There were a ton of high-end prospects in the first year of the Northeast Pack 16-U division.
The newly formed league consisted of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres, Mount Saint Charles, North Jersey Avalanche, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite and South Kent Selects Academy.
In the 16-U division, all five programs had very good players, including at least one from every team that played in USHL games during the season.
Below are my top 16 players from the Northeast Pack 16-U. Please note that I did not include prep school players who played a split season for the North Jersey Avalanche.
Devin Kaplan, who missed much of the Northeast Pack showcase schedule with an injury, would be on here if not for the ailment that sidelined him. Lastly, I omitted Mount Saint Charles center Zachary Bolduc, who left for the QMJHL in September.
Northeast Pack 16-U: Top 16 prospects
1. Guillaume Richard
Mount Saint Charles, 2/10/03, D, left shot, 6-1/148
NCAA commit: Maine
Richard, hailing from Cap-Sante, Quebec, is an elite prospect. He has it all. The future Black Bear is two-way defenseman who can skate, move pucks and bring it physically. He does a great job of closing space and time, and being hard to play against. Richard was called up for five USHL games with the Tri-City Storm and excelled with Canada White at the U17 World Challenge.
2. Ryan Greene
South Kent Selects Academy, 10/21/03, C, right shot, 6-1/160
NCAA commit: Boston University
Green left South Kent to join the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers full-time, missing the final two Northeast Pack showcases. However, he was very good in the first few. From Paradise, Newfoundland, Greene is an excellent skater who sees the ice well. A 200-foot center, he plays in all situations and does it well.
3. Kenny Connors
Mount Saint Charles, 3/10/03, C, left shot, 6-0/185
NCAA commit: UMass
Connors is a skilled, power forward who keeps getting better. The Glen Mills, Pa., native isn’t always flashy, but he’s a strong skater who is tough to knock off pucks. He can dish it and finish it. Connors played a couple of games up with USA Hockey’s NTDP U-17 team.
4. Carter Schade
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, 3/7/03, D, left shot, 5-10/192
NCAA commit: Penn State
There probably isn’t a tougher player in midget hockey than Schade, who hails from Mars, Pa. The first-overall pick in the 2019 USHL Phase I Draft is a strong, physical defenseman who can also jump into the rush and contribute offensively. He had two goals and one assist while playing up with the USHL’s Lincoln Stars.
5. Lane Hutson
North Jersey Avalanche, 2/14/04, D, left shot, 5-8/130
NCAA commit: Boston University
Hutson is an elite puck-moving, offensive defenseman. He’s got that ability to slow the game down with the puck on his stick. He sees the ice well and has the skating and stick to make things happen. He’s likely headed to USA Hockey’s NTDP.
6. Tyler Procious
Buffalo Jr. Sabres, 5/29/03, D, right shot, 5-10/165
Procious, from Pittsford, N.Y., is a smart, two-way defenseman who excels at making the right decisions on breakouts. He’s poised and confident with the puck on his stick, and he gaps well and has a good stick defending the rush. Procious played three games with the USHL’s Omaha Lancers.
7. Logan Cooley
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, 5/4/04, C, left shot, 5-8/143
NCAA commit: Notre Dame
Cooley has that quick twitch in his stride that allows him to get to pucks and separate from opposing defenders. The West Mifflin, Pa., native started the year at the 15 Pure level, but quickly proved his dominance there. He wasn’t quite as productive at 16-U, but his skating, skill and offensive instincts were still on display.
8. Connor Pelc
Buffalo Jr. Sabres, 4/28/03, RW, right shot, 6-1/195
NCAA commit: Providence
Pelc had a monster summer and fall that propelled him from a solid prospect to one coveted by a school such as Providence. A big power forward, Pelc has good size and the ability to protect pucks. He’s a north-south winger who can shoot it hard and dish it off to teammates. The Buffalo, N.Y., native played five games of junior hockey in the OJHL and NAHL this winter.
9. Sam Lipkin
North Jersey Avalanche, 1/3/03, C/LW, left shot, 6-1/180
NCAA commit: Quinnipiac
Lipkin is a power forward who hunts pucks, gets time and space for his linemates, and shows a willingness to go to the dirty areas. The Lafayette Hill, Pa., native played up with the USHL’s Chicago Steel for three games.
10. Nicky Wallace
North Jersey Avalanche, 3/7/03, D, left shot, 5-8/160
Wallace is a speedy, swift-footed, puck-moving defenseman. His ability to break pucks out of his own zone is uncanny. In a couple of Northeast Pack games, Wallace’s shot really stood out. Although his hockey sense and zone entries need a little work, it’s tough to ignore how good his feet are. The Atlantic Highlands, N.J., native played in two USHL games with the Tri-City Storm.
11. Brody Crane
Buffalo Jr. Sabres, 5/29/04, LW, left shot, 5-8/156
NCAA commit: Penn State
Crane is incredibly gifted with the puck on his stick. He has the ability to take over a game with his skating and shooting ability. He needs to be more consistent in order to truly take the next step in his game.
12. Tyler DesRochers
Mount Saint Charles, 4/2/03, D, right shot, 6-0/170
NCAA commit: Providence
DesRochers is a good-sized defender who skates well and can move pucks north. When he’s on top of his game, he’s a breakout machine. His consistency and defensive play were issues at times this season, but when he’s on, he can be really good. In seven USHL games with Green Bay, he had two assists.
13. Michael Emerson
North Jersey Avalanche, 12/26/03, C, right shot, 5-10/140
Emerson is a smart, cerebral center. A late ’03, his best hockey is still ahead of him. He has has a chance to blossom into a very good college prospect.
14. Shawn O’Donnell
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, 6/21/03, C, left shot, 5-10/170
O’Donnell is a big game player. He seems to step up with goals when his team needs it most. A rugged forward, he played center mostly, but can also play the wing. He’s a competitor who is willing to go to the greasy areas and his skill is better than he’s often given credit for. O’Donnell played a couple of games with the USHL’s Madison Capitols.
15. Tommy Heaney
Mount Saint Charles, 2/2/03, G, catches left, 6-1/146
Heaney is a good-sized, athletic goaltender who I’ve always been high on. He had a couple of strong outings in various Northeast Pack events.
16. Geno Pichora
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, 3/12/03, G, catches left, 5-11/233
NCAA commit: Minnesota
Pichora’s strong play throughout the season earned him a couple of call-ups with the USHL’s Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and a commitment to the University of Minnesota. Pichora has quick reflexes, a good glove, and does a good job of playing taller than he is.
