CANTON, Mass. — Some top 14-U teams in New England participated in the 2021 River Rats Jamboree on Monday and Tuesday. Games at the event were played at New England Sports Village, Rodman Ice Arena, Canton Ice House, Thayer Ice Arena, Foxboro Sports Center, Ristuccia Memorial Arena and Rockland Skating Rink.
The Boston Junior Eagles and Neponset Valley River Rats played a spirited game Monday at the Ice House, ending in a 1-0 victory for the Rats. Both teams competed hard in a fast-paced, up-and-down contest. With some impressive talent from the 2007 birth year, the Rats got a superb effort in net from Anthony Palmer (Lynn, Mass.) to steal the win.
Because of so many different games and age divisions in myriad settings across the area, we weren’t able to see all we wanted to. This is not a complete list of top players from the U-14 division across the event but is a quick snapshot of some of the players who stood out in this particular game.
We look forward to covering the ’07 birth year players across the region playing for other teams as the 2021-22 hockey season gets underway.
Forwards
Jake Tavares, Jr. Eagles (Belmont, Mass.)
1/27/07, shoots right, 5-10/145
Tavares was one of the better forwards we saw in summer hockey, and he continued that trend here. He’s got good size, length and is a superb skater with quick-twitch burst and the ability to zip through lanes and pull away from defenders. He buzzed the net constantly and was a noticeable presence on almost every shift.
Billy MacAusland, Jr. Eagles (Westwood, Mass.)
8/4/07, shoots left, 5-6/130
Although small, he plays big: explosive, and flies around the ice, not afraid to hound pucks in the dirty areas. Highly skilled with superb hands, he can carry the puck through traffic without slowing down and is highly disruptive on the forecheck. He’s got the wheels, talent and hockey IQ to overcome any questions about his size and be an impact performer at the higher levels.
Freddy Meyer, Jr. Eagles (Winchester, Mass.)
10/16/07, shoots left, N/A
The son of former NHL defenseman and Boston University captain (now head coach at the Rivers School) looks like a pro/coach’s son with a refined, smart game. He shows off the right kind of details and habits in terms of his puck support and ability to see the ice and be in the proper spots to make plays.
Tommy Anderson, River Rats (Braintree, Mass.)
2/2/07, shoots left, 5-7/145
Good player. Competes hard and stood out on every shift with his attacking mindset and perpetual motion. Gets up under players and creates space for himself with his quickness and ability to get low to the ice to protect the puck. Listed for Thayer, he brings the kind of tools and work ethic that could see him earn a role there despite his young age.
Defensemen
Evan Jones, Jr. Eagles (Arlington, Mass.)
2007, shoots left, 5-7/141
Skated well and was strong in the transition game. Got to pucks quickly and moved them up and out quickly and efficiently. Managed his gaps well and employed an effective stick. Nice potential going forward to develop into an impactful two-way defenseman.
Shayne Gould, River Rats (Wachusett, Mass.)
4/7/07, shoots left, 5-4/115
He may not be the biggest defender on the ice, but you don’t overlook him because he can wheel up the ice will and has a lot of skill. His passes are on target and he surveys the ice like a field general, making rapid decisions and activating at the right times.
Goaltender
Anthony Palmer, River Rats (Lynn, Mass.)
10/28/07, catches left, 5-9/140
Stole the show with the shutout of a skilled and dangerous team. He plays big and exhibited good awareness and net depth. He’s quick and athletic, but his focus/puck tracking is exceptional – instrumental to securing the win. He reads and reacts very well and is patient to let pucks hit him, but also has the lateral movement and reflexes to make difficult saves under pressure.
