The 2019 North American Hockey League (NAHL) Top Prospects Tournament came to the New England Sports Village in Attleboro, Mass., this past Monday and Tuesday.
There was a large turnout among NHL scouts, college coaches, junior scouts and NHLPA agents. It was the first time the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament has been held out this way, as the host Northeast Generals are in their third year of existence.
While Division 1 college coaches were scouring rosters of the six teams for a late bloomer or a filler to round out their team, many Division 3 coaches were hoping to finding an impact player for their level.
NHL scouts were targeting a much smaller group of players, mostly born in 2001. Selects Blue and Selects Red were the two younger teams, comprised of many committed players, while the four divisions brought together older ones still looking for a home in college hockey.
The NAHL has become the league of goaltenders it seems, with several notable players drafted from it this decade. One notable name for local hockey fans is former UMass Lowell star Connor Hellebuyck, now tending net for the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets. He was selected in the 2012 NHL Draft after a stellar season with the Odessa Jackalopes in Texas.
This season was no different, as the top two 2019 NHL Draft prospects at the event were goaltenders. A third player that garnered plenty of buzz was a defenseman who isn’t eligible until 2020 as a late ’01.
NAHL Top Prospects Tournament: Top NHL prospects
1. Ethan Haider
#33 Selects Blue, Minnesota Magicians, 9/4/01, G, Catches Left, 6-2/207
NCAA Commit: Clarkson
Haider, hailing from Maple Grove, Minn., is a good-sized goaltender who's seemingly always square to shooters. He does a good job of making saves look easy and eating pucks to prevent rebounds. He attacks the shooter at the top of the crease and skates well laterally, all while not having to make abrupt movements. Over the course of the two days, he stopped all 45 shots he faced. He’ll be another in a line of good goaltenders to head to Potsdam, N.Y., to play at Clarkson.
2. Jack Williams
#35 Selects Red, Springfield Jr. Blues, 6/21/01, G, Catches Left, 6-4/185
NCAA Commit: Michigan State
Williams was not as fortunate here as Haider, but he’s still a good goaltending prospect worth watching. The St. Louis, Mo., native, at 6-foot-4, has the size NHL scouts are looking for. He can move well and takes up a lot of the net when down in the butterfly.
3. Dylan Abbott
#18 Selects Red, Fairbanks Ice Dogs, 11/26/01, D, Left Shot, 6-0/181
NCAA Commit: Minnesota State
Abbott is a first-year junior player who has assimilated himself well. From Wasilla, Alaska, he had an assist during the two days, but what he didn’t do might have been his biggest plus. He just plays a simple game and doesn’t make mistakes. He skates well, has poise and makes a good first pass. His stick is above average and he’s reliable in his own zone. The Minnesota State staff does a terrific job of finding less-heralded players, and Abbott certainly fits that mold. He might not be a draft pick next year, but don’t be surprised if he’s a college free agent NHL teams are talking about in a few years.
