Several New Englanders have made an impression through the first month or so of the 2021-22 junior hockey season.
While much of the focus among Division 1 recruiters is deservedly on the USHL, a few older junior players in the NAHL and NCDC are hitting their stride. Especially with Covid causing a backlog at the college level, it will be extremely difficult for '01s and '02s to land spots for the upcoming season.
These seven New England players born in 2001 and 2002 are playing well to start the 2021-22 junior hockey season in the NAHL and NCDC. Here’s a look at who and why they’re having success.
Jake Black
Johnstown Tomahawks, 3/5/02, RW, right shot, 5-11/155
Black just keeps proving the doubters wrong. The Pomfret, Conn., native has 11 goals in 11 games while skating in his first season in the NAHL. The Winchendon and Islanders Hockey Club product has the speed to burn defenders and create separation. He’s especially lethal on the rush. It’s not out of the question that he could play in Hockey East or ECAC Hockey, but every school in Atlantic Hockey should be honing in on the speedy Black.
Brendan Dumas
New Jersey Titans, 8/28/02, C/RW, right shot, 5-11/190
Dumas was always a player you noticed but didn’t truly have a breakout season until he was a junior at St. Sebastian’s in 2019-20. The North Attleboro, Mass., native had a nice season with the Cape Cod Whalers 18-U in a discombobulated 2020-21, due to Covid. He’s kept it going so far this fall with three goals and 10 assists for 13 points in 13 games with the NAHL’s Titans. Dumas won’t ever be the fastest or the most skilled player on the ice. However, his compete level, his willingness to keep his feet moving, and hunt pucks are all positive attributes. He’s a candidate for a low money scholarship or recruited walk-on position at the Division 1 level.
Tim Heinke
South Shore Kings, 10/2/01, LW, left shot, 6-1/210
Heinke is an interesting player as he graduated from Avon Old Farms last May as a 19-year-old. The Kensington, Conn., native has a big frame and has always been somewhat of an intriguing player due to his tools. He never quite put it all together with John Gardner’s Winged Beavers. Now in his first year of junior hockey in the NCDC, he’s fourth in the league in scoring with nine goals and five assists for 14 points in nine games. He’s tied for second in goals. Heinke is a player who an Atlantic Hockey school should strongly consider taking as a recruited walk-on.
Cy LeClerc
Janesville Jets, 8/17/02, LW, left shot, 5-10/173
NCAA commit: New Hampshire
LeClerc leads the NAHL’s Jets in goal scoring with seven in 10 games to start the season. From Brentwood, N.H., LeClerc has good hands and a shot to go with it. He can shoot it with pinpoint accuracy and it comes off his stick with some zip. LeClerc, who played his midget hockey for Seacoast Spartans and New Hampshire Junior Monarchs, spent the past two seasons skating for the Islanders Hockey Club in the NCDC. His heavy boots are a concern, but it must be encouraging for the UNH staff to see him lighting the lamp in the NAHL.
Nicky Niemo
Lone Star Brahmas, 3/28/01, RW, right shot, 5-9/165
NCAA commit: Bentley
Niemo’s small stature caused plenty of doubters over his time playing hockey. The Middlebury, Vt., native played three seasons of midget hockey for the Islanders Hockey Club. He moved onto that organization’s NCDC team for 2019-20. Now in his second year in the NAHL, Niemo continues to produce offensively. In 10 games, he has five goals and eight assists for 13 points. Niemo is slick and can evade opposing defenders while making plays in small areas. He’s slated to play college hockey at Bentley.
Joe Solimine
Junior Bruins, 3/3/02, C/LW, left shot, 5-8/155
NCAA commit: Holy Cross
I’ve liked Solimine for a while, dating back to when I first wrote about him while he was skating for Austin Prep in the MIAA. After a stop at the prep level with Northfield Mount Hermon and the Little Bruins, Solimine is now in the NCDC. Skating for Mike Anderson’s Junior Bruins, the Middleton, Mass., native leads the circuit in scoring with five goals and 12 assists for 17 points in 10 games. Solimine is quick, crafty and willing to go to the dirty areas. A terrific summer led to a commitment from Holy Cross. That strong play has continued into the fall with the Junior Bruins.
Dhillon Wilde
Utica Comets, 7/10/02, RW, right shot, 5-11/155
Wilde is in his third season of playing junior hockey in the NCDC. Just 10 games into the 2021-22 campaign, he’s already surpassed his point totals from his first two seasons. The Northboro, Mass., native has 11 goals and four assists for 15 points. He had a total of just 23 points through his first 75 games in the league. The St. John’s Shrewsbury alum has always been a good skater, but he’s started to put it together some. He’s a player to keep an eye on as an Atlantic Hockey walk-on or a top recruit in Division 3.
