When the top 2002-born prospects in the United States converged on the Northtown Center in Amherst, N.Y., earlier this month for the USA Hockey Select 16 Player Development Camp, there were several clear standouts.
While the 2002 birth year isn’t very deep in terms of high-end talent or pro potential, a few forwards improved their stock tremendously in front of college coaches, NHL and junior scouts, and agents.
In addition to the expected absence of the National Team Development Programpl players, there were several others who chose to skip the event after perceived snubs from USA Hockey, including Northeastern commit Chase Bradley. Also missing was Antonio Stranges, who is still in a dispute with USA Hockey due to signing with the OHL’s London Knights after previously signing with the NTDP.
Dallas Stars Elite product Cross Hanas, who has signed with the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks, was clearly the top pro prospect at the camp. Hanas was dominant throughout the week, but was equally impressive in the All-Star Game when the pace picked up.
Perhaps no prospect made a name for himself more than New Jersey Titans forward Daniyal Dzhaniyev. A good portion of the coaches and scouts in attendance didn’t even know who he was heading into the week. Following the camp, he had numerous college offers, including several from the Big Ten. He ultimately ended up choosing Penn State.
The top forward from New England was Biddeford, Maine, native Jack Williams, a Northeastern recruit who plays for Selects Academy in South Kent, Conn. Timmy Lovell Jr., one of the top ’02 defensemen in New England, elected to sit out the event.
This write-up comes after we chronicled the top defensemen and goaltenders at Select 16s. Included within are 20 players with ties to New England, either through prep schools, hometowns, or college commitments.
1. Cross Hanas
#13 Red, Portland Winterhawks, 1/5/02, Left Shot, 5-11.5/160
The Highland Village, Texas, native led the camp in scoring with three goals and 10 assists, including his three-point performance in the All-Star Game, where he was on the ice for all four of his team’s goals. Hanas is a good skater with the puck skills that allow him to hold on to possession until he’s ready to make a play. His hands and feet are both very good. He made some nifty passes throughout the camp. His goal in the All-Star Game illustrated that he has a pretty good shot as well.
2. Blake Biondi
#12 Black, Hermantown, 4/24/02, Right Shot, 5-11.5/177
NCAA Commit: Minnesota Duluth
Biondi was expected to be atop the list of forward prospects here after making the NTDP, but turning it down to stay in Minnesota high school. He’s just shy of 6-feet, but he plays big. He can take over games along the wall and below the dots. He drives the net and knows how to finish. He showed off his hands in a shootout goal Thursday. He was really good in the All-Star Game, playing alongside Hanas and Dzhaniyev.
3. Daniyal Dzhaniyev
#15 Grey, NJ Titans 16U, 9/15/02, Left Shot, 5-2.75/121
NCAA Commit: Penn State
Dzhaniyev is an extremely small forward who this observer had seen and noticed at the Liberty Bell Games, but certainly never thought he could have a breakout performance like this. His week here earned him a college commitment and an invite to play for the NTDP. Despite his small frame, he’s can sneak into the dirty areas. His agility, hands and hockey sense make him an offensive threat. He gets shots off quickly and can stickhandle in a phone booth. It will be interesting to watch him over the next two years in junior hockey and against some of the best opposing players in the world. As it currently stands, his lack of strength could hold him back in such games.
4. Jack Williams
#11 White, Selects Academy 16U, 3/2/02, Right Shot, 5-9.75/151
NCAA Commit: Northeastern
The Biddeford, Maine, native plays a simple, effective north-south game as a power forward. The best way to describe his game is he plays very heavy. He has the skating ability to get into the corners and recover pucks on the forecheck. He does a good job finding teammates once he gets to pucks. He has a great shot that he can release with zip.
5. Cameron Berg
#20 Royal, Omaha Lancers, 1/29/02, Left Shot, 5-10.75/171
NCAA Commit: Nebraska-Omaha
Berg is the type of player who doesn’t perform as well in showcase events due to the lack of structure, but he fits right in during actual games when play is less sloppy. He’s very cerebral and reads plays extremely well. He plays well without the puck and is solid in all 200 feet of the ice. He can be heavy, uses his body, and wins puck battles. If there is one weakness, it’s his hands.
6. Cole Vallese
#12 White, Salisbury, 2/15/02, Left Shot, 5-7.5/134
NCAA Commit: Providence
The Rockville, Md., native uses his speed to create chances and impact the game. He’s a player who knows just one pace. He flies to pucks and finishes at the net, which allows him to produce, despite not having as good of a skill set as others here.
7. Tanner Dickinson
#16 Forest, Belle Tire 16U, 3/5/02, Left Shot, 5-9.5/136
NCAA Commit: Ohio State
Dickinson really shined in the All-Star Game with his speed. He forced turnovers and got to loose pucks quickly with his skating ability. He had two goals Wednesday and looked even better Thursday. He wheels with the puck and can control pucks for long stretches.
8. Johnny Meiers
#13 White, Eagan, 7/15/02, Left Shot, 5-8.5/161
NCAA Commit: Colorado College
Meiers is another player whose stock went up exponentially at this event. He’s not the biggest player, but he’s fast, throws his body around, and produced. He just goes all out every shift and the puck usually follows. He scored a really nice goal on Thursday.
9. Michael Cameron
#15 White, Salisbury, 7/24/02, Left Shot, 5-8.5/166
NCAA Commit: RPI
Cameron is a really good skater who sees the ice well and quietly goes about producing. He makes really good passes while using his speed to get to pucks first. His older brother, Matt, is also committed to the Engineers. He’s the top prospect in head coach Dave Smith’s recruiting cupboard.
10. Isaac Novak
#14 Orange, Des Moines Buccaneers, 1/8/02, Left Shot, 5-9.75/162
NCAA Commit: Wisconsin
Novak is a top 10-talent, but outside factors are the undeniable reasons for why he was left out of the All-Star Game and off the Five Nations roster. He’s got a good shot and is able to slip away from opposing defenders to get pucks on net.
11. Dane Dowiak
#14 Grey, Kent, 3/27/02, Left Shot, 5-9/166
NCAA Commit: Penn State
Dowiak is a little bit of a streaky player, but when he’s on, he can really impact the offense. He scored a rebound goal and added an assist on a drop pass in the All-Star Game. He’s strong on pucks, plays 200 feet, and has good hockey sense. He has good hands and can find seams in opposing defense.
12. Mackie Samoskevich
#19 Grey, Shattuck St. Mary’s 16U, 11/15/02, Right Shot, 5-9.5/163
Samoskevich is a very good skater who has quickness and can force turnovers. He had a really good game Thursday that included stealing a puck from a defender before dishing it off for an easy goal. He also tallied one of his own later in the game. He’s a pest and makes life tough for opposing defenders. If he can learn to move the puck a little better, he could be a big-time college prospect. As it is, he’s receiving significant interest from some major programs.
13. Aidan Thompson
#12 Royal, Colorado Thunderbirds 16U, 2/18/02, Left Shot, 5-9.5/149
NCAA Commit: Denver
Thompson is a speedster who can get to loose pucks and make plays. He has a tendency to shy away from contact and play on the perimeter. He’s an elite skater who consistently generated offensive chances during the camp.
14. Nathaniel Hanley
#17 Orange, PAL Islanders 16U, 5/30/02, Right Shot, 5-10/171
NCAA Commit: Northeastern
Hanley has added some size and strength it appears. He’s heavy on pucks and can get himself into scoring positions. He showed off a better skill set than he had previously, including a between-the-legs pass in Wednesday’s game.
15. Matt Coronato
#18 Kelly, Salisbury, 11/14/02, Right Shot, 5-8.5/175
NCAA Commit: Harvard
Coronato has an innate ability to generate offense for himself and his linemates. He had a highlight-reel saucer pass on Wednesday that resulted in a goal on a two-on-one. He’s a good stickhandler, which allows him to be effective in tight areas. He impacts the play down low with his ability to come away with pucks and find open teammates in the scoring areas. His breakaway speed is his one issue as of now.
16. Sasha Teleguine
#14 Black, Thayer, 9/17/02, Left Shot, 5-8.5/170
NCAA Commit: Northeastern
The North Attleboro, Mass., native didn’t produce here the way he should have, especially considering his terrific skating ability. Few players here had the explosiveness in their stride and the ability to generate chances. However, he wasn’t able to finish as he seemingly struggled to see the ice.
17. Joe Miller
#18 Royal, Blake, 9/15/02, Right Shot, 5-7.5/135
NCAA Commit: Minnesota
Miller was one of the biggest snubs from the All-Star Game, in this observer’s opinion. He’s very small, but he’s quick, accelerates, and can dart in and out of traffic. He has a great snap shot and went to the greasy areas for two goals in Wednesday’s game.
18. Nick DeSantis
#17 Red, Selects Academy 16U, 5/2/02, Right Shot, 5-7/162
NCAA Commit: Miami
DeSantis continuously gets written off because he’s on the smaller side. It happened again here as he failed to make the All-Star Game, despite putting up pretty good numbers in the camp. He’s always moving his feet and he has the breakaway speed necessary to pull away from opposing defenders. He has a quick release as well. He still needs to play more inside the circles and move the puck a little better, but this observer thinks he’s underrated.
19. Declan McDonnell
#19 Orange, Buffalo Jr. Sabres 16U, 2/25/02, Right Shot, 5-9/168
NCAA Commit: Providence
McDonnell isn’t the best skater, but he’s able to score goals and generate chances by going to the right spots. He’ll finish at the net and can find seams in opposing defenses in order to rip shots.
20. Mark Estapa
#15 Forest, Little Caesars 16U, 1/13/02, Left Shot, 6-0.25/173
NCAA Commit: Western Michigan
Estapa is a complete player who competes with urgency. He has an above-average offensive skill set, but goes all out in all three zones. He back checks and gets his sticks in lanes to break up passes and shots.
21. Riley Duran
#16 Columbia, Lawrence Academy, 1/25/02, Right Shot, 6-0.25/175
Duran had a breakout week here, showing he’s ready to make the move from high school hockey to prep hockey back home. He’s got good size, has an explosive stride, and plays hard. He’s a power forward who can go hard north and south. He scored a really nice goal from the high slot on Wednesday. He’s made great strides and is trending upward.
22. Zach Michaelis
#18 Orange, Elk River HS, 5/30/02, 5-11/198
NCAA Commit: Nebraska-Omaha
It was a somewhat disappointing week for Michaelis, who this observer was extremely high on following last summer’s Select 15 camp. He’s a power forward whose skating will need to improve. Once he gets going, he can really motor and drive the net.
23. Jackson Kunz
#16 Kelly, Grand Forks Red River, 8/13/02, Left Shot, 6-2/204
NCAA Commit: North Dakota
Kunz, who this observer had ranked very high following NTDP Evaluation Camp, wasn’t assertive enough here. He’s still got a ton of upside and should be a pro someday with his ability to drive the net and be a lethal threat as a power forward. His first step and second gear will need to improve over the coming years.
24. Jack Smith
#13 Forest, St. Cloud Cathedral, 7/6/02, Left Shot, 5-10.25/177
NCAA Commit: Minnesota Duluth
Smith is a very good hockey player who had a bad week. He recorded just one assist and didn’t make the All-Star Game after being wooed by the NTDP all season and even making it to Plymouth despite telling USA Hockey he’d stay in Minnesota high school.
25. Johnny Waldron
#15 Gold, Chicago Fury 16U, 11/13/02, Right Shot, 5-10.75/180
Waldron was a little streaky here in camp, but still deserved to make the All-Star Game and was somehow snubbed by USA Hockey. His best game came Wednesday when he was able to power his way to the net front. He scored a nifty backhand goal on a nice net drive and added a rebound goal later in the game. He’s a player who projects to get even better over the coming years.
26. Patrick Schmiedlin
#14 White, Des Moines Buccaneers, 3/20/02, Left Shot, 5-11.25/173
Schmiedlin’s skating ability is certainly his strongest attribute. His speed, including a very good first step, is noticeable right away. He has the tools to become a power forward, but his hockey sense needs to improve as he develops in junior hockey.
27. Dane Montgomery
#17 Gold, Grand Forks Red River, 1/7/02, Right Shot, 5-8.25/166
Montgomery is another player whose stock went up this week. He has a good skill set and uses his edges very well while skating. He scored a nice backhand goal on Thursday after cutting into the slot area. His energy and hustle were noticeable.
28. Blake Mesenberg
#14 Kelly, Benilde St. Margaret, 6/5/02, Left Shot, 5-9.25/164
Mesenberg underperformed here for the high expectations he's earned over the past two seasons. He’s another player, however, who is a pure hockey player who won’t always impress in a freestyle showcase event like this. He plays an honest game and plays bigger than he’s listed on the roster.
29. Ben Schoen
#10 Royal, Youngstown Phantoms, 5/18/02, Right Shot, 5-7/139
NCAA Commit: Miami
Schoen is on the smaller side, but he’s quick to get in on the forecheck and is a pest on puck pursuit. He does a good job hitting open teammates after recovering pucks. He had a nice assist in the All-Star Game.
30. Tiernan Shoudy
#17 Kelly, Little Caesars 16U, 3/15/02, Left Shot, 5-8/166
NCAA Commit: Michigan State
Shoudy’s hockey sense and vision in the attacking zone are what makes him such an impactful player. His skating and skill set won’t blow anyone away, but he just seems to always be in the right position at the right time to make plays.
31. Kyle Kukkonen
#18 Gold, Maple Grove HS, 11/13/02, Right Shot, 5-9/154
NCAA Commit: Michigan Tech
As a late ’02, Kukkonen was impressive here. He plays hard and creates offense with his compete level, hockey sense and ability to move pucks quickly. He had a really great game on Thursday and would have been ranked higher, but his inability to get things going once the pace picked up in the All-Star Game left him down here.
32. Carson Bantle
#13 Kelly, Shattuck St. Mary’s 16U, 1/22/02, Left Shot, 6-3.25/181
Bantle is a power forward whose first step needs work. When he goes to the net and plays a simple, strong north-south game, he’s most effective. If he can improve his skating and be more assertive, he has a high ceiling.
33. Jackson Nieuwendyk
#12 Columbia, Dallas Stars Elite 16U, 9/4/02, Left Shot, 5-10/15
Nieuwendyk is the son of former NHL star and Cornell alum Joe Nieuwendyk. He doesn’t have the best offensive skill set, but he’s added an explosiveness in his stride and projects as a solid, bottom-six power forward who can throw his body around and score a few goals by driving the net.
34. Artem Shlaine
#12 Grey, South Florida Hockey Academy, 3/7/02, Left Shot, 6-0/155
Shlaine was previously viewed at the Boston Junior Bruins Shootout when SFHA came to New England Sports Center. He has some length and he can make plays. He consistently scored in all three games this observer was present for at camp. He had a really nice finish on a two-on-one goal Thursday.
35. Anthony Cipollone
#14 Forest, Loomis Chaffee, 5/14/02, Left Shot, 5-4.25/157
NCAA Commit: Vermont
The Catamount recruit from Purchase, N.Y., was solid here. He has a good skill set and scored a nice breakaway goal. He’s crafty and can make good passes. His skating and ability to play gritty allowed him to force turnovers and be effective on the forecheck.
Honorable Mention
Ryan Beck
#11 Red, Belle Tire 16U, 8/25/02, Left Shot, 5-9/188
Beck has a good skill set, scoring five goals in five games. He has a good shot and can find seams in opposing defenses.
Frank Carogioiello
#15 Red, St. Andrew’s, 6/21/02, Left Shot, 5-8/158
Carogioiello is a player who wasn’t as well known as many of the other prospects here due to his playing north of the border. He’s on the smaller side, but he has good hands and can make plays in small areas.
Michael Citara
#11 Grey, Mercer Chiefs 16U, 4/22/02, Right Shot, 5-10/158
NCAA Commit: Colgate
A recent commit to the Raiders, Citara has good hockey sense and can read the ice well to set up teammates. He needs to become less perimeter, add a second gear, and gain strength so he’s able to hold on to pucks in traffic, but there is offensive upside with his skill and vision.
Aidan Cobb
#15 Columbia, Kent, 5/3/02, Left Shot, 5-7.75/155
The Ridgefield, Conn., native had three goals over the first two days before this observer got to camp, but was held off the score sheet for the rest of the week. He’ll return for a second season of prep hockey with the Lions.
Ryan Corcoran
#17 Forest, Boston Advantage 16U, 4/4/02, Left Shot, 5-10.25/158
Corcoran is a smart player who doesn’t have the best wheels. He’s able to slow the game down and can produce that way. He had a goal and an assist on Wednesday.
Matthew DeBoer
#19 Forest, Salisbury, 9/2/02, Right Shot, 6-0/161
DeBoer, the son of San Jose Sharks coach Pete DeBoer and the younger brother of BU freshman Jack DeBoer, was hurt earlier in camp, but had a good first few games. He’ll be back for a second season at Salisbury.
Owen Fowler
#11 Orange, Governor’s, 6/4/02, Left Shot, 5-7.75/193
Fowler, who's making the move from Central Catholic to Governor’s to play for Brian McGuirk, was better later in the week here. He’s an energy forward who has a rugged, mature frame. He can outmuscle opposing players to earn the puck and make plays.
Hunter Hastings
#10 Forest, Phoenix Jr. Coyotes 16U, 2/7/02, Right Shot, 6-0/201
Hastings protects pucks by using his size and strength to his advantage. He was consistently noticeable Thursday, but had at least a point in both games over the final two days. His skating is an issue that could hold him back.
Tanner Kelly
#19 Kelly, Little Caesars 16U, 5/11/02, Right Shot, 5-7.5/143
NCAA Commit: Michigan State
Kelly has a good skill set and is an above-average skater, but he didn't produce as expected at this camp.
Ryan Kirwan
#20 Red, Little Caesars 16U, 2/27/02, Left Shot, 6-1/202
NCAA Commit: Penn State
Committed to the Nittany Lions, Kirwan’s week was a little underwhelming, considering the high expectations that come with a player who is here after attending the NTDP Evaluation Camp.
Matthew Knies
#19 Gold, Phoenix Jr. Coyotes 16U, 11/17/02, Left Shot, 6-0/182
Knies has good size and can distribute the puck after fending off opposing defenders with his length. He still has to improve his hockey sense in order to make the leap to the next level.
Mitch Kohner
#11 Kelly, Lakeville North, 2/11/02, Right Shot, 5-10.25/203
Kohner is a player who this observer has liked all the way back to his days with the Minnesota Blades as a bantam. He’s rugged, heavy on pucks, and is willing to go to the greasy areas to impact the offense.
Nikita Kovalev
#15 Kelly, Gunnery, 6/20/02, Left Shot, 5-8.5/168
Kovalev is making the move to prep hockey after splitting time with Mid-Fairfield 15U and high school hockey in Connecticut last winter. He’s the son of former NHL star Alexi Kovalev. He’s raw and is a good skater, but will need to fill out in order to reach his full potential.
Cade Lemmer
#14 Columbia, Team Wisconsin 16U, 1/18/02, Left Shot, 5-7.75/181
Lemmer had a productive week by using his strength and rugged frame to win puck battles down low and dominate in the dirty areas around the net.
Carter Loney
#18 Columbia, Rink Hockey Academy, 8/2/02, Right Shot, 5-8.25/154
Loney is on the smaller side and isn’t easily noticeable from shift to shift. However, he quietly goes about setting up teammates for good scoring chances by using his hockey sense and vision.
Brendan Poshak
#10 Red, Team Wisconsin 16U, 7/13/02, Right Shot, 5-5.5/144
Poshak scored a nice two-on-one goal on Wednesday afternoon. For a smaller player, he does a good job of getting to the greasy areas and putting the puck in the net.
Cameron Ricotta
#11 Gold, Nichols 16U, 5/17/02, Left Shot 5-6.75/157
Ricotta had a productive game on Wednesday with his quickness and above-average skill set, but his proneness to shy away from contact and playing on the outside prevented him from being more of a consistent force.
Josh Rule
#16 White, Fox Motors 16U, 2/17/02, Right Shot, 5-10/164
Rule is a smart player who can act as a glue guy for a line. He’s not going to make others better, but he’s a complimentary player. He scored a couple of garbage goals and knows where to go without the puck.
Joe Schubert
#14 Gold, St. Paul’s, 6/24/02, Left Shot, 5-11/170
Schubert has the size and skating to be a force every shift, but he wasn’t assertive enough in viewings at this camp. He should continue to blossom under Dan Murphy at St. Paul’s after transferring from Exeter, where he was inexplicably not given enough ice time.
Alexander Servagno
#19 Columbia, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 16U, 6/16/02, Left Shot, 5-7.25/174
NCAA Commit: Ohio State
The Ohio State commit is on the smaller side, but he’s quick and can make plays after getting to loose pucks first. He’ll need to learn to play inside the circles and be more physical if he’s going to continue climbing the ladder en route to college hockey.
Jason Siedem
#11 Columbia, Avon Old Farms, 10/17/02, Right Shot, 5-10/168
NCAA Commit: Boston College
The Madison, N.J., native is a late ’02 so it wouldn’t be wise to write him off yet, but this was a disappointing week. A NTDP Evaluation Camp invite, he was a favorite of this observer just a year ago, but he struggled to get ice time at Avon this past winter as a youngster.
Ben Steeves
#11 Royal, Oakland Jr. Grizzlies 16U, 5/10/02, Left Shot, 5-5.5/138
The Bedford, N.H., native will make the move to Michigan for his final year of minor midget hockey after playing for the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs. He’s added a little size, but still needs to grow. He knows where to go to find pucks and bury them. His older brothers, Alex and Matt, are both playing at Notre Dame.
Riley Stuart
#17 Black, Phoenix Jr. Coyotes 16U, 1/17/02, Right Shot, 6-1.25/163
Stuart has good size and length. He’s a prospect who projects as a middle-six winger who can get up and down the sheet. In Thursday’s game, he scored a beauty on a wrist shot he uncorked from the high slot. He pulled back the puck and just roofed it past the goaltender.
James Tepper
#17 White, Proctor, 2/20/02, Right Shot, 5-11.25/163
Tepper is making the move to prep school this fall after playing for Shrewsbury High School. He capped off his MIAA career with the game-winning goal in the Division 3 State Championship Game. His father played at Maine before a brief minor pro career. He plays big, is heavy on pucks, and can be physical. He drives the net and has good hands, as evidenced by a beauty of a shootout goal.
Will Traeger
#13 Royal, Shattuck St. Mary’s 16U, 4/10/02, Left Shot, 5-6/153
Traeger produced a lot here, and it was mainly due to his ability to be around the puck. He did a really good job of being in the right place at the right time.
Noah Tussey
#10 White, Stillwater HS, 6/18/02, Left Shot, 5-10/161
NCAA Commit: Minnesota
Tussey was injured in camp before this observer arrived for the final three days. He had three goals and an assist in three games. He was another player here who competed for a spot on the NTDP at the organization’s evaluation camp in Plymouth, Mich., earlier this year.
Winter Wallace
#15 Royal, Shattuck St. Mary’s, 1/21/02, Left Shot, 6-1.5/192
Wallace has some power to his game as a big forward and he has more skill than previously shown. He drives the net, including a nice jam on Thursday that resulted in a rebound goal for his linemate.
