With the USA Hockey National Team Development Program U17 roster being finalized today and the Five Nations Tournament on the horizon, it’s a good time to look at the top uncommitted 2002-born prospects in the United States.
As college hockey recruiting trends earlier – despite recent legislation to curb the communication between coaches and young prospects – a majority of elite ’02s are already off the board.
The ’02 birth year certainly isn’t one of the better ones in terms of high-end prospects, but there are uncommitted players out there who could make a positive impact on a college program.
One of the top ’02 forwards in the country – Hingham, Mass., native Matt Beniers – is certainly towards the top of any list of uncommitted prospects. The former Milton Academy center will play for the NTDP U17 team this upcoming season. He’s being courted by Boston College, Boston University, Harvard, Northeastern and Providence. The first three are favorited to land him.
To get a better sense of the landscape, here are the top eight uncommitted '02s across the U.S. Five New Englanders are then included as a separate, more focused look at the region's top uncommitted '02s.
Top Uncommitted ‘02s (USA)
1. Thomas Bordeleau
U.S. NTDP U17, 1/3/02, Forward, Left Shot
A dual-citizen, Bordeleau is the son of former NHL player Sebastian Bordeleau. Thomas played bantam and midget hockey in Quebec, but will move to this side of the border to play for the NTDP. His game has really taken off over the last year as he’s started maturing physically and has added some explosiveness to his game. He’s quick and has skill to finish, but his vision and playmaking ability are the best attributes to his game.
2. Matthew Beniers
U.S. NTDP U17, 11/5/02, Forward, Left Shot
Beniers is coveted by all the major programs in the area because of his skating, hockey sense, and ability to play a complete, 200-foot game from the center position. He recovers pucks and makes plays. He has a very high compete level, especially for a player with his skill set. His older brother, Bobby, plays for Williams in Division 3.
3. Avery Winslow
Wenatchee Wild, 8/24/02, Defenseman, Left Shot
From Florida, Winslow stood out at USA Hockey Select 16 Player Development Camp after falling short of a NTDP berth at the evaluation camp in Plymouth, Mich. He’s a strong defender with strong skating ability. He can move pucks and quarterback a power play, plus can defend with his feet and has a good stick. He’s making the move from the Notre Dame Hounds in Saskatchewan to the Wenatchee Wild in the BCHL.
4. John Waldron
Chicago Fury U16, 11/13/02, Forward, Right Shot
Waldron is a late ’02 who plays for a lesser-known midget program, so he was a little late to find his way onto the radar screen of many college programs. His play at NTDP Evaluation Camp and Select 16s made coaches take notice. He has a good combination of skill and hockey sense to go along with decent size.
5. Chase Yoder
U.S. NTDP U17, 5/28/02, Forward, Left Shot
The Dallas Stars Elite product is fast and has an above-average skill set. He can chase down loose pucks and make plays. He has good hands and agility, which allows him to separate from defenders with stick handling and maneuvering in tight spaces. His hockey sense will need to continue to improve for him to become an elite prospect.
6. Patrick Schmiedlin
Des Moines Buccaneers, 3/20/02, Forward, Left Shot
Schmiedlin, tendered into the USHL by Des Moines, showed off his speed and ability to blossom into a legit power forward while at USA Hockey Select 16s this past month. His physical tools are undeniable, but his hockey sense is what has some college programs questioning how he'll translate to the next level.
7. Blake Mesenberg
Benilde St. Margaret, 6/5/02, Forward, Left Shot
Mesenberg is listed at just 5-foot-9, but he plays bigger. He’s a solid, 200-foot center who can be simply described as a gamer. He skates well and moves up and down the sheet. He’ll win face-offs and he can play heavy. He should continue to improve over the coming years.
8. Hunter McKown
U.S. NTDP U17, 8/18/02, Forward, Right Shot
McKown is a solid, middle-six forward who brings a physical element to the game. He’s versatile, will back check, and mucks it up for loose pucks. He likely won’t score a lot of goals, but he can impact the game in a positive manner for his team.
New England Uncommitted Watch List
Timmy Lovell
Boston Advantage U16, 2/8/02, Defenseman, Left Shot
Lovell opted to skip the Mass Festival and USA Hockey Select 16 Player Development Camp, but he shouldn't be forgotten. The Kingston, Mass., native is extremely small, but his skating allows him to be a terrific defender when it comes to retrieving pucks and transitioning from defense to offense. He can quickly make a shoulder check and avoid oncoming forecheckers as he moves pucks north. His father, Tim, is his Boston Advantage coach and a former collegiate player at Maine and UMass Amherst.
David Sacco
Lawrence Academy, 1/1/02, Forward, Right Shot
Sacco, from Middleton, Mass., was hurt at USA Hockey Select 16 Player Development Camp, but was good the first few days before the injury. He was very good at the recently-completed BU Prep Showcase. He’s a good skater who plays with an edge. He’ll rub an opposing player off from the puck and use his size and strength to win puck battles. He has more skill than given credit for and it’s starting to come out more and more. He’s the son of Bruins assistant coach and former BU and NHL player Dave Sacco of Medford, Mass.
Riley Duran
Lawrence Academy, 1/25/02, Forward, Right Shot
Duran had a terrific USA Hockey Select 16 Player Development Camp, and was rewarded with a spot in the All-Star Game. He’s not the most skilled player, but he’s starting to fill into his frame. He skates well and gets on pucks quickly. The Woburn, Mass., native gets into the greasy areas and can have an impact. He’ll likely land a college commitment in the coming months.
Scott Morrow
Shattuck St. Mary’s, 11/1/02, Defenseman, Right Shot
Morrow, from Darien, Conn., is a big defender with good skating ability and hands, especially for a player his size. He has the tendency to make careless decisions, but there’s a lot of upside. He’s the son of former UNH star and NHL defenseman Scott Morrow.
Gavin Fitzpatrick
Thayer, 1/9/02, Goaltender, Catches Left
Fitzpatrick has been considered one of the top ’02 goaltenders in the region for at least a few years now. The Norwood, Mass., solidified that recognition with a standout performance at USA Hockey Select 16 Player Development Camp, earning a berth on the roster for the Five Nations Tournament. He’s an athletic goaltender who is going to continue his upward trajectory.
