The Boston Jr. Eagles enter the 2018 fall midget hockey split-season as one of the top teams in New England at both the 16U and 18U levels.
John Joyce, who starred at Boston College and was a New York Islanders' draft pick, will be the head coach of the 18U squad and assist former Middlebury player and current NHLPA agent Kent Hughes with the 16U team.
On paper, the 18U squad appears to be the favorite to win the Massachusetts District Championship come the second weekend in November. The team has nine Division 1 commits on the roster, including projected top-three round pick John Farinacci.
Farinacci, a Harvard recruit who plays at Dexter, will lead the way for the Jr. Eagles as the team’s No. 1 center. The Chatham, N.J., native is a dynamic offensive threat who uses his skill and hockey sense to put up gaudy numbers.
Pittsburgh Penguins' sixth round pick Liam Gorman will likely center the second line. The St. Sebastian’s senior is committed to Boston University. His offensive skill set isn’t elite, but he has good size, can skate and is willing to go to the dirty areas. He’s also very good on draws.
Dexter left wing Chase McInnis (Northeastern), St. Sebastian’s right wing Liam Connors (Boston University), and St. Sebastian’s center Tommy Lyons (Harvard) are the team’s other committed players up front. McInnis is a smart, cerebral player who competes hard in all three zones, while Connors offers some flare in the attacking zone.
Other forwards include St. Sebastian’s left wing Liam Devlin, a spark plug who is always moving his feet and creating chances. Nobles right wing Jack Cronin has a very underrated shot. Belmont Hill forward Andrew Holland brings some size to the lineup. Connor Joyce, another St. Sebastian’s forward, should chip in offensively.
On defense, the Jr. Eagles are led by Northeastern recruit Jayden Struble, a Cumberland, R.I. native who plays for St. Sebastian’s. A former participant in the Little League World Series, Struble’s athleticism, skill, and skating are high-end.
Brown recruit James Davenport, a senior at St. Sebastian’s, is a smooth, puck-moving defenseman with decent size. Dexter’s Ben Meehan, a UMass Lowell commit, is a steadying force who plays tough, competes hard and moves pucks north.
Thayer defenseman Jake Flynn is the team’s top uncommitted player. He’s gained some size during the offseason and can skate pucks out of his own zone. He has skill and can step into the offense. Kimball Union’s Andy Noel brings some size to the backend. Belmont Hill’s James Perullo is a mobile defenseman who should make for a good NESCAC player.
The Jr. Eagles have their goaltending situation solidified with Harvard-bound Derek Mullahy, a senior at Dexter. The Scituate, Mass., native represented the United States at this summer’s Hlinka-Gretzky Cup.
16U Team
As is typically the case, the 16U squad will have more competition just based on the nature of midget hockey. More of the high-end players are still left in New England area at 16U, while many 18U standouts are playing juniors.
Thayer right wing Sasha Teleguine and St. Sebastian’s center Jack Hughes, both Northeastern recruits, will lead the way up front. Teleguine, from North Attleboro, Mass., is a great skater who goes hard to loose pucks and is a possession machine. Hughes, the younger brother of New York Rangers' pick Riley Hughes, is a skilled player who's a threat to score every shift.
Boston College commit Tim Delay is one of the top skaters in the 2003 birth year. The Hingham, Mass., native will play at St. Sebastian’s.
St. Sebastian’s right wing Brendan Gorman is one of the top uncommitted ‘03s in New England. He’s the younger brother of Penguins prospect Liam Gorman, who is on the 18U squad. Brendan plays hard and has some skill.
Other potential impact forwards are Phillip Tresca of Rivers and Cullin Wilson of Dexter.
Defensively, the Jr. Eagles have some experience in the form of St. Sebastian’s junior Ryan MacDermott and sophomore Thomas Messineo. The team’s best prospect on the blue line is a newcomer to the Arrows, Will Elias. He’s a smooth, mobile, two-way defender from Weston, Mass. Nolan Joyce, also of St. Seb’s, and Nolan Hayes of Thayer bring some puck-moving capabilities to the blue line.
The 16U team is equally as prepared between the pipes with Thayer junior Gavin Fitzpatrick, who played for the U.S. at the Five Nations Tournament, held Aug. 15-19 in Piestany, Slovakia.
Both 18U and 16U teams will be in action this weekend at the Tier 1 Labor Day Face Off.
