EXETER, N.H. — The 18-U division of the River Rats Jamboree brought out about a dozen NHL scouts to watch some of the region’s top prospects eligible for the 2021 draft.
With some prep schools prohibiting its boarding students from leaving campus, it will be a tough fall for NHL scouts to figure out which players are at which events. However, there were a couple of 2003-born prospects who stood out over the two-day event.
In addition to NHL draft prospects, the 18-U division had a couple of uncommitted players who impressed me during my viewings at The Rinks at Exeter, one of several rinks used across southern New Hampshire.
Below is a look at two 2021 NHL draft prospects who had good showings, plus a look at a few notable uncommitted players:
2021 NHL draft prospects
Owen McLaughlin
Mount Saint Charles, 3/25/03, C, left shot, 6-0/160
NCAA commit: Penn State
McLaughlin had a good debut in a Mount Saint Charles uniform after coming in from Hill School and Valley Forge Minutemen. His skating, skill and height are all positives. His physical tools helped him have a productive week, whether it be finding the back of the net or finding open teammates. His ability to create offense on the rush was noted several times. He still has some room to fill out, become heavier on pucks and prove he can play between the dots. He should be on every NHL amateur scouts’ list of players to watch in New England this season.
JP Turner
Mid Fairfield, 1/31/03, C, right shot, 5-11/190
NCAA commit: New Hampshire
Turner had a couple of multipoint games here. He’s reportedly going to play a few games with Mid Fairfield before joining Sioux Falls in the USHL. Turner checks boxes for shot, compete level and being heavy on pucks. While he was good here, I still think he needs to prove his skating and athleticism in the USHL. There’s not much more for him to prove at this level. He’s already displayed his traits and succeeded at the split season and prep circuit here.
Uncommitted prospects
Nate Benoit
Mount Saint Charles, 11/26/02, D, left shot, 6-0/165
I’ve liked Benoit for a little over a year now, but he looks to have taken another step. Last year, I thought he projected as a solid Atlantic Hockey player. Now, I firmly believe he’s good enough to play in Hockey East. He helps jumpstart the offense and plays with some jam. This isn’t to disparage Wisconsin commit Grayden Daul, his defensive partner, but I think Benoit is even better.
Nick Marciano
River Rats, 5/19/02, D, left shot, 6-2/190
Marciano is a player who has developed tremendously over the past 12 months. He has good size, can skate well and has an above-average stick. I expect him to keep progressing in a positive manner.
Nikita Moiseev
Cape Cod Whalers, 8/17/03, LW, left shot, 6-0/180
Moiseev had a frustrating 2019-20 season after being on the radar in his USHL and OHL draft year. He’s heavy on pucks, can shoot it hard and is able to cycle pucks down low. His skating is still an area that needs improvement, but it looked a little better at the jamboree. He’s making the move from Little Caesars to Trinity-Pawling.
Frank Tafelski
Maine Nordiques Academy, 1/28/03, RW, right shot, 6-0/165
Tafelski needs to work on his skating, but he’s going to be a productive 18-U player this upcoming season. I expect him to also get into some games with Maine’s NAHL team. He’s hard to knock off pucks, can be a tenacious forechecker, and he can score. Tafelski, who previously played for Honeybaked, is a player to watch this season.
