FOXBORO, Mass. — When the Foxboro Prep League starts, summer hockey is officially here.
That was the case on Wednesday night, as the famous prep hockey league kicked off. This season will be a bit different. Along with '07s, '08s and '09s battling on one rink, there's a new Young Guns league happening on another rink. That features '10s and '11s doing battle.
I focused on the older group Wednesday night, but will be watching the other league throughout the summer.
As for the competition...it was definitely summer hockey. There was little contact, which allowed prospects to dangle a bit more and make plays. A handful of players showed some flashes.
Here are seven standouts from Week 1.
Finn Feeney
Atlantic Coast Academy 18U, 10/13/2008, F, left shot, 5-7/154
Hometown: Billerica, Mass.Â
Feeney was everywhere on Wednesday. Despite being undersized, his good skating helped him get to better ice to create scoring chances. At one point on a breakaway, he tried to go through his legs, and it didn’t go so well. Still, Feeney was all around the puck and had a nice showing.
Phin Howard
St. Mark's, 1/30/2008, D, right shot, 5-10/160
Hometown: Newton, Mass.Â
I’ve liked how Howard’s game has trended over the last year. While Wednesday night wasn’t a night for elite defense, Howard was hard to get past because of his stick and skating, keeping players to the outside. He was also an apt puck-mover who didn’t show any hesitation jumping into the offense.
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Jack McCourt
Catholic Memorial, 4/3/2008, F, left shot, 6-2/181
Hometown: Milton, Mass.Â
The CM product was noticeable on Wednesday night. He scored in the first half, as he brought the puck down the left side, kept it away from the defender and rifled a shot low glove for a goal. He was always around the puck and in the second half, blocked a shot and got a breakaway and a scoring chance out of it.
Evan Nee
St. Mark's, 8/12/2007, F, left shot, 5-8/160
Hometown: Arlington, Mass.Â
It was clear Nee was one of the best players on the ice. In one of his first shifts, he used his speed to zip past a defender and get a breakaway, which became a habit throughout the game. He produced scoring chances and goals with smart shots on net, and also used his speed to create turnovers to take the other way.
Jack Queally
St. Sebastian's, 7/27/2010, F, left shot, 6-0/181
Hometown: Milton, Mass.Â
Queally filled in on Wednesday night and didn’t just prove he belonged — he showed himself as one of the better players on the ice. His two-way game was evident, as he forced turnovers in the defensive zone and took pucks the other way for scoring chances. His size held up nicely, too, as he protected pucks from defenders.
Cole Sabourin
Mount St. Charles 18U, 1/23/2008, F, right shot, 5-10/170
Hometown: Cumberland, R.I.Â
Despite Team Omicioli failing to score, Sabourin was one of the best players among all three games. His speed and hands allowed him to do almost anything he wanted as he sifted around defenders for scoring chances. He’s someone I’d assume Division 1 coaches will be keeping an eye on this summer.
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Alex Tarves
Mount St. Charles, 9/18/2007, G, catches left, 5-10/152
Hometown: Marlboro, Mass.Â
Can you believe it: A goalie being written about in summer hockey?! Tarves had some highlight-reel saves, including a beauty with his glove in the first half. At one point, he went post to post to make a sprawling save with his left pad, too. He will be back at Mount St. Charles next season.
