When the Mass. Hockey Festival gets underway on Friday, the 2008-born prospects will be looking to make it to the Final 40, which is held the following weekend.
While the '07s fight for spots at USA Hockey's Select 17 Camp and the '09s get their first taste of the festival, the '08s will look to impress the many college coaches in attendance.
Over the next year, coaches will watch their every move to decide whether they're worthy of an offer. There are quite a few of those players among the defensemen and goalies.
Here are 12 defenders to keep an eye on at New England Sports Center this weekend.
Thomas Broderick
Dexter Southfield, 1/21/2008, D, left shot, 5-10/180
Hometown: Norwood, Mass.Â
Broderick had a solid first season at Dexter Southfield. He's assertive, both with the puck and with his physicality. He has no problem stepping up in the neutral zone and going for a big hit. He also has no problem rushing the puck on his own.
Gavin Callahan
Mount St. Charles 15O, 4/12/2008, D, left shot, 6-0/165
Hometown: Lexington, Mass.Â
Callahan is the kind of two-way defender you want on your team. He can be tasked with heavy minutes in the defensive zone and then make clean passes exiting the zone. He's also responsible and impactful in the offensive zone. I was a bit surprised when he didn't get selected in the USHL Phase 1 and Phase 2 Drafts. He made it to Select 15 Camp last summer.
PHASE 1:Â 14 New Englanders taken in USHL Phase 1 Draft
Vincenzo D’Urso
Andover High, 3/7/2008, G, catches left, 5-9/174
Hometown: Andover, Mass.Â
I liked D'Urso's showings when I watched the Neponset Valley River Rats 15O team in the fall and in the spring at nationals. I like his ability to make the big save, as well as make high-danger stops.
Gavin Holland
Lawrence Academy, 3/20/2008, D, right shot, 6-1/176
Hometown: Topsfield, Mass.Â
Holland's fortunate to have great size, which is always a plus for defensemen. He makes a big impact in the offensive zone, knowing how to sift shots through from the point and where to find open space low in the zone. He was a freshman at Lawrence Academy this past season.
Matas Janulius
Islanders Hockey Club 16U, 11/19/2008, D, left shot, 5-9/141
Hometown: Lincoln, Mass.Â
Janulius made Select 15 Camp last year, standing out as one of the better defensemen among the '08s. He played full-season hockey with the Islanders Hockey Club 16U team, scoring five goals and posting 16 points.
Nolan Nassar
Governor's Academy, 4/18/2008, D, right shot, 6-1/170
Hometown: North Andover, Mass.Â
Nassar just wrapped up his freshman season at Governor's Academy, scoring one goal and adding five assists. Due to his size and abilities at both ends of the ice, he has a good amount of upside.
MASS. HOCKEY FESTIVAL: 14 uncommitted ’07 forwards to watch | 11 uncommitted ’07 defenders to watch
Thomas Saulnier
Boston Jr. Eagles 15O, 2/15/2008, G, catches left
Hometown: Medfield, Mass.Â
Because the Jr. Eagles are usually the better team on the ice, I've never seen Saulnier be under siege. However, he's calm in the net and lets the puck come to him. He made it to Select 15 Camp last season.
Brady Sloper
Belmont Hill, 5/21/2008, D, right shot, 6-1/175
Hometown: North Andover, Mass.Â
As a freshman at Belmont Hill, Sloper played a legitimate role, earning a consistent shift. He has the makings of a strong shutdown defender. He has a good stick and is continuing to learn to play with his frame. He's someone who will be fascinating to watch develop over the next 12 months. He made Select 15 Camp last season and has long been regarded as one of the best '08 defenders in the region.
Kris Soja
Nobles, 3/11/2008, D, left shot, 5-10/180
Hometown: Ludlow, Mass.Â
The first time I watched Soja was at last year's Mass. Hockey Festival and I was throughly impressed. He's an offensive defenseman who possesses great skating and puck-moving abilities. He was a top-four defenseman at Nobles this winter, running the top power play. He scored four goals and 14 points. After taking his lumps this season, expect big things from him in his sophomore campaign. He made it to Select 15 Camp last summer.
Parker Stockseth
Seacoast Performance Academy 15O, 12/9/2008, G, catches left, 6-2/165
Hometown: Blandford, Mass.Â
It's hard for a goalie to be taken in the USHL Phase 1 Draft just because netminders are so hard to project. Stockseth was taken in the eighth round by Sioux City on Monday. He was terrific for SPA this winter, sporting a 2.00 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage. He also made it to Select 15 Camp last summer.
WATCH LIST: Who are the '08 forwards to watch at the Mass. Hockey Festival?Â
Maximilian Sullivan
BC High, 6/12/2008, D, left shot
Hometown: Hingham, Mass.Â
Sullivan has poise, which is big for a defenseman at this stage. He makes smart first passes coming out of his own zone and has a good stick. He has a high IQ, especially in the defensive zone. He was one of the five defensemen to make Select 15 Camp from this region last year.
Lance Toland
Boston Jr. Eagles 15O, 2/11/2008, D, left shot, 5-10/170
Hometown: Burlington, Mass.Â
Toland is a great, two-way defender. He's physical, using his body to separate opposing players from the puck. He also has no issue jumping into the rush and helping out his team offensively.
