SALEM, N.H. — In a clash between 2007-born prospects on the Boston Jr. Eagles and Seacoast Performance Academy Spartans 14-U teams, several Bantam prospects had strong showings in SPA’s 3-2 victory at the Icenter.
Ethan Goodrich (Yarmouth, Me.) scored the winning goal after the Spartans came from behind on two separate occasions, while goaltender Walter Jimenez made the saves to keep the Jr. Eagles from finding the equalizer with a push later in the third period. The Jr. Eagles were the better team on paper, but the SPA squad battled hard, didn’t crumble under pressure and generated some opportunistic offense.
The ’07 prospects in the New England area are shaping up to be a promising group. Between several who are playing prep hockey this season, and many others playing 14-U Bantam hockey, current trends should make for an interesting summer and 2022-23 season, when the birth year will be eligible for the USA Hockey Select 15 national development camp and selection for the U.S. National Team Development Program and the USHL futures draft the following spring.
Forwards
Jake Tavares (Belmont, Mass.)
Jr. Eagles, 1/27/07, right shot, 5-9/150
Tavares has been on the radar for a while, with standout performances in summer hockey and with the Jr. Eagles ‘07s more recently at the Eastern Exposure Cup in November. He stands out for his size and quick jump, accelerating to top speed quickly. He has a shark’s senses for identifying a target and exploding to the puck quickly. He scored the game’s first goal with a quick move to freeze the D, surge to the net. His hard backhand hit Jimenez and trickled across the goal line. He also made an impressive defensive play with a stick lift to deny a quality scoring chance.
Van Martin (Raymond, N.H.)
SPA, 10/03/07, left shot, 5-8/137
Scored the goal of the game on a breakaway and a hard bar-down shot to make it 1-1, but showed off some impressive all-around upside. There’s some room for him to grow and get even more powerful as a late ’07, and his goal was an example of pure instincts and anticipation to get in behind the Eagles defense. He’s the team’s leading scorer, and after watching that particular play, it isn’t difficult to see why.
Billy MacAusland (Westwood, Mass.)
Jr. Eagles, 8/4/07, left shot, 5-6/125
Slick, shifty, dynamic winger scored the Eagles other goal and is one of the more skilled forwards in his peer group. Has tremendous ability to start, stop or cut along the walls and in the corners, often wheeling out with the puck leaving a defender in his wake. Does a good job of locating pucks around the net and scored by going into the dirty area, grabbing possession and zipping a shot to the back of the net before the netminder could track and get set. He also had several quality scoring chances that didn’t go. He’s extremely light but so elusive and agile.
Michael Munroe (Hanover, Mass.)
Jr. Eagles, 7/7/07, left shot, 5-7/135
While not the productive game we’ve seen from Munroe in past viewings, he was still active and noticeable for his skating and smooth acceleration. He impressed with his ability to find quiet ice and get his shots on net. He wasn’t able to breakthrough in this one, but there’s a lot to like.
Ace Watson (Lewiston, Me.)
SPA, 2007, left shot, 5-8/140
Good size and active around the net in this one. He scored the second goal on a hard shot that showed off a quick snap-release. Was consistently visible and made himself available on his shifts. Like many players this age, he will have to grow and learn the little things but showed well in this one.
Freddy Meyer (Winchester, Mass.)
Jr. Eagles, 10/16/07, left shot, 5-7/140
Fast, fluid skater who is a disruptive forechecker and gets on pucks quickly. He was around the puck a lot in this game. Showed a knack for making simple, smart plays, typical of a former pro/coach’s son.
Ethan Goodrich
SPA, 2007, left shot, 5-5/130
Scored the aforementioned winning goal by gaining the edge, cutting in and firing a wrister over goaltender Jason Thibodeau’s glove. He’s quick and shifty and does a good job of pressuring the puck carrier.
Defensemen
Gavin LaFleur (Hooksett, N.H.)
SPA, 3/13/07, right shot, 5-10/150
Impressed in fall action earlier in the season and then missed significant time with an injury. He has very good size and moves well, keeping his head up and surveying the ice. He sees plays developing and makes smart reads, keeping things simple and not running around trying to do too much. The strength in his game is that he knows what he is and does a nice job of focusing on his defensive play. He holds his gaps, uses his length and an active stick to break up rushes, and finishes plays with some physical bite. He’s poised, makes a good first pass and is one to watch as the season rolls on.
Everett Baldwin (Rumford, R.I.)
Jr. Eagles, 1/15/07, right shot, 5-8/135
No. 23 was on the ice a lot- he moves well with clean pivots and turns, and handled the puck well in space and under pressure. He has a hard shot- he unloaded several times but wasn’t able to hit the net with a heavy drive he launches off his stick like a rocket.
Carter Amico (Westbrook, Me.)
SPA, 2007, right shot, 6-2/170
Tallest player on the ice has a tremendous height/reach advantage. Pretty mobile for his size, though his footwork will have to get smoother and more crisp as he develops. Looks to jump up into the play, but can get caught between transitions and watching the puck at times. Can move pucks well and a lot of raw potential.
Myles Brosnan (Winchester, Mass.)
Jr. Eagles, 10/07, right shot, 5-5/140
Small but speedy defender makes an impression with his wheels and ability to retrieve pucks and get them out and up the ice. He handles the puck well and looks to make seam passes and find open teammates for quality scoring chances. There were times he turned the puck over, so he’ll want to focus on puck management and protection, but he’s an interesting player to keep watching.
Goaltenders
Walter Jimenez
SPA, 2007, catches right, 5-6/140
Solid outing from the Texan and Dallas Stars Elite AAA product. He was cool and composed for much of the game, but elevated his performance at the end, with his team holding a 3-2 lead to secure the victory.
Jason Thibodeau
Jr. Eagles, 2/20/07, catches left, 5-9/135
He was a victim of some defensive breakdowns that hung him out to dry on a couple of goals, but he’s been an impressive player this year and will have a chance to bounce back. He has excellent lateral agility and a powerful push to get across his crease to deny cross-ice scoring chances. There’s upside here.
