MARLBORO, Mass. — College coaches and NHL scouts came to the New England Sports Center on Sunday and Monday to watch the 2022 Beantown Summer Classic’s Committed Division.
Contrary to the name of the division, almost half of the players were uncommitted. It was still a good opportunity for viewings on two late 2004 birth-year players — Dexter Southfield defenseman Sean Keohane (Milton, Mass.) and Cranbrook Bucs left wing Donovan Frias (Hudson, Mass.) — entering their first year of eligibility for the NHL draft.
A few committed players shined while a handful of uncommitted prospects continued to state their case to area colleges for why they should have that coveted college logo next to their names on the line chart.
Below is a look at the 2023 NHL draft prospects, committed recruits and uncommitted players who shined at the 2022 Beantown Summer Classic’s Committed Division.
2023 NHL draft watch
Sean Keohane
Dexter Southfield/CC Whalers U-18, 11/4/04, D, left shot, 6-4/165
NCAA: Harvard
I remain a big fan of Keohane, who will be a senior at Dexter Southfield this upcoming season. However, this wasn’t his best viewing, as I thought he tried to do a little too much. It was a tough environment with little structure, so it’s easy to write it off as a blip on the radar. His size, skating and range remain attributes that should keep him front and center among 2023-eligible prospects skating in the region. He was the only 2023-eligible prospect here who showed he’s a slam dunk to get drafted next June.
Donovan Frias
Cranbrook Bucs, 11/9/04, LW, left shot, 6-4/200
NCAA: Yale
Frias has great size and an ability to drive the net, as he showed on a few occasions here. His skating has gotten better over the past couple of years. While his skating still needs to get even better, his tools are worthy of consideration for the draft. The one part of his game that needs the most improvement is his hockey sense and vision. He’ll have an opportunity to work on that in the BCHL this season while playing for former Yale player and assistant coach Ryan Donald.
Anthony Cappello
Long Island Gulls U-18, 8/26/05, LW, left shot, 6-3/180
Cappello has the tools to intrigue scouts. He’s big and has a propensity to drive the net, protect pucks and create scoring chances. The Ossining, N.Y., native scored a nice goal crashing the net. For a big guy, his feet and stick are both impressive parts of his skill-set. Consistency and bringing that power-forward style more often are what he’ll need to do to take that next step in his game.
Three committed stars
Christian Kim
Tri-City Storm, 2/23/05, RW, right shot, 5-6/155
NCAA: Michigan State
Kim, from Torrance, Calif., scored one of the best goals of the event in Monday’s early game. He made a nice individual effort to elude a few opposing defenders before roofing a shot that had the water bottle popping. He’s crafty and his agility allows him to maintain puck possession and make plays even in high-traffic areas. Getting stronger as he goes through junior hockey will make him an even better player once he gets to the Big Ten.
Eli Friedman
Brunswick/Mid Fairfield U-18, 4/29/05, C, right shot, 5-10/173
NCAA: Yale
Friedman made a lot of plays and was a consistent factor in the games he played at the event. He created offense on the rush and made a couple of nice looks to give teammates quality scoring opportunities. He threaded the needle from his own blue line to spring a linemate for a breakaway. From Rye, N.Y., he was the third man high and played the game the right way, considering it was glorified shinny hockey on poor ice conditions. His skating and ability to play at pace need to get better if he is to ever get pro looks. His playmaking skill-set should make him a productive top-six player for coach Keith Allain’s program at the collegiate level.
CJ Foley
Salmon Arm Silverbacks, 2/11/04, D, right shot, 5-10/160
NCAA: Holy Cross
Foley’s skating is his greatest strength. He displays a propensity for jumping into the rush and making plays in transition. His feet and stick make him a dual threat on the breakout. The Hanover, Mass., native made a handful of eye-catching plays with the puck on his stick. His ability to defend still has to get better as he transitions from prep to junior hockey this winter. However, his skating and puck-moving capabilities make him the best current Holy Cross commit, by a long stretch.
Three uncommitted stars
Landan Resendes
Cushing/CMass Penguins U-18, 12/10/05, RW, right shot, 5-9/155
Resendes scored a couple of times, including a late game-winner in the matinee on Monday. He’s got that quick twitch and was the one offensive player here who could get you on the edge of your seat every time he touched the puck. From Hudson, Mass., he plays with a chip on his shoulder and brings a gritty style. He’s getting some Hockey East looks and should be making a commitment sooner than later.
Trey Scott
Youngstown Phantoms, 5/4/04, D, right shot, 5-10/160
Scott, from Fitchburg, Mass., is a puck-moving defenseman with good feet. He was especially good in the first half of the first game Monday. Scott makes good tape-to-tape passes on the breakout and keeps plays alive. He shows poise on the breakout and has his head up to find open outlet passes. His gaps were good going back and he is able to defend the rush using his feet and pokechecks.
Jayden Grier
Salmon Arm Silverbacks, 12/12/03, LW, left shot, 6-2/220
Grier is a big, physically imposing winger from Needham, Mass. He was a little in and out, but a few shifts late in the first game Monday showed his potential. He went to the net for a goal and had an assist. Grier is at his best when he’s keeping it simple, playing a north-south game, and being physical. He’ll have the ability to bull his way to the scoring areas and be a big-time player in the NESCAC or have a chance to work his way up the line chart in Division 1.
