MARLBORO, Mass. – The Beantown Fall Classic took place last weekend at the New England Sports Center’s eight-sheet facility. A number of the top 18U programs in New England were in attendance, as well as some from outside of the region, including Northwood School, making its first trip to this area in 2022-23.
NHL scouts were able to watch the Central Mass. Penguins, Little Bruins and Cape Cod Whalers, with all three teams each featuring a player on NHL Central Scouting’s most recent Preliminary Players to Watch List. Dexter Southfield defenseman Sean Keohane (Milton, Mass.) was back in action, after missing over a month with an injury.
Below is a look at 10 players who stood out for the first time this season. I tried to focus on teams and players I haven’t seen as much, if at all, so far this season, including Northwood, Jersey Hitmen and Maine Nordiques.
Daniel Buchbinder
Northwood, 7/7/04, D, left shot, 6-3/190
Buchbinder, from Buffalo, N.Y., has caught my eye for a couple of years now with Northwood. He’s got a good frame, skates well, and keeps it simple. He plays to his identity and doesn’t force plays that aren’t there. He logs a good amount of minutes for his team and can be relied upon in both zones.
Luke Chappelle
Maine Nordiques, 9/18/05, D, left shot, 6-0/174
Chappelle is a player I’d seen previously with Compuware, as he grew up in Michigan. In his team’s game against the Jersey Hitmen, he scored two power-play goals. He did a good job using his feet and walking the blue line. His mobility and stick both shined through in the transition game and in the attacking zone. From Trenton, Mich., he’s on the smaller side, but his offensive ability from the blue line is worth tracking.
Daniel Heroux
Islanders HC, 1/14/05, G, catches left, 6-2/190 NCAA: Vermont
Heroux stopped over 40 shots on Saturday night, backstopping his team to a 3-2 upset win over the River Rats. Heroux has the size and upside to intrigue NHL scouts who might be watching. The Montreal native had his ups and downs in his first prep season at Kimball Union in 2021-22, but will be expected to take a step and hold even more responsibility in the team’s success this winter.
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Kris Krumins
Jersey Hitmen, 3/22/05, C, right shot, 6-2/194 NCAA: Vermont
Krumins played his typical physical brand of hockey. He used his size and strength to deliver a couple of checks and disrupt the opposition’s flow in a game Friday against the Maine Nordiques. From Jelgava, Latvia, he’s heavy on pucks and has a cannon of a shot. The Vermont commit is in his third season playing in the U.S., having spent the previous two with Noel Rubin’s New Jersey Rockets.
Teddy Merrill
Maine Nordiques, 6/3/05, RW, right shot, 5-11/175
Merrill is an underrated prospect from Scottsdale, Ariz. After leaving the Phoenix Junior Coyotes, he spent 2020-21 and 2021-22 with Mount Saint Charles and the North Jersey Avalanche, respectively. He’s already appeared in three NAHL games this season with the Minnesota Wilderness, registering a goal. He scored at least one goal and was around the puck a lot in his team’s win over the Jersey Hitmen. He’s physical, plays in straight lines and projects as an above-average third-line winger at the college level.
Nikita Meshcheryakov
Northwood, 2/4/05, C, left shot, 6-3/192
Meshcheryakov is in his second season in North America, having spent last year in Omaha, playing 15 games with the USHL’s Lancers. From Moscow, Russia, he’s got a good stick and can finish. He’s certainly working on adapting to the North American game and playing with more physicality, as he took a couple of penalties in the two games I watched. His skating and play away from the puck are works in progress, but he’s a solid offensive prospect worth watching.
Nicky Romeo
Jersey Hitmen, 5/2/05, C, left shot, 5-11/160
Romeo is a late bloomer who has bounced around from program to program prior to this season. The New City, N.Y., native previously skated for the North Jersey Avalanche, Westchester Express, New York Saints and Connecticut Junior Rangers. His name and stats on the line chart caught my attention as he’s averaging two points per game. While he didn’t generate much in the way of offense in Friday’s game against Maine Nordiques, his skating ability stood out. He’s fast and has a long, smooth stride.
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Tyler Russo
Central Mass. Penguins, 3/19/07, D, left shot, 5-11/165
Russo was the only '07 playing up in a game between the Central Mass. Penguins and Northwood on Saturday night. If you didn’t have a roster and didn’t know, you would never have assumed he was two to three years younger than most of his teammates and opponents. The Hamilton, Mass., native skated well and was smooth. He made a couple of nice passes on the first touch to jump-start the breakout. In his defensive zone, his positioning and stick were noteworthy. He deflected a couple of passes out of play or out of the zone. It was a very good viewing for the former Islanders Hockey Club star, who is certainly one of the top three '07 defensemen in New England.
James Schneid
Northwood, 5/15/04, RW, right shot, 6-0/174
Schneid, from Syracuse, N.Y., has taken a nice step from last season. He wasn’t a player who caught my eye in 2021-22, but he’s playing on the top line and producing for Mark Morris’ team in 2022-23. In parts of two games I watched, he scored three goals. He has a knack for the net and seemed to get into good scoring areas. Teams in the NAHL and BCHL would be wise to check him out before the end of the season.
Billy Sheridan
New Jersey Rockets, 3/26/05, C, right shot, 5-11/160
Sheridan has been the best player for the New Jersey Rockets this season, skating down the middle after previously being on the wing. The Sewell, N.J., native scored a couple of goals in his team’s win over Bigby. He sees the ice well offensively and should be watched by Atlantic Hockey teams, at the very least. This is his second season with the Rockets after coming up through the ranks with the Philadelphia Hockey Club.
