The Cape Cod Whalers are typically one of the strongest midget programs in New England. A year ago, their 18U team – led by Thayer's Jay O’Brien, Aidan McDonough and Jayson Dobay, Nobles captain Jerry Harding and Harvard-bound Jack Rathbone – made it all the way to the USA Hockey National Championship game.
All five of those players have moved on, so this year’s edition of the 18U Whalers will be very different. The 2018 squad will be coached by former Boston College defenseman Andrew Orpik, who will be assisted by Wade Poplawaki and former UConn forward Cory Ronan.
Forwards Reilly Moran (Army) and Ryan Stevens (Yale) are the team’s only two committed players. Moran, a Thayer senior, made a huge jump last summer, which led to his commitment to the Black Knights. Stevens is a Nobles senior and the younger brother of Yale forward Luke Stevens and the son of retired NHL forward Kevin Stevens.
Phillips Exeter senior Garrett Foster and BC High senior Thomas Kramer are the top two uncommitted prospects up front.
On defense, John Murray of Nobles is a former futures pick in the USHL. PJ Garrett, who has made the move from Thayer to Phillips Exeter, brings size to the blue line. Holding down the fort between the pipes are Marc Smith of Nobles and Luke Garrity of BC High.
16U Standouts
The 16U Whalers lost Matt Beniers, Brett Berard and Drew Commesso, all of whom could have returned, but instead are suiting up for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program. While the team – coached by Bob Beniers, Mike Moore and Jim Duran – won’t be as loaded as it could have been, there are still some pieces in place to succeed.
Incoming Lawrence Academy forwards Riley Duran (Providence) and David Sacco (New Hampshire) will lead the way offensively. The two Catholic Conference transfers will bring a solid north-south style. Another MIAA transfer to watch is James Tepper, who has moved onto Proctor after scoring the game-winning goal for Shrewsbury in last year's Division 3 state championship game at TD Garden. His father is a former pro who played at Maine.
Three other forwards to watch are Joe Schubert of St. Paul’s and Joe Kramer and Pete Kramer of BC High.
The defense has a trio of uncommitted players who are solid Division 1 prospects. Ian Moore of St. Mark’s is starting to round out his game and has shown signs of being a big-time prospect all of a sudden. He has size and instincts, and his skating is coming together.
The other two defenders to watch are Cody Sealey of Cushing and Kyle Furey of Lawrence Academy. Both are mobile, puck-moving defenders.
In goal, Berwick Academy’s Alex Ramsay and Milton’s Chris Demers, a newcomer from Burlington, Ontario, will split time.
15U Team
The Whalers 15U team will be led by Thayer forward CJ Monturio and BC High defenseman Declan Loughnane. Both ‘03s made it to USA Hockey National Camp in July.
All three Cape Cod Whalers teams will be at the Tier 1 Labor Day Face Off that begins Friday.
