MARLBORO, Mass. -- The Boston Junior Eagles won the Massachusetts 18-U State Tournament over the weekend at the New England Sports Center.
Led offensively by Rivers center and Yale commit Philip Tresca (Newton, Mass.), Thayer forward and Northeastern commit Sasha Teleguine (Attleboro, Mass.) and Nobles center Casey Severo, the Junior Eagles claimed the organization’s second straight state championship at the 18-U level.
The Junior Eagles, coached by Sean Coffey (Needham, Mass.), defeated Top Gun, 8-3, in the quarterfinals on Saturday. After that, the team beat the Neponset Valley River Rats 5-1 in Sunday morning’s semifinal. In the final, the Junior Eagles stormed back with three goals on a five-minute major power play in the third period en route to an entertaining 6-5 win over the Eastern Mass Senators.
Below are the top prospects from all four rounds of action at the Massachusetts 18-U State Tournament. Please note rankings are based on performance in this tournament, with future projection noted when applicable.
Forwards
1. Philip Tresca
Boston Jr. Eagles, 4/10/02, C/RW, right shot, 5-10.5/170
NCAA commit: Yale
It’s worth reiterating that the improvement in Tresca’s game over the past 12 or so months is remarkable. He had seven goals and an assist to lead the tournament in scoring. He’s gifted offensively because of his skill and quickness, which allows him to excel in small areas. Although his goals were nice, he had a huge assist in the final, finding Teleguine at the backdoor for what would hold up as the game winner.
2. Sasha Teleguine
Boston Jr. Eagles, 9/17/02, C/LW, left shot, 5-9.25/178
NCAA commit: Northeastern
Teleguine’s skating is elite and it allows him to possess the puck a lot. He hunts pucks and does a good job using his speed to blow past defenders and protect the puck. As mentioned above, he had the game-winning goal in the final. Although he gets a ton of chances, if his hockey sense can improve further, he’ll be even more dynamic.
3. Casey Severo
Boston Jr. Eagles, 2/1/01, C, right shot, 5-11/175
Severo brings more of a 200-foot game than the two Jr. Eagles forwards ranked above him, but he doesn’t quite have the offensive capabilities. He makes some great passes with his vision and excellent hockey sense. He hunts pucks and is always on the right side of the puck. I’d like to see him shoot more and be more assertive.
4. David Jacobs
Boston Jr. Eagles, 9/26/01, RW, right shot, 5-8/150
Jacobs is another one of the region’s most improved players over the past year. He seems to score a goal in every game I watch. He drove the net hard down the left wing for a really nice goal in Saturday’s game and added another one on Sunday. He’s on the smaller side, but he goes to the greasy areas and can finish. He should start getting attention from ECAC Hockey programs.
5. Nick Ring
Boston Advantage, 10/26/03, C, right shot, 5-9/153
NCAA commit: New Hampshire
Ring stands out immediately with his speed and ability to make plays. A lot of the passes he makes don’t end up being cashed in on, which makes it so he’s overlooked at times. It’s also important to keep in mind Ring is a late ’03 playing up with and against a lot of ’01s and ’02s.
6. David Sacco
Cape Cod Whalers, 1/3/02, C, right shot, 5-11.5/187
NCAA commit: New Hampshire
This was one of Sacco’s better performances of the fall. He influenced the game with and without the puck. He had a couple of huge hits, drove the net a couple of times and picked up two assists Friday. His hockey sense and consistency could have been better during the two games. There’s still a ton of upside here, if it all comes together.
7. Aidan Thompson
River Rats, 2/18/02, C, left shot, 5-10/161
NCAA commit: Denver
Thompson didn’t find the score sheet during my viewings of the River Rats this weekend, but his speed and quickness were factors. He’s able to recover pucks and juke opposing defenders in small areas.
8. Joseph Kramer
Cape Cod Whalers, 8/8/02, RW, right shot, 5-10/165
NCAA commit: Providence
Kramer had an assist in Friday’s win and two goals in the loss Saturday. He played a complete, hard game throughout the weekend.
9. Tabor Heaslip
River Rats, 12/17/01, LW, left shot, 5-9/160
NCAA commit: UConn
Heaslip found the score sheet a few times and played his usual hard game. He hunts pucks and plays with an edge. He always gives it his all.
10. James Tepper
Cape Cod Whalers, 2/20/02, RW, right shot, 6-0/175
This was one of Tepper’s best viewings of the fall season. He played hard and delivered big hits, but he also found his way onto the score sheet. He scored a goal and added a helper Friday night. There’s some upside and Tepper will very likely find his way onto a Hockey East roster after a couple years of junior hockey following prep school.
11. Jacob Black
East Coast Militia, 3/5/02, RW, right shot, 5-10/150
Black was able to influence the game offensively with three goals and two assists. He’s quick and has a good shot. One of the goals he scored was a beauty of a snipe on a breakaway. He was also really good at the Kings of East Coast Showcase back in August. He could be a sleeper to watch during the prep season at Winchendon.
12. Jack Cronin
Boston Jr. Eagles, 1/4/01, RW, right shot, 5-11/175
NCAA commit: Princeton
Cronin has good speed up and down the right wing and can shoot; he found the back of the net a couple of times.
13. Nick Rheaume
Eastern Mass Senators, 5/2/02, LW, left shot, 5-10/150
Rheaume had three goals and three assists, including two goals in the final. His stride is a little choppy, but he’s a hard, heavy winger who can really shoot.
14. Ryan McGuire
East Coast Wizards, 7/27/02, C, right shot, 5-10/165
NCAA commit: Colgate
McGuire centered the top line for the Wizards with Luke Khozozian and Connor Blanchard flanking him on the wings. McGuire is what he is: a reliable, 200-foot center. He did nothing to disprove that in Friday night’s game.
15. Jake Hewitt
Eastern Mass Senators, 5/31/02, RW, right shot, 5-9/170
NCAA commit: Army
Hewitt scored a on breakaway and was able to use his quickness to separate and slip past the defense at least a few other times. He plays hard, blocks shots and is responsible in all three zones.
16. Owen Fowler
River Rats, 6/4/02, LW, left shot, 5-9/196
NCAA commit: UMass Lowell
Fowler didn’t find the score sheet, but he played his usual hard game. He drives the net and is always on the hunt for pucks. He delivers big hits and is hard to play against.
17. Morgan Winters
River Rats, 12/8/01, C, left shot, 5-9/150
NCAA commit: New Hampshire
Winters had at least three or four chances in Sunday morning’s semifinal loss. His skating is very good and his speed makes an impact. He plays an honest game, but his offensive instincts and skill are areas that could use improvement.
18. Liam Connors
Boston Jr. Eagles, 1/2/01, RW, right shot, 5-9/170
NCAA commit: Boston University
Connors, who had six assists, had a really good showing. His quickness and ability to keep his feet moving while waiting for linemates to get time and space were beneficial.
19. Brendan Gibbons
Little Bruins, 7/18/02, RW, right shot, 6-1/211
Gibbons had a goal and a couple of assists in his team’s two games. His feet are still needing improvement, but they’ve gotten better. He’s heavy on pucks and can shoot it hard and accurately.
20. Matthew Myers
Little Bruins, 2/19/02, C, left shot, 5-11/165
Myers scored a really nice shorthanded breakaway goal in the team’s win over the Boston Advantage. He’ll be one of the top players in all of the MIAA at St. John’s Shrewsbury this winter.
21. Matt MacDonald
Boston Advantage, 4/16/02, RW, right shot, 6-0.75/194
NCAA Commit: Merrimack
MacDonald’s skating and footwork hurt him at times, but he competes hard and is heavy on pucks. He’s competitive and keeps fighting for loose pucks. He had an assist in Friday night’s game against the East Coast Wizards.
22. Ryan Corcoran
Boston Advantage, 4/4/02, C, left shot, 5-11/175
Corcoran scored a goal Friday night and was his usual self for the rest of the game. He won face-offs and was the most reliable two-way center for his team, as usual.
23. Johnny Hammel
Boston Advantage, 7/23/02, LW, left shot, 5-10/165
NCAA commit: Holy Cross
Hammel stood out more Friday night than he has in recent viewings. He made a move to generate a scoring chance while showing off his agility.
24. Carson Whitman
Boston Advantage, 6/4/02, C, right shot, 5-10/165
Whitman has the second most skill of any forward on his team, behind only Ring. He’s quick and shifty, is elusive, and is around the puck a decent amount.
21. Billy Norcross
Eastern Mass Senators, 3/16/03, C, right shot, 5-11.25/167
NCAA commit: Boston College
Norcross struggles to have an impact while playing up a level with the ’01s and ’02s. He’s still got a lot of room to grow and projects as a much better player down the line. He likes to play physically, which he still tries to do at this level.
26. Ben Raymond
River Rats, 8/22/01, C/LW, left shot, 5-11/172
NCAA commit: Colgate
Raymond uses his superior speed to get chances, including a goal he scored in Sunday morning’s semifinal. His hockey sense and offensive skill are areas of his game that he should work on during junior hockey.
27. Brendan Williams
River Rats, 10/21/02, LW, left shot, 5-9/140
Williams doesn’t always look pretty, but he seems to find his way onto the score sheet a lot. He scored a goal during Saturday’s quarterfinal and has a high compete level.
28. Aidan Connolly
River Rats, 5/10/01, C, left shot, 5-11/165
NCAA commit: Sacred Heart
Connolly has skill and quickness, but he needs to be more assertive and play more between the dots. He scored a goal and added an assist in two games.
29. Blake Humphrey
River Rats, 1/18/02, C/RW, right shot, 5-8.25/153
NCAA commit: Providence
Humphrey has the skill, but was held off the score sheet this weekend.
30. Jacob Banks
Eastern Mass Senators, 3/27/01, C, left shot, 5-10/185
Banks didn’t find the score sheet, but he was noted for playing hard and being a force on the penalty kill and blocking shots in his own zone.
31. Tyler Christ
Boston Bulldogs, 8/29/01, RW, right shot, 5-10/175
Crist is a solid NESCAC prospect with his offensive skill set. He scored a goal in the team’s loss to Cape Cod. He’ll be a player to watch for Division III coaches during his senior season at Milton.
32. Sean Walsh
East Coast Militia, 4/19/02, C, right shot, 5-9/160
Walsh has a lot of skill and will be one of the more coveted public school players this winter while skating for Hopkinton. He was good and produced offensively in Friday night’s game.
33. Jeremy Abraham
Top Gun/NE Fall Prep, 11/10/01, left shot, 6-1/180
Abraham is a big power forward who can shoot it hard. He should be on the radar for Division III coaches. He’s transferring from Exeter to Hotchkiss.
34. Tyler Gaulin
GBL Bruins, 11/9/01, C, left shot, 6-0/163
Gaulin has good size and skates well while playing with a high compete level. He backchecks, block shots and brings it physically.
35. Michael Cosentino
Boston Bulldogs, 3/13/01, RW, right shot, 5-11/150
Cosentino was involved in the play a lot and looked to have some finishing ability in his team’s game against Cape Cod Whalers.
36. Ethan Davidson
Boston Bulldogs, 12/3/02, LW, left shot, 5-11/150
Davidson had the puck on his stick a lot and looked to make some plays. He’s a player who should be evaluated more going forward.
37. Matty Ryan
East Coast Militia, 4/29/01, C/RW, right shot, 6-1/185
Ryan is a big power forward with some skill. He should be one of the better players in the Catholic Conference for Xaverian this upcoming season.
38. Reese Farrell
GBL Bruins, 2/21/01, RW, right shot, 6-0/199
Farrell is a hardworking winger who plays with an edge. Although he doesn’t have the offensive instincts or skill, he’s a player who should be watched by Division III programs for a bottom-six role.
39. Jake Cady
River Rats, 7/4/01, RW, right shot, 5-9/185
Cady doesn’t have a lot of offensive skill, but he skates well and competes really hard. He’s a player that a Division III team should pursue for his penalty killing, forechecking and overall intangibles.
40. Manny Cabral
Top Gun/NE Fall Prep, 7/27/01, LW, left shot, 6-2/170
Cabral has good size and was around the puck quite a bit over the course of his team’s two games. Cabral, who plays prep hockey at Hoosac, could be a sleeper for a Division III team.
Defensemen
1. Timmy Lovell
Boston Advantage, 2/8/02, D, left shot, 5-5.25/124
Lovell was really good over the course of the two games he played, but a lot of his good plays were left dead after teammates couldn’t bury or keep it going. He did a good job of getting pucks up ice and made a couple of highlight-reel plays where he spun away from trouble before dishing it off to open teammates. He finished the weekend with four assists in two games. He’s reportedly heading to join the USHL’s Chicago Steel.
2. Ian Moore
Little Bruins, 1/4/02, D, right shot, 6-2.25/171
NCAA commit: Princeton
Moore is a legit pro prospect with size, skating and a shot. Moore was outplayed by Lovell in the head-to-head game, but his team advanced. He’ll be the most-watched player in prep hockey this winter.
3. Eamon Doheny
Boston Jr. Eagles, 1/6/01, D, left shot, 6-1/190
Doheny has always been a player on my radar because of his size, but his skating has improved and he’s becoming more of an offensive threat. He makes some really nice passes to facilitate offensive opportunities. He’s still a threat to engage physically and he has a mean streak. He checks a lot of boxes and is starting to get interest from Atlantic Hockey and ECAC Hockey schools. If they’re smart, a few Hockey East schools will follow.
4. Damien Carfagna
River Rats, 12/12/02, D, left shot, 5-10/153
Carfagna was really good in his team’s two games. He’s mobile, and can move the puck in transit and on the power play as a quarterback at the top of the point. He’s gotten some Hockey East interest, which should continue as he goes through prep hockey at Lawrence Academy.
5. Jackson Dorringtoe
Eastern Mass Senators, 4/13/04, D, left shot, 6-0.75/171
Dorrington has a tremendous impact on the game, especially as an ’04 playing against ’01s and ’02s. He’s mobile and shows poise with the puck. He has a good stick and can positively influence the team’s possession. I’d like to see him be a little more assertive and work on his shot, but he’s going to be getting serious Hockey East interest once Jan. 1 comes around.
6. Lukas Gustafsson
Eastern Mass Senators, 12/16/02, D, left shot, 5-9/165
NCAA commit: Boston College
Gustafsson is a mobile defenseman who makes really good stretch passes to jumpstart the offense. He has a good stick and his skating is an asset. His defensive play and reeling it in at times are two things to work on as he develops.
7. John Fusco
East Coast Wizards, 6/13/01, D, right shot, 5-10/175
NCAA commit: Harvard
In a losing effort Friday night against Boston Advantage, Fusco was the standout on the blue line for his team. He had a good stick and gapped well. While he doesn’t play as much hockey as some of his peers, he looks to be continuing to develop and his game is trending in the right direction.
8. Cole Teleki
River Rats, 3/13/02, D, right shot, 5-11.5/189
NCAA commit: Providence
Teleki hasn’t been as good since a superb first few weeks of the fall season. He needs to get back to playing a simple game and being strong defensively. There’s still potential here and he shouldn’t be written off completely.
9. Walter Elephant
Little Bruins, 12/28/02, D, right shot, 6-3/180
Oliphant is turning heads with his size and skating ability. He’s going to be a first-year prep player at Lawrence Academy. As a late ’02, he drew mild interest as an underager from NHL scouts who were there watching Lovell and Moore.
10. Patrick Lawn
Top Gun/NE Fall Prep, 3/26/01, D, right shot, 5-11/160
NCAA commit: Bentley
Lawn was really strong Friday night. He’s mobile and skates well, but he’s one of those defenders who does a good job by flying under the radar. He’s not flashy, but he gets the job done by keeping things simple. Steady.
11. Jake Higgins
Cape Cod Whalers, 6/9/01, D, right shot, 6-1/185
NCAA commit: Holy Cross
Higgins had a goal Friday night and was solid in Saturday’s game. He’s an athletic, mobile, puck-moving defenseman who will be making the move from Hingham in the MIAA to prep with Deerfield.
12. Teddy Griffin
GBL Bruins, 2/25/01, D, left shot, 5-11/180
With all the firepower on KUA, Griffin skated under the radar last season. He should be a high-priority player for NESCAC schools, but he could also get to Division I if he played a year or two of junior in the BCHL or similar league. He’s a good skater and a solid athlete. He makes good reads and picked off a few breakout passes by knowing when to pinch.
13. Tucker Hartmann
Little Bruins, 4/4/02, D, right shot, 5-9.5/168
Hartmann is a good athlete who skates well and plays hard. He can make good breakout plays, but his decision-making is still a work in progress.
14. Colin Oppelt
Boston Advantage, 6/21/02, D, left shot, 6-2/185
Oppelt is a big, stay-at-home defenseman who uses his length and body positioning to keep opposing forwards at bay.
15. Matt Connor
Cape Cod Whalers, 5/31/01, D, right shot, 6-2/200
Connor is a rugged, physical defenseman who should be sought after by Division III coaches. He has the potential to land a Division I opportunity if his game progresses during junior hockey. He scored a goal and added a few assists in Saturday’s game.
16. Kyle Furey
Cape Cod Whalers, 2/5/02, D, right shot, 6-0/160
Furey has the skating and puck skills to eventually land a college commit as a fringe Division I or top Division III prospect. His hockey sense and simpler play will help him get there. He made some good plays over the course of the two games.
17. Carter Rose
Top Gun/NE Fall Prep, 8/9/02, D, left shot, 6-2/195
Rose is an offensive-minded defenseman who is hard to knock off the puck. He’s rugged and strong. Rose scored a goal Friday night, but his skating and first step need work to take the next step.
18. David Romaine
East Coast Militia, 3/16/02, D, right shot, 5-10/170
Romaine looks like he’s gained size and was the standout on the blue line for his team. He’s mobile and made a nice rush up ice for a goal in Saturday’s quarterfinal loss.
19. Will Van Der Veen
Boston Bulldogs, 12/15/01, D, right shot, 6-5/210
Van Der Veen has good size and is an above-average skater. His hockey sense is a work in progress, but he’s a potential Division III player as an offensive defenseman with size.
20. Matthew Perryman
Springfield Rifles, 5/2/01, D, left shot, 6-3/195
Perryman is an intriguing prospect who should be on the radar for Division III coaches. He’s a big defender with potential. He was one of the more noticeable players in Friday’s loss against East Coast Militia.
21. Bauer Swift
Springfield Rifles, 6/17/02, D, right shot, 6-0/160
Swift is a little raw, but he’s mobile and his skating is very easy to see. He’ll be back at Choate for his second season of prep hockey.
Goaltenders
1. Tristan Mecenas
Top Gun/NE Fall Prep, 11/18/02, G, catches left, 6-3/185
Mecenas was solid in Friday’s win over GBL Bruins and kept his team in it for a period plus in Saturday’s quarterfinal loss to the Junior Eagles. He’s big and eats pucks. He does a good job covering the net and cutting down on angles. There’s serious potential here.
2. Brandon Milberg
River Rats, 7/16/01, G, catches left, 6-0/165
Milberg wasn’t as good as he’s been at other times this fall, but he still made big saves and showed why he’ll be one of the better goaltenders in prep school hockey this winter.
3. Gavin Fitzpatrick
Boston Jr. Eagles, 1/9/02, G, catches left, 6-0/157
Fitzpatrick was really good in his team’s win over the River Rats in the semifinal. It was the best game I’ve seen him play in a while. He made a couple key saves when the game was still very much in doubt.
