There were several good 16-U and 15 Only games in the Greater Boston area over the weekend that drew the attention of Rod Braceful, the USA Hockey National Team Development Program assistant director of player personnel.
Players born in 2005 are eligible to be picked later this season to become part of the NTDP for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. With the numerous schedule changes and national showcases having been canceled over the past eight months, it has been harder for NTDP personnel to scout players in this age group than ever before.
The Boston Junior Eagles 16-U, Springfield Rifles 15 Only, Neponset Valley River Rats 15 Only and Cape Cod Whalers 15 Only had 2005 players of note that would have at least piqued the interest of Braceful.
After catching a lot of the weekend’s action, I offer my take on the ’05s who made a positive impression toward the NTDP or who should at least be considered for a possible invite to the NTDP Evaluation Camp, if there is one in 2021. There are some other good hockey players who will be in the mix for being drafted by USHL teams or eventually receiving college interest, but these were the players who stood out this weekend.
Will Smith
Junior Eagles 16-U, 3/17/05, C, right shot, 5-11/165
NCAA commit: Northeastern
Smith scored at least one goal in his team’s win Saturday night before I left for another game. It’s not exactly news that the future Husky is the most dynamic offensive player in the region. The Lexington, Mass., native has the size, skill and skating ability to dart in and out of traffic, toe-drag around opposing defenders, and finish. He also has the length to protect pucks and create time and space for his linemates. The St. Sebastian’s skater is a shoo-in for making the team.
Ryan Leonard
Springfield Rifles 15 Only, 1/21/05, C, right shot, 5-9/170
Leonard scored all five goals in his team’s win over the Junior Eagles at Murphy Rink in South Boston on Saturday. Leonard has been putting up gaudy offensive numbers for at least a year now since I’ve been watching. Especially with Pope Francis and Rifles linemate Ryan Shaw out of the lineup, Leonard has less help than other players on top teams in the region. Leonard has great offensive instincts, which allow him to find soft spots in opposing defenses. He shoots the puck with zip and accuracy while getting the release off quickly. Leonard is quickly rising up my list of ’05s nationally and has a good shot to make the NTDP. For those who aren’t as familiar with him, he’s the younger brother of former UMass star and current San Jose Sharks prospect John Leonard.
Will Vote
Junior Eagles 16-U, 2/22/05, RW, right shot, 5-7/147
Vote isn’t as gifted athletically as Smith or Leonard, but he more than makes up for it in other areas. There isn’t a player in the region who is as smart and competes for every loose puck like he does. Vote, who is at Dexter Southfield, is a complete 200-foot forward who forechecks, backchecks and does all the little things to win hockey games. In my opinion, there has to be a spot on the NTDP for him, likely in a role as a third- or fourth-line wing who could slide up if there are injuries.
Joey Zheng
River Rats 15 Only, 9/8/05, RW, right shot, 5-10/150
Zheng, a sophomore at Phillips Andover, had a hat trick in Saturday’s 6-2 win over the Cape Cod Whalers before adding two assists in Sunday’s 4-0 win over the Junior Eagles. Zheng’s biggest asset is his skating. His speed is elite and there are very defensemen who can stop him on the line rush when he’s blowing down the right wing. He has skill and offensive creativity, as evidenced by a toe-drag goal late Saturday. Zheng likely will commit to an Ivy League school on Aug. 1. Making the team might be a long shot, but he certainly deserves an opportunity to prove himself at the NTDP Evaluation Camp.
Nico Pasquale
River Rats 15 Only, 5/1/05, D, right shot, 5-9/145
Pasquale was playing in his first games with the River Rats in two months after being locked down at Berkshire. He’s a game-changer as a mobile, puck-moving defenseman. He’s strong on retrievals and is willing to engage physically, despite his smaller stature. Pasquale has the vision to move pucks up ice and he knows when and where to jump into the rush. In a down birth year for defensemen, Pasquale deserves consideration for the NTDP Evaluation Camp.
Shawn Leary
Junior Eagles 16-U, 5/22/05, D, right shot, 6-0/180
Leary is the best defenseman on the Junior Eagles. He’s physically strong and an imposing player. His skating is above average. I’m not sure he’s one of the best eight defensemen in the age group, but he’s certainly in that next tier and should be invited to the camp. Leary, who is at Lawrence Academy, was solid in his team’s game against GBL Bruins Saturday night.
Joe Hurton
Junior Eagles 16-U, 3/23/05, RW, right shot, 6-3/190
Hurton jumps off the page at you every time you go and watch him play. He has the size to be a power forward at a big-time college program in the region. The Dexter Southfield skater scored a goal in Saturday night’s game. When evaluating him for the NTDP, I’d like to see him bring it more consistently and play as a north-south power forward all the time.
Owen Leahy
Cape Cod Whalers 15 Only, 2/11/05, C/LW, left shot, 5-7/147
Leahy’s skating, vision and habits away from the puck are all strong assets. He’s a little on the smaller side and sometimes has trouble penetrating the middle of the ice. This weekend wasn’t his best viewings, but he’s a player who should at least be watched by the NTDP to count him in or out for the camp. With Griffin Erdman sidelined due to prep school lockdowns at Deerfield, Leahy is the best forward for the Whalers.
