BRIGHTON, Mass. – While the Northeast Pack events and the Junior Eagles and Mount Saint Charles games entertained the most scouts, there were a slew of other showcases and tournaments of note over the weekend around New England. The Boston Junior Eagles 14U Invite and the Seacoast Academy Tier 1 Invite had a couple of...
BRIGHTON, Mass. – While the Northeast Pack events and the Junior Eagles and Mount Saint Charles games entertained the most scouts, there were a slew of other showcases and tournaments of note over the weekend around New England.
The Boston Junior Eagles 14U Invite and the Seacoast Academy Tier 1 Invite had a couple of intriguing prospects from outside of the area. The South Shore Kings downed the hosts, the Junior Eagles, in the championship game of the Junior Eagles 14U Invite. The hero was `08 Tommy Wilkinson (Duxbury, Mass.), who scored the game-winner.
At the Seacoast Academy Tier 1 Invite, the big name was Merrimack commit Luke Goukler, who was playing for the Nashville Junior Predators 16U. Goukler, an `06 from Cumming, Ga., is a highly skilled winger who is one of three players in that birth year committed to the Warriors.
There was certainly less depth in the overall talent pool at the Boston Junior Eagles 14U Invite, but one forward and one defenseman showed why they’re getting serious interest from NHLPA agents. Below is a look at the top forward and top defenseman from the Boston Junior Eagles 14U Invite.
Blake Zielinski
Philadelphia Flyers Elite, 3/8/08, F, right shot, 5-10/150
Zielinski is one of the top players in this birth year among players in the northeast region. He’s a big power forward who can finish. He’s tall, long and protects pucks. The Berlin, N.J., native has the frame to make NHLPA agents think he can make them money some day. He was especially good here Friday, scoring a hat trick in one game. He also brings a physical element and isn’t willing to back down from opposing players looking to make his life difficult in the high quality scoring areas.
Brady Sloper
Junior Eagles, 5/21/08, D, right shot, 5-11/165
Sloper is in his first year with the Junior Eagles after coming over from Top Gun. He gives the Junior Eagles a legitimate top pairing defenseman. From Andover, Mass., Sloper has size, length and range when defending. He also can jump into the rush and upstart the transition with good outlet passes.
