WALPOLE, Mass. — Six Midget minor (16-U) teams from Massachusetts squared off over the weekend at Rodman Arena. Boston Advantage, Boston Hockey Academy, Boston Junior Eagles, Cape Cod Whalers, Islanders Hockey Club and Springfield Rifles were the teams that played a game each day at the arena about 30 minutes southwest of Boston.
A few key players were missing due to having obligations at their prep schools, but there was plenty of talent on display. Boston Advantage, Boston Junior Eagles and Cape Cod Whalers distinguished themselves as the top teams at Rodman Arena.
Cape Cod Whalers won a decisive decision over Islanders Hockey Club, while a big second half lifted the Junior Eagles past Boston Hockey Academy. In the finale, Boston Advantage jumped out to a lead over the Springfield Rifles.
Based on Sunday’s three games, I came up with a list of the notable prospects from the six teams. Below is an analysis of those players, born in 2004 and 2005, who impressed at Rodman Arena. Please note that some good players are omitted, if they didn’t do anything to stand out Sunday. I tried to hit on at least a couple of players from each team.
Forwards
Will Vote
Junior Eagles, 2/22/05, RW, right shot, 5-8/145
Vote is one of the smartest players I’ve seen in this area over the past decade. He was terrific in Sunday’s game, dishing out a couple of assists. He always seems to be one step ahead of the play, whether it be finding open teammates or knowing where to go to find soft spots in opposing defenses. He reads plays well, hunts pucks and doesn’t back down from anyone. Vote plays the point on the power play and is a complete, 200-foot player. With his lack of size, his pro potential might be questioned by some. I say with absolute certainty that he should be an elite college hockey player. A whole lot of schools from the Big Ten, Hockey East and ECAC Hockey undoubtedly will offer him a commitment next Aug. 1.
Will Smith
Junior Eagles, 3/17/05, C, right shot, 5-11/165
NCAA commit: Northeastern
Smith scored one of the highlight-reel goals of the day. He rifled a shot just under the bar in the top corner of the net from the top of the right wing circle. He used the defender as a screen and had some deception on his release. The goal is a perfect example of the type of things Smith can do with the puck on his stick. He has the ability to change the tone of a game. The Lexington, Mass., native is one of the most skilled forwards in the country and is a lock for the NTDP.
Grayson Badger
Cape Cod Whalers, 5/9/04, LW, right shot, 6-1/180
Badger was involved in the play a lot in Sunday’s game, picking up a few assists. His compete, ability to win 50/50 puck battles, and forecheck with tenacity were all noteworthy. The Hyde Park, Mass., native drove the net, protected pucks and created time and space for teammates.
Michael Callow
Cape Cod Whalers, 1/15/04, RW, right shot, 6-3/175
NCAA commit: Harvard
Callow had his moments in his team’s lopsided win over the Islanders. He scored a goal on a transition play as he drove the far post. From South Boston, Mass., there are shifts where he looks like a potential pro. His consistency has gotten better, but it could still improve.
Will McDonough
Boston Advantage, 6/18/05, C, right shot, 6-1/180
McDonough centers the top line for the Advantage. He has good size and can dominate below the dots. He hangs around the goal mouth and is in the right place at the right time a lot. McDonough can be a power forward who finishes. He’s not at the same level as Vote, Smith and Ryan Leonard, but he’s in that next grouping of top ’05 forwards in Massachusetts.
Joe Hurton
Junior Eagles, 3/23/05, RW, right shot, 6-4/195
Hurton scored a goal in the second half. He’s on the right wing on a line with two good players — center Trip Pendy and left wing Isaac Mitchell. As I’ve said a few other times, Hurton shows glimpses of being a dominant power forward, and if the Quincy, Mass., native can bring that element more consistently, his stock will soar.
Pavit Mehra
Cape Cod Whalers, 7/16/04, RW, right shot, 5-10/145
Mehra is on the smaller side and is a little under the radar due to playing at Hopkinton High School. However, he always produces and has some grit to his game. He doesn’t play with any fear and goes to the dirty areas, as he did for a rebound goal.
Andrew Garzone
Cape Cod Whalers, 5/30/04, C, 6-0/185
Garzone was solid, centering a line with Badger on the left and Mehra on the right. He brings a two-way, physical element to the game. He played hard, delivered some hits and chipped in a goal. Eventually, I could see Garzone ending up at a program like Colgate, St. Lawrence or Holy Cross.
Ryan Shaw
Springfield Rifles, 1/29/05, LW, left shot, 5-9/150
Shaw, who plays on the wing with Ryan Leonard in a typical 15-U game, was playing up here on Sunday. He’s quick, gritty and didn’t look out of place at this level. He’s not in the upper echelon of top players at the ’05 age group, but he’s in that next tier.
Jackson Kyrkostas
Islanders HC, 8/19/04, C, right shot, 5-10/150
Kyrkostas, from Windham, N.H., centered the top line with Aaron Schwartz playing his off wing on the left side. Both players have shown well at various viewings throughout this fall, but Sunday’s game can only be described as a tough one for all on the Islanders. Both skate well and have skill. Kyrkostas has become more of a complete and physical player this fall than in the past.
Spencer Sasenbury
Boston Hockey Academy, 5/24/04, C, left shot, 6-2/150
Sasenbury was the center on the top line. He has good size and physical tools. From Fayetteville, N.Y., he has the length to protect pucks.
Christian Day
Boston Hockey Academy, 5/26/04, RW, right shot, 5-8/150
Day kind of takes on the personality of his team, playing hard and with a chip on his shoulder. He’s on the smaller side, but he’s quick, gritty and had the puck a decent amount.
Defensemen
Ryan Healey
Boston Advantage, 6/5/04, D, right shot, 6-1/170
NCAA commit: Harvard
Healey keeps getting better with each viewing. The Hull, Mass., native scored his team’s first goal on an end-to-end rush in the first half. His skating, stick and vision make him one of the best offensive, puck-moving defensemen in this age group. He gaps well and has confidence when defending. The Boston Advantage blue line is undoubtedly led by Healey, but ’04 Tim Busconi and ’05 Jack O’Brien also were solid.
Chris Romaine
Cape Cod Whalers, 2/21/04, D, right shot, 5-11/180
Romaine has gotten better in every viewing this season. He showed a lot of promise as a Bantam back in 2018-19. The Braintree, Mass., native was solid, but not a true standout in his first year of Midget and prep in 2019-20. Now, he’s starting to show why I was so high on him with South Shore Kings and BC High as an eighth-grader. His feet and skill are very good. He makes breakout passes right on the tape and he scored a goal. Romaine is good enough to end up at a Beanpot school. Even without CJ Foley, who was out due to Thayer starting practices, the Whalers defense is a solid group. Ryan Buckley (St. George’s), Jackson Faughan (Milton), Brian Grant (Nobles) and Sean Keohane (Dexter Southfield) all have Division 1 potential.
Shawn Leary
Junior Eagles, 5/12/05, D, right shot, 6-0/180
Leary seems to get lost in the depth chart at times, but he’s the best defender for the Junior Eagles. He’s athletic and can bring a physical element to the blue line while having the strength and stick to chip in offensively from time to time. He kept things simple and was solid in Sunday’s game.
Matt Hanscom
Springfield Rifles, 1/25/05, D, left shot, 6-1/175
Hanscom has been an above-average offensive defenseman for the Rifles’ 15-U team this fall. He played up on Sunday against the Advantage and was noticeable. Hanscom has good size and his stick is above average. He’ll be a second-year player for Pope Francis this winter.
Goaltenders
Beau Lane
Boston Advantage, 6/16/04, G, catches left, 6-2/154
Lane is somewhat of a newcomer to attention as a solid goaltending prospect. He has good size, covers a lot of the net, and makes saves look easy. Even when he goes post to post to make a save, he looks quiet in the crease. The Pembroke, Mass., native is a goaltender Division 1 coaches should be keeping tabs on over the coming years.
Justin Katz
Cape Cod Whalers, 10/28/04, G, catches left, 6-0/176
Katz had a shutout and despite the lopsided score, made a couple of solid saves. He’s technically very sound, skates well and has good reflexes. The Mont-Royal, Quebec, native reportedly also was very good a day earlier in a 1-1 tie against the Junior Eagles.
