Three New England natives and two players committed to Boston University have made the 2020-21 USA Hockey NTDP U-17 team, it was announced Wednesday.
Mount Saint Charles center and Providence commit Brady Berard (East Greenwich, R.I.), Avon Old Farms defenseman and Boston College commit Charlie Leddy (Fairfield, Conn.) and Dexter Southfield goaltender Dylan Silverstein (Shrewsbury, Mass.) are the three locals to make the NTDP roster.
A pair of Boston University commits and North Jersey Avalanche teammates, right wing Devin Kaplan and defenseman Lane Hutson, also were selected to represent the United States for the next two years at the development program.
The team was picked without the benefit of the NTDP Evaluation Camp because the coronavirus canceled the four-day selection process in Plymouth, Mich., which would have been held March 18-22.
Brady Berard
Berard is in his first season for the new program at Mount Saint Charles, playing on the 15 Only team. The left-shot can play center or wing, but he has more experience down the middle. Berard won’t wow anyone with his skill, but he’s a hard-nosed, 200-foot player who can produce. His brother, Brett Berard, is on the USA Hockey NTDP U-18 team this season. Both brothers are committed to Providence. Their father, Dave Berard, is a former Friar who now is the head coach at Holy Cross.
Charlie Leddy
Leddy, a longtime Mid Fairfield Jr. Ranger, is in his first season playing prep school hockey for John Gardner's Avon Old Farms Winged Beavers. In 26 games this season, the Boston College recruit has a goal and 12 assists. Leddy has good size and strength. He can add a physical element while contributing offensively by being hard to knock off pucks and shooting it hard.
Dylan Silverstein
Silverstein, originally from Calabasas, Calif., has spent the past two seasons playing in New England. A first-year freshman at Dexter Southfield this season, he has a .881 save percentage for coach Danny Donato's team. It should be pointed out he’s the only goaltender in camp who has been going up against shooters two to four years older. He was really good all fall for the Neponset Valley River Rats. He represented USA Hockey at January’s Youth Olympic Games, appearing in three games.
Devin Kaplan
Kaplan, committed to Boston University, missed much of the 2019-20 season with an injury. Hailing from Bridgewater, N.J., Kaplan played up on North Jersey Avalanche 16-U last season and was with the team again this year before his lower-body injury. Kaplan is a power forward with size, strength and a hard shot.
Lane Hutson
Hutson, a Boston University commit, is playing for the North Jersey Avalanche 16-U. A dual citizen, Hutson is averaging two points per game in AYHL games while excelling in other contests as well. Hutson is on the smaller side, but he’s got great feet and skill. His older brother, Quinn Hutson, is also committed to the Terriers. His father, Rob Hutson, is a coach with the Avalanche and a former collegiate player for the now defunct University of Illinois-Chicago program.
