With the 2006 birth year in the spotlight for the spring U.S. National Team Development Program selection process and USHL futures and entry drafts, it’s a fine time to look at some of the most impressive talents we have seen in Midget/AAA hockey during the 2021-22 season.
Massachusetts native Cole Eiserman left New England for the Midwest where he is playing for one of the storied Midget programs, finishing a lot of plays for Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Faribault, Minn. He’s got the body and skills to be an impact performer at the higher levels and is the area’s top player in his age group. Locally, the Boston Advantage, Mount Saint Charles and Boston Hockey Academy programs boast a solid group of prospects who are both homegrown and imported from outside of New England.
The list of players consists of players currently in full-season Midget hockey, not split-season players on fall and spring teams. With the exception of Eiserman and a handful of others, most are on clubs in the 15-only division unless otherwise noted in their player capsules.
Forwards
James Hagens
Mount St. Charles, 11/3/06, C, left shot, 5-8/146
New York native is the most dynamic offensive talent on the nation’s top-ranked 15-O Midget team. He’s electric, with the full spectrum of elite skating, skills, shot and instincts. As a late ’06, he won’t be eligible for the NHL draft until 2025, so we’re years away from following him to see if he can continue to grow and develop into a top professional prospect. His game reminds us a lot of 2019 first overall pick/New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes at the same age.
Cole Eiserman (Newburyport, Mass.)
Shattuck-St. Mary’s Prep/18-U, 8/29/06, LW, left shot, 6-0/181
The power winger is part of a legacy that includes NHL stars Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon plus current Bruins Erik Haula and Mike Reilly on past SSM Sabres teams. Physically so much more advanced than most of his peers, Eiserman can wheel and has a top-end shot, with lightning release, power and accuracy. He’s showed no signs of being limited at the 18-U level, combining with elite import Macklin Celebrini to provide a lethal ’06 scoring dimension, as evidenced at the Prep Hockey Conference event in Woonsocket, R.I., in November. Like Hagens, Eiserman is a lock for the NTDP.
Christian Humphreys
BK Selects 16-U, 2/4/06, C, right shot, 5-11/160
Another favorite for Team USA, the Pittsburgh product has a highly creative mind to go with size, skating and a deft touch with the puck. Like Hagens and Eiserman, he will be an early Division 1 commit on Aug. 1, and has been a dominant force at both the 15-O and 16-U levels, when he was brought up to play with the 2005 BK team.
Ryan Shea (Norwell, Mass.)
Boston Advantage, 8/2006, C, left shot, 5-9/165
Shea is a talented forward who brings a good skill set, but already has developed strong three-zone habits and plays a heavy style. He can score, but doesn’t have to find the back of the net or set up plays to make an impact, which bodes well for his ability to climb the ladder of the elite hockey levels as he progresses. He is consistently engaged, works hard by moving his feet and driving through contact, while making those around him better. Whatever he lacks in a dynamic element to his game, he more than compensates with the attributes that coaches trust and respect to play him in all situations.
Theo Kiss
Mount St. Charles, 7/13/06, RW, left shot, 5-9/155
Although the same kind of scoring threat that teammates Hagens and Sacha Boisvert (USHL tender to Muskegon) are, the Slovak import isn’t far off. He’s quick, shifty and highly intelligent, able to see the ice beautifully and work pucks into traffic and seams where only his linemates can get to them. He is a playmaking wing who can also finish, and while he’ll need to address his play away from the puck, Kiss has high-end potential in juniors and eventually Division 1.
Ronnie Hill (Saco, Maine)
Seacoast Performance Academy, 1/3/06, C/RW, right shot, 5-7/130
All-around forward plays with effort, skill and grit. His skating can look labored at times, but he works hard in all three zones and makes a lot of things happen with the puck on his stick. He embraces the physical aspects of the game and loves to go hard to the net or get to the middle of the ice where much of the action is. He may not have the same kind of top-shelf skills of others in the ’06 birth year, but you always know what you’re going to get with Hill, and his game will translate at the next levels.
Geno Carcone
BK Selects, 11/14/06, 11/14/06, C/LW, right shot, 5-9/173
Just keeps getting better each time we’ve seen him. Similar to Hill in that he plays a hard, effort game at all times, but is also growing a nifty offensive dimension as well. From Georgia, he’s benefiting from exposure to top competition and has the motor/will to be much more than the sum of his parts. He’s a disruptive presence on the forecheck, creating turnovers and using his wheels and hustle to good effect. Impressive prospect who keeps elevating his status and may end up being a surprisingly high futures (phase 1) USHL draft pick in May, also in play for NTDP consideration with his hard-nosed style.
Cameron Stehle
Boston Hockey Academy, 5/15/06, RW, right shot, 5-7/145
Although not all that big, the North Carolina native is explosive and dangerous. He has made a lot of plays for BHA and is always around the puck. He’s shifty and elusive, able to make quick cuts to slip away from defenders and open up shooting and passing lanes with his feet. Junior teams and colleges will be leery of his size, but the production is tough to debate.
Defensemen
Will Felicio (Holden, Mass.)
Mount St. Charles, 5/19/06, left shot, 5-9/150
He’s been a favorite since watching him play with so much poise and effectiveness at the summer prep league in Foxboro as one of the few ’06 regulars there. He’s not one of those defenders who catches your eye flying around the ice at Mach speeds, but he’s extremely smart, reading and reacting to everything around him. He’s got the mobility, stick and instincts to keep opponents away from prime scoring areas, but also activates and provides timely offense for the Saint Ms. He’s one of a deep group of defensemen around the country who will vie for the NTDP, and even if he doesn’t make the cut, he’ll be a high USHL futures draft pick.
Deke Davidson (Newmarket, N.H.)
Seacoast Performance Academy, 6/4/06, left shot, 5-10/150
Not flashy, but one of the best defenders in his peer group. Davidson keeps the play in front of him and doesn’t try to do too much, but can get back quickly to retrieve, then move pucks efficiently out of his own end. He has good size, and plays with jam, finishing hits and ending plays along the walls. The solid details and decision-making ability has been evident with him from his performance at the New England District festival in June, and he’s continued to look the part of a player who will keep progressing in the sport.
Kiernan Poulin (Norwell, Mass.)
Boston Advantage, 1/5/06, right shot, 5-8/125
When it comes to skating, there isn’t anyone with better mobility on the blue line than this pepper pot, who exhibits a total mastery of his edges and acceleration. He loves to grab the puck and go, and at times, he could move it to teammates faster, but with his explosiveness and ability to lead the rush, a lot of fun to watch. There’s a lot of growing ahead, but the payoff could be big.
Tory Pitner
South Kent Selects, 3/6/06, right shot, 6-1/174
Total package of size, mobility, skills and a decent feel for the game- looks the part of a future success in juniors and college hockey. Californian pops on the ice with his smooth skating and ability to transport pucks up the ice. He holds his gaps and makes smart pinches. He has that two-way ability that teams at all levels covet, and is one to watch for NTDP, USHL draft. He was selected by the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings in the first round (17th overall) of the U.S. draft in December and is on an impressive upward trajectory with nothing but options ahead of him.
Andrew O’Sullivan (Norwell, Mass.)
Boston Advantage, 8/15/06, right shot, 5-8/140
The yin to Poulin’s yang on the Advantage blue line. He doesn’t have the same breakneck pace, but moves well and keeps it simple. Looks and plays bigger than his listed size, but the most impressive aspect of O’Sullivan’s game is just how poised he is, with a high panic threshold- he’ll hold the puck to make the right play without fear of getting blown up. You can’t teach that, and as he physically matures, his brain, feet and stick should come along accordingly.
Dmitri Toporowski (Shrewsbury, Mass.)
Boston Hockey Academy, 8/1/06, right shot, 5-11/160
Raw but intriguing defender has eye-catching size and tools. Has a thick build which allows him to bounce give and take contact well. Rifles hard passes up the ice and has a point shot he can score with. The hockey sense and decisions are a work in progress, but he will be one to watch in the coming months and beyond.
Goaltenders
Jack Parsons
Mount St. Charles, 1/15/06, catches left, 6-2/175
Big, athletic New Yorker has been one of the top players at his position since the start of the season. He plays big in his net, moves rebounds away from high danger areas and has the patience to track and absorb shots. He’ll be in close contention for a spot on the National Team.
Jackson Silverberg
BK Selects, 7/30/06, catches left, 5-8/146
The opposite of Parsons, he’s a throwback to the ’80s and ’90s, when the majority of goalies were under 6-foot in height, but extremely quick and athletic. He competes and battles hard, able to move well laterally to deny bang-bang scoring chances. Like most undersized goalies, he is susceptible to getting beaten on shots up high but generally plays well with his net depth, angles and forces shooters to miss the net with confident, aggressive positioning.
Willum Braun
Valley Forge, 5/18/06, catches left, 6-0/175
With size, fluid crease movements and an effective blocking technique, Braun has been a solid performer since the Junior Chowder Cup. He tracks, reacts to changes in puck trajectories due to tips and deflections and can shut down teams who generate multiple scoring chances with his natural instincts to locate and stop the puck through traffic and net mouth scrambles.
Zach Coelho (North Truro, Mass.)
Boston Advantage, 10/06, catches left, 5-11/145
Nice blend of size and athletic technique- he can stand up and conserve movement and energy, or get down low to the ice and make desperation saves. He’s been effective in our viewings and has solid potential to be one of the better ’06 players in net from the region.
