TYNGSBORO, Mass. — The Islanders Hockey Club defeated the South Shore Kings, 5-2, in a USPHL NCDC game at Skate 3 on Wednesday afternoon.
The Islanders (3-1) received goals from Simon Deldon, Charles Cocuzzo, Johan Rosenquist, Max Cocchi and Bryan Gund, while Daniel Gellon and Anthony Quinlivan scored for the Kings.
With teams still figuring out lineups and waiting for cuts in the USHL and NAHL to trickle back to the NCDC, play was sloppy at times, but the pace was good. The game was mostly clean, and a few players stood out.
A couple of NHL amateur scouts and several Division 3 college coaches were in attendance for the afternoon game. I really like what the NCDC is doing in terms of playing games during the week and during the day. It’s a great opportunity to watch NCDC games without missing key Midget, prep and college games, once they start.
Below is a look at five uncommitted prospects who stood out in Wednesday’s USPHL NCDC game between the Islanders Hockey Club and South Shore Kings:
Logan Morrell
Islanders Hockey Club, 8/2/03, LW, right shot, 6-2/190
Morrell is the best prospect I’ve seen in the NCDC in a while. He’s big, skates well and can impact the game at both ends of the ice. He was the only multipoint player in the game, finishing with two assists. He had the primary helper on both the second and third goals for the Islanders. He’s heavy, plays between the dots, and drives the net. He blocked a few shots and did a good job reading plays to force turnovers. Morrell, from Mesa, Ariz., comes to the NCDC after playing youth hockey for the Phoenix Junior Coyotes.
Johan Rosenquist
Islanders Hockey Club, 10/28/02, C, right shot, 6-2/190
Rosenquist scored a goal by planting himself on top of the crease and banging home a rebound. He has good size, can provide a netfront presence, and cycles pucks down low. His skating isn’t irredeemable, but it needs to improve. If his first two steps and ability to think the game at pace can get better, there’s a solid foundation for him to land a Division 1 opportunity.
Nolan Hayes
South Shore Kings, 8/14/02, D, right shot, 6-0/180
Hayes assisted on both South Shore goals. The first was a beauty, as he made a nice play on the zone entry, skated down the wall on the left side, and gave a nice feed out front to Gellon. There’s no doubting his skating or skill. He’s confident with his feet and gaps up well. I’ve been saying this for years, but he needs to simplify and avoid overhandling the puck. He’s talented enough to play Division 1, but his hockey sense needs to catch up if that is going to happen. The Boston, Mass., native previously played at Thayer and Cushing.
Michael Tersoni
Islanders Hockey Club, 3/29/01, LW, left shot, 5-9/175
Tersoni was the pleasant surprise of the afternoon. He had the primary assist on Cocchi’s odd-man-rush goal. He skates well, played with an edge, and was around the puck a lot. I had seen Tersoni play numerous times before at Massachusetts festivals, with Framingham High School, and last year at Tilton. I knew he was a good player at those levels, but I didn’t think he’d be as effective as he was in this game. He’d be a really good fit for top Division 3 programs.
Matt Myers
Islanders Hockey Club, 2/19/02, C/RW, left shot, 6-0/180
Myers, from Worcester, Mass., played even strength and penalty kill on Wednesday. He made a couple of nice looks, including one going down the left wing that led to a goal. He didn’t get credit for an assist, but he could have. In the second, he made a good look from the right wing corner. Myers moved to center after starting the game on right wing. The former St. John’s Shrewsbury standout would be a good fit for NESCAC schools.
