FOXBORO, Mass. — While Foxboro has been hosting World Cup games, the town hosted games with even greater importance on Wednesday night: the Foxboro Prep League.
That’s right. On Wednesday, the second week of games got underway. The best game was the first one, as Team Richard came back from a three-goal deficit to beat Team Omicioli, 9-8.
Yes, you read that right — 17 goals. That’s summer hockey.
As always, the league provides a good opportunity to see how local talent is progressing throughout the summer.
Let’s dive into some standouts.
Sam Archibald
Mount St. Charles, 2/2/2011, D, right shot, 6-0/165
Hometown: Canton, Mass.Â
Archibald clearly was the best player among all three games. While it is summer hockey and very run and gun, his ability to pick and choose when to join the rush — and even lead it — was so impressive for an ’11. He has good deception and can get to scoring areas with the puck. Defensively, he maintained good gaps and had an active stick.
Luke Dickson
St. Mark's, 12/17/2009, F, right shot, 5-7/140
Hometown: Medfield, Mass.Â
Dickson was extremely noticeable. The future St. Mark’s forward used his great speed to earn a breakaway in the first half, depositing a shot over the goalie’s glove. Dickson was everywhere and consistently involved in the offense. He’s a phenomenal skater.
TJ Petropoulos
Milton Academy, 7/16/2010, F, right shot, 5-7/161
Hometown: Brockton, Mass.Â
Petropoulos’ speed was on full display as he helped lead Team Richard’s comeback (from down 8-5 to winning 9-8 in overtime). He scored a nice goal in the second half when he jumped into the rush and got a nice pass and sniped it. But his big play came when he sniped another shot (passed from defenseman Patrick Viano), this time in overtime, to get his team the win.
Grady Rowley
Mount St. Charles, 7/21/2009, F, left shot, 5-10/174
Hometown: Cumberland, R.I.Â
Rowley’s first big play came when he made a nice pass to the slot for Matthew Bowolick (Ayer, Mass.) for a goal. Rowley’s vision and speed were evident, as he was always involved offensively. In the second half, Rowley scored when he drove the net and tapped in a rebound off a shot from Julian Larrabee.
Nick Stevens
Williston Northampton, 8/1/2008, F, left shot, 5-11/170
Hometown: Newton, Mass.Â
For the second straight week, Stevens arguably was the best player on the ice. I counted a hat trick for him. His first goal was a curl and drag snipe, the second was off a one-timer in front and the final tally came via a breakaway, as he fought past the defender, fell and still scored while sliding. He has fantastic offensive instincts.
Quinn Tazziz
Canterbury, 3/26/2011, F, left shot, 5-9/154
Hometown: Falmouth, Mass.Â
Tazziz showed himself as a smooth skater with an effortless stride. He also had great hands, as was clear on his nice dish to future Canterbury teammate Thomas DiMinico (Holliston, Mass.) for a goal in the first half. Even with older, stronger players on him, Tazziz was able to protect pucks and stickhandle through pressure. He and DiMinico are good gets for Canterbury.
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Jay Vivian
Mount St. Charles, 8/25/2011, F, left shot, 6-4/216
Hometown: Middletown, OhioÂ
The big man was always involved in the offense. Vivian scored off a nice play in the first half, getting the puck in front from Cam MacPherson (Hopkinton, Mass.) behind the net. In the second half, Vivian dished a great pass across the zone to Roman Gerr (Mansfield, Mass.) for a goal. Vivian’s hands and ability to protect pucks in transition were impressive. His size certainly helps, and he’s still only an ’11.
