The final lists of top North American skaters, North American goaltenders, International skaters, and International goaltenders were released by NHL Central Scouting on Monday morning.
The four lists are supposed to be an indication of draft projection for the 2019 NHL Draft that takes place June 21-22 in Vancouver, British Columbia.
To the surprise of no one, USA Hockey NTDP U-18 center Jack Hughes was rated as the top North American skater while Finland’s Kaapo Kakko was the top International skater. The duo are projected to go first and second overall in the draft.
The 2019 NHL Draft is slated to be one of the best ever for American players. In addition to Hughes, at least seven other players from the United States are expected to be selected in the draft’s first round.
Here’s a look at the New England natives and players with connections to the region who made NHL Central Scouting’s Final Rankings ahead of the 2019 NHL Draft:
North American Skaters
6. Trevor Zegras
USA U-18, 3/20/01, C, Left Shot, 6-0.25/169
NCAA Commit: Boston University
The Bedford, N.Y., native has racked up 26 goals and 52 assists in 55 games played with the NTDP this season. Zegras is a highly skilled playmaking center with an elite brain for the game.
“I’m a skilled forward with good hockey sense. I’m a playmaker,” said Zegras, when asked to describe his style of play during an interview earlier this season.
If all goes as planned, the former Avon Old Farms star will play college hockey at Boston University in the fall.
9. Matt Boldy
USA U-18, 4/5/01, LW, Left Shot, 6-1.5/192
NCAA Commit: Boston College
Boldy, who played two seasons at Dexter School, has developed into an elite talent over the past few years. From Millis, Mass., he’s always possessed good hockey sense, but his skating and footwork has improved. The Boston College commit has length and can protect pucks with his frame and leverage. He has 30 goals and 39 assists in 57 games this season.
“I’d describe myself as a skilled, strong forward. I try to make plays and put pucks in the back of the net,” said Boldy when asked to explain his style of play earlier this season.
13. Alex Newhook
Victoria, 1/28/01, C, Left Shot, 5-10.5/195
NCAA Commit: Boston College
The St. John’s Newfoundland, native is in his second season playing for Victoria in the BCHL after playing prep hockey at St. Andrew’s College in Ontario. He’s amassed a whopping 49 goals and 77 assists in 68 games this season. He’ll be joining BC’s terrific freshman class come September.
23. Vladislav Firstov
Waterloo, 6/19/01, LW, Left Shot, 6-0.75/181
NCAA Commit: UConn
Another Russian heading to UConn, Firstov has put up big numbers in his first season playing in North America. He has 26 goals and 32 assists in 62 USHL games with the Black Hawks.
35. John Farinacci
Dexter, 2/14/01, C, Right Shot, 5-11.25/185
NCAA Commit: Harvard
The Chatham, N.J., native missed significant time this season due to injury, but he made his presence known when on the ice. The Harvard recruit had 12 goals and 21 assists in 16 games for Dan Donato’s team.
“The biggest strength of my game is my hockey IQ and my ability to see the ice. I try to see what’s going on out there and slow the pace down. I have good hands, good scoring touch and finishing ability,” Farinacci told New England Hockey Journal this past August.
38. Alex Vlasic
USA U-18, 6/5/01, D, Left Shot, 6-6/199
NCAA Commit: Boston University
The Wilmette, Ill., native had four goals and 22 assists on the blue line this season. The BU commit is a big, strong skating defender with upside.
39. Henry Thrun
USA U-18, 3/12/01, D, Left Shot, 6-2/190
NCAA Commit: Harvard
From Soutborough, Mass., Thrun played for St. Mark’s before making the trek to Plymouth, Mich. to play for the NTDP. A smart, two-way defenseman, Thrun is a coach’s dream who will make the Harvard blue line even better.
40. Braden Doyle
Lawrence Academy, 8/24/01, D, Left Shot, 5-11.25/162
NCAA Commit: Boston University
Doyle’s skill with the puck is his biggest asset and why he’s ranked so high. He can move pucks up ice in transition and quarterback a power play. There are deficiencies in his game, but with his skill, a NHL team will take him. The Lynnfield, Mass., native will play a year of junior hockey before enrolling at BU.
48. Jayden Struble
St. Sebastian’s, 9/8/01, D, Left Shot, 6-0/194
NCAA Commit: Northeastern
From Cumberland, R.I., Struble is a highly skilled, athletic defenseman who can impact many facets of the game. The Northeastern commit quarterbacks a power play, he can push the pace in transition, and he can add a physical element to the game. He’ll force plays and skate into traffic, and sometimes he crosses the line, but his skill set is worthy of a top two or three round pick
49. Johnny Beecher
USA U-18, 4/5/01, C, Left Shot, 6-2.75/210
NCAA Commit: Michigan
The Elmira, N.Y., native played previously at Salisbury. He’s a player who might be unfairly held down in these rankings, due to playing a lesser role on a stacked NTDP squad. Beecher will play for college hockey for the Michigan Wolverines.
53. Robert Mastrosimone
Chicago, 1/24/01, LW, Left Shot, 5-9.75/158
NCAA Commit: Boston University
Mastrosimone continues to prove doubters wrong as the diminutive winger racks up goals and assists in the USHL. He finished the regular season with 31 goals and 29 assists in 54 games. The East Islip, N.Y., native will be heading to Boston University in the fall.
61. Marshall Warren
USA U-18, 4/20/01, D, Left Shot, 5-10.75/167
NCAA Commit: Boston College
Warren is an athletic, two-way defenseman who can bring it physically and contribute in the offensive end. He’s strong and has a hard shot. A former Harvard commit, he’s now a part of BC’s loaded recruit class.
68. Domenick Fensore
USA U-18, 9/7/01, D, Left Shot, 5-6.75/151
NCAA Commit: Boston University
Fensore switched his commit from Quinnipiac to BU earlier this year. The undersized defenseman from Thorndike, N.Y. has registered six goals and 32 assists with the NTDP this season.
70. Zachary Jones
Tri-City, 10/18/00, D, Left Shot, 5-10/172
NCAA Commit: UMass
Few players have seen their stock rise as significantly as Jones’ has during the 2018-19 season. The Selects Academy at South Kent product has seven goals and 45 assists in 56 games as a rookie in the USHL. In addition to his puck-moving prowess, his ability to defend with his feet and active stick is very impressive. From Virginia, he’ll be heading to UMass.
73. Patrick Moynihan
USA U-18, 1/23/01, RW, Right Shot, 5-11.25/183
NCAA Commit: Providence
Moynihan is finally starting to get some of the recognition he deserves from scouting services. His ability to hunt pucks and impact the forecheck and cycle is uncanny. He has 19 goals and 24 assists in 57 games, but from a bottom six role for the most part. He’ll be a terrific four year college player for Nate Leaman’s Friars.
77. Case McCarthy
USA U-18, 1/9/01, D, Right Shot, 6-0.75/198
NCAA Commit: Boston University
The Clarence Center, N.Y., native is heading to play for the Terriers in the fall. McCarthy has four goals and 21 assists with the NTDP This season.
78. Ethan Phillips
Sioux Falls, 5/7/01, C, Right Shot, 5-9.25/148
NCAA Commit: Boston University
Phillips is small in stature, but he’s had no problem transitioning from midget hockey to the USHL. His skill set, hockey sense, and skating are all high-end. He has 16 goals and 27 assists in 50 games after making the move from Selects Academy at South Kent at the beginning of November.
83. Tyce Thompson
Providence, 7/12/99, RW, Right Shot, 6-1/178
Thompson will be drafted somewhere in the first three rounds after going undrafted in his first two years of eligibility. He racked up eight goals and 17 assists in 42 games with the Friars this season. His coach, Nate Leaman, continually praised how he played the game. His habits and skating are both very good, and he was efficient on the power play.
87. Cade Webber
Rivers, 1/5/01, D, Left Shot, 6-5.75/194
NCAA Commit: Boston University
Most scouts are intrigued by Webber’s skating and size. He averaged nearly a point per game in prep school this winter, but his hockey sense and compete levels are question marks in the minds of most scouts. The Meadville, Pa., native will join BU for the 2020-21 season.
88. Cooper Moore
Brunswick, 2/16/01, D, Left Shot, 6-1.25/175
NCAA Commit: North Dakota
The Greenwich, Conn., native has terrific feet and an accurate shot from the point. He put up gaudy numbers while quarterbacking the power play and moving pucks north for the Bruins. Play in his own end needs improvement before he gets to college.
114. Jeremie Bucheler
Victoria, 3/31/00, D, Right Shot, 6-4.5/201
NCAA Commit: Northeastern
Bucheler had a nice offensive season the blue line for the Grizzlies in the BCHL. Formerly of the USHL’s Chicago Steel, he’ll be heading to Northeastern in the fall.
116. Ryan Siedem
Central Illinois, 2/25/01, D, Right Shot, 6-2.25/191
NCAA Commit: Harvard
Siedem, who previously played at Avon Old Farms, left the NTDP following the conclusion of last season. He got a lot more ice time with the Flying Aces in the USHL and could hear his name called in the draft. The Madison, N.J., native is headed to play at Harvard.
121. Nikita Nesterenko
Lawrenceville, 9/10/01, C, Left Shot, 6-0.25/157
NCAA Commit: Brown
Nesterenko is a skilled, offensive producer, but his game needs to round out before making it to the next level. As it stands now, his game is a little perimeter.
122. Nicholas Abruzzese
Chicago, 6/4/99, C, Left Shot, 5-9.25/160
NCAA Commit: Harvard
Abruzzese is a classic late bloomer who de-committed from Vermont in favor of the Crimson after last season. In his third year of draft eligibility, he put up 29 goals and 51 assists in 62 games to lead the USHL in scoring.
124. Kevin Wall
Chilliwack, 2/1/00, RW, Right Shot, 6-0/180
NCAA Commit: Penn State
A former Merrimack commit and Salisbury alum, Wall put up 31 goals and 33 assists in 49 regular season games for the BCHL’s Chilliwack Chiefs.
130. Zachary Uens
Wellington, 5/13/01, D, Left Shot, 6-1/178
NCAA Commit: Merrimack
Uens had six goals and 16 assists while playing for the Dukes in the OJHL. He’s committed to playing college hockey for Scott Borek at Merrimack. Kudos to associate head coach Curtis Carr for the big win on the recruiting trail for the Warriors.
131. Tomas Mazura
Kimball Union, 9/23/00, C, Left Shot, 6-2/170
NCAA Commit: Providence
From Czech Republic, Mazura is still quite raw, but he’s a player with upside. He has good size and he gets around, despite a funky first stride or two. He led the Wildcats in scoring with 14 goals and 40 assists in 37 games as the team won its third straight prep school championship.
“He’s become a legitimate college and pro prospect. Providence made a wise move committing him. His upside is huge with his big frame, and he’s starting to fill it out,” said KUA coach Tim Whitehead.
134. Marc Del Gaizo
UMass, 10/11/99, D, Left Shot, 5-9.5/188
The Basking Ridge, N.J., native had the game-winning goal in overtime that sent the Minutemen on to the national championship game. Del Gaizo became a household name this winter, playing alongside Hobey Baker winner Cale Makar. Del Gaizo had 13 goals and 16 assists in 41 games for UMass. He has very good feet and does a good job getting shots through from the point. He’ll hear his name called in his second season of draft eligibility.
139. Ben Meehan
Dexter, 4/20/01, D, Left Shot, 6-0/165
NCAA Commit: UMass Lowell
Meehan just plays a steady and consistent game. He doesn’t make flashy plays, but he’s efficient moving the puck, has a good stick, and plays extremely hard. He went from unranked at the midterm to 139th on NHL Central Scouting.
“Reliable defensively. I’m hard working. I just move the puck up. I don’t try to do too much. I hope to be reliable in my own zone then jump up into the play and create a little offense as well,” Meehan told NEHJ in February.
144. Arlo Merritt
Kimball Union, 1/31/01, C/LW, Left Shot, 6-3/190
NCAA Commit: Ohio State
Merritt is here for his upside. He averaged less than a point per game in prep this winter, but he has the size and raw tools to intrigue some teams. He’s heading to Ohio State.
163. Malik Alishlalov
Westminster, 1/7/01, D, Left Shot, 6-2/195
NCAA Commit: UConn
Alishlalov has size and the tools, but his game was a little inconsistent for the Martlets this winter. He had three goals and 12 assists as Westy made it to the Elite 8 quarterfinals.
167. Ethan Leyh
Langley, 9/7/01, LW, Left Shot, 6-0/190
NCAA Commit: Quinnipiac
A playmaker, Leyh had 15 goals and 28 assists for the Rivermen in the BCHL this season. He’s headed to play for Rand Pecknold at Quinnipiac.
173. Cade Alami
Berkshire, 3/13/01, D, Right Shot, 6-6.75/195
NCAA Commit: Providence
Alami missed most of the prep season, but would have been in front of scouts during the fall and at USA Hockey Nationals. He’s a long shot to get drafted, but his size is a project some organizations might consider.
183. Lynden Breen
Central Illinois, 5/31/01, C, Left Shot, 5-9.25/161
NCAA Commit: Maine
After playing prep at New Hampton, Breen had 12 goals and 25 assists in his first USHL season with the Flying Aces. He’s committed to play college hockey at Maine.
184. Tyler Spott
Green Bay, 6/17/00, D, Left Shot, 5-9.75/171
NCAA Commit: Northeastern
Spott had goals and 21 assists for the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers. He’ll be heading to play for Jim Madigan at Northeastern.
185. Tyler Young
Lawrence Academy, 5/8/01, RW, Right Shot, 5-11.75/163
NCAA Commit: Providence
Young has a good shot and plays with a chip on his shoulder. Playing at pace is a concern, but there’s a lot to like in his overall game. He’s the son of Pittsburgh Penguins Director of Player Development Scott Young, a former NHL player and BU great.
207. Jack Ring
Boston Advantage U-18, 12/18/00, LW, Left Shot, 6-2.5/168
NCAA Commit: New Hampshire
The Hingham, Mass., native is a late bloomer who converted from defense to forward. His skating and size are his best assets. While his numbers were underwhelming, NHL Central Scouting saw something in his potential.
210. Parker Ford
Sioux City, 7/20/00, C, Right Shot, 5-8.5/170
NCAA Commit: Providence
From Wakefield, R.I., Ford continues to prove people wrong. He’s on the smaller side, but he just produces. He skates well and plays the game with an edge. He’ll hunt pucks and get into the greasy areas. Ford will be a great player at Providence.
211. Alexander Steeves
Notre Dame, 12/10/99, C, Left Shot, 5-11/185
The Bedford, N.H., native had seven goals and two assists in 39 games for the Fighting Irish.
North American Goaltenders
1. Spencer Knight
USA U-18, 4/19/01, Catches Left, 6-3/198
NCAA Commit: Boston College
The Darien, Conn., native is an elite goaltender who could go as high as the first round. He has size, strong fundamentals, and skates well. He’s going to be a terrific replacement for Joe Woll at BC.
14. Henry Wilder
Hotchkiss School, 3/19/01, Catches Left, 6-1/181
NCAA Commit: Boston College
Wilder, from Needham, Mass., has always gone under the radar, but his play caught many a scout’s eye this winter. He posted several shutouts early in the season, and was impressive against heavyweights such as Salisbury and Gunnery.
26. Alex Aslanidis
Avon Old Farms, 1/20/01, Catches Left, 6-5/220
NCAA Commit: Providence
Scouts love his size, but his game can be inconsistent at times.
29. Derek Mullahy
Dexter, 3/20/01, Catches Left, 6-0/176
NCAA Commit: Harvard
Mullahy’s height is an issue for some scouts, but he plays better than a lot of the goaltenders listed above him. He should be an above average college goaltender at Harvard.
