AOver Columbus Day Weekend, several of the top bantam major teams throughout the Northeast will compete in the North American Challenge Cup at the Canton Ice House in Canton, Mass. Mike Busconi, an assistant coach at Lawrence Academy and part of NHL Central Scouting, put together this event. It was supposed to include a few teams...
AOver Columbus Day Weekend, several of the top bantam major teams throughout the Northeast will compete in the North American Challenge Cup at the Canton Ice House in Canton, Mass.
Mike Busconi, an assistant coach at Lawrence Academy and part of NHL Central Scouting, put together this event. It was supposed to include a few teams from the EHF, but that league’s hierarchy balked at the idea.
Busconi coaches the Neponset Valley River Rats U14 team that will be in attendance. Top teams at the NACC include Seacoast Academy, North Jersey Avalanche, Valley Forge Minutemen, Boston Advantage, Long Island Gulls and Chicago Young Americans.
Bantam major teams, made up of 2004-born players for this season, are already starting to attract significant attention from college coaches. Across North America, eight ‘04s have verbally committed to play college hockey, including Mid Fairfield defenseman Charlie Leddy, who pledged to Boston College.
Two players at this event, both from the North Jersey Avalanche, are committed to Hockey East programs: Forwards Ryan Schelling to Providence and Devin Kaplan to Boston University.
Seacoast Academy forward Liam Chapman will be one of the most-coveted uncommitted players at this event. His teammates, goaltender Remi DeSmith and defenseman Shaun McEwen, are also starting to receive interest.
For Valley Forge Minutemen, watch mobile defenseman Vinny Borgesi, who impressed at the Crimson Combine. Also keep an eye on Valley Forge defensemen Dylan Shane and Andrew Centrella, who competed at the STX 68 Combine.
Long Island Gulls forwards Ryan Friedman and Leo Schwartz showed some potential at the Crimson Combine. Forward Bobby Landry is a very good prospect who will be playing for Boston Advantage.
The host River Rats have some good players as well, highlighted by Phillips Andover forward William Hughes. Other solid players include forwards Shane Taddia, Noah Melanson and JoJo Dable. Defenseman CJ Beals is a player to watch on the blue line.
Additionally, Elite Hockey Academy goaltender Arthur Smith and Springfield Rifles '05 forward Ryan Leonard, who is playing up, are two more players to watch.
SCHEDULE: Subscribers can click here for the full schedule.
