ROCHESTER, Mich. — After attending the USA Hockey Nationals in Detroit and previously breaking down observations over several days of round-robin play, New England Hockey Journal ranks the 10 best players we saw live in the 18-U and 16-U divisions.
The rankings are broken down into the top 5 players we witnessed in each division, regardless of birth year or position. This is not based on who led the way statistically. Members of the teams that came away with championships are also not given greater influence on the names that appear below.
These impressions are gleaned from three full days of watching hockey and designed to recognize those who stood out in a particular snapshot in time, and not top performers over the entire six-day schedule, which included playoffs.
18-U
1. Colin Kessler
Culver, C, 6/7/04, left shot, 6-0/177
NCAA commit: Vermont
This was the best game we have seen from Kessler in multiple viewings this season, previously at the Prep Hockey Conference and True Hockey Cup events in New England. Beyond the five points he put up in a 6-5 win over Mount Saint Charles, Kessler’s motor was on the highest setting: he drove through contact, went hard to the net to both set up plays and finish them off. Listed 161st on Central Scouting’s midterm NHL draft rankings for North American skaters, the Alaska native’s USHL rights are owned by the Sioux City Musketeers.
2. Nik Simo
Oakland Jr. Grizzlies, G, 11/20/03, catches left, 6-0/170
He stood on his head against a much superior Shattuck-St. Mary’s team, the top-ranked one in the country entering the event. He played with poise and focus, tracking pucks and moving extremely well to deny high-grade scoring chances. None was better than the two saves he made with a little over a minute left in regulation, with his team holding a one-goal lead. As forward Will Whitelaw broke in on a partial breakaway and cut right-to-left across the goalmouth, the 2021 USHL first overall futures draft pick appeared to have space at the far post to put home the tying goal. However, Simo stretched across in desperation, getting a toe on the shot. Then, as the puck sat in the paint by the post, he somehow swatted down Anthony Yu’s rebound attempt and held on to get the whistle. His team held on for the win, though Oakland didn't make it through to the playoff round.
3. Charles Major
BK Selects, C, 9/14/04, right shot, 5-10/155
NCAA commit: Cornell
Although smallish in stature, it isn’t hard to see why he’s committed to a top in-state program, as he was constantly around the puck and drove his team’s offense. The Marcellus, N.Y., product has the smarts and work ethic to beat you in a variety of ways. Every time his skates touched the ice, he was making a positive impression and a threat to score.
4. Cole Eiserman (Newburyport, Mass.)
Shattuck, LW, 8/29/06, left shot, 6-0/183
Just officially named to the U.S National Team Development Program’s under-17 team over the weekend, it was an open secret that the North Shore product would be wearing the red, white and blue of Team USA next season. Physically far ahead of many of his peers, he’s backed it up all season with a wicked shot, natural nose for the net, and ability to make magic with fellow ’06 and USHL tender Macklin Celebrini (Chicago Steel). Against Oakland, he was able to score a quick-strike goal by getting to the front of the net and converting a quick pass in one fast motion. Expect him to secure an early commitment to a top program on or after August 1.
5. Brendan Gorman (Arlington, Mass.)
Jr. Eagles, C, 2/17/03, right shot, 5-11/150
NCAA commit: Princeton
Although the Jr. Eagles team wasn’t able to advance past round-robin play, Gorman played well and continued the impressive offensive run he had at St. Sebastian’s. Headed to Princeton to join his older brother, Liam, he’s fast, cerebral and is around the puck a lot. He’s crafty and makes others around him better. While not blessed with an abundance of size, he uses his smarts and quickness to evade open-ice hits and keep possession of the puck. He snaps shots off his stick quickly, sneaking to quiet areas of the ice and locating the puck for shots or quick seam passes.
Honorable mention
Tyler Stern, LW; BK Selects, 8/12/04; 5-9/170
Geno McEnery, RW; Yale Jr. Bulldogs, 10/21/03; 6-0/180
Nolan Joyce, D; Jr. Eagles, 9/25/03; 6-0/181- Boston College (Dedham, Mass.)
Zach Aben, C; Mount St. Charles, 12/12/03; 5-10/185
Matt DiMarsico, LW; 1/7/04; 6-0/175- Penn. State
Bryceon Lago, D; LI Gulls, 3/1/04; 5-9/155- Brown
Andrew Clarke, C; St. Louis AAA Blues, 2/11/04; 5-11/160
Seth Constance, D; Mount St. Charles, 10/26/04; Â 6-2/175
16-U
1. Alex Hebblethwaite
Phoenix Jr. Coyotes, RW, 6/27/05, left shot, 6-0/160
A dominant performance from the Toronto-area native who, like everyone else in Ontario, missed the entire 2020-21 hockey season because of the pandemic. As a result, the former Mississauga Reps star left Canada for Arizona, and has the look of a forward who can contribute right away in the USHL if that’s what he wants to do. He’s strong, with a frame that has room to grow/add mass. He used his hard, heavy shot to good effect, scoring twice on the power play and giving the Boston Jr. Eagles all they could handle when he got up to speed and went hard to the net. He has NHL tools and is sure to have a lot of college interest as well. His OHL rights are owned by the Oshawa Generals (12th round).
2. Owen King
BK Selects, C, 9/14/05, right shot, 5-9/143
NCAA commit: Providence
The dangerous possession center knows when to step up and make a big impact. He is noticeable for how much he touches the puck over the course of a game and how he makes an impact all over the ice. He scored the opening goal, but had myriad other opportunities in a tight 2-1 game that required an overtime deflection to resolve. Undrafted in the USHL, watch for him to go pretty early, and he has time to develop and grow in midget and juniors before he heads to the Hockey East.
3. Jake Gutwirth
Mount St. Charles, LW, 5/29/05, left shot, 5-8/160
Started a comeback in the game against the NJ Rockets after being in an 0-3 hole with his team’s first two goals. Although the Saints lost in an extended shootout, Gutwirth played hard and led by example. His second goal was an absolute snipe, looking down the goaltender as he skated down from the blue line, then burying a shot up under the crossbar. While not big, the Brooklyn, N.Y., native plays big and has the kind of energy and character to be more than the sum of his parts.
4. Paul Dalessio (Burlington, Mass.)
BK Selects, G, 4/4/05, catches left, 5-7/170
Diminutive Bay Stater stood tall in a tight game against Yale, surrendering just one goal and having to make some top-quality saves when his defense broke down in front of him. He led the BK Selects to the championship and an undefeated record. He played big in net with some athletic and timely stops to get his team off to a hot start.
5. Matthew Desiderio
NJ Rockets, D, 8/16/05, left shot, 6-4/220
Massive defender has a long reach and is tough to play against as one of the best defenders in his peer group. He stood out against Mount St. Charles, while keeping opposing forwards to the outside. He has a powerful point shot, and also scored a nice goal during the shootout, which showed off more agility than we previously thought he had.
Honorable mention
James Reeder, RW; Chicago Mission, 10/6/05; 5-9/150
Aiden Hopewell, G; Yale Jr. Bulldogs, 1/10/05; 6-2/179
Joe Connor, C; Yale Jr. Bulldogs, 3/31/05; 5-10/170 (Amherst, N.H.)
Teddy Stiga, RW; Jr. Eagles, 4/5/06; 5-9/160 (Sudbury, Mass.)
Nick Fascia, D; LI Gulls, 4/28/05; 6-1/183- Penn. State
Simon Nealy, D; Phoenix Jr. Coyotes, 6/6/05; 6-2/180
Jack Willson, D; Detroit Compuware, 4/15/05; 5-8/165- Michigan
Justin Stupka, RW; Penguins Elite, 3/15/04; 6-2/188
Chris Pelosi, C; Mount St. Charles, 3/6/05; 6-0/160- Quinnipiac
