There was no shortage of solid prospects in the first year of the Northeast Pack 18-U.
The newly formed league consisted of Buffalo Jr. Sabres, Mount Saint Charles, North Jersey Avalanche, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite and South Kent Selects Academy.
At the 18-U division, Mount Saint Charles and North Jersey Avalanche were far and away the best teams. The two teams had a vast majority of the top prospects in the league, but a few hidden gems could be found on the other three teams.
Below are my selections for the first and second teams for All-Northeast Pack 18-U. Please note that I did not include players from North Jersey who played prep school because they missed quite a few of the Northeast Pack events.
First Team All-Northeast Pack 18-U
Michael Citara
Mount Saint Charles, 4/22/02, RW, right shot, 5-10/163
NCAA commit: Providence
The New Hope, Pa., native put up big numbers in the home state of his future college team. In 53 games, Citara scored 44 goals and added 42 assists. Citara is a highly skilled offensive prospect whose play away from the puck came along way under the tutelage of head coach Matt Plante this season.
Victor Czerneckianair
Mount Saint Charles, 2/17/02, C, left shot, 5-10/170
NCAA commit: Quinnipiac
Czerneckianair led Mount Saint Charles in scoring with 36 goals and 53 assists. The Southington, Conn., native is a speedy, skilled center with a high motor. He keeps his feet moving at all times and will be with the USHL’s Tri-City Storm in 2020-21 before matriculating to Quinnipiac.
Quinn Hutson
North Jersey Avalanche, 1/1/02, RW, right shot, 5-10/175
NCAA commit: Boston University
Hutson had 31 goals and 20 assists in 23 AYHL midget games and two goals and six assists in nine Beast Series midget games. The Chicago, Ill., native is skilled and led the way for the North Jersey Avalanche. The future Terrier is slated to play the 2020-21 season with the Penticton Vees in the BCHL.
Nate Benoit
Mount Saint Charles, 11/26/02, D, left shot, 6-0/164
Benoit is a tough, mobile, two-way defenseman who enjoyed a breakout season with Mount Saint Charles. The Bow, N.H., native had 11 goals and 29 assists in 53 games while attracting college interest. He’ll reportedly return to the Woonsocket, R.I., school for his senior season before heading to junior hockey.
DJ Hart
North Jersey Avalanche, 2/23/02, D, right shot, 6-2/185
NCAA commit: Ohio State
Hart is a big defenseman with above-average mobility. The Stamford, Conn., native brings a physical presence to the blue line while also having a hard shot and making crisp passes. The Buckeye commit will likely play in the USHL next season.
Ethan Pearson
Mount Saint Charles, 7/30/02, G, catches left, 6-1/195
Pearson was the most unknown prospect of any on this list heading into the season. The Quebec native had a terrific season, including clutch performances at the New England District Championship in November and the True Hockey Prep Cup in January. Pearson has good size, moves well and, most importantly, stopped pucks in games that mattered most.
Second Team All-Northeast Pack 18-U
Anthony Calafiore
North Jersey Avalanche, 4/6/02, RW, right shot, 5-8/165
NCAA commit: Robert Morris
Calafiore is a small wing with skill. The Staten Island, N.Y., native had 18 goals and 32 assists in 21 AYHL midget games this winter. He recently earned a college commitment from Robert Morris. Expect Calafiore to play the 2020-21 season in the BCHL.
Chris Carroll
North Jersey Avalanche, 5/4/01, C/LW, left shot, 6-0/180
NCAA commit: Merrimack
Carroll is a hard-nosed forward who can slide up and down the lineup, especially at this level. The Islip, N.Y., native competes hard, shoots it with velocity, and uses his size and strength to get to the net. He can also use his frame to create time and space for linemates. The Merrimack commit will likely tender in the NAHL for 2020-21.
Matthew Yeager
Buffalo Jr. Sabres, 5/21/02, RW, right shot, 6-5/210
Yeager is an intriguing prospect with his size and physical tools. If he can find more consistency and improve his hockey sense, he’ll be able to be more of a force throughout the entire game. Nonetheless, he’s a player with potential to blossom into a power forward.
John Hallard
North Jersey Avalanche, 1/28/01, D, right shot, 5-11/190
Hallard is a tough, hard-nosed defenseman who can contribute offensively. The Port Monmouth, N.J., native has to reel it in at times and limit turnovers, but he has the potential to be a Division I player down the road. There will be plenty of interest for him to play the 2020-21 season in the NAHL.
Tyler Kennedy
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, 1/8/02, D, left shot, 5-11/177
The Prospect, Pa., native has average size for a defenseman and plays hard. He’s strong and logged a ton of minutes in each viewing of the Penguins Elite this winter.
Gustave Bylin
South Kent Selects Academy, 1/12/02, G, catches left, 6-4/185
Bylin faced a lot of shots in many of his Northeast Pack games. A big goaltender, he has some significant upside. There were a couple of really good performances brought by the Montclair, N.J., native this year.
