A few high-end players with NHL potential took to the ice this past weekend in the 16U Division of the Boston Junior Bruins Shootout at the New England Sports Center in Marlboro, Mass.
The Cape Cod Whalers came out on top in a close and somewhat controversial final. The team edged Selects Academy 15U by a score of 2-1. While the Whalers have some very good hockey players, they’re an older team comprised of mostly ‘02s. That helped put them over the top against the all-2003 team from Selects Academy.
There were quite a few college coaches and junior scouts at the event, but not as many as there would have been if the event wasn't going up against the NAHL Showcase and BCHL Showcase. Still, coaches and scouts in attendance were able to watch a few players who project to be NHL draft picks down the road.
BJB Shootout 16U Division - Top uncommitted prospects
Cameron MacDonald
#22 Selects Academy 15U, 5/4/03, Center, Left Shot, 6-2/180
The Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia, native has it all. He has good size, skates well and can play a complete, 200-foot game with skill. He hunts and recovers pucks for his team in all three zones. He has the speed to win races to those loose pucks. He has vision to keep plays alive and make nice looks to set up teammates. He’ll go to the greasy areas, as evidenced by a nice tip-in goal he had Friday. He’s heavy on pucks, especially for his age and skill set. He’s an elite hockey player who's on track to be a first-round NHL Draft pick in 2021.
Dawson Stairs
#8 Selects Academy 16U, 1/25/02, Center, Left Shot, 5-11/185
The Fredericton, New Brunswick, native is an explosive player. He’s strong on his skates and hard to knock off pucks. He drives the net with authority. He makes power moves to the net. He has some touch on his passes. His foot speed isn’t elite, but his skating isn’t a detriment. Stairs is a seventh-round pick of the Saint John Sea Dogs in the QMJHL.
Ryan Greene
#19 Selects Academy 15U, 10/21/03, Center, Right Shot, 5-11/155
Green isn’t quite as big or dynamic as his fellow center on the Selects 15U team, but he’s a very good player in his own right. The Paradise, Nova Scotia, native has the speed to hunt pucks and make plays. One of his more impressive plays on the weekend was when he dug out a puck below the goal line and sent it to an open linemate in the slot for a goal.
Ian Moore
#2 Cape Cod Whalers, St. Mark’s, 1/4/02, Defense, Right Shot, 6-0/145
Moore was the best defenseman on the Whalers en route to capturing the championship. His development continues to trend up. He has size, a good first step and good instincts. While he’s not a dynamic offensive threat, he projects as a complete, two-way defenseman. He can make a good pass to move pucks north and defend with a good stick and positioning.
Senna Peeters
#22 Selects Academy 16U, 6/14/02, Forward, Right Shot, 6-0/170
From Deurne, Belgium, Peeters makes plays, goes to the dirty areas and is an above-average skater.
Copeland Fricker
#8 Selects Academy 15U, 8/20/03, Right Wing, Right Shot, 5-7/150
Fricker doesn’t have a flashy skill set, but he’s a gamer. Simply put, he’s just a good hockey player. He can skate and goes into the dirty areas, doing whatever it takes to win. He’s the glue guy for his line. He played last season for the Dallas Stars Elite program.
Jan Lasak
#11 South Florida Hockey Academy, 11/8/02, Forward, Left Shot, 6-2/178
The Slovakian is a good skater with size who can really finish. He’s smart and plays a heady game, all while positively impacting puck possession.
Cully Wilson
#12 Boston Jr. Eagles, 3/12/03, Left Wing, Left Shot, 5-11/175
Wilson had a good game Friday night by using his size to protect pucks and stay strong on his skates. The Hingham, Mass., native is around the puck a lot and reads plays well.
Eli Barnett
#2 Selects Academy 15U, 9/16/03, Defense, Right Shot, 6-5/198
Barnett, from Riverview, New Brunswick, is an intriguing prospect at 6-foot-5. He’s light on his feet, especially for his size and age. He has good instincts and should continue to further improve over the coming years.
Dawson Crane
#18 Newbridge Academy, 1/28/03, Defense, Right Shot, 6-1/206
Crane was the top prospect on Newbridge, a team that usually has one or two players worth watching for NCAA coaches as it plays in the ECEL. The Bay Roberts, Newfoundland, native, has good size, is an above-average skater and has some intriguing offensive upside.
Nolan Hayes
#20 Boston Jr. Eagles, Thayer, 8/14/02, Defense, Right Shot, 6-0/180
Hayes consistently moves pucks out of his own zone and pushes the pace in transition. His style is a little bit high-risk, high-reward. He’ll turn the puck over some, but he has the skating and skill required to be a Division 1 defenseman in a few years.
Jack Kurrle
#12 Selects Academy 15U, 1/28/03, Left Wing, Left Shot, 5-11/165
Kurrle, from Middlesex, Vt., was on the same line as MacDonald for much of the weekend. He’s fast and is able to play with someone of MacDonald’s caliber.
Cameron Miranda
#18 Selects Academy 15U, 3/13/03, Defense, Right Shot, 5-11/145
The Mendon, Mass., native showed some flashes of potential with good looks in transition.
Jack Dalton
#21 Selects Academy 15U, 7/22/03, Defense, Right Shot, 5-10/145
The River Forest, Ill., native is a competitor. He skates well, steps up to deliver some tough hits and likes to push the pace in transition.
Tyler Ribera
#9 Selects Academy 15U, 1/7/03, Right Wing, Right Shot, 6-2/175
Ribera, the right wing on the line with MacDonald and Kurrle, is a tough customer. He provides a lot of the muscle for the line. He’ll go to the net to open up space for his linemates and grind below the dots. His skating will need to improve to take another step up.
