ST. PAUL, Minn.— If Matt Boldy had any doubters, he likely converted them with his performance in Wednesday night’s USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game at the XCel Energy Center.
The Millis, Mass., native scored two goals, including the game-tying goal with 1:07 left in regulation, and assisted on the game-winning goal with just 36 ticks on the clock. The 17-year-old had a team-high six shots on goal as Team Langenbrunner defeated Team Leopold, 6-4, in the annual game that showcases top American-born NHL Draft prospects.
Boldy, committed to Boston College, was rewarded for his efforts by being named the USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game Player of the Game. The impressive showing was yet another feather in the cap for a once-overlooked prospect who played his freshman season at Dexter School before heading off to USA Hockey’s NTDP.
The 6-foot, 174-pound left wing was held off the score sheet in the first period, but was still one of the best players over the game’s first 20 minutes. He has terrific hockey sense, knowing where to go and using his skating ability to recover loose pucks.
He scored his first goal of the game, 1:22 into the second period, when he buried a rebound from just a few feet away from the crease.
Just when it looked like Team Langenbrunner would come out on the wrong side of the score, Boldy spearheaded the comeback. He picked up speed in the neutral zone as he received a breakout pass from Harvard commit Marshall Warren. Boldy entered the zone and, without breaking stride, ripped a wrist shot that soared into the goal just below the crossbar.
Just 31 seconds later, his team would take a 5-4 lead thanks to a primary assist from Boldy. He gave the puck back to Boston University recruit Trevor Zegras on a give-and-go sequence.
Boldy was always a good player, but was never really thought of as an elite prospect until about midway through his freshman season at Dexter. Now, he’s almost certainly solidified his first-round projection for the 2019 NHL Draft.
Jack Hughes, the projected first overall pick for the 2019 NHL Draft, had a goal and an assist in the game for Team Leopold. The Orlando, Fla., native had eight shots on goal and left little doubt of his standing in this draft class.
The NTDP U18 first-line center has the speed to turn around defenders and separate in the blink of an eye. He has the dynamic creativity to make plays just about every shift. On his assist, he looked off the recipient of the pass before threading the needle to get it to his linemate, Cole Caufield. Hughes had another shift where he dazzled around the offensive zone and kept the play alive a few times, including a behind-the-back pass to a linemate. Simply put, Hughes is an elite, generational talent.
The NTDP’s Alex Turcotte, projected as the second American selected in next June’s NHL Draft, had two assists. He’s fast and extremely smart. He does a good job of attacking opposing defenses and creating time and space for his linemates. His ability to win battles to loose pucks helps him facilitate offense on a consistent basis. His father, Alfie Turcotte, was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the 1983 NHL Draft.
Another standout was Delray Beach, Fla., native Arthur Kaliyev, who plays for the Hamilton Bulldogs in the OHL. He’s strong on his skates and hard to knock off pucks, but his best asset is his shot. He gets it off quickly and can pull the puck back before releasing it. The puck comes off his stick with zip and he can get shots off even when the puck isn’t right in his wheelhouse. He scored two goals Wednesday night.
Caufield, from Stevens Point, Wis., is another standout from the NTDP who scored twice in the game. The Wisconsin commit is undersized, but he makes up for it with his hockey IQ and skill. He’s agile and can find seams to penetrate opposing defenses. He’s crafty and can juke to get open and finish chances.
In addition to his goal, Zegras, a former star for Avon Old Farms who now plays for the NTDP, had four shots on goal. His speed allows him to get to loose pucks and to separate from opposing defenders.
NTDP forward John Beacher, formerly of Salisbury, had a goal and four shots on goal. The 6-foot-2 center has pro size and upside. He has an explosive, long stride that gives him that second gear. He has the length to coral pucks, open up space and get off shots. From Elmira, N.Y., he’s committed to Michigan.
Nick Robertson, a left wing for the Peterborough Petes (OHL), had two assists. His hard forecheck forced a turnover on one of the Kaliyev goals.
Even though the final score was 6-4, there was more solid defensive play than exhibitions often have. Warren, who skates for the NTDP, led the way offensively from the blue line with an empty-net goal and two assists. His athleticism and instincts helps him push the pace and get shots through from the point.
Lynnfield, Mass., native and Lawrence Academy star Braden Doyle had an assist in the third period. His skill was on display while skating pucks out of his own zone. The Boston University recruit also made several nice breakouts, including the secondary assist on Caufield’s second goal.
Northeastern recruit Jayden Struble of Cumberland, R.I., didn’t find the score sheet, but he had two shots on goal and showed off his physical tools. He’s strong, assertive and makes plays at both ends of the ice.
Rivers School defenseman and Boston University commit Cade Webber showed NHL scouts in attendance that he can skate really well for a 6-foot-6 D-man. While Doyle's still putting it all together, he’s an intriguing prospect due to his size and skating ability.
Another Terrier commit, Alex Vlasic, is the top 2019 NHL Draft prospect among American defensemen. The NTDP star is 6-foot-5 and can really defend. He’s graceful on his skates for such a big defender. He’s good going back and retrieving pucks and closes quickly.
Another projected first-rounder on defense is Cam York of the NTDP. The Anaheim Hills, Calif., native recently de-committed from Boston College. Longtime associate head coach Greg Brown leaving the Eagles for the New York Rangers was cited as the reason. It wasn’t his best game, but he still showed flashes of why he’s projected so high.
UMass commit Zac Jones of Tri-City Storm is one of the few small defensemen who truly plays a two-way game. He had four shots on goal and breaks pucks out of his own zone well. He walks the blue line with poise, but can also contain opposing forwards with his exceptional feet and good stick.
Omaha Lancers defenseman John Prokop calmed down after a rocky first few shifts. He’s still raw and filling out his frame, but he has a good stick, is adept at finding lanes and moves pucks quickly and smartly. The Miami commit has vision and skill to go with his pro size.
Boston College recruit Spencer Knight of Darien, Conn. had the best save percentage of all four goaltenders who played in the game. The NTDP star stopped 12 of the 13 shots he faced and solidified his reputation as the top goaltending prospect for the 2019 NHL Draft.
Notes
- Over 100 NHL scouts, many NHLPA agents and college coaches took in Wednesday’s game, played at the home of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild.
- 2018 marked the seventh playing of the game.
- Boldy became the fourth Massachusetts native to win Player of the Game honors, joining North Reading’s Ryan Fitzgerald (2012), North Chelmsford’s Jack Eichel (2014), and Hingham’s Luke McInnis (2015).
- Honorary coaches of the game were Minnesota natives Jordan Leopold and Jamie Langenbrunner, the player development coordinator for the Boston Bruins.
