MARLBORO, Mass. -- Despite not practicing daily as a team, the Mid Fairfield Rangers punched their ticket to the USA Hockey Nationals by winning the New England District 16-U Championship last weekend.
Mid Fairfield defeated Selects Academy, 4-2, in the semifinals before outlasting Mount Saint Charles, 5-2, in the final. Both opponents had the benefit of daily practice, unlike the Rangers. The team advances to play at the USA Hockey 16-U National Championship next April in Rochester, Mich.
The New England District 16-U Tournament had a lot of talented players whom college coaches were watching carefully. Some were already committed while others are being pursued or will be pursued come Jan. 1, when the new NCAA legislation permits.
Below are my rankings of the top prospects from the New England District 16-U Tournament:
Forwards
1. Ryan Greene
Selects Academy, 10/21/03, C, right shot, 6-1/160
NCAA commit: Boston University
Green was the best 16-U forward in the region this fall after Zachary Bolduc left Mount Saint Charles for Rimouski in the QMJHL. Green skates well and is a 200-foot center who can score and set up teammates. He played point on the power play and scored on it. His skating, vision and hockey sense are all elite.
2. Matt McGroarty
Mid Fairfield, 1/30/03, RW, right shot, 5-10/159
NCAA commit: Quinnipiac
McGroarty is one of the most underrated players in this age group in the country. He consistently goes to the greasy areas, whether that is hunting pucks along the wall and down low or going to the scoring areas in front of the net. He scored three goals in the two games I saw, including the winner in the semifinal. He does a lot of little things as well and he’s a proven winner.
3. Andon Cerbone
Mid Fairfield, 4/13/04, C, left shot, 5-7/137
Cerbone continues to grow on me as a skilled, smart forward. He made a bunch of great plays on Sunday to set up McGroarty goals, including the semifinal winner. He also scored a beauty of a goal coming off the wall. He’s able to come off the wall, juke opposing defenders, and get pucks to open teammates. His hands are very good.
4. Kenny Connors
Mount Saint Charles, 3/10/03, C, left shot, 6-0/180
NCAA commit: UMass
Connors is a big power forward who is heavy on pucks, protects pucks and can make plays. He’s a complete center who should continue to get better. He found his way onto the score sheet in games I watched.
5. Jake Bongo
Selects Academy, 2/4/03, LW, right shot, 5-9/140
Bongo has had a great fall and is undoubtedly one of the most improved players in this age group. It wasn’t his best showing of the fall, but he was solid. He’s quick, competes hard and makes plays by going to the dirty areas.
6. Daniel Sambuco
Yale Jr. Bulldogs, 6/10/03, C, left shot, 5-11/192
NCAA commit: Providence
Sambuco goes hard, has a nose for the puck and is a strong north-south power forward. His hockey sense is a work in progress, but his skating and compete are both very notable.
7. Paul Davey
Mid Fairfield, 1/11/03, C, left shot, 6-1/165
NCAA commit: Boston College
Davey has the size and skill to make the occasional highlight-reel play. He needs to be more consistently engaged.
8. Connor Welsh
Mid Fairfield, 1/2/04, RW, right shot, 5-8/131
Welsh has enough skill and skating to be intriguing. He sees the ice well and has good touch on his passes. There’s a lot of offensive upside in his game.
9. Cooper Flinton
Northern Cyclones Prep, 8/16/03, LW, left shot, 6-2/205
Flinton scored one goal during my viewings. He’s a big, rugged winger who is heavy on pucks and he can shoot it hard.
10. Paul DeSaro
Selects Academy, 9/16/03, RW, right shot, 5-10/180
DeSaro caught my eye a few times. He’s improved greatly over the past year or so at Selects. He’s bigger and faster than he was previously.
11. James Shannon
Mid Fairfield, 8/12/04, C, right shot, 5-8/152
Shannon plays hard and hits everything in his path. He’s rugged and heavy on pucks and can find his way onto the score sheet through his physical play.
12. PJ Neal
Mid Fairfield, 2/12/03, LW, left shot, 5-8/175
Neal, who wore No. 24 despite not being on the roster, scored a couple of key goals for his team on Sunday. He’s just one of those bulldogs who goes to the net, uses his strength and finishes.
13. Sterling Cooke
Mount Saint Charles, 2/7/03, C, left shot, 5-10/173
Cooke found the back of the net during my viewings. What you don’t see on the score sheet is his intangibles. He plays hard, competes for loose pucks and is gritty in all situations.
14. Jayden Sison
Mount Saint Charles, 1/27/03, RW, right shot, 5-9/165
Sison is a smart, defensive forward who can also chip in offensively. He’s smart, kills penalties and knows where to go to find chances.
15. Beanie Richter
Mid Fairfield, 8/20/04, LW, left shot, 5-10/148
Richter is a smart, 200-foot forward who stands out in a secondary role for this very deep Mid Fairfield team.
16. Tyler Ribera
Mount Saint Charles, 1/7/03, LW, right shot, 6-3/180
Ribera is a big power forward who can get up and down the wing. He goes to the net and cashes in on rebound goals. He’s a net-front presence and creates screens even when he doesn’t have the puck.
17. Zachary Aben
Mount Saint Charles, 12/12/03, C, left shot, 5-9/162
Aben caught my attention a few times for his high motor and compete level. He’s quick and he keeps his feet moving.
18. Noah Alvarez
Selects Academy, 3/30/03, LW, right shot, 5-10/185
Alvarez scored and was noted a few times for his quickness and skating ability. It was his best viewing of the fall.
19. Michael Woll
Mount Saint Charles, 4/4/03, LW, left shot, 6-3/183
Woll’s skating appears to be getting better and he’s definitely moving around the ice with more ease. He’s a big power forward with a little skill. He can create offense by using his reach below the dots to get pucks to open teammates.
20. Connor Hagness
Yale Jr. Bulldogs, 9/16/03, LW, left shot, 5-7/135
Other players on his team stood out more this fall, but Hagness was good in my viewings this weekend. He made a couple of really good passes and is an above-average skater.
Defensemen
1. Drew Tsakounis
Mid Fairfield, 7/15/03, D, left shot, 5-9/159
NCAA commit: Penn State
It’s been said over and over, but it still holds true: Tsakounis is a dynamic puck-mover for this level. He has the puck a lot and makes plays to clear pucks up ice to facilitate offensive chances. He does great work on the power play. His feet and puck skills are both very good.
2. Anthony Cliche
Mount Saint Charles, 6/9/03, D, right shot, 6-3/202
Cliche looks the part of a pro defenseman with his size, skating and skill. He plays with a little jam as well. He can make really good plays and he shoots it well. However, his puck touches need to become more consistently smart. Nonetheless, he’s a very promising prospect.
3. Tyler DesRochers
Mount Saint Charles, 4/2/03, D, right shot, 6-0/180
NCAA commit: Providence
DesRochers is a solid, puck-moving defenseman with a good stick. His gaps need to be tighter, but there’s plenty to like in his game.
4. Conor Shortall
Selects Academy, 4/29/03, D, right shot, 5-10/180
A puck-moving defenseman, Shortall also plays with jam and can defend with his feet while closing quickly on opposing forwards.
5. Charlie Leddy
Mid Fairfield, 1/11/04, D, right shot, 6-1/173
NCAA commit: Boston College
Leddy is a physically mature, athletic defenseman. He plays with jam and brings it physically. He also has the ability to skate pucks up ice or make passes to jumpstart the attack.
6. Eli Barnett
Selects Academy, 9/16/03, D, right shot, 6-5/213
NCAA commit: Vermont
Barnett is a big, stay-at-home defenseman. He’s rangy, and defends with his length and ability to limit opponents’ time and space.
7. Charlie Andriole
Yale Jr. Bulldogs, 4/19/03, D, left shot, 5-8/153
Andriole’s skating is very good and it’s an attribute that will carry him far. However, his hockey sense needs improvement.
8. Chase Ramsay
Mid Fairfield, 6/10/03, D, right shot, 5-11/171
Ramsay is a work in progress, but there’s a lot to like in his game. He has physical tools, but needs to work on how he reads plays and sees the ice. He’s a player to keep tabs on as he develops at Avon Old Farms.
Goaltenders
1. Conor Callaghan
Mid Fairfield, 3/2/03, G, catches left, 5-10/178
Callaghan checks all the boxes except for size. He’s a competitor, tracking pucks well and skating well.
2. Kellen Beauton
Yale Jr. Bulldogs, 1/29/03, G, catches left, 6-0/150
Beauton was solid in a limited viewing. He has above average size, moves well and comes up with key saves.
3. Alex Mickanin
Selects Academy, 8/11/03, G, catches left, 6-1/185
Mickanin is a good-sized goaltender who plays a typical butterfly style. He’s a good skater and does a sound job of taking away space for shooters.
