ATTLEBORO, Mass. — Last summer, the New England District won USA Hockey's Select 17 Camp. Now the focus is on repeating.
The New England District Camp wrapped up this weekend with practices on Friday, games all day Saturday and then a combination of regular games and an All-Star Game on Sunday.
As always, here's a friendly reminder that the New England District includes all states except Massachusetts. In the eyes of USA Hockey, Massachusetts is a separate district.
The play was fairly strong among the '07s with multiple college coaches in attendance. Many of them were evaluators for the event, which was held at New England Sports Village in Attleboro, Mass.
It's unknown how many spots USA Hockey will grant New England's Select 17 team, but last season's team had 10 forwards, six defensemen and two goalies.
This story will focus on the forwards, while there will be a separate story on defensemen and goalies. I'm going to be a bit of a rule-breaker and rank my top 11 forwards from the event. I can't reiterate this enough — this is just my opinion.
The team is expected to be announced later this week.
Let's dive in.
1. Alex Donovan
Shattuck-St. Mary's 16U, 4/8/2007, F, right shot, 5-10/161
Hometown: Darien, Conn.
NCAA: DenverÂ
I was shocked to learn Donovan was 5-foot-10 and 161 pounds. From watching him, he looked much bigger — and he played like it. The Denver commit was fortunate to play on a dominant line with Egan Beveridge and Van Martin. In his second game on Saturday, he showcased a wicked shot, using his quick release to score two goals. In the first half of the All-Star game, he used his powerful skating and good hands to find open space and help set up both of Matthew Dabrowski's goals.
2. Egan Beveridge
Saint John Sea Dogs, 1/11/2007, F, right shot, 5-8/170
Hometown: East Kingston, N.H.Â
Beveridge has taken the unconventional route of being a New Englander in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He had the hands of any '07 forward. Less than one minute into his second game on Saturday, he dangled through both defenders and deked out the goalie, slipping it under his pad for the beautiful goal. The silky mitts mixed with his smooth skating should make him a lock for Buffalo, N.Y.
3. George McCaffrey
Westminster, 1/2/2007, F, left shot, 6-0/170
Hometown: Ridgefield, Conn.
NCAA: New HampshireÂ
What stood out most with McCaffrey were his hands. When he had the puck in tight, he was able to keep it away from defenders, find better ice and often get strong shots off. He didn't necessarily drive play so much as he always used his great hockey sense to know how to get open. At the end of the All-Star game's first half, he sniped a shot off the rush at the buzzer. McCaffrey should absolutely be going to Buffalo.
4. Van Martin
Lovell Academy 16U, 10/3/2007, F, left shot, 5-10/161
Hometown: Derry, N.H.Â
Martin's hands were quick, which made him a force in the offensive zone. In his second game on Saturday, he stick-handled away from defenders and found defenseman Anthony Bongo open in front for an easy goal. Martin deked out the goalie hard later in the game, scoring one of his own. He scored another in the All-Star game, driving the net and knocking in a rebound.
5. Hugo Daniel
North Yarmouth Academy, 8/18/2007, F, left shot, 6-2/201
Hometown: Yarmouth, MaineÂ
Daniel was dominant at times in my viewings of him this weekend. Early in his second game on Saturday, he got under a Team Gold defender trying to break out, took the puck and went hard to the net for a goal. He used his size so well, protecting pucks and finishing checks. He was particularly good at getting under the opponent's skin. On McCaffrey's aforementioned goal, it was Daniel who knocked into an opposing defender at the point and created a turnover that led to the tally.
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6. Michael Mardula
Little Caesars 16U, 2/21/2007, F, right shot, 5-10/161
It was impossible to miss Mardula on the ice because he was the only one in orange pants (how about that for analysis?). He used his body well to shield pucks from defenders. He's not the fastest skater, but he drove play and made smart passes. With the puck on his stick in the offensive zone, he showcased a nice release on his shots.
7. Ethan Goodrich
St. John's Prep, 6/20/2007, F, left shot, 5-11/161
Hometown: North Hampton, N.H.Â
I'm always interested in how MIAA players do in settings like this. Goodrich didn't just prove he belonged — he was one of the better players. Against Team Green on Saturday, Goodrich opened the game by grabbing the puck in the neutral zone, using his great speed to get a breakaway and roofing a shot over the netminder for a goal. Everything with Goodrich seemed to revolve around using his speed to create chances for himself and others. Goodrich is a strong addition for St. George's this winter.
8. Tommy Coccaro
Westminster, 4/10/2007, F, right shot, 5-8/161
Hometown: Fairfield, Conn.Â
Coccaro seemed like a nuisance to play against this weekend. In the All-Star game, he was outstanding along the walls. He forced a turnover early in the first half and then found a teammate in front for an open scoring chance. He's undersized, but his hands and shiftiness put him in optimal positions, especially in the offensive zone. He's quick and has great vision, too.
9. Matthew Dabrowski
New Jersey Rockets 16U, 2/18/2007, F, right shot, 6-0/185
Hometown: Stratford, Conn.Â
Dabrowski looked like a player wanting to prove himself all weekend, and he did. He wanted the puck and when he got it, he was assertive. While killing a penalty against Team Black, he forced a turnover and earned a breakaway. He showed good hands, especially off the rush. His compete level helped him win board battles and come away with pucks. He scored two goals in the first half of Sunday's All-Star game. Both came by driving the net and tipping passes in.
10. Max Donatelli
St. George's, 6/15/2007, F, left shot, 5-9/154
Hometown: Barrington, R.I.Â
Donatelli may not be the biggest player on the ice, but he possesses great hockey sense. That was on display again this weekend. He scored a nice goal against Team White on Saturday. The St. George's product got the puck in the corner, took it hard to the net and sniped a shot top corner. He always just seemed to know where to go, especially in the offensive zone.
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11. Oliver Czaja
Brunswick, 9/19/2007, F, left shot, 5-10/175
Hometown: Darien, Conn.Â
Czaja was far from the flashiest player on the ice. But his hockey sense and vision are what made him so effective. He showed patience with the puck on his stick in the offensive zone, doing his best to create — and correctly spot — passing lanes. In the All-Star game, he hustled on the back check to lift the stick of a defender and drive play the other way, eventually creating a chance.
