MARLBORO, Mass. — Another Beantown Classic is in the books.
The last three days had some of the best prospects in New England, across the country and even Canada flock to Massachusetts for one of the summer’s biggest girls hockey showcases.
I made it out to the trusty New England Sports Center on Saturday morning to take in some action across the Futures Red 19U division. With 60 Futures Red teams in the field, I couldn't see everyone play. Here are the teams I caught:
- Boston Junior Eagles Maroon
- Connecticut Polar Bears Major
- Fury U19 (Minn.)
- Indiana All-Stars
- Mid Fairfield Stars 1
- Wade Warriors
Many prospects who are already in the collegiate ranks or have commitments in hand showed out, but what about those who’ve yet to find landing spots or those who still aren’t eligible to commit?
Earlier this week, we broke down nine uncommitted forwards who impressed. Now, we'll break down eight uncommitted defenders and goalies who showed well.
Let's dive in.
Liesel Kocourek
Connecticut Polar Bears/Westminster, 5/29/2008, G, catches left, 5-4
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa.
Kocourek was lights-out early for the Polar Bears in their tie with the Junior Eagles. She made a tremendous backdoor save on Adia Murphy, who got lost in coverage out front as the puck worked free. It looked to be a sure goal before Kocourek exploded off her line and stoned her with the right pad. She came through again shortly after with a fantastic stop on Layla Smart's shot from the point with several moving screens in the slot.
BEANTOWN CLASSIC: 9 uncommitted standout forwards
Phoebe Weisman
Mid Fairfield Stars/Taft, 08/2008, D, right shot
Hometown: Baldwinsville, N.Y.
Weisman's offensive instincts were strong at the point and in the neutral zone. She generated shots from out high and was strong skating the puck herself, generating speed with long, powerful strides. She set up a chance at the net after picking up a bouncing puck in the neutral zone and speeding the other way, driving wide before sending it toward the middle. Later, she had a fantastic stick to break up a potential breakaway at the end of the first, sticking with the forward after getting caught flat-footed.
Emery Lang
Fury/Orono, Class of 2028, D, left shot
Hometown: Medina, Minn.
Lang was strong defending the rush, making good reads when she stepped up and showing good gap control. One of her best plays came when she stepped up on Tatum Friedholm's rush, taking away the shooting lane and getting her stick on the puck to kill the shot.
Brielle Halverson
Fury/Orono High, 9/2/2010, D, left shot, 5-9
Hometown: Orono, Minn.
Halverson used her lengthy reach and size effectively in the defensive zone. It allowed her to consistently break up puck carriers and plays toward middle ice, getting her stick on passes and shots, as she did a great job clogging up lanes.
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Charlotte Peltz
Mid Fairfield Stars/Pomfret, 9/29/2009, D, right shot, 5-9
Hometown: West Simsbury, Conn.
Peltz showed strong awareness in all three zones in Mid Fairfield's win over the Indiana All-Stars. She was mobile at the attacking blue line, keeping plays alive and making quick decisions out high. She also had a strong sequence low in the defensive zone as well, winning the puck back behind the net and picking her head up to spring Heather Gao with a stretch pass.
Reagan Conrad
Fury/Chaska-Chanhassen, Class of 2027, G, catches left
Hometown: Minnesota
After giving up a pair of early goals to the Wade Warriors, Conrad shut the door, and she was a big reason why it stayed just a 2-0 deficit in her half of the game with some big saves late in the first. Her biggest save was stoning Kenzie Grabie's breakaway. Conrad didn't get too deep in her crease as Grabie broke in with speed, challenging her and flashing the left pad to stone her. Conrad recovered quickly and made a good blocker save on a follow-up chance from the high slot.
Sophia Paone
Boston Junior Eagles/Tabor, 8/13/2008, D/F, left shot, 5-8
Hometown: Daniel Island, S.C.
Paone played a stout defensive game for the Junior Eagles. She played with a ton of compete, and her intense physicality made her a tough matchup around her net and down low in the defensive zone, dolling out plenty of punishment in battles. One of her best defensive plays was a quick stick to intercept Claire Chanfrau's centering pass on a counter rush.
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Jacqueline Gasseau
Wade Warriors/Culver Academy, 2/4/2008, D, left shot, 5-11
Hometown: Garden Grove, Calif.
Gasseau made an impact in all three zones. Her blend of size and mobility was impressive as she did a good job moving pucks effectively through the neutral zone, reading the ice well and staying strong on her feet. She had a fantastic stretch pass for Simone Burns, stepping around a forechecker with some slick hands before putting it right on her tape. Gasseau showed more impressive hands when she made a slick keep-in out high, dangled around a defender and sent a backdoor feed for Kate Tortorella. She repeated a similar move moments later for a good shot on net. Gasseau's 1-on-1 defending in transition also impressed, maintaining good gaps and stick positioning to snuff out shots.
