EXETER, N.H. — New England Hockey Journal was at the Rinks at Exeter last weekend to look at the 2007 birth-year players competing at the Exposure Hockey Group’s All-Star event.
Although viewing was limited due to a lot of requirements to be in multiple places, there were some promising young players on display. Several flashed impressive long-term potential based on the way they demonstrated their skills and competed hard on and away from pucks.
This roundup covers the ’07 standouts at all positions who caught our eye over the weekend and show potential to play hockey at the junior, D-1 levels and beyond.
Forwards
1. Dylan Krayer, LW (Team Exposure)
2007, shoots right, 5-5/120
The Concord, Mass., native lacks size, but plays a big game by skating hard and hounding pucks on every shift. He was noticeable each time he was out there, competing hard and being in the middle of the play; not much gliding or static play from him. Unselfish — looked to pass and create, used his teammates and didn’t try to do everything alone. Scored a nifty goal by going right to the net, calling for the puck, then rifling the pass top shelf. Slated to play for the Mount Saint Charles 14 team this year, he’s one to watch going forward.
2. Liam Gore, C (Team Exposure)
2007, shoots left, 5-9/150
Boston Jr. Eagles center from Arlington, Mass., is another player who jumps out at you right away. With good size and length, one thing you could see him do consistently was make plays in the middle of the ice. He understands already at a young age that getting between the dots is crucial to finding success. Gore used his skating and length to disrupt breakouts and maintain puck possession in the offensive zone.
3. Michael Munroe, LW (Team Gelstx)
7/6/07, shoots left, 5-7/135
Hanover, Mass., HS and Boston Junior Eagles forward showed a real nose for the net in this one. He scored his team’s second goal on a rebound by using his quick feet and just going hard to the net. In the open ice, he can back defenders up and shows a deft touch with the puck on his stick.
4. Egan Beveridge, C (Team Gelstx)
2007, shoots right, 5-7/157
Smart, talented center looked good here. He’s quick in transitional play and took a few hits, but kept his feet and battled through contact. With a sturdy frame, he’s built to play in the dirty areas. The Mount Saint Charles-bound East Kingston, N.H., native has a solid all-around game and foundation to grow in the coming years.
5. Jake Tavares, RW (Team Gelstx)
2007, shoots right, 5-10/145
Tall, rangy winger showed some intriguing potential, albeit not on every shift. Skates well, with a powerful stride and ability to get up to speed quickly with an impressive burst. Used his big frame to box out in front of the net or grind it out on the boards. Physical; finished his hits and got the better of most he engaged because of his size. His hometown is Belmont, Mass., and he is one to watch with the Boston Junior Eagles this season.
6. Jack McDonough, LW (Team Exposure)
2007, shoots left, 5-11/160
Big power winger from Duxbury, Mass., and Boston Advantage 07 team impressed with his agility for one who is taller than most of his peers. He shields the puck well and was strong along the walls. Put in the work and camped out in front of the net, where he was tough to move. Liked his overall game in this one.
7. Marco Senerchia, RW (Team Gelstx)
2007, shoots left, 5-4/115
Small but dynamic forward was aggressive in an attacking mindset and handled the puck well through traffic and in open ice. Looked to transition with speed and had a dynamic element to his game with quick-twitch movements and the ability to shift gears in full motion or cut against the grain to elude defenders. Another Mount Saint Charles 14 player, the Greenville, R.I., native has room to get his teammates more involved, but intriguing raw material to work with as he develops.
8. Joe Marchi, C (Team Dangle)
2007, shoots left, 5-5/138
Foxboro, Mass., and South Shore Kings program forward looks sturdy and plays with a lot of energy for Dangle. While he didn’t come off as overly skilled in the one game we saw, he hunted pucks and was opportunistic, getting in on attempted breakouts and forcing turnovers. He is slated play for the Cape Cod Whalers 14 squad in the fall.
Defensemen
1. Anthony Bongo, D (Team PVCK)
5/16/07, shoots right, 5-7/135
Playing for the Mid Fairfield Junior Rangers this fall, the Ridgefield, Conn., defenseman looked good with his skating, confident puck play and solid all-around game. He managed his gaps, used his stick effectively, and made a noticeable two-way impact. Skating with his head up, he impressed with his smarts and poise.
2. Myles Brosnan, D (Team Exposure)
10/19/07, shoots right, 5-5/140
Quick, fast puck mover from Winchester, Mass., was active in all zones. He stood out for his confidence in getting back in his own end quickly and immediately transitioning play the other way. As a late '07, on the back end of the physical curve, but he plays with real pace. Can be seen this fall with the Boston Junior Eagles.
3. Matthew Grimes, D (Team Gamesheet)
5/19/07, shoots left, 5-8/140
Good all-around defender kept it simple and didn’t try and do too much. The New York product is a promising player who has the skill set to play hockey at high levels and impact the game positively in all three zones. Activated smartly and showed good judgment on pinches.
4. Hughston Hurt, D (Team Exposure)
7/10/07, shoots left, 6-0/150
Noticeable right away for his combination of size and skating. Showed good anticipation and jumped several passes, then moved those pucks right to transitioning forwards. The Tennessean who plays for the Little Caesars AAA program is raw, but has the tools to be an impact player in midget hockey.
5. Daniel Tverdovsky, D (Team Gelstx)
2007, shoots left, 5-7/140
Son of former NHL defenseman Oleg Tverdovsky is from Los Angeles but looked like a pro player’s son in this one with his details and habits. He was effective in handling the forecheck, where he showed excellent 360-degree awareness and used his feet and hands to escape pressure and advance the puck.
Goaltender
Quinn DeBruyn, G (Team Gelstx)
2007, catches left, 5-9/140
From New Jersey and formerly with Mid Fairfield 13-U team, now headed to the Bishop Kearny Selects program. He showed some very good lateral agility, coming all the way across his crease to deny a 2-on-1 sure goal off the rush with his anticipation and athleticism. He did allow a leaky goal that somehow got through, but he tracked pucks and showed good patience and fundamentals — not too scrambly.
