South Kent Selects Academy was the only program to win more than one titles at last weekend’s Beast Tournament Series playoffs.
The full-season program based out of the South Kent, Conn., prep school won championships at both 16-U and 15 Pure. Doug Holewa is in his second season as Hockey Director for the school’s three teams as well as coaching 16-U. Ryan Ward coaches the school’s 15 Pure team.
“We talked a lot about it’s not one game or one weekend. We focus on getting better everyday and the process of that. It’s a marathon. We just try to continue to get better everyday in practice,” said Holewa, who previously worked in the New York Islanders organization with both the parent club and the AHL affiliate in Bridgeport.
Both South Kent Selects Academy teams were on top of their games en route to playoff titles last weekend.
“Everyone elevates their play in playoff time. They elevated their performance last weekend," Holewa commented.
Elite players
Both 16-U and 15 Pure rosters are loaded with talent, but two players stand out on each squad: Boston University commit, center Ryan Greene on 16-U and David Goyette on 15 Pure.
Greene is an elite, 200-foot center with terrific hockey sense. Goyette has a nose for the puck and skill to match. Both are great skaters with bright futures, but it’s the way they practice that grabs the attention of Holewa.
“How hard they go in practice is a big thing. They’re special players. Their practice habits help elevate both our practices. It helps push everyone else to get better. If your best players are your best practice players, it elevates everyone else. That’s part of what makes them so special,” Holewa explained.
Greene was taken third overall in the USHL Draft by the Green Bay Gamblers and has already appeared in two games this fall. Goyette will likely be a top five pick in the OHL Priority Selection, but has USHL and college opportunities knocking.
“A lot of people think (Goyette) will be a top three or top five pick in the draft. He’s been getting a lot of traction. He’s very undecided on what he’s going to do. He’s open to everything, OHL, USHL and college,” Holewa said.
Exposure to multiple routes
One intriguing aspect of playing at South Kent Selects Academy is the exposure you get to multiple development options. Just two weekends ago, the 15 Pure team played at the Beast Series Border Border Showcase in Rochester, N.Y., in front of a lot of OHL scouts, as well as scouts from the USHL and NCAA coaches.
“What’s cool about playing down here is you get exposure to everything. Our (15 Pure) schedule is the toughest in the country. We go up to the GTHL five times to play so we get exposure up there, but you also get exposure to colleges and USHL,” said Holewa.
All four coaches at the 16-U and 15 Pure level played college hockey, but Ward has experience coaching in the OHL, which helps in educating players on both paths.
Development comes first
15 Pure associate head coach Karl Linden also serves as the Head of Skill Development and oversees the skills work the program’s players put on multiple times a week.
“We’re lucky to have Karl here. He’s going to be in the NHL in not too much longer. He’s an elite skills coach. He’s one of the best I’ve ever seen,” praised Holewa.
South Kent Selects Academy students have a schedule that mimics college more than it does the typical prep school. There are off blocks and students aren’t in class for the entire school day as is the norm at many of the region’s prep schools.
“We do skill development in the morning. It’s all mandatory. Nothing is optional that we do here. Guys are on the ice for 50 minutes in the morning two days a week,” said Holewa, who also mentioned the important of assistant coach Robbie Murden in the program’s skill development.
“With the rink right on campus, they walk down the hill from class. They get changed and go on the ice. Most of the guys do it twice a week for power skating and skills,” he continued. “It’s all position based. We do power skating together then do position based skill development for the second half.”
In addition to the skills work, the program emphasizes lifting three times a week, video sessions, and team based warmups. According to Holewa, much of the regimen is based on what OHL and college teams have been doing.
“Where else are you going to find this? We’re on the ice from 10:15 to 11 this morning. We were on the ice this morning helping left-shot forwards, including Goyette, with their release. We have elite teachers of the game,” said Holewa.
A big part of development is moving players onto the next level. While it’s hard for midget coaches and prep coaches to see their top players leave the team for a higher level, it’s a rewarding part of the job for Holewa.
“I don’t want players to come back if they can move on,” he said, noting Boston College commit Cam MacDonald, who is now playing with Sioux Falls in the USHL after putting up over 100 points with the 15 Pure team last season.
"Work on your craft, learn, and develop. Be a pro and I don’t mean that in terms of a professional hockey player. It’s about your approach. The skill development, workouts, video and games are all about development,” Holewa said.
Development paying off
One of the most improved players in the country at this age group is South Kent Selects Academy 16-U forward Jake Bongo, a native of Ridgefield, Conn. He wasn’t on the radar of many scouts and college coaches at the beginning of last season, but he certainly is now.
With hard work and dedication on and off the ice, Bongo has seen his ice time and production increase dramatically.
“First off, it starts with Jake’s work ethic and willingness to put the time in. Jake didn’t sniff the power play or top six until after regionals last year. All of a sudden, he’s exploded. I think he’s one of the best uncommitted players in the east.”
Another player that Holewa believes will develop into a big time player is South Kent Selects Academy 15 Pure defenseman Shaun McEwen. A big, two-way defender from Hadley, Mass., McEwen is the grandson of former UMass and Princeton head coach Don ‘Toot’ Cahoon.
“Shaun McEwen is going to play in the NHL. I don’t know if he’s under-the-radar, but he’s big. He’s that new age defenseman who is big and mobile. He shoots the hell out of the puck and is a great kid. He’s really high end.”
Leadership matters
The leaders of the 16-U and 15 Pure teams are also two of the better leaders in the program, according to Holewa. Copeland Fricker has been a key staple on the top six the past two years while Northeastern commit Vinny Borgesi has stepped into a leadership role right away this season with 15 Pure.
Fricker might not be the most skilled or the fastest player on the ice in most games, but his work ethic and ability to be a complementary player might be unmatched in midget hockey.
“Copeland Fricker is the best captain I’ve ever been around including NHL, AHL and college. He’s a sophomore so he can’t be committed, but he’s a big time player. He goes at it in practice, too,” Holewa explained.
Borgesi is an undersized defenseman from Philadelphia, Pa., but his play is anything but of small importance. He’s a smart and skilled puck-moving defenseman, but he does a tremendous job of playing with jam and defending with his feet and a good stick.
“He’s a guy who is such a competitor. He’s such a coachable person. You tell him something and he goes out and does it the next shift. He’s one of the smartest players in midget hockey on both sides of the puck. The way he sees the game, both offensively and defensively,” praised Holewa.
“He’s such a great leader,” Holewa added, adding that he thinks Borgesi should be a shoe-in for the 2020-21 USA Hockey NTDP U-17 team.
With one championship behind them, South Kent Selects Academy will have a chance for plenty more over the coming months, including in two weekends at the New England District Championship in Marlboro, Mass.
