the Foxboro Summer Prep League. From Norfolk, Mass., he’s gotten taller and leaner over the last few months. That has helped his skating, especially his ability to get out of the blocks quickly. He’s a north-south winger who can shoot it hard and be heavy on pucks. He’s always been a great character player, as evidenced by the fact he’ll wear a letter for St. Sebastian’s as a junior in 2022-23. Now, he’s become an even better prospect. Keep an eye on his continued development over the next couple of years.
Owen Leahy
Lawrence Academy, 2/11/05, LW, left shot, 5-7/145
Leahy, the leading scorer for the Spartans in 2021-22, was impressive in a couple of the games here in Foxboro. He’s quick and able to create offense on the rush. He’s on the smaller side, but he sees the ice fairly well and can score or make plays. The Providence, R.I., native will be a key part of Lawrence’s team this upcoming season as coach Rob Barker looks to get the Spartans back into the prep playoff hunt.
Sam Caulfield
Milton, 8/29/06, G, catches left, 6-1/165
Caulfield is transferring from Belmont Hill to Milton to play for coach Paul Cannata’s Mustangs. The Needham, Mass., native has been consistently solid for two different teams here at the Foxboro Summer Prep League. He has good size, squares up to shooters, and stays quiet in the crease. His ability to track pucks through traffic and fight to control rebounders are also notable qualities. It’s tough to compete against Belmont Hills' Sam Scopa, but Caulfield is the leader of the next group of goaltenders in Foxboro this summer.
