The Neponset Valley River Rats Jamboree and EHF Selects Preseason Showcase represent the unofficial start of fall split-season midget hockey in New England.Â
Both events, starting Monday, August 27, will showcase a few prospects who will garner attention from NHL scouts this fall and winter.
While most of the elite prospects from New England, such as Matt Boldy (Millis, Mass.), Spencer Knight (Darien, Conn.), and Henry Thrun (Southborough, Mass.), have taken their games elsewhere for their draft eligibility season, there are still players lacing up the skates within the region that could very well be selected in next summer’s NHL Draft.
Most eyes will be on Dexter senior center John Farinacci, a Harvard commit from Chatham, N.J. He’s coming off a really strong summer that included a 2-3-5 line for the U.S. at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup. Farinacci is a skilled, smart center who can make plays with the puck and finish by going into the dirty areas. In addition to playing for the Boston Jr. Eagles, he’ll skate in September’s USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game, showcasing the top 42 draft eligible players in the country.
Three defensemen from the region, Braden Doyle, Jayden Struble and Cade Webber, also earned an invite to that prestigious game and will also be on display throughout the fall.
Liam Gorman, a senior center for St. Sebastian’s, will be playing with the Boston Jr. Eagles 18U this fall. The Arlington, Mass., native and Boston University commit was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the sixth round of the 2018 NHL Draft.
Who will the NHL scouts be watching this fall? Below is a list of the top first-year draft eligible prospects who will be playing split season midget hockey in New England:
John Farinacci
Jr. Eagles 18U, Dexter, 2/14/01, Center, Right Shot, 6-0/181
NCAA Commit: Harvard
See above
Ilya Usau
Yale 18U, Salisbury, 8/3/01, Center, Left Shot, 6-0/174
NCAA Commit: UConn
Usau scored two goals in five games, playing up for Belarus at the 2018 IIHF U18 World Championship. The Minsk, Belarus, native will be in his second season with Yale’s midget organization before returning to play for Andrew Will’s squad at Salisbury. He has decent size and a well-rounded offensive skill set. He can rip a shot when given the opportunity.
Cade Webber
Little Bruins 18U, Rivers, 1/5/01, Defense, Left Shot, 6-6/194
NCAA Commit: Boston University
Webber is oft-criticized due to the overwhelming hype surrounding his game following USA Hockey Select 15s over two years ago now. However, there is a lot for NHL scouts to like when watching the Meadville, Pa., native. He’s huge and he can skate, especially for a prospect his size. He can make plays at time, but he’s still really raw. His instincts and hockey sense need to be better.
Braden Doyle
Little Bruins 18U, Lawrence Academy, 8/24/01, Defense, Left Shot, 5-10/165
NCAA Commit: Boston University
The Lynnfield, Mass., native is a gifted puck-moving defenseman. He might have the most skill and vision of any draft eligible defenseman in the region. He skates well and can rush the puck up ice or pass it up ice. He loves to push the pace and activate into the offense. He can quarterback a power play and he gets shots through traffic. He’s still working on his strength, play in his own zone, and turning the puck over less.
Jayden Struble
Jr. Eagles 18U, St. Sebastian’s, 8/9/01, Defense, Left Shot, 5-11/170
NCAA Commit: Northeastern
The Cumberland, R.I., native is another terrific athlete with skill from the blue line. His skating is very good and he can get from Point A to Point B extremely quickly. He loves to jump into the rush and he has a flare for the dramatic. His skill and skating are off the charts. Will his temperament survive the eye of scouts? That’s the million dollar question.
Tyler Young
River Rats 18U, Lawrence Academy, 5/9/01, Right Wing, Right Shot, 6-0/163
NCAA Commit: Providence
He’s the son of former NHL star and BU alum Scott Young, now working in player development for the Pittsburgh Penguins. From Southborough, Mass., Young is trending upwards. He didn’t have the best Select 17 performance, but he’s a prospect who can skate, think the game, and finish. His best hockey is ahead of him as he fills out his frame.
Malik Alishlalov
River Rats 18U, Westminster, 1/7/01, Defense, Left Shot, 6-1/194
NCAA Commit: UConn
The Russian was the best prospect on a rejuvenated Westminster squad last season, and should have a positive impact on the transition game for the River Rats. He’s got good size and can move the puck. His agility and vision are good and he makes plays.
Cade Alami
Mid Fairfield 18U, Berkshire, 3/13/01, Defense, Right Shot, 6-6/170
NCAA Commit: Providence
Alami was a little bit of an unknown before last fall when Providence offered him a commitment. He’s extremely raw and would certainly be considered a prospect if a team drafted him. He’s huge and has some physical tools. It wouldn’t be the first time a player of his ilk got selected at the NHL Draft. Think Bruins prospect Wiley Sherman or Providence College senior Vincent Desharnais.
Luke Krys
Rochester Coalition 18U, Salisbury, 9/27/00, Defense, Right Shot
The Ridgefield, Conn., native is unfairly compared to his older brother, Blackhawks prospect and BU defenseman Chad Krys. The younger Krys is a totally different player from the blue line. He’s taller and has more length, which allows him to defend better. He’s solid on retrievals and can make a heady breakout pass. He lacks offensive upside, especially compared to his older brother.
Gavin Puskar
Mid Fairfield 18U, Hotchkiss, 6/21/01, Left Wing, Left Shot, 6-1/165
Puskar is certainly a dark horse, but the tools are there. He can skate and he plays with an edge. He’s the type of player that will get in on the forecheck and hit hard. He has a little bit of skill, but still needs to improve his hockey sense. He had a better showing than expected at Select 17s. He’s taken some visits to Hockey East and ECAC Hockey schools.
Cooper Moore
Mid Fairfield 18U, Brunswick, 2/16/01, Defense, Left Shot, 6-0/165
Moore is another long shot, but he’s a prospect who can skate and he has athletic ability. He can make plays and he has a good stick. He’s still learning to think the game, but if that part of it comes, there’s potential. He’ll certainly get a look or two.
Note: Several coaches have not released their rosters to New England Hockey Journal. Kimball Union left wing Arlo Merritt and teammate Christian Felton, a defenseman, will be watched by scouts. Merritt has the long, silky-smooth stride and can finish, but his consistency and hockey IQ are question marks. For Felton, he’s a mobile, two-way defenseman, but his hockey sense also needs improvement.
