The 2018 Massachusetts Hockey Boys CCM High Performance Final 40 brought together the top players in the state from the 2001-2003 birth year, excluding the '01s and '02s who are with USA Hockey's NTDP. It was just a week removed from the Festival, but it allowed for another close-up look at how players are progressing in the development cycle.
Massachusetts Hockey picks its participants in this summer's USA Hockey Player Development Camps in Buffalo, N.Y. from the Final 40. Without further ado, here are the top 2003 prospects, with notes on how they performed over the weekend and a prognosis of their future potential.
Editor's Note: Rankings and a review of the '01s and '02s will be posted separately.
Forwards
1. Jack Hughes
#14 Blue, Junior Eagles, Left Shot (NCAA: Northeastern)
The Westwood, Mass., native is the only committed player in the state among this age group. He's the younger brother of 2018 NHL Draft prospect Riley Hughes and the son of former Middlebury star and NHLPA agent Kent Hughes. Jack is a great skater with slick hands which allows him to control possession and make plays just about every shift. He has a very good first step and speed overall. His vision is above average. He makes good passes from below the goal line out to the points or to the slot to find his linemates. He scored a nice wraparound goal on Sunday to show off his explosiveness.
2. J.P. Turner
#17 Blue, Falmouth HS, Right Shot
Among the top prospects in the state at this age, the Falmouth, Mass., native possesses the most ability to take over games physically. He has the explosiveness and size to turn into a very good north-south power forward. He beat a defender wide down the right wing and sent a centering feed to the left goal mouth to tie the game late. He scored a nice shootout goal on a power move.
3. Tim Delay
#9 Red, Junior Eagles, Right Shot
There isn't a better pure skater in this age group in Massachusetts. His skating, edge work and overall speed are noticable right away. He has that second gear and agility to beat defenders and create time and space. The Hingham, Mass., native made a few more plays this weekend, but he's still behind Hughes and Turned in producing offense. If his hockey sense improves, the upside is imeasurable due to his elite skating ability.
4. Cullin Wilson
#17 Red, Junior Eagles, Left Shot
The Hingham, Mass., had a very good weekend. He protected pucks and made some good plays, especially below the dots. One play that stood out was while killing a penalty, he broke up a play at his own blue line and raced down to the other end for a good scoring chance. His first step is one possible concern.
5. Vincent Gould
#12 Blue, Junior Terriers, Right Shot
Gould, hailing from Wellesley, Mass., has the pro frame and physical tools to intrigue. His skating needs to improve, but that isn't unusual for a player his size and age. He projects as a solid north-south power forward who can drive the net and dominate below the dots. He did show off his hands late in the game Sunday with a nice snipe from in close that he put just under the bar.
6. Nick Roukounakis
#14 Red, Junior Eagles, Left Shot
A native of Pembroke, Mass., Roukounakis is at his best when he's using his size and strength to win puck battles and fend off defenders to move the puck to teammates. His skating and hockey sense are areas to improve, but he should be moving onto Buffalo.
7. Brendan Gorman
#10 Red, Junior Eagles, Right Shot
The Arlington, Mass., native is the younger brother of BU recruit and St. Sebastian's center Liam Gorman and the son of former Princeton defenseman Sean Gorman. Brendan has some size and power to his game and good hands to go with it. He made a sauce pass over to a linemate on a goal Saturday and showed off quick hands and feet to go with it on a breakaway move that ultimately hit the post.
8. Jackson Cuotu
#11 Blue, St. Mark’s, Right Shot
Cuotu, from Upton, Mass., is coming off a stellar freshman season for Carl Corazzini's Lions at the prep school level. He's just one of those forwards who seems to score no matter what the situation. He's slick. He has the agility to cut and maneuver through traffic, even against bigger defensemen. He isn't afraid to go to the dirty areas.
9. Drew Blackwell
#8 Blue, Islanders, Left Shot
Blackwell, hailing from Haverhill, Mass., doesn't have the pure skill or offensive prowess of some of the forwards ranked above him, but he competes and was consistently noticeable throughout the weekend. He's quick to get to pucks and made some nice plays in his own end.
10. Cameron Sullivan
#15 Red, Westborough HS, Right Shot
Sullivan competed hard all weekend and skates well. The Westborough, Mass., native scored a goal on the same shift he backchecked to break up an offensive chance for the other team.
11. Billy Norcross
#13, Cushing, Right Shot
Norcross, from Lynn, Mass., has a strong stride and can create offense. He has above average hockey sense and shows a maturity to his game that is evident of him playing prep hockey this past winter.
12. Jayden Grier
#11 Red, Junior Terriers, Left Shot
13. Anthony Cafarelli
#9 Blue, Austin Prep, Right Shot
14. Coleman Jenkins
#12 Blue, Mansfield HS, Right Shot
15. Michael Cataldo
#10 Blue, Junior Terriers, Right Shot
16. William Conway
#8 Red, Valley Jr. Warriors, Left Shot
Defensemen
1. Patrick Morrissey
#7 Blue, Roxbury Latin, Right Shot
Nothing changed from the Festival a weekend ago. Morrissey solidified his grasp on the top spot in terms of uncommitted prospects in this age group in Mass. He's a poised, puck-moving machine. He can skate it up ice. He can pass it up ice. His vision is good. He has a strong, smooth, effortless stride that allows him to glide up ice. He's strong on gaps and has a good stick defensively. It would be a shock if he wasn't committed to a Beanpot school before long.
2. Brendan Fitzgerald
#3 Blue, Malden Catholic, Left Shot
Fitzgerald, the son of former NHL star and current New Jersey Devils Assistant GM Tom Fitzgerald, is the younger brother of Casey and Ryan Fitzgerald. Like his older brothers, he has great athleticism and is a very good skater. His vision is very good. He made a chip pass off the wall to start an odd-man rush that exemplified his vision and hockey sense. His skating and agility are good and he plays tough. He has good gaps and a defends the rush well with an active stick. He scored a nice shootout goal as well.
3. William Elias
#2 Red, Junior Eagles, Right Shot
Elias is a very heady, smooth two-way defender who can move the puck. He has a strong close to take away time and space. His gaps are good and he can make simple, smart plays. He's not flashy, but he's effective.
4. Aidan Lyons
#6 Red, Junior Terriers, Left Shot
Lyons has skill to make plays. He has a good first step and is quick to transition from defense to offense. He likes to join the rush and can activate as a fourth forward. He has a good stick, but needs to learn to not over-handle the puck and pick his spots. If his hockey sense can improve, he could elevate his stock further.
5. Declan Loughnane
#4 Red, 95 Giants, Right Shot
Loughnane was more unknown than many of the top defensive prospects here entering the first weekend, but he steadily made a strong impression on observers. He skates with his head up and makes smart plays to keep pucks moving north. He'll step into the rush, but he doesn't over-handle the puck.
6. Jake Mullahy
#7 Red, Junior Terriers, Right Shot
Mullahy has poise with the puck and gets shots through from the point. He has the size and physical tools to warrant attention over the coming years.
7. Joe Fleming
#4 Red, Junior Eagles, Right Shot
8. Nolan Joyce
#6 Blue, Junior Eagles, Right Shot
9. Matt Fusco
#5 Blue, Dexter, Right Shot
10. Daniel Lurie
#5 Red, Northern Cyclones, Left Shot
11. Davis Kinne
#3 Red, St. Mary’s, Right Shot
12. Jackson Biancheri
#2 Blue, Westborough HS, Left Shot
Goaltenders
1. Nick Bevilacqua
#9 White, Junior Eagles, Catches Left
Bevilacqua, from Abington, Mass., might not be the biggest goalie in this age group, but his athleticism and quickness are elite traits. He's fundamentally strong which allows him to be in position and square up to shooters. He doesn't give shooters much room to shoot at, even for a smaller goaltender. He was terrific.
2. Colin Ronan
#12 White, Islanders, Catches Left
