NEWINGTON, Conn. — Several top 2006-born players stood out in the 14-U division at this past weekend’s Yale Junior Bulldogs Jamboree.
The three-day showcase took place mainly at the Newington Arena and Northford Ice Pavilion, with several other rinks in nearby Connecticut locations hosting a few games. While Boston Junior Eagles and Mount Saint Charles weren’t in action, a few other notable teams from across the Northeast corridor took part in the jamboree.
Bishop Kearney Selects, a new program based out of Rochester, N.Y., was the top team in the division. It’s a deep and talented team that looks to be a top-three team in the country along with Shattuck-St. Mary’s and Boston Junior Eagles.
Mid Fairfield Junior Rangers, Neponset Valley River Rats, New York Saints, North Jersey Avalanche, Valley Forge Minutemen and Westchester Express were some of the notable teams with promising players.
I put more of an emphasis on watching action at the 15 Pure and 16-U divisions, but I watched all of the above teams at least once. The following list (players listed in alphabetical order) isn’t meant as a ranking nor is it a complete list of all the good players on each team. It’s merely meant as a list and evaluation of a few 14-U players who should be on the radar of prep school coaches, as well as junior and college programs, over the coming years.
Benjamin Bradley
Mid Fairfield, 1/1/06, C/LW, left shot
Bradley is a physically mature, big forward who can win puck battles and create space for himself and his linemates. He was around the puck a lot in Mid Fairfield’s game against the River Rats.
Walker Bright
Mid Fairfield, 6/3/06, C/RW, right shot
Bright isn’t a player who stands out as quickly as the other two Mid Fairfield teammates listed here, but he does a lot of little things. He’s a cerebral, 200-foot player with good vision and playmaking ability. I think he’ll continue to get better over the coming years.
Andrew DellaSalla
Mid Fairfield, 5/8/06, C/LW, left shot
DellaSalla had a couple of points in Saturday morning’s game against the River Rats. He’s tall, skates well and has skill. He plays with swagger and is a threat to score when the puck is on his stick.
Christian Humphreys
Bishop Kearney, 2/4/06, C, right shot
Humphreys is a dominant player at this level. He combines his strong skating, skill, hockey sense and size to find the scoresheet a lot. He hunts pucks and plays a complete all-around game. His hands are good and he can slow the game down. The Pittsburgh Penguins Elite product was the best prospect in this division. It’s early, but he’s certainly a strong candidate for the NTDP in 2022-23.
Evan Jones
New York Saints, 2/13/06, RW, right shot
Jones is a water-bug-type forward who flies around and makes things happen with his energy. He hunts pucks and doesn’t let his lack of size limit him from going to the scoring areas. He had a couple of really solid games this weekend.
Mitch Kneidel
Bishop Kearney, 3/14/06, D, left shot
Kneidel is a solid, two-way defenseman who prioritizes his own zone. He’s strong, gaps well and is tough to beat defensively. His first two steps are good and he moves pucks north quickly and with precision.
Cole Longacre
Valley Forge Minutemen, 5/26/06, D, left shot
Longacre was one of the few players on his team who stood out in a loss to Bishop Kearney. He’s got good size, has poise with the puck on his stick, and his feet look better than they did over the summer at the War at the Well.
Joey Macrina
Valley Forge Minutemen, 1/9/06, C, right shot
Macrina didn’t have the puck as much as he did in previous viewings, but he still showed some flashes of being a good player. He skates well, has good habits and makes some plays.
James Marshall
River Rats, 4/5/06, C, left shot
Marshall has the skill and ability to possess pucks for long stretches. The BC High freshman had three goals and two assists on the weekend.
Jared Rothman
New York Saints, 9/21/06, C/RW, right shot
Rothman is a dangerous offensive player who can use his speed and vision to finish and set up teammates. He’s the centerpiece of his team’s offensive attack in five-on-five and man-advantage situations.
Michael Sandruck
Bishop Kearney, 2/25/06, RW, right shot
Sandruck is a big, heavy power forward who can shoot it hard and win puck battles. He’s tough to knock off pucks and he’s able to fend off opposing defenders before finishing.
Luke Sansobrino
Westchester Express, 4/6/06, C/LW, left shot
Sansobrino is a small, quick forward who had a goal and an assist in the first few minutes of his team’s game against East Coast Militia. He’s crafty and finds soft spots in the opposing defense. He produces every time you watch him play.
Thomas Zocco
North Jersey Avalanche, 6/15/06, C, right shot
Zocco is a good-sized power forward who can control possession below the dots. He’s heavy on pucks and smart enough to make plays. He played the half-wall on the power play during Sunday’s game and the puck went through him.
