WOONSOCKET, R.I. – Mount Saint Charles hosted the first Northeast Pack showcase for 16U and 15 Only teams over the weekend at the school’s Adelard Arena.
In addition to the hosts, Bishop Kearney Selects, Boston Junior Eagles, Long Island Gulls, New Jersey Rockets and Pittsburgh Penguins Elite were present at the 16U division.
Games took place Friday, Saturday and Sunday in front of a number of college coaches, junior scouts and NHLPA agents.
Below is a look at two standout players from each team at the 16U division:
Donny Bracco
Long Island Gulls, 7/26/07, D, left shot, 5-9/150
Bracco was one of two marquee `07s playing up at the 16U division this weekend. The Locust Valley, N.Y., native is an offensive defenseman who doesn’t look out of place, despite going up against older players. He’s rugged, smart, poised and the puck snaps off his stick. He’ll be in the mix for the NTDP U17 team in 2023-24.
Christian Chouha
NJ Rockets, 5/22/06, RW, right shot, 5-10/160
With the team’s top forward, Kuzma Voronin, out of the lineup with an injury, Chouha stepped up and scored a couple of big goals, including an overtime winner. He’s quick, athletic and competes hard. The Freehold, N.J., native is a goal scorer who will likely find a role on a Division 1 college team as a depth piece down the road.
Jack Edwards
Pitt Pens Elite, 6/21/06, C, right shot, 5-10/156
Edwards is a smart, cerebral center who gets the most out of his ability. He’s rarely the fastest or most skilled player on the ice, but he makes plays and impacts the game with his hockey sense. From Mars, Pa., he’s able to slow the game down and process plays at a higher level than most of his peers.
Nikita Konevych
NJ Rockets, 6/3/06, D, left shot, 6-2/190
Konevych stepped up and saw increased minutes with top defenseman Ryan Lukko being out with an injury. Konevych, a good sized blue liner who came to the Rockets after spending 2021-22 with three different teams, was smooth and kept things simple. The Kalush, Ukraine native, had a steadying effect during a few sequences where the Rockets seemed to be wavering.
John Mooney
Pitt Pens Elite, 3/8/07, C, right shot, 5-5/135
Mooney, from West Mifflin, Pa., is one of the most highly touted `07s in the entire country. Playing up an age division, he doesn’t have nearly the impact he would have had if stayed at 15 Only. However, he showed elite hand-eye coordination, a good stick, and edges to be slick and elusive. There were a couple of times he batted pucks in midair or stickhandled away from trouble that showed off his craftiness and slick playmaking ability. Mooney is considered a near lock for the NTDP U17 in 2023-24.
JJ Monteiro
Mount, 1/12/06, LW, left shot, 5-11/200 NCAA: Providence
Oftentimes, it is said that players have post-commitment slumps. Monteiro was nearly the opposite as the Hudson, Mass., native continued his dominant play throughout the weekend. He scored goals, went to the net, was heavy on pucks, and was a consistent force each time he hopped over the boards.
Teddy Mutryn
Junior Eagles, 2/16/07, C, right shot, 6-0/195
Mutryn was the standout for the Junior Eagles, this weekend’s guest team at the Northeast Pack Showcase. The Norwell, Mass., native is the total package in terms of athleticism, hockey sense and size. He’s a two-way center whose skating and vision constantly come to the forefront, despite playing up an age group.
Chase Stefanek
Mount, 8/1/06, C, left shot, 6-1/181
Stefanek had a big game against the Long Island Gulls on Friday afternoon. He’s gotten bigger, more explosive and more consistent since the end of last season. He had a three-point game and showed good playmaking ability as well as finishing touch. From Yorba Linda, Calif., Stefanek is one of the top uncommitted players skating in the region this winter.
Jack Sullivan
BK Selects, 3/24/06, D, left shot, 5-11/161
Sullivan has taken a big step in his game over the past year, as he moved from the Junior Sabres to BK Selects. The Buffalo, N.Y., native is an above average skater who sees the ice well. He made a number of tape-to-tape passes on the breakout and up ice in transition.
Nicholas Wellenreiter
BK Selects, 2/17/06, RW, right shot, 5-9/150 NCAA: Maine
Wellenreiter has taken a giant step from last season. The Dundas, Ontario, native has that quick twitch and scored an absolute beauty of a goal in Friday afternoon’s game against the Junior Eagles. He’s skilled, crafty and makes plays in small areas. He kept up his pace of scoring at two points per game this season after averaging less than a point per game in 2021-22. Wellenreiter looks to be a very nice commit for the Black Bears.
Grant Young
Long Island Gulls, 3/22/06, C, right shot, 5-9/160 NCAA: Harvard
Young, a recent Harvard commit, is one of the best two-way centers in this age group. His skating and motor are both high-end. His brain, especially away from the puck, is notable. He made a couple of noteworthy passes to create offensive opportunities for linemates. On the defensive side, his tracking on the backcheck and attention to detail are always evident.
