With toasty temperatures outside, the Tier 1 Labor Day Face Off allowed players, coaches, scouts and agents to cool off inside at the Foxboro Sports Center, New England Sports Center and several other local rinks.
The South Shore Kings took home the crown at the 14U Elite Division, which was played in Marlboro, Mass., at the New England Sports Center. Defenseman Chris Romaine and forwards Brady Berard and Michael Callow were the leaders for the the bantam major team coached by Dave Franzosa.
At the 15U Elite Division, the New England Fall Prep Hockey League All-Stars ended up being top dogs. Incoming Kimball Union defenseman Connor Chalmers garnered buzz due to his strong play.
There were some unlikely upsets in the 16U Elite Division, but the final pitted two of the top teams – Cape Cod Whalers and Boston Jr. Eagles – against each other. The Whalers pulled away due to having slightly more experience and expending less energy than the Eagles en route to the final. Providence commit Riley Duran was the clear standout for the Whalers.
At the 18U Elite Division, the Boston Jr. Eagles captured the championship thanks to a 4-1 win over GBL Bruins in the final. Boston University commit and Pittsburgh Penguins draft pick Liam Gorman scored two goals in the final. A pair of 2019 NHL Draft prospects, Harvard commit John Farinacci and Northeastern commit Jayden Struble, were both great throughout the weekend.
Below is a list of prospects who stood out in the 18U, 16U and 15U elite divisions at the Tier 1 Labor Day Face Off. Please note only first-year eligible 2019 NHL Draft prospects are listed in the 18U Elite Division.
18U Division
John Farinacci
#9 Jr. Eagles, Dexter, 2/14/01, Forward, Right Shot
NCAA Commit: Harvard
The Chatham, N.J., native showed off his multidimensional offensive skill set throughout the weekend. He tipped in a mid-air point shot for a goal and also rifled one home with a hard wrist shot. His ability to take over a game in the attacking zone is noteworthy. He’s quickly distinguishing himself as the top 2019 NHL Draft prospect among current New England prep players.
Jayden Struble
#4 Jr. Eagles, St. Sebastian’s, 8/9/01, Defense, Left Shot
NCAA Commit: Northeastern
Struble was really good here. The Cumberland, R.I., native used his athleticism and skating to move pucks north and get shots on net from the point. He was physical when the time called for it, but didn’t run around looking for it. This was his best viewing in quite some time.
Cade Webber
#8 Little Bruins, Rivers, 1/5/01, Defense, Left Shot
NCAA Commit: Boston University
In one game Saturday, Webber didn’t do much, but his size and skating remain reasons for NHL scouts to like his potential upside.
Cade Alami
#63 Mid Fairfield, Berkshire, 3/13/01, Defense, Right Shot
NCAA Commit: Providence
The Bedford, N.Y., native continues to show glimpses of potential over the past two weeks with his size and instincts. His Mid Fairfield team was ousted surprisingly early in the playoff action on Sunday.
Braden Doyle
#7 Little Bruins, Lawrence Academy, 8/24/01, Defense, Left Shot
NCAA Commit: Boston University
In Saturday afternoon’s game, the Lynnfield, Mass., native was an effective puck-mover for his team. His footwork and skill with the puck on his stick were perhaps the best of any defenseman in this tournament.
Brian Carrabes
#9 GBL Bruins, Kimball Union, 8/1/01, Forward, Right Shot
NCAA Commit: Boston University
Carrabes was his team’s best offensive threat throughout the two days in Foxboro. He scored a goal in Sunday’s playoff action where he came shooting into the zone down the right wing, then unleashed a laser into the top of the net. His speed is his best attribute.
Arlo Merritt
#20 GBL Bruins, Kimball Union, 1/31/01, Forward, Left Shot
NCAA Commit: Ohio State
Merritt looks the part of a NHL prospect with his size and long stride. While he certainly has the ability to protect pucks and make plays, especially below the circles, he’s not consistently as much of a force as he should be for his size. His hockey IQ and compete levels both need work in order for him to be seen as a legit prospect for the 2019 NHL Draft.
Derek Mullahy
#35 Jr. Eagles, Dexter, 3/20/01, Goaltender, Catches Left
NCAA Commit: Harvard
Mullahy is probably just enough of an undersized goaltender that his chances of getting drafted are slim. However, he was very good all weekend. He does an exceptional job of squaring up to shooters and taking away space for shooters to shoot. He challenges on top of the crease and is fundamentally sound.
16U Division
Riley Duran
#13 Cape Cod Whalers, Lawrence Academy, 1/25/02, Forward, Right Shot
NCAA Commit: Providence
The Woburn, Mass., native is quickly blossoming into a top player in the region. He’s always had the physical tools and potential, but he’s putting it all together. He plays a hard, north-south game as a physical power forward. He made a great pass to a pinching defenseman on Sunday for a goal.
Sasha Teleguine
#13 Jr. Eagles, Thayer, 9/17/02, Forward, Left Shot, 5-9/165
NCAA Commit: Northeastern
Teleguine also keeps setting himself apart. He made a great power move down the left wing, turning on the afterburners and blowing by an opposing defenseman for a goal. His skating, ability to recover pucks and possession skills are all strong.
Tyler Boucher
#19 Mid Fairfield, Avon Old Farms, 1/15/03, Forward, Right Shot
NCAA Commit: Boston University
Boucher can take over games below the dots with his skating and physical prowess. He scored a noteworthy tally on Saturday by driving the net with authority to clean up a rebound.
Michael Bevilacqua
#6 Buffalo Jr. Sabres, 1/26/03, Defense, Left Shot
NCAA Commit: Northeastern
One of the biggest compliments you can pay a complete, two-way defenseman is he isn’t noticed often. That was the case in Foxboro, unless you were paying close attention. Bevilacqua was steady and reliable. He’s big and plays tough while making very few mistakes. He’s strong on his skates and likes to push the pace. His play, along with his previous viewings, allowed him to earn a scholarship offer from Northeastern.
Paul Davey
#9 Mid Fairfield, Brunswick, 1/11/03, Forward, Left Shot
NCAA Commit: Boston College
Davey’s length allows him to protect pucks and make plays. He has a smooth, long stride and has a lot of weapons offensively. His compete, especially in his own zone, could use improvement to solidify a spot with the National Team Development Program.
Brendan Gorman
#17 Jr. Eagles, St. Sebastian’s, 2/17/03, Forward, Right Shot
The Arlington, Mass., native scored a couple of goals on the weekend as he continues to show he has the skill and grit to be a solid, two-way forward. He does a good job disrupting the opposition’s breakout while on the forecheck.
Anthony Agostinelli
#3 Buffalo Jr. Sabres, 1/7/03, Forward, Right Shot
Agostinelli has proven over the past year that he has the skill to match just about any player in his age group. He continued to show that over the weekend. On Saturday, he was strong on his skates and scored a highlight-reel goal, ripping a shot off the post and in.
Ian Moore
#2 Cape Cod Whalers, St. Mark’s, 1/4/02, Defense, Right Shot
Moore continued his rise. He’s undoubtedly one of the top uncommitted defensemen in the region. He has the size and skating ability to attract attention from college coaches and will likely be a NHL Draft prospect for 2020. He has a good first step and his instincts are getting better.
Jack Hughes
#4 Jr. Eagles, St. Sebastian’s, 11/2/03, Forward, Left Shot
NCAA Commit: Northeastern
Hughes has the skill where he can make a play or two a game that will have a tremendous impact on his team’s chances to win. He made a few of them this weekend.
Ryan St. Louis
#16 Mid Fairfield, Brunswick, 6/13/03, Forward, Left Shot
NCAA Commit: Northeastern
Despite being on the smaller side and lacking the physical strength he’ll have someday, St. Louis gets to the dirty areas and plays smart. He scored a great goal on Sunday to give his team a 3-2 lead over the Jersey Hitmen. He cut in and out of some traffic and finished well.
Tyler Procious
#58 Buffalo Jr. Sabres, 5/29/03, Defense, Right Shot
Procious has the puck-moving and skating skills to be a factor at this level. He’s smooth, has a good stick, and get shots on net while walking the blue line well. He’s probably in the discussion for a NTDP Evaluation Camp invite.
Doug Sacco
#16 Cape Cod Whalers, Lawrence Academy, 1/3/02, Forward, Right Shot
NCAA Commit: New Hampshire
Sacco didn’t do much offensively, but he skates hard and makes big hits. He delivered several noteworthy hits as his team won the championship.
Dalton Wright
#13 Buffalo Jr. Sabres, 8/24/02, Forward, Left Shot
NCAA Commit: Union
Wright was somewhat of a lesser-known prospect before committing to Union earlier this summer. His play in Foxboro showed why the Dutchmen wanted him as part of their program. He’s slight, but he has a lot of speed and some goal-scoring ability.
Drew Tsakounis
#18 Mid Fairfield, Avon Old Farms, 7/1/03, Defense, Left Shot
NCAA Commit: Penn State
Tsakounis is taking a little time to adjust to midget hockey from bantam hockey. He made a great pass that led to a power-play goal and has the skating ability to maintain puck possession and impact zone entries.
Jack Musa
#6 Mid Fairfield, Trinity-Pawling, 6/11/03, Forward, Left Shot
Musa scored a couple of goals on Saturday with his quickness and willingness to take pucks to the net, despite his lack of size. He’s shifty and can make plays, especially when playing with the right linemates.
Joe Schubert
#7 Cape Cod Whalers, St. Paul’s, 6/24/02, Forward, Left Shot
Schubert scored a beauty of a goal in Sunday’s final, sniping a wrist shot right under the bar without breaking stride.
PJ Neal
#17 Mid Fairfield, Brunswick, 2/12/03, Forward, Left Shot
Neal isn’t the most skilled player, but his grittiness, ability to go to the greasy areas combined with his hard shot make him a threat to score goals.
James Tepper
#15 Cape Cod Whalers, Proctor, 2/20/02, Forward, Right Shot
Tepper was solid throughout the tournament, playing hard and using his size and strength. He goes hard just about every shift, but it might take him a little time to adjust to the higher level of hockey after playing previously in the MIAA with Shrewsbury.
Tomas Urban
#20 South Florida Hockey Academy, 2/20/02, Forward, Left Shot
From Czech Republic, Urban isn’t the prettiest of skaters, but he gets the job done. He scored a few goals throughout the weekend and is smart enough to be a reliable, 200-foot player.
Riley Rosenthal
#6 South Florida Hockey Academy, 12/10/03, Defense, Right Shot
Rosenthal had a really good showing here. He’s a big blueliner who defends with his reach and size. He makes some good lead passes and has better mobility than this observer thought previously.
Chris Demers
#1 Cape Cod Whalers, Milton, 8/13/02, Goaltender, Catches Left
The Burlington, Ontario, native will be a newcomer at Milton this winter. He likely won’t see much ice time with the return of Erik Voloshin, but he proved this weekend he’ll be a stellar backup. He has decent size and made some nice saves.
Michael Roby
#19 Virtua, 5/18/03, Forward, Left Shot
Roby was somewhat overshadowed on last year’s Virtua team with the likes of Boucher, Kenny Connors and Jayden Sison. He’s finally starting to shine with more chances and having an increased role. He goes to the dirty areas, is elusive and can make plays in small areas.
Jeff Lee
#4 Cape Cod Whalers, Milton, 5/15/02, Defense, Left Shot
The San Jose, Calif., native is a little small, but he’s an offensive defenseman who likes to jump into the offense. He scored at least two goals over the weekend and showed good instincts on when to pinch.
Jaiden Moriello
#8 Junior Bruins, 5/4/03, Forward, Right Shot
Moriello was the most noticeable player on a Junior Bruins team that is down compared to past renditions. The Saugus, Mass., native works hard, has some size and jam, and can forecheck.
Will Fortescue
#21 Jersey Hitmen, 4/3/02, Defense, Right Shot
Fortescue had some size and scored a goal from the point in his team’s upset win over Mid Fairfield on Sunday.
15U Division
Connor Chalmers
#51 Top Gun/NE Prep Selects, Kimball Union, 8/30/03, Defense, Right Shot
The Windham, N.H., native was the talk of the 15U Division after his team captured the championship. His mobility, skating and puck-moving ability are all high-end within the region.
Ryan Buckley
#8 Jr. Eagles, St. George’s, 1/6/04, Defense, Right Shot
Buckley, the son of former BC standout and current NHLPA agent Jerry Buckley, is a solid, complete defender. He closes quickly, skates well, and has the physical tools to show he’ll likely be a Division 1 recruit in due time.
Ryan Kazmouz
#32 Jr. Eagles, Central Catholic, 8/20/03, Goaltender, Catches Left
From Nashua, N.H., Kazmous isn’t the biggest goaltender, but he’s athletic and has quick reflexes. He plays the position well and doesn’t flop around much. He’ll be one of the top goaltenders in the MIAA this winter.
