AMHERST, N.Y. — There were plenty of surprises Wednesday when USA Hockey announced its team for the 2022 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament. The roster decision came after the weeklong USA Hockey Select 16 Player Development Camp at the Northtown Center just outside of Buffalo. Three New England born '06s were among the 20 players selected...
AMHERST, N.Y. — There were plenty of surprises Wednesday when USA Hockey announced its team for the 2022 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament. The roster decision came after the weeklong USA Hockey Select 16 Player Development Camp at the Northtown Center just outside of Buffalo.
Three New England born '06s were among the 20 players selected for the U.S. Under-17 Men’s Select Team that will compete from Aug. 9-13 in Colorado Springs, Colo., against Czechia, Germany, Slovakia, and Switzerland.
Noble and Greenough goaltender Thatcher Bernstein (Brookline, Mass.), Thayer right wing Gavin Cornforth (Milton, Mass.) and Nobles right wing Teddy MacAusland were picked to represent the red, white and blue. The team was selected by USA Hockey personnel, including USHL and college coaches.
In addition to the three New England natives, four others with ties to the region were selected: Kent and Yale Junior Bulldogs defenseman Alex Bales, Brunswick and Mid Fairfield center Drew DellaSalla, South Kent Selects Academy defenseman Tory Pitner, and Mount Saint Charles left wing Chase Stefanek,
Some of the selections left many observers scratching their heads. Some of the participants and omissions from Wednesday’s All-Star game were equally bizarre.
Dexter Southfield right wing Nate Porter (Hingham, Mass.) and Mount Saint Charles center J.J. Monteiro (Hudson, Mass.) were two of the better forwards from the region who were chosen for the All-Star game. Also in Wednesday’s showcase game were Malden Catholic and Junior Eagles defenseman Owen Keefe (Saugus, Mass.) and St. George’s and Little Bruins goaltender Ryder Shea (Framingham, Mass.).
The two most surprising omissions from the All-Star game among local players were Mount Saint Charles defenseman Will Felicio (Hudson, Mass.) and Bishop Hendricken center Ryan Staples (Middletown, R,I.).
The most disappointing aspect of many of the selections was that a few forwards were rewarded, despite showing little attention to detail and a general lack of compete at the event. There were a handful of more deserving forwards who played a complete game and produced.
The U.S. Under-17 Men’s Select Team opens up play at the Five Nations Tournament on Aug. 9 with a clash against Germany. All games will be played at the recently opened Ed Robson Arena, home of Colorado College of the NCHC.
