Drawing valid comparisons to Marian Hossa and Carey Price, respectively, Matt Boldy and Spencer Knight are poised to make some bold statements in Vancouver as New England’s top prospects off the 2019 NHL draft board.
It promises to be a banner draft year for the U.S. NTDP, with Henry Thrun and Patrick Moynihan also part of a talented local crop.
At least two New England natives could be selected in the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on Friday (8 p.m. ET; NBCSN, SN, TVAS). Knight is No. 1 on Central Scouting's final ranking of North American goalies.
Here are the top 10 prospects from New England heading into this weekend's draft.
Matthew Boldy
LW, U.S. NTDP U-18, Millis, Mass.
6-2, 192 | 33-48-81 in 64 GP
Boldy is a fantastic all-around forward. He has one of the best shots of all draft-eligible players, possessing an excellent release. He has a big body and is a dominant player down low in the offensive zone. He plays a strong defensive game. His skating and top-end speed aren’t strengths, but they aren’t a detriment, either. He’s a very creative player. He’s committed to Boston College.
NHL Central Scouting final ranking: 9
Spencer Knight
G, U.S. NTDP U-18, Darien, Conn.
6-3, 192 | 32-4-0-1 in 39 GP, 2.36, .913, 2 SO
Knight has been labeled by some scouts as the best goaltender the NTDP has ever produced. He’s calm in net, rarely out of position and almost always square to the shooter. He reads the game exceptionally well. He has great instincts and is efficient in his movements. He’s also an excellent puckhandler. He grew up studying Rangers netminder Henrik Lundqvist but now compares his style to Carey Price (Canadiens), Frederik Andersen (Maple Leafs) and Sergei Bobrovsky (Blue Jackets). He’s a Boston College commit.
NHL Central Scouting final ranking: 1
Henry Thrun
D, U.S. NTDP U-18, Southboro, Mass.
6-2, 190 | 8-29-37 in 64 GP
Thrun is calm, cool and collected at and away from the rink. Versatility is his No. 1 asset. He notched more points in less games — 39 points (7-32-39) in 58 matches — with the Under-17 squad during the 2017-18 season than he did with the Under-18 club this past campaign, but one reason for the dip is because the defenseman is a natural on the left side and was playing in unfamiliar territory on the right side. However, while sacrificing numbers, he proved that he’s able to effectively play both sides. He models his game after Duncan Keith of the Blackhawks. He is Harvard bound this fall.
NHL Central Scouting final ranking: 39
Braden Doyle
D, Lawrence Academy, Beverly, Mass.
5-11, 162 | 5-24-29 in 28 GP
Doyle is an offensive defenseman who can lead the breakout and make crisp first passes. This past season, he won the John Carlton Memorial Trophy, given annually by the Boston Bruins to the outstanding male and female student athletes in eastern Massachusetts high school or junior hockey. The trophy is given to the high school seniors “who combine exceptional hockey skills with academic excellence.” Doyle played his freshman year at Shattuck St. Mary’s in Minnesota before suiting up at Lawrence the past three campaigns.
NHL Central Scouting final ranking: 40
Jayden Struble
D, St. Sebastian’s School, Cumberland, R.I.
6-0, 194 | 10-30-40 in 28 GP
Struble is an excellent skater who can generate offense from the back end. He’s able to quarterback a power play and get his shots through to the net. However, in addition to those attributes, Struble is ultra-tenacious and physical, sometimes too much for his own good. He’s a Northeastern commit.
NHL Central Scouting final ranking: 48
Zachary Jones
D, Tri-City (USHL), Richmond, Va.
5-10, 172 | 7-45-52 in 56 GP
Before he headed to the USHL this past season, Jones patrolled the blue line for three years at Selects Academy, where he wore the ‘C’ in his final campaign. A mobile defenseman, Jones is excellent on his edges. He has good vision and is efficient and active with his stick. Born and raised in Virginia, he’s a UMass (Amherst) commit.
NHL Central Scouting final ranking: 70
Patrick Moynihan
RW, U.S. NTDP U-18, Millis, Mass.
5-11, 183 | 19-27-46 in 64 GP
Moynihan is a hard-working, momentum-setting forward who lifted his game to a higher level in the latter half of this past season. He’s a two-way skater who quickly gains the trust of his coaches. He’s bound for Providence this fall.
NHL Central Scouting final ranking: 73
Ethan Phillips
C, Sioux Falls (USHL), Dartmouth, N.S.
5-9, 148 | 16-27-43 in 50 GP
Phillips started the season at Selects Academy, where he played the prior two campaigns, before going to Sioux Falls, where he won the 2019 Clark Cup championship. A small player, he’s blessed with high skill and has excellent hockey sense. He is a high-end skater. He’s also fearless for a player with such a small frame. He’s a Boston University commit.
NHL Central Scouting final ranking: 78
Tyce Thompson
RW, Providence (Hockey East), Oyster Bay, N.Y.
6-1, 178 | 8-17-25 in 42 GP
Skipped over twice in the NHL draft, Tyce, who this spring completed his freshman season with the Friars, is hoping the third time is the charm. He’s capable of playing in every situation and has good hockey sense. He competes and is a good skater. He also does a splendid job working on the power play. Tyce’s dad, Brent, is the head coach of AHL Bridgeport, while brother Tage, who’s with the Sabres, was a first-round pick of the Blues in 2016.
NHL Central Scouting final ranking: 83
Cade Webber
D, Rivers School, Worcester, Mass.
6-6, 194 | 12-14-26 in 29 GP
One look at the big-bodied Webber and you’ll see a player who skates exceptionally well for his size. He was born in Worcester, Mass., and moved to Meadville, Pa., when he was 6 years old. He grew up idolizing another mammoth on the blue line, Bruins captain Zdeno Chara, although he now tries to emulate Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman. He’s committed to playing for Boston University, starting with the 2020-21 season.
NHL Central Scouting final ranking: 87
