With USA Hockey's Select 17 Player Development Camp in the books, it's now time for the Select 16s to make their case.
The annual event will take place July 8-13 at the Northtown Center in Amherst, N.Y., and is the second of three birth years to go through the festival at the national level this summer.
The 2001 birth-year players performed at Select 17s, while now its the 2002s' turn at Select 16s. Later in July, the 2003s will be showcased at Select 15s.
Select 16s is probably the least-significant event of the three. NHL scouts are always hounding the pavement at Select 17s, as those players are beginning their first year of draft eligibility. At Select 15s, those players are beginning their draft year for the USHL, OHL and QMJHL, plus are jockeying for the NTDP Evaluation Camp.
Below are nearly 40 players with ties to New England – locals, prep school players, and college commits – who were selected for Select 16s through regional festivals. Their spots come after turning heads at the Massachusetts District and New England District events, plus others close to home.
