FOXBORO, Mass. — The United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) hosted its two all-star games on Tuesday afternoon at the Foxboro Sports Center.
Up first was the ‘Young Guns’ game featuring players born between 2003 and 2006. Most of the players in the first game were born in 2005 or 2006, but there were a handful of players born in 2004 and 2003. The second game was made up of mostly older players, born between 2001 and 2004.
There appeared to be little over a dozen college coaches and NHL scouts in attendance for the two games. The first game was significantly better, as there was more high-end talent and more plays being made as a result. Below is a look at 20 players who stood out in the 2022 USPHL ‘Young Guns’ All-Star Game from Tuesday afternoon.
Forwards
Kamil Bednarik
NJ Rockets U16, 5/26/06, left shot, 5-11/154
Bednarik was the best prospect in the game by a wide margin. His skating and hockey sense were both elite in this showcase. He does a good job of anticipating the play, which allows him to force turnovers on the defensive side of the puck and get into soft spots in opposing defenses when his team is on the attack. With the puck on his stick, he makes a lot of sound hockey plays and assisted on his team’s second goal.
Nick Metelkin
NJ Rockets U16, 8/9/05, left shot, 6-1/185
Metelkin had the puck on his stick a lot in this game. He had a pair of assists. The best play he made in the game might have been one that didn’t result in a goal. As he was coming into the zone, he sent a pass over to linemate Kristofers Krumins for a golden opportunity. His hands, stickhandling and puck possession skills were all notable. His skating isn’t necessarily bad, but it could use improvement in order for him to make the most of his ability.
Ben Muthersbaugh
NH Jr. Monarchs, 2/15/04, left shot, 6-0/195
Muthersbaugh had a strong showing. He was heavy on pucks and made a couple of nice plays. One such play that stood out was a pass to the middle of the ice while entering the zone down the left wing. Additionally, Muthersbaugh was physical on the forecheck and pursued pucks aggressively.
Thomas Klochkov
NJ Rockets U16, 3/30/05, left shot, 5-11/141
NCAA commit: UConn
Klochkov is one of those players that always seems to find the score sheet when watching him on his regular-season team. He had an assist on the third goal. The swagger he plays with is something I like. One thing that was noticeable at times was his lack of strength against older players on the other side. If he can put on some weight, he’ll have a smoother transition to junior and college.
Chase Pirtle
NJ Rockets U16, 3/8/05, right shot, 6-2/195
Pirtle had a goal and an assist in this game. He scored the team’s fourth goal. His hands are his best asset as he can tuck and finish plays from in close. Pirtle’s size allows him to protect pucks and come off the wall with authority. If he can improve his first two steps, his game will continue to progress.
Arik Altman
Boston Advantage, 5/10/03, right shot, 5-10/170
Altman was one of the older players in the game, but he took advantage of his opportunities. He scored the first goal and assisted on another. He has some skill and made a couple of nifty passes that thread the needle.
Niko Laus
Junior Bruins U16, 1/31/05, left shot, 5-11/170
Laus was one of the players in this game who I was less familiar with as he hails from north of the border. He scored his team’s only goal as he shot it in stride through a defenseman’s legs. He made a couple of notable plays on zone entry. He did a good job of moving away from the puck to get open. One time in the second period he did a good job of popping open from an opposing defenseman in the slot.
Will Elger
Jersey Hitmen, 12/29/04, right shot, 6-2/165
NCAA commit: Providence
Elger is a big winger who looks the part, but he didn’t generate a lot offensively in this game. His team was overmatched in terms of making plays.
Kristofers Krumins
NJ Rockets U16, 3/22/05, right shot, 6-2/192
Krumins is a big winger with a hard, heavy shot. He’s a north-south power forward who can finish. His skating, especially his agility, is an area of his game that will need improvement in order to take that step to junior hockey.
Cameron Cooke
Junior Bruins U16, 2/2/06, right shot, 6-2/175
Cooke is a big center who I’ve liked in viewings against his own age. He struggled in this game, but there is still potential for him and is a player I’ll continue to watch.
Henry Wilson
Junior Bruins, 5/13/04, left shot, 6-0/170
Wilson projects as a big, strong, physical bottom-six winger. His hockey sense is the part of his game that is lacking in terms of Division 1 upside.
Nick Del Gaizo
NJ Rockets U18, 1/17/04, right shot, 5-10/170
Del Gaizo had his team’s second goal. The younger brother of former UMass star Marc Del Gaizo and current Minuteman forward Anthony Del Gaizo missed much of the first half of the season with an injury.
Defensemen
Kevin Fitzgerald
NJ Rockets, 10/11/04, left shot, 5-10/185
NCAA commit: UConn
Fitzgerald had a strong game. Another player from north of the border who I haven’t seen as much of, he stood out. I really liked that he kept things simple and looked to push the pace in transition. He did a really good job of skating with his head up and hitting open wings on the breakout.
Andrew O’Sullivan
Boston Advantage 15O, 8/15/06, right shot, 5-11/165
O’Sullivan was one of the youngest players in the game, but he more than held his own. He isn’t necessarily the flashiest of defensemen, but he does a great job in terms of being a smart, effective, puck-moving defenseman. He’s poised and has a strong hockey sense while being a good skater and having above-average skill. He will continue to get better and should be considered one of the better college prospects in this birth year.
Kiernan Poulin
Boston Advantage 15O, 1/5/06, right shot, 5-7/126
Poulin’s skating is elite, but he struggled at times in this game due to his youth and size. There were a few times where he got caught up ice or looked to jump up before the puck had broken out of his own zone. His footwork will carry him far.
Trey Scott
Junior Bruins, 5/4/04, right shot, 5-10/170
Scott has good wheels and an above-average stick. He’s able to escape oncoming forecheckers and his experience in junior hockey showed in this game. I liked his mobility, stick and gap control while defending the rush.
Tommy Rose
Junior Bruins U16, 8/31/05, right shot, 5-9/160
Rose is another defender in this game with good feet. He likes to jump into the rush and has upside as an offensive defenseman.
Tim Busconi
Boston Advantage, 9/4/04, right shot, 6-0/155
NCAA commit: Boston University
Busconi is a late `04 who is still finding his identity as he transitions from U18 to NCDC. He has a lot of above-average traits but needs to find that elite skill set to help set him apart as he looks to play college hockey.
Goaltenders
Aidan Boyd
South Shore Kings U18, 4/17/04, catches right, 6-2/175
It’s always tough evaluating goaltenders in games like this, but I liked Boyd’s size and thought he did a fairly good job of stopping pucks in his one period of play.
JJ Cataldo
Jersey Hitmen, 2/20/03, catches left, 6-0/171
Cataldo had a strong showing in the second period, making quite a few big saves as his team was being peppered by the opposition.
