EXETER, N.H. — Gunnery and Kent both went 2-0 over the weekend at the Phillips Exeter Invitational, an eight-team prep showcase in front of a number of college coaches and NHL scouts.
The NHL scouts were there mostly to see Gunnery left wing Alex Jefferies. He didn’t disappoint, scoring a hat trick and adding two assists in Sunday’s 8-3 win over New Hampton. He had just one assist in Saturday’s 5-0 shutout victory over the host, Exeter.
College coaches from Hockey East, ECAC Hockey, Atlantic Hockey, Big Ten, and Division III leagues were there in droves, as well. The Exeter Invitational plays 20-minute periods and is always well run by longtime Big Red head coach Dana Barbin.
Exeter Invitational Results
Saturday, December 7, 2019
Kimball Union 15, Vermont Academy 0
Gunnery 5, Exeter 0
Kent 7, Hebron 2
Brunswick 5, New Hampton 2
Sunday, December 8, 2019
Gunnery 8, New Hampton 3
Hebron 7, Vermont Academy 0
Kent 5, Kimball Union 2
Brunswick 3, Phillips Exeter 3 (OT)
2020 NHL Draft
Alex Jefferies
Gunnery, 11/8/01, LW, right shot, 5-11.75/195
NCAA commit: Merrimack
As mentioned above, Jefferies had three goals and two assists in Sunday's win. He hunts pucks and is in the right place at the right time. He is heavy on pucks and can shoot it hard. He also has good vision and can make plays from the wall. The one knock as far as the NHL Draft goes is his first step.
Uncommitted standouts
Adam Fantilli
Kimball Union, 10/12/04, C, left shot, 6-2/180
Fantilli is a generational talent who will likely be a top five pick in the NHL Draft in 2023. He has size, skill, jam, and skating ability. He has that extra gear to get going and create time and space. He made a terrific pass to the weak side defenseman as he raced into the zone down the left wing for an assist. He has a hard shot and elite hands to be deceptive and keep possession. He was the best player on the ice today and will be the best player anyone sees in prep school hockey this season.
Andon Cerbone
Brunswick, 4/13/04, C, left shot, 5-7/130
Cerbone has high end offensive skill and instincts. He comes off the wall and can make dynamic plays. He scored a nice breakaway goal, finishing high glove. His vision is good and he has very good hands. His offensive upside is huge, especially as a go-to guy on the power play.
Connor Welsh
Brunswick, 1/2/04, C, right shot, 5-9/145
Welsh is more of a complete player than Cerbone, but doesn’t have quite the high end skill set or instincts. He hasn’t fully grown so look for him to get even better over the next couple of years. He had an assist on the team’s third goal and got off a few shots on goal in overtime.
Luca Fantilli
Kimball Union, 12/30/02, D, left shot, 6-0/175
Fantilli, the older brother of Adam, is a smooth-skating, puck-moving defenseman. He’s above average in every facet of the game offensively. While not dynamic, he keeps things smart and simple for the most part. He’s generating interest from schools across the board, in part due to them hoping to eventually land Adam.
Sullivan Mack
Kimball Union, 7/5/00, RW, left shot, 6-0/180
Mack plays the off wing on the top line. He’s a good skater and he can shoot it hard. He plays hard and can be a glue guy for a line going forward. Most likely his college destination will be as a bottom six player. He reportedly has an offer from a NCHC school.
Beanie Richter
Brunswick, 8/20/04, LW, left shot, 6-0/160
Richter scored a goal. He’s smart and knows where to go to be in the right place at the right time. He’s heavy on pucks and looks to be getting bigger and faster.
Charlie McGurrin
Exeter, 12/5/03, D, left shot, 6-3/175
McGurrin had a goal and an assist. He’s heavy on pucks and crashes the net as he did on his rebound tally in the third period. He’s an athlete and has size. There’s some potential.
Connor Chalmers
Kimball Union, 8/30/03, D, right shot, 5-11/170
Chalmers has very good feet, jumped into the rush, and made some plays. He scored a goal. His hockey sense is an area that could use improvement, but his skating is already at a Division I level.
Marcus Joughin
New Hampton, 7/5/01, C, left shot, 5-10/160
Joughin had two assists in his team’s loss. He was the only player on his team who consistently made plays on Sunday. He skates well and has an offer on the table from an Atlantic Hockey school.
Gavin Bloder
Gunnery, 2/22/03, LW, right shot, 6-0/155
Bloder has size and has previously demonstrated an ability to be an effective bottom six player. He’ll disrupt the breakout and he’s heavy on pucks. He found the back of the net once today.
James Shannon
Brunswick, 8/12/04, C, right shot, 5-10/170
Shannon didn’t find the score sheet, but he plays hard, especially for an ’04 in prep. He’s heavy on pucks, kills penalties, and likes to throw his weight around.
Danny Colon
Exeter, 2/13/01, RW, right shot, 5-8/170
Colon works hard and flies around out there. While he doesn’t have high end skill or terrific offensive instincts, he can shoot it with some zip. A great student, NESCAC schools should be all over him for a role as a third line winger.
Dante Palombo
Kent, 12/23/03, C, left shot, 5-7/134
Palombo had a goal and an assist. He’s a player who is around the puck a lot, goes to the net, and can finish. He could be a higher end, but at the very least, he looks to have a chance to be a Division III player down the road.
Erik Charpentier
Gunnery, 6/10/02, D, left shot, 6-2.75/191
Charpentier had one assist, but that’s not why he’s going to have a chance to play college hockey. His physicality and toughness stood out today. He takes away time and space and delivered a couple of big hits.
Henry Dale
Brunswick, 4/24/02, D, right shot, 6-1/200
Dale had two assists and delivered a big hit in the third period. He’s taken a step and should be watched by NESCAC schools looking for a defenseman in the class of 2021.
Joseph Purtell
Kent, 5/3/02, G, catches right, 6-0/180
Purtell, who played well last season at St. Mary’s Lynn, was really good against KUA. He allowed two goals, but made some big saves to keep the Lions in the game until they surged late. He’s deserving of recognition and a player to keep an eye on going forward.
