Seven prospects with New England ties have been invited to participate in the 2019 National Hockey League Scouting Combine at KeyBank Center and HarborCenter in Buffalo. It begins Monday, May 27 and ends Saturday, June 1.
The combine gives NHL organizations an opportunity to learn more about the prospects while also giving the players a chance to interact with NHL personnel. It’s the final showcase before the 2019 NHL draft, which will be held June 21-22 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.
NHL teams can have one-on-one interviews with the prospects from Monday through Friday. The players will take medical examinations on Wednesday. On Saturday, they will take fitness tests.
Below are the New England prospects who have been invited to this year’s combine, listed in alphabetical order by last name:
Matthew Boldy
LW, Millis, Mass., 6-2, 192
2018-19 team/stats: U.S. NTDP U-18, 33-48—81 in 64 GP
NHL Central Scouting final ranking: 9
Boldy is a creative, all-around forward who owns one of the best shots of all draft-eligible players. NTDP Under-18 coach John Wroblewski compares him to former NHL ace right wing Marian Hossa. He tallied two goals and an assist in the 2018 USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game and was named Player of the Game. He’s a Boston College commit.
John Farinacci
C, Chatham, N.J., 5-11, 185
2018-19 team/stats: Dexter School (High-MA), 12-21—33 in 16 GP
NHL Central Scouting final ranking: 35
Farinacci has served as captain at Dexter School and with the New Jersey Colonials as well as on the international stage with the U.S. national team that finished in first place at the 2017 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament and the club that competed at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. A Harvard commit, he’s a good skater with good hockey sense and a well-rounded game.
Spencer Knight
G, Darien, Conn., 6-3, 192
2018-19 team/stats: U.S. NTDP U-18, 32-4-0-1 in 39 GP, 2.36 GAA, .913 SV%, 2 SO
NHL Central Scouting final ranking: 1
Knight is poised in net, reads the game exceptionally well and is rarely out of position. Labeled by some scouts as the best goaltender the NTDP has ever produced, Knight is also a superior puckhandler. He tied the single-season NTDP record with 32 wins in 39 contests this past season with the Under-18 team and set the program record with 59 victories in 78 games over the past two seasons with the Under-17 and Under-18 teams. He’s committed to Boston College.
Ethan Phillips
C, Dartmouth, N.S., 5-9, 148
2018-19 team/stats: Sioux Falls (USHL), 16-27—43 in 50 GP
NHL Central Scouting final ranking: 78
Phillips started this past season at Selects Academy, where he played the prior two campaigns, before joining the Stampede, with whom he won the 2019 Clark Cup championship. A fearless player despite his small frame, he has tremendous skill and a high hockey IQ. He’s a Boston University commit.
Jayden Struble
D, Cumberland, R.I., 6-0, 194
2018-19 team/stats: St. Sebastian’s School (High-MA), 10-30—40 in 28 GP
NHL Central Scouting final ranking: 48
Struble is a strong player and a smooth skater who can create offense from the back end. He’s also extremely tenacious and physical, sometimes to a fault. He’s committed to Northeastern.
Henry Thrun
D, Southborough, Mass., 6-2, 190
2018-19 team/stats: U.S. NTDP U-18, 8-29—37 in 64 GP
NHL Central Scouting final ranking: 39
Thrun is a versatile defenseman who exudes calmness both on and off the ice. The blueliner is a natural on the left side but can effectively play both sides. He models his game after Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith and is a Harvard commit.
Cade Webber
D, Worcester, Mass., 6-6, 194
2018-19 team/stats: Rivers School (High-MA), 12-14—26 in 29 GP
NHL Central Scouting final ranking: 87
Webber is an exceptional skater for someone with such a large frame. He was born in Worcester and moved to Meadville, Pa., when he was six years old. He’s committed to playing for Boston University, starting with the 2020-21 season.
