The Crimson Combine brought many top ‘05 hockey prospects from across North America to Harvard’s Bright-Landry Hockey Center over the course of two days, August 1-2.
The event, in its fifth year, is run by the Harvard coaching staff, which includes head coach Ted Donato, assistant coach Jim Tortorella, and director of hockey operations Sean O’Brien. Former assistant coach Rob Rassey, who recently accepted a job as an amateur scout for the Detroit Red Wings, played a major role and stayed on to help put on the event.
Looking back over the past four years, the Crimson Combine is a very good indicator of future success. Two years ago, the Crimson Combine featured several ‘03s who went on to make USA Hockey’s NTDP this past March. Tyler Boucher (BU), Liam Gilmartin, Jack Hughes (Northeastern), and Ryan St. Louis (Northeastern) were in attendance in 2017, as were several 2019 USHL tenders and draft picks. Going back to the ‘01 group, it was loaded with future NTDP talent, NHL Draft picks, and college recruits.
This year’s Crimson Combine featured more of an international flavor while still having a couple of solid players from within the region. Here’s a look at the standouts from the 2019 Crimson Combine: