Mason Kucenski has always been one of the better 2002-born goaltenders in New England, but it took the Gill, Mass., native a little longer to land that coveted college commitment.
On Wednesday, the Vermont Academy alum now tending net for the Omaha Lancers in the USHL announced his intentions to play college hockey at St. Lawrence. The junior hockey rookie had garnered interest from several college programs across the country after the first month-plus of the USHL season.
Kucenski played Midget hockey for the Junior Bruins before moving on to Vermont Academy. With Covid wiping out much of the 2020-21 prep season, Kucenski joined the Neponset Valley River Rats Full Season Showcase team for the stretch run. He was a difference maker for the team, earning him a tender offer from the NAHL’s Lone Star Brahmas. Ultimately, he landed in Omaha where he’s 2-0-2 with a .891 save percentage through his first four regular-season appearances.
Kucenski is one of four Massachusetts natives on the Lancers, along with UMass Lowell commit Owen Fowler (Tewksbury, Mass.), Northeastern commit Nolan Hayes (Milton, Mass.), and UMass commit Kennedy O’Connor (West Springfield, Mass.).
Two new recruits for Minutemen
A pair of '05s committed to UMass over the past few days. Buffalo Junior Sabres 16-U left wing Ryan Smith and St. Andrew’s College defenseman Francesco Dell’Elce both notified Greg Carvel’s staff of their intention to play for the Minutemen.
Smith is a 200-foot forward who was receiving interest from numerous programs across Hockey East, Big Ten and NCHC. The late '05 skates well, has good vision and can play in all situations. On his current team, he’s coached by former NHL forwards Brian Gionta, a BC alum, and Pat Kaleta.
Dell’Elce, from Kleinburg, Ontario, is in his first season playing for David Manning at the Canadian prep school that plays a significant portion of its schedule south of the border. He previously played for the well-known minor midget program, Toronto Marlies. Dell’Elce is a smooth skater with size, compete and upside.
Smith and Dell’Elce join Dubuque Fighting Saints center Mikey Burchill on the list of '05s committed to UMass.
Yale lands BK Selects ‘D’
Yale recently received a commitment from Bishop Kearney Selects defenseman Jack Henry. The '04 from Skaneateles, N.Y., is an athletic blueliner with a flare for the offensive. Henry has good physical tools. His size, shot and skating are all positive attributes. If he can work on his hockey sense, his game will continue trending in the right direction. In 34 games for BK Selects 18-U, he has seven goals and 27 assists.
Henry is the fifth '04 to commit to Keith Allain’s program, joining Donovan and Julian Frias of St. George’s and South Shore Kings Prep, Kurt Gurkan of Phillips Exeter and River Rats, and Beanie Richter of the BCHL’s Penticton Vees. He’s the first defenseman among the birth year to commit to Yale. Allain has two new assistant coaches in Joe Howe and alum Rob O’Gara, both of whom have been working hard on the recruiting trail this fall.
First '05 for Merrimack
Merrimack’s staff went off the grid this week when it added a commitment from '05 Daniel Astapovich. The right wing from Birmingham, Mich., becomes the first player in his birth year to commit to the Warriors.
The big power forward is a goal scorer who can protect pucks, drive the net, and cash in on garbage goals by hanging around the net and dominating below the dots. All three Merrimack coaches spent time over the weekend at the Beantown Fall Classic at the New England Sports Center. Astapovich and his teammates were one of a handful of midget teams from Michigan that made the trek out east for the five-day scouting showcase.
UConn picks up veteran forward
Minot Minotauros forward Huston Karpman has committed to UConn. The '01 from Manhattan Beach, Calif., will come to Storrs with three years of junior hockey experience between the NAHL and USHL. He previously played four seasons at Shattuck-St. Mary’s, the well-known prep school in Faribault, Minn.
In 15 games to start his final season of junior hockey, Karpman has nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points. Karpman hasn’t put up over a point per game since the 2017-18 season with Shattuck’s second team.
Bye chooses Holy Cross
Hotchkiss and Boston Imperials 18-U forward Zach Bye has committed to Holy Cross. The late '03 from Greenwich, Conn., is in his second year at the Connecticut prep school. He previously played for South Kent Selects Academy and Elite Hockey Academy. Bye continues a trend of Holy Cross staying in New England to find future talent.
