The North American Hockey League announced the teams for the annual Top Prospects Tournament, being held at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Township, Pa., Feb. 7-8.
Ten New England natives were named to the four teams representing each of the NAHL’s four divisions that will compete at the event. The majority of prospects selected are still looking to secure Division 1 commitments and will have the opportunity to showcase their abilities in front of myriad NHL scouts, along with D-1 and D-3 college coaches looking to build their future rosters. The only exceptions are players with NCAA commitments, but who also appear on NHL Central Scouting's midterm rankings released earlier in the month.
Longmeadow, Mass., native Frankie Ireland is one uncommitted local who should appeal to recruiters looking for a player who blends pace and scoring with seasoning and experience as a 21-year-old freshman next season. The youngest New Englander in the showcase is Ireland’s Lone Star Brahmas teammate Arthur Smith (Farmington, Conn.), a former South Kent Selects star who blends excellent size and athleticism into a raw but impressive package.
The NAHL is the only USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier 2 junior hockey league in the country. Across the divisions, the league has 29 teams playing in its 47th season. The NAHL’s top clubs will compete for the 2022 Robertson Cup championship held in Blaine, Minn., in May.
Central Division
Carter Rapalje (Burlington, Vt.)
North Iowa Bulls, 8/10/01, RW, right shot, 5-9/170
Former Colorado Rampage AAA standout from the Green Mountain State has always been able to score in Midget hockey and carried that to juniors this season as an over-ager. Although smaller in stature, he’s quick and plays with good pace. He has a natural knack for finding pucks around the net and putting them home with an efficient snap-release. His lower center of gravity allows him to slice through traffic in the high danger areas and roll off of checks to get his shots away and on target. In 34 games with the Bulls, he has 21 goals in 34 games, after posting five in 41 contests a year ago.
Kevin MacKay (Franklin, Mass.)
Aberdeen Wings, 4/25/01, D, left shot, 6-1/190
After finishing at Dexter Southfield and the South Shore Kings of the USPHL NCDC, the mobile MacKay spent the last two seasons in the NAHL with one of the league’s top teams based in South Dakota. A defense-first mindset with the ability to chip in offensively makes him a solid college option. He can log a lot of minutes and plays a steady all-around game with plenty of experience to step in as a college freshman. Even if lacking the high-end vision or instincts to be a classic two-way ‘D’, he’ll enhance a program.
East Division
Tristan Fasig (Sherman, Conn.)
Maine Nordiques, 10/9/01, C/LW, left shot, 6-1/190
The Taft School product has always looked the part with his size, big shot and ability to bring a power game when he moves his feet and goes hard to the net. His offensive numbers don’t jump out at you, but with his tall, sturdy frame, he’s effective along the walls and at the top of the paint, where he can take away goalie sightlines and create a general disruption in front of the net. He shows it in flashes, but consistency will be the key to his next steps.
Matthew Connor (Nottingham, N.H.)
Maine Nordiques, 5/1/01, D, right shot, 6-3/205
Hard-nosed defender is a bit of a throwback in that he embraces a physical element and is tough to play against. Another 20-year-old with a lot of experience, he played prep at Cardigan Mountain School and Lawrence Academy (along with the NV River Rats and Cape Cod Whalers) before heading to Maine in the 2020-21 season. He’s at his best when just keeping the play in front of him and moving pucks off his stick with urgency because he’s not going to be a big point-getter at this or the next level.
Brendan Dumas (North Attleboro, Mass.)
New Jersey Titans, 8/28/02, RW, right shot 5-11/185
Former St. Sebastian’s winger isn’t electric or dynamic in the way he approaches the game, but he’s industrious and opportunistic. That has translated offensively into 15 goals and 45 points in 39 games, but he’s also been able to provide a gritty, two-way presence for Craig Doremus’ Titans team. His motor is always going, and he’s reaping the rewards both with and away from the puck this season.
Nick Ring (Hingham, Mass.)
New Jersey Titans, 10/26/03, 5-11/175
NCAA commit: New Hampshire
The 174th North American skater on Central Scouting’s midterm rankings has the skill and sizzle to be in the spotlight at this showcase. Having come out of the Boston Advantange NCDC team a year ago, Ring is performing in more of a secondary role with the Titans this year, but he’s a smart, creative player who can generate instant scoring when there doesn’t look like much of an open window for it.
South Division
Frankie Ireland (Longmeadow, Mass.)
Lone Star Brahmas, 2/6/01, LW, left shot, 5-11/185
When he brings the energy and pace, the points tend to follow. At one point, Ireland was trending as a promising D-1 prospect and he could still get there. After years with the Boston Jr. Bruins and captaining their NCDC team a year ago, he now plays for a demanding, detail-oriented, championship-winning coach in Dan Wildfong. His 11 goals and 23 points this season are an indicator that he can bring a seasoned, consistent and versatile presence to a school’s lower lines.
Jonathan Horn (Southbury, Conn.)
El Paso Rhinos, 2/16/02, left shot, 5-11/175
Good skater who can get around the ice sheet well and has used his quick release to find the back of the net to the tune of 15 goals in 35 games for the expansion franchise. Former Hotchkiss Bearcat is his team’s leading scorer for a club that struggles to find consistent offensive production. That speaks well for his chances for a D-1 opportunity, even if not in one of the more heralded conferences.
Arthur Smith (Farmington, Conn.)
Lone Star Brahmas, 4/20/04, catches left, 6-3/195
With his size and fluid movement, Smith impresses right away. His technique is a work in progress, and he was not quite ready to face the elite shooters of the USHL with Madison, but since going down to Fort Worth, has been outstanding for Dan Wildfong’s club. At 9-1-3 in 15 games with Lone Star, he’s playing behind a veteran, structured club and getting a chance to get his confidence back. While he was not named as one of Central Scouting’s top-32 North American goalies on their mid-term list, Smith is eligible for the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and continued success in the NAHL could put him back on the map.
Midwest Division
Jack Ring (Guilford, Conn.)
Fairbanks Ice Dogs, 3/16/01, LW, left shot, 5-11/175
Rugged forward plays a patented NAHL-style game with strength at the point of attack and jam along the boards. There’s not a lot of finesse here, but he’s been able to up his modest production in his second season with the Alaska-based club by getting to the middle of the ice and using his shot effectively.
