PITTSBURGH — With the USHL 2021-22 regular-season opening on Thursday in Pittsburgh, New England Hockey Journal has coverage of the Tier 1 junior league’s top players in attendance.
After watching streams of preseason games to bring this quick preview of some of the regional players expected to be impact performers in the league this season, we will attend the Fall Classic at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Township, Pa.
As we observe the games and track the top performances, there will be more in-depth analysis across the USHL as this first major event of the season brings myriad NHL scouts and NCAA coaches into one location to observe the action.
This preview focuses on anticipated play drivers from New England: Ryan Healey, Cam Lund and Jackson Dorrington among others, while looking at some intriguing players with area ties and a few locals who could be drafted in their second year of eligibility.
Future coverage will bring you more on juniors in the USHL and NAHL as we start the march toward the 2022 NHL Entry Draft held in Montreal, July 7-8.
First year draft eligible: Top-5
1. Ryan Healey (Hull, Mass.)
Sioux Falls Stampede, 5/19/04, right shot, 6-1/170
Harvard recruit enters the season as arguably the top player from the region, but he’s got real competition from Lund and Dorrington on that score. He’s mobile and skilled, with the ability to get pucks out of his own end and support the offensive attack at the other end. A heads-up skater, he can make any pass and confidently walks the blue line to keep pucks in or change the shooting angle from the point. Defensively, he’ll need to focus on the details.
2. Cam Lund (Bridgewater, Mass.)
Green Bay Gamblers, 6/7/04, right shot, 6-2/181
Raw, rangy center has some of the best NHL tools of any player from New England eligible in 2022. When he’s going full speed and turning the wheel, he’s the archetype for the modern power forward. He can beat defenders wide with speed, has a ferocious shot off the rush and wreaks havoc at the top of the paint when he crashes the net. If he can do it all consistently, he’ll be a top draft commodity come July.
3. Jackson Dorrington (North Reading, Mass.)
Des Moines Buccaneers, 4/13/04, left shot, 6-1/185
The former Cushing Academy standout who got to play junior hockey with the Boston Jr. Bruins last season because of COVID keeps getting better and might end up being the best of this group when all is said and done. Another of Northeastern’s prized future players, he’s always taken pride in his defensive play and using his size and reach to keep opponents away from his net. Lately, the offensive dimension is blossoming, which will make him an intriguing player for NHL teams to track.
4. Andon Cerbone (Stamford, Conn.)
Chicago Steel, 4/13/04, left shot, 5-9/150
Given the Steel organization’s recent track record in the NHL draft, Cerbone is another in a long line of skilled, offensively gifted players who can beat you in a variety of ways. He’s creative and uses his quickness and rapid direction change to shake free from defenders and generate scoring chances. He’s not all that big or strong right now, but got a valuable introduction to the older, faster and more physical USHL last season.
5. Brady Berard (East Greenwich, R.I.)
U.S. NTDP Under-18, 2/26/04, left shot, 6-0/175
With NHL draft bloodlines with older brother Brett a New York Rangers prospect, the younger Berard brings a similar buzzsaw mentality to the rink, but didn’t have much production in his first year with Team USA. He’s versatile and competitive, so he’ll likely draw some of the harder assignments and grunt work, but if he can make more of an impact scoring-wise, he’ll get some NHL attention.
Top players with local ties
1. Adam Fantilli (Kimball Union Academy)
Chicago Steel, 10/12/04, left shot, 6-2/190
Though not eligible until 2023 as a late ’04, the 2021 Clark Cup playoff MVP as a young 16-year-old is poised to light the league on fire in his second year. A special talent with size, speed, skill and that “it” factor, the former KUA star took time to adjust in the first few months and then hit his stride when it mattered most. The Toronto-area native is going to keep the wins coming before joining the University of Michigan in 2022.
2. Ryan Greene (Boston University)
Green Bay Gamblers, 10/21/03, right shot, 6-1/170
Newfoundland native who starred at South Kent Selects Academy and committed to the NCAA route over the QMJHL is primed for a major breakout year in his third USHL campaign. The late ‘03 can skate and create, but also has a strong two-way game with intelligence and vision. He’ll be an impact Terrier when he gets to school.
3. Philip Svedeback (Boston Bruins)
Dubuque Fighting Saints, 05/28/02, catches left, 6-4/205
Dubuque has high hopes for the tall, lanky Swede after the B’s drafted him in the fourth round in his second year of eligibility. He’s skilled and used to seeing a lot of shots, but Dubuque usually fields a pretty competitive team. He’ll get plenty of work playing in the conference that features some high-powered offenses in Chicago, the National Team and Muskegon.
4. Ethan Fredericks (Northeastern)
Des Moines Buccaneers, 11/22/04, right shot, 6-2/187
Raw but intriguing power forward from the Atlanta area was impressive last year with the Nashville Jr. Predators 16-U squad and followed it up with an excellent showing in the Beantown Classic, committing to the Huskies shortly thereafter. He’s an athlete who’s heavy and may take some time to get going in the USHL, but has a high upside and was a nice get for NU. Another late ’04 who will have to wait another year for the NHL draft, that might just be the best option for him if he takes a big jump in his second season.
Second time the charm?
1. JP Turner (East Falmouth, Mass.)
Sioux Falls Stampede, 01/31/03, right shot, 5-11/190
Lack of dynamic skating game, established role and no prep hockey to dominate a year ago hurt him at the draft, but he works hard and is a competitive, driven type. Having been in the USHL, he knows what he’s in for and put in the work over the summer. Now, we’ll see if he can join the growing trend of players taken by NHL teams in their second year of eligibility out of the league. Headed to UNH next season, he needs to find his scoring gear but is a good all-around player.
2. Tim Delay (Hingham, Mass.)
Green Bay Gamblers, 06/16/03, right shot, 6-1/183
Boston College-bound former St. Sebastian’s and Jr. Eagles product is an outstanding skater who wasn’t selected in 2021, but could certainly earn a draft nod with a strong USHL campaign. He has the talent, just needs to put it together and make an impact in Wisconsin.
3. Brendan Fitzgerald (North Reading, Mass.)
Cedar Rapids Roughriders, 03/06/03, left shot, 5-11/160
Like his older brothers, the Governor’s product doesn’t have ideal pro size, but is a smart, capable two-way defender. His game isn’t flashy, but he moves pucks efficiently, has a good stick and the kind of mature, refined detail-oriented game as someone who grew up around pro hockey. Headed to UNH, he should be employed to good effect by Mark Carlson and his staff this season.
