There are a number of uncommitted 2006s in New England looking to join their counterparts who have already pledged to a Division 1 college hockey program since August.
To date, 11 players in the 2006 birth year from New England have committed. Headliners among that group are USA Hockey NTDP forwards Cole Eiserman (Newburyport, Mass.) and Teddy Stiga (Sudbury, Mass.), committed to Minnesota and Boston College, respectively.
There is a clear-cut top uncommitted ’06 at each position. After that, there are a few players with a strong case of receiving a commitment shortly or when they become juniors.
Here are the top 10 uncommitted '06s in New England:
1. Will Felicio
Madison Capitols, 5/19/06, D, left shot, 5-9/160
Felicio, a sophomore, is undoubtedly the top uncommitted ’06 in the region. He will receive a number of offers and be able to commit Aug. 1, unless he accelerates before then. The Holden, Mass., native is undersized, but he makes up for it with his skating and hockey sense. He has six assists in his first seven games in the USHL, as a tender with Madison. Felicio, on the first power play unit, is able to have success against older competitors because of his grit. He’s also able to outsmart opposing forecheckers when transitioning pucks up ice.
2. Gavin Cornforth
Dubuque Fighting Saints, 12/15/06, RW, right shot, 5-9/154
Cornforth is a late birthday, therefore only a sophomore. The Milton, Mass., native is an elite skater who can buzz around the offensive zone. He’s played in five USHL games to date but has yet to register a point. His stick and skating will make him a coveted recruit come August. The longtime member of the Junior Eagles is the son of former Merrimack and Providence Bruins defenseman Mark Cornforth.
3. Thatcher Bernstein
Nobles, 7/17/06, G, catches left, 6-3/209
Bernstein is one of the most talented goaltenders in the country in this birth year. The Brookline, Mass., native will be in his second season at Nobles when the prep season begins. He has good size and takes up a lot of the net. Controlling rebounds is the one area of his game that can get better in order for him to be an even better goalie. He would have made the NTDP if he accepted the invite.
4. Dylan Hunt
Milton Academy, 2/9/06, D, left shot, 6-1/175
Hunt is one of the most underrated defensemen in this birth year. The Marlboro, Mass., native and Milton Academy sophomore is a two-way defenseman with great skating ability. He’s not flashy offensively, but he has an above-average stick and defends well. He plays hard and should keep getting better. In 20 prep games as a freshman, he registered six assists.
5. Nate Porter
Dexter Southfield, 3/10/06, RW, right shot, 5-9/162
Porter is another player on the rise, who had fallen below the radar due to some higher-end players on the Junior Eagles. Now with some of them gone, he’s taken off, as he did when given the chance last preseason at Dexter. He had five goals and four assists for Dan Donato’s team in 17 games. This fall, Porter has 21 goals and 31 points in 31 games with the Jr. Eagles 16U team. The Hingham, Mass., native has an elite shot and his skating is above average.
6. Andrew O’Sullivan
Kimball Union, 8/15/06, D, right shot, 5-10/168
O’Sullivan has been a little on the periphery this fall, playing for Top Gun as a prelude to his prep debut at Kimball Union. Originally from California, O’Sullivan has lived in Norwell, Mass., for a few years. He spent the past couple of seasons with the Boston Advantage before making the jump to prep school. He’s not the best skater and doesn’t have blazing speed, but his poise and hockey sense are evident at both ends of the ice. He makes smart decisions with the puck and defends well with good gaps and solid positioning.
7. James Marshall
South Kent 16U, 4/5/06, C, left shot, 5-9/140
Marshall, from Weymouth, Mass., is a highly skilled winger who has become more of a complete player over the last year. He’s got that quick twitch and his offensive vision is underrated. A two-year standout at BC High, he’s off to a productive start in his first season at South Kent. He’s scored five goals and added 11 assists through 18 games. His father, Chris Marshall, had a successful ECHL career after his collegiate playing days at Michigan State and Boston College.
8. Caeden Herrington
Holderness, 1/26/06, D, right shot, 6-1/179
Herrington will be a newcomer for Alan Thompson’s squad at Holderness this winter. The Montpelier, Vt., native led all defensemen in scoring at the USA Hockey Select 16 Player Development Camp this past July. He scored a goal and added five assists during the five games in Amherst, N.Y. Herrington is tall and has a very good stick. He’s pulled off “The Michigan” twice over the past few months in summer showcases and fall hockey.
9. Teddy MacAusland
Nobles, 1/13/06, RW, right shot, 5-7/160
MacAusland was one of the most pleasant surprises of the summer, earning a spot on USA Hockey’s roster for the Under-17 Five Nations Tournament after his showing at Select 16s. The Westwood, Mass., native is on the smaller side, but he buzzes and can generate a lot of offense, especially on the rush. He’s quick, crafty and has an above-average stick. His size will be a concern moving forward. MacAusland will be making the jump from Dexter Southfield to Nobles for this upcoming season.
10. Cam Cooke
Junior Bruins, 2/2/06, C, right shot, 6-0/165
Cooke has drawn quite a bit of interest ever since playing up with the Junior Bruins 16U team during his final bantam season. From Pelham, N.H., he has good size and his skating is intriguing. He’s struggled to find the scoresheet the past year or so and certainly needs to leave the Junior Bruins and NCDC for prep school or better junior hockey to truly get the most out of his ability. Projecting out to college, he looks to be a bottom-six center.
