Selects Academy at South Kent stole the show at the 2018 Boston Junior Bruins Shootout this past weekend at the New England Sports Center in Marlboro, Mass.
The program, under the new leadership of hockey director Doug Holewa and assistant hockey director Jon Hutcheon, had three outstanding teams at the three-day event. The 18U team captured the championship at that age division, while the 16U and 15U teams made deep runs in the 16U Division's playoffs.
NHL scouts, college coaches and junior scouts were well represented throughout the tournament. While most of the colleges were local, Ohio State head coach Steve Rohlik made the trek to watch 2019 NHL Draft prospect Ethan Phillips, who recently de-committed from Quinnipiac. The Buckeyes, as well as Boston University, UMass and Harvard, are believed to be the teams with the best chance of landing the dynamic forward from Nova Scotia.
With a large amount of teams at the BJB Shootout and the wide disparity in talent, particular attention was paid to teams that haven’t been viewed as much this fall. Listed below are uncommitted players that stood out in the 18U Division over the weekend.
18U Division standouts
Ethan Phillips
#27 Selects Academy, 5/7/01, Forward, Right Shot, 5-9/146
The Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, native is probably the second-best 2019 NHL Draft prospect playing in New England this winter, only behind Dexter’s John Farinacci. He’s a very good skater who is slick and is an adept stickhandler, which allows him to protect pucks. He had a nice goal on Friday night where he camped on top of the crease and quickly deposited a pass from a linemate. At times, he was just toying with opposing defenders. He’s on the smaller side, but isn’t afraid of contact.
Ryan Coughlin
#2 Selects Academy, 2/9/01, Forward, Right Shot, 6-0/170
Coughlin has added some bulk and it’s showing in his game. He still needs to get a step or two faster, but he’s a smart player who could be a solid north-south winger at the collegiate level. He’s had some interest and has made visits, including Maine. In all likelihood, he's a Hockey East-caliber player. His older brother, Jonny Coughlin, is a defenseman at Holy Cross.
Matthew Crasa
#23 Selects Academy, 3/4/01, Forward, Right Shot, 5-10/174
Crasa was terrific in Sunday’s championship game, scoring two goals. He has good speed, skill, and agility. One of his goals was a highlight-reel play where he peeled off the wall and sniped one just under the bar. He definitely turned some heads with his performance this weekend.
Artur Turansky
#17 Selects Academy, 12/7/01, Forward, Left Shot, 5-8/161
Turansky, from Bratislava, Slovakia, has skill and can skate well enough, but he still has yet to put it all together. If he can improve his hockey sense and start finishing plays, he’d be a nice add for a college program.
Jake Flynn
#2 Boston Jr. Eagles, Thayer, 5/26/01, Defense, Right Shot, 6-0/174
The Milton, Mass., native continues to impress this fall with his skating and puck-moving capability from the blue line. He has a good stick defensively.
Christian Felton
#7 GBL Bruins, Kimball Union, 2/4/00, Defense, Right Shot, 6-2/195
Felton is a player whose hockey sense is often questioned, but he has the skating and athletic ability to make plays from the backend.
Garrett Sundquist
#13 Selects Academy, 7/17/01, Defense, Left Shot, 6-2/180
Sundquist, whose father Erik played at Providence, is a rugged, stay-at-home defenseman. He needs to get a bit quicker, but he’s a strong blueliner who had a solid weekend.
William Margel
#39 Selects Academy, 3/16/01, Forward, Left Shot, 5-9/163
Margel had a nice goal in Sunday’s final with a snipe off a quick release. He’s small, but he’s crafty and has some potential.
Michael Suda
#7 Nichols, 7/3/02, Defense, Left Shot, 6-1/167
Suda is a prototypical stay-at-home defenseman who you don’t notice much. He doesn’t make many mistakes and just plays a solid game. He gets around well for a player his size and can get in the way to take away passing and shooting lanes.
Cameron Ricotta
#12 Nichols, 5/17/02, Forward, Left Shot, 5-9/160
Ricotta stood out at USA Hockey Select 16s and was solid in Friday night’s game against the Jr. Eagles. He scored a really nice goal and used his speed and quickness well to make plays in tight areas. He can be a Division 1-level player if he plays more between the circles.
Charles Shaffer
#13 Mid Fairfield, Brunswick, 7/20/00, Forward, Right Shot, 5-11/175
Shaffer consistently scores and makes plays at this level. He’s smart and knows where to go to find pucks. He has an accurate shot. His skating is still a little lacking in terms of being a legit Division 1 prospect, but he could be a big-time recruit for a NESCAC program.
Garrett Foster
#10 Cape Cod Whalers, Exeter, 12/12/00, Forward, Right Shot, 6-0/195
Foster is a competitor who uses his speed to go north and south and make some plays. He’s probably a fringe Division 1 prospect or a solid recruit for a NESCAC or similar type program.
Matthew Toporowski
#16 GBL Bruins, St. Mark’s 4/23/00, Forward, Left Shot, 6-0/190
Toporowski, from Kirkland, Quebec, flew under the radar last winter since the Lions had an uncharacteristically down season. He’s a player to watch with his offensive skill set.
Zach Paputsakis
#30 GBL Bruins, Kimball Union, 11/8/01, Goaltender, Catches Left, 6-3/180
Paputsakis, a newcomer to KUA, is a big goaltender from Ontario. He’ll likely be the heir apparent to take over for the graduated Sean Dynan. He made some nice saves against Newbridge.
Robert Lapsley
#21 Little Bruins, Nobles, 1/31/01, Forward, Right Shot, 6-3/195
Lapsley has gotten bigger and added some scoring touch to his game over the past year. He does a good job of using his size to free up space and create time for his linemates.
Tristan Therrien
Newbridge Academy, 9/27/01, Forward, Left Shot, 5-7/145
From Prevost, Quebec, Therrien showcased his solid offensive skill set in his team’s game against the GBL Bruins on Friday night.
Ryan Leonard
#10 Nichols, 4/10/01 Forward, Right Shot, 6-0/165
Leonard scored a beauty of a goal in Friday’s game against the Jr. Eagles, roofing a wrist shot from the high slot.
TJ Schweighardt
#53 Jersey Hitmen, 3/15/01, Defense, Right Shot, 5-11/165
Schweighardt is a mobile, puck-moving defenseman who adds to the offense from the backend. He’s not dynamic, but he’s very good for this level. He likely could latch on at a Division 1 program after a few years of junior hockey.
Tyler Borys
#18 Junior Bruins, 8/27/01, Forward, Right Shot, 5-10/155
Borys is playing midget hockey after playing for MIAA Division 3 State Champion Shrewsbury. He found seams and made some nice passes in Sunday’s final against the Selects Academy.
Non-New England standouts
Below are three committed 18U players from outside of the region who haven’t been viewed this fall before performing well over the weekend:
Dominic Basse
#31 Selects Academy, 4/22/01, Goaltender, Catches Left, 6-5/174
NCAA Commit: Colorado College
The Alexandria, Va., native is a huge goaltender who covers a lot of the net. He’s reportedly been a little up and down this fall, but he was really good over the weekend.
Cody Monds
#19 Northwood, 2/9/01, Forward, Right Shot, 5-9/158
NCAA Commit: St. Lawrence
Monds is a little on the smaller side, but he’s quick and made a lot of plays in Friday night’s win over Skipjacks. The Brockville, Ont., native is crafty and has good agility. His speed allows him to create time and space, all while separating from opposing defenders.
Aidan Harper
#1 Skipjacks, 3/28/01, Goaltender, Catches Left, 6-2/170
NCAA Commit: UMass Lowell
Harper, from Gurnee, Ill., didn’t have his best game Friday night against Northwood, but there’s a lot to like. He’s a goaltender with good size who moves well and stays quiet in the crease.
