There were several uncommitted players who stood out Friday and Saturday morning at the Battle of Boston Spring Tier 1 Showcase. Prospects born between 1998 and 2002 were eligible to compete in this past weekend's event that took place at Rodman Arena (Walpole, Mass.) and New England Sports Village (Attleboro, Mass.)
This isn't a complete list as the rest of the weekend was spent at the Massachusetts Hockey Boys CCM High Performance Festival, but it's hopefully a good barometer of what went on in Walpole and Attleboro.
Uncommitted Standouts
• Alex Contey
#1 NE Nordiques, Kent School, 7/27/00, Goaltender, Catches Left
Contey has the size coaches are looking for in goaltenders, moves well, and has solid fundamentals. He made some nice saves on Friday.
• Bobby Harrison
#9 NE Leafs, Caledonia Corvairs (GOJHL), 4/1/00, Forward, Left Shot
Harrison generated buzz here after a really solid performance. He's undersized, but he's skilled and can make plays for his teammates.
• Dalton Jerzak
#29 Roc City U20, Hill School, 5/1/00, Goaltender, Catches Left
Jerzak is starting to generate some buzz. He has decent size, but good athleticism and quick reflexes.
• Max Kouznetsov
#85 Virtua, CT Jr. Rangers (USPHL NCDC), 12/6/00, Forward, Left Shot
Kouznetsov's lack of speed and first step are a deterrent, but he's good down low and his ability to bull through defenders in puck battles and in small areas are a plus. He's a Division I player, but where he ends up will probably depend on how much he can improve his skating while playing junior.
• Alex Krause
#16 Top Shelf, Loomis-Chaffee, 7/22/01, Forward, Left Shot
The Californian had a solid first year of prep and appears poised to have a breakout year next season. He's on the smaller side, but he plays with pace and can make some plays. He's a player to keep an eye on over the next two years.
• Evan McIntyre
#28 BMG Jr. A, Surrey Eagles (BCHL), 10/17/00, Defense, Left Shot (NCAA: Merrimack)
Several Hockey East schools had been tracking McIntyre's progress while with Saint Andrew's College. He had a nice showing at the St. Sebastian's Tournament in December. Here he continued to prove he was a mobile, puck-moving defender. His shot and compete still need work, but he has the skating and vision to make it to the collegiate level. He was the first player to commit following this event, becoming new head coach Scott Borek's first big get at Merrimack
• Caleb Price
#6 Roc City U20, Northern Cyclones (USPHL NCDC), 4/4/00, Defense, Left Shot
Price's compete and ability to make decisions quickly are debatable, but he's a very good puck-moving, offensive defenseman. He likes to jump into the rush and his vision is exceptional. He made a really nice pass right on a teammate's stick on a two-on-one odd man rush.
• Kenny Riddett
#9 Hockey Essentials Black, NJ Avalanche 18U, 3/26/01, Forward, Left Shot
He's undersized, but he does a lot of things that catch your eye as you're watching him play. He can produce and he's quick.
• Christian Sarlo
#8 Hockey Essentials Black, NJ Avalanche 18U, 6/29/01, Left Shot
Sarlo is very effective down low and has a heavy shot that he can unleash. While his feet still need to become more nimble, he's a Division I hockey player who could develop into a legitimate scorer at the collegiate level with some solid coaching.
• Joe Schubert
#12 BMG Prep, St. Paul's, 6/24/02, Forward, Left Shot
The Cleveland, Ohio, native is transferring from Exeter to St. Paul's to play for Dan Murphy. Despite being one of the youngest players here, he was able to find the net a few times. There's some upside and he'll be a good ECAC Hockey prospect in a couple of years.
• Casey Severo
#19 Roc City U18, Nobles, 2/1/01, Forward, Right Shot
Severo recovers pucks and was able to cut into the scoring areas and unleash shots. He was the best forward prospect for his team here.
• Ryan Stack
#27 BMG Jr. A, Coquitlam Express (BCHL), 8/26/00, Right Shot
Stack had a nice finish on a breakaway and made several other nice offensive plays on Friday afternoon. He can play with pace and should be a potential prospect for Division I programs after another year or two in the BCHL.
• Joseph Tanaka-Campbell
#10 BMG Prep, Shawnigan Lake Prep, 1/11/01, Right Shot
Tanaka-Campbell is a smooth skater who plays with pace and has the hockey sense and vision to create plays.
