The Boston Jr. Eagles won the Massachusetts Hockey 14-U Tier I State Championship last weekend by going 5-0 and outscoring opponents, 35-6.
The team is led by its dynamic duo of Northeastern commit Will Smith and Will Vote. Coached by Kent Hughes, an agent with Quartex Management, the Boston Jr. Eagles have consistently been one of the top bantam major teams in the country this season.
Eight teams took part in the Massachusetts Hockey 14-U Tier I State Championship. A couple of teams were without key players, who were still competing in the MIAA Division 1A Super 8. That wouldn’t have changed the outcome, but it did mean a couple of the top players in the state missed some or all games over the three days. Nonetheless, several college coaches and NHLPA agents were in attendance throughout the event to scout future players and clients.
Below is a look at the players who stood out in action Friday and Saturday at the Massachusetts Hockey 14-U Tier I State Championship:
Forwards
Will Smith
Jr. Eagles, 3/17/05, C, right shot, 5-11/165
NCAA commit: Northeastern
Smith is undoubtedly the most skilled player in the region in this age group. The Northeastern commit has size, skill and explosiveness. He can take games over with power or finesse moves.
Will Vote
Jr. Eagles, 2/22/05, RW, right shot, 5-7/140
Vote had the best hockey sense of anyone I watched over the weekend. He’s not overly big and he’s not as skilled as Smith, but his IQ and ability to be one step ahead of his competition allows him to produce offensively and succeed away from the puck.
Joey Zheng
River Rats, 9/8/05, RW, right shot, 5-9/141
I’ve always been impressed with Zheng’s speed, but his ability to make plays really stood out. He made some terrific passes and produced like I’ve never seen him produce before. It was a great weekend for the Phillips Andover freshman.
Joe Connor
Minuteman Flames, 3/31/05, C, left shot, 5-6/135
Connor is a pure goal scorer. He’s heavy on pucks, forced turnovers on the penalty kill and won puck battles. Connor is around the puck a lot and can shoot it hard and with accuracy.
Cam Russo
River Rats, 1/3/05, C, right shot, 6-0/160
Russo has a ton of skill and skates well. He shoots it hard, including a couple of snipes on Friday night. He can make good passes and will become an even better prospect as his play away from the puck continues to improve.
Shawn Leary
Jr. Eagles, 5/22/05, RW, right shot, 6-0/180
Leary is a strong power forward who brings a physical presence to the lineup. He’s played defense in the past, but he’s been playing up front lately. He’s a north-south player who can shoot it and win puck battles in front of the net.
Ethan Gardula
Jr. Eagles, 2/28/05, LW, left shot, 5-11/160
Gardula is a nice complementary player on the Eagles’ top line with Smith and Vote. He’s a big body who can be heavy on pucks and create time and space for his linemates. When he gets the puck, he can shoot it hard.
Landan Resendes
Minuteman Flames, 12/10/05, C, right shot, 5-2/105
Resendes is on the smaller side, but he’s quick and crafty. He has good hands and his agility allows him to maneuver in between and around opposing defenders.
Jackson Powers
Minuteman Flames, 4/30/05, LW, left shot, 5-6/120
Powers is a smart forward who can score because of his ability to see the ice. Additionally, he plays the game with a chip on his shoulder. He’s not afraid to get into the dirty areas and be physical.
Kaden Freelove
Minuteman Flames, 1/28/05, LW, left shot, 5-10/140
Freelove is an above-average skater with size. He has the potential to blossom into a power forward with his puck skills, protecting the puck, and getting time and space for his linemates.
Matt Cataldo
River Rats, 5/19/05, LW, left shot, 5-10/170
Cataldo competes for everything he gets and is a rugged winger with the ability to produce. He was really good Friday night playing the opposite wing with Zheng.
Cullen Emery
Jr. Eagles, 8/1/05, C, right shot, 5-7/170
Emery is a physically mature, 200-foot center. He consistently competes and plays responsibly in all three zones.
Michael Nigro
Boston Jr. Rangers, 3/22/05, C, left shot, 5-8/150
Nigro is quick and good with the puck. He’s a smart player who sees the ice well and can be versatile within the lineup.
Cameron Quigley
East Coast Militia, 8/26/05, RW, right shot, 5-3/110
Quigley is a strong power forward who keeps fighting for the puck and driving the net.
Ben Buckley
Minuteman Flames, 2/8/05, RW, right shot, 5-7/125
Buckley showed off his good hands on a rush opportunity Friday night. He’s a player to continue watching as he progresses through St. George’s.
Eli Chilicki
Minuteman Flames, 7/25/05, LW, left shot, 5-5/125
Chilicki showed he’s strong on pucks and can score.
Max Tong
East Coast Wizards, 9/13/05, C, right shot, 5-10/132
It was a tough outing for the East Coast Wizards Friday night, but Tong had the puck more than any other player on his team while centering the second line.
Cam McGettrick
East Coast Militia, 1/4/06, RW, right shot, 5-7/155
McGettrick, one of two '06s playing up for the EC Militia this season, scored a goal Friday night. It was a power move, driving the net while lowering his shoulder.
Ryan Kane
East Coast Militia, 5/28/05, LW, left shot, 5-8/120
Kane played left wing on the top line and then manned the point on the first power play unit. He showed he’s smart and able to see the ice well.
Colin Gorman
East Coast Wizards, 5/18/05, C, left shot, 5-9/135
Gorman centered his team’s top line and looked to have potential. He has good hockey pedigree between his father and two older brothers.
Quinn Moses
Boston Jr. Rangers, 6/23/05, RW, right shot
Moses scored a couple of goals, but his vision is what impressed me. He reads plays well and is poised when he gets the puck on his stick.
Christian Rosa
Boston Jr. Rangers, 12/1/05, RW, right shot
Rosa is a really good skater. His speed allows him to be effective on the line rush.
Jake Vana
Boston Jr. Rangers, 1/1/05, RW, right shot
Vana is an undersized, crafty winger who can make plays with his quickness and agility.
Defensemen
Owen Keefe
River Rats, 3/26/06, D, left shot, 5-6/130
Keefe played a few games for the Rats in addition to his EHF playoff games with the Jr. Eagles 13-U. He’s a smart, poised defender who sees the ice well. He made a great stretch pass to facilitate a goal. In addition, he plays hard and isn’t afraid to protect his crease.
Tommy Rose
Minuteman Flames, 8/31/05, D, right shot, 5-9/130
Rose is a tall, lanky defender with a smoothness to his game. He was able to push the pace in transition. Rose was a player I didn’t know as much about going into the weekend, but he made a positive impression.
Jonathan Lanza
Jr. Eagles, 3/10/05, D, right shot, 5-11/165
Lanza is a big, two-way defender who uses his size to his advantage. Whether it’s being physical in his own zone or making crisp passes on the tape, he’s effective in all three zones at this level. If his feet can improve a little, he’ll be an even better prospect than he already is.
Curt Heath
River Rats, 1/12/05, D, left shot, 5-8/140
Heath does a good job using his stick and vision to make good outlet passes. He’s poised on puck retrievals and had a nice weekend.
Charlie Leverone
River Rats, 2/18/05, D, left shot, 6-0/180
Leverone seemingly grew a couple of inches from this fall. With his physical tools, he’s a player to keep an eye on.
Drew Damiani
Boston Jr. Rangers, 3/3/05, D, right shot, 5-6/140
Damiani is a skilled, puck-moving defender who isn’t afraid to jump into the offense.
Brendan Bonner
East Coast Militia, 4/24/05, D, right shot, 5-7/130
Bonner showed flashes of being a solid defensive defenseman in action this weekend.
Goaltenders
Pelle Russo
River Rats, 3/9/05, G, catches left, 6-0/155
Russo is a good-sized goaltender who moves well and has strong fundamentals in the crease. With a few key players out of the lineup, his strong play in net was instrumental in the River Rats going 2-0 on Saturday.
Sam Scopa
Jr. Eagles, 1/10/05, G, catches left, 5-11/160
Scopa split time with Tyler Bloomfield, who didn’t give up a goal. I only saw Scopa, and have seen a lot of him in the past. Scopa is certainly one of the top 10 goaltenders nationally in this age group. I only stick to players I saw live, but kudos goes out to Bloomfield for a solid weekend, as well.
