North Andover, Mass. – The United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) 16U All-Star Game took place Monday, January 15, 2018 at Merrimack College’s Lawler Rink.
The 16U game had the most talent of any of the three USPHL All-Star Games on Monday. A pair of PAL Islanders players stood out at their respective positions. ’01 forward Harrison Schreiber and ’02 defenseman Spence Evans were both very good for the National squad. Below are the full rankings, by position, from the 2018 USPHL 16U All-Star Game.
USPHL 16U All-Star Game: Top Prospects
Forwards:
1. Harrison Schreiber
#2 National, PAL Islanders, 7/7/01, Shoots Left, 6-0/170
Uncommitted
He’s really come on strong this fall and he showed off a nice skill set Monday. He drove the net to draw a penalty early in the game. He has good hands and can make some highlight reel plays. He can make slick moves individually, but needs to learn to use his teammates more consistently. He has the skill set to be a Division I player and with a little progress in his hockey sense, he’ll land a commitment.
2. Marcus Joughin
#7 American, Islanders HC, 7/5/01, Shoots Left, 5-9/155
Uncommitted
He didn’t get much done in this game, but his skating did shine through at times. He’s confident with the puck and can possess it for long stretches. He was able to create chances on the rush due to his ability to play with pace. This wasn’t his best showing, but he’s a player who has earned a few looks from Division I programs.
3. Rory Maurer
#8 National, Jersey Hitmen, 8/22/01, Shoots Left, 5-10/170
Uncommitted
He had a good game and was a consistent force on the forecheck. He played hard, went to the net and fought for loose pucks. He scored a nifty goal on a five-hole backhand finish.
4. Zach Jones
#9 American, Boston Bandits, 3/31/01, Shoots Left, 5-9/154
Uncommitted
He came off the right wing wall and sniped a wrist shot short side. He’s slippery and can wheel and deal in small areas, despite his lack of size.
5. Alex Jefferies
#6 American, Islanders HC, 11/8/01, Shoots Right, 5-10/161
College Commit: Merrimack
Similarly to his regular season linemate Joughin, this wasn’t his best viewing. However, he has the second gear to beat defenders wide. He’s at his best when he’s going into the dirty areas and playing a solid north-south game. He was a little too perimeter here.
6. Frankie Ireland
#12 American, Junior Bruins, 2/6/01, Shoots Left, 6-0/175
Uncommitted
He made a really nice centering feed from the left wing wall. He can create offense and he skates well. He’s not the biggest, but he’s crafty and his trajectory is going upward.
7. Nate Hanley
#9 National, PAL Islanders, 5/30/02, Shoots Right, 5-10/161
Uncommitted
Hanley is a player who flies all over the ice and plays with pace and energy, despite not being the prettiest of skaters. He made a few plays here and wasn’t afraid to play with an edge and go to the dirty areas. He was rewarded for that with a rebound goal.
8. Jacob Banks
#8 American, Junior Bruins, 3/27/01, Shoots Left, 5-10/185
Uncommitted
Banks isn’t the best skater, but he’s a bull on the ice. He’s strong and hard to knock off pucks. He knows where his strengths are. He takes the puck and drives it to the net without trying to be flashy.
9. Liam McLinskey
#3 National, Jersey Hitmen, 2/20/01, Shoots Right, 6-1/161
Uncommitted
McLinskey was noticeable a few times because of his size and potential to develop into a power forward. He made a few nice plays cycling pucks down low. His hands and feet are just average, but he’s a player to keep an eye on going forward.
10. Max Bogdanovich
#14 American, Junior Bruins, 3/31/01, Shoots Left, 6-4/216
College Commit: Maine
Bogdanovich is the type of player who isn’t going to shine in environments such as an all-star game. He has the size and strength to be an effective bottom six forward, but that’s not often easy to see in games like this.
11. Aidan Curran
#15 American, NH Jr. Monarchs, 1/22/01, Shoots Right, 5-10/170
Uncommitted
He has the speed and vision to impress. He made a really nice pass that sent a teammate alone on net for a chance that hit the post.
12. Trevor Smith
#2 American, Skipjacks, 3/2/01, Shoots Right, 5-10/163
College Commit: Vermont
Smith was impressive in most viewings this fall, which earned him a scholarship offer to play at UVM. However, he wasn’t at his best Monday. He couldn’t seem to get it going.
13. Carson Whitman
#4 American, Junior Bruins, 5/28/02, Shoots Right, 5-9/140
Uncommitted
Whitman was a little overmatched here due to his size and being relatively young compared to a lot of the players on the ice. He’s quick and smart with the puck when he’s at his best.
14. Cade Destefani
#10 American, Northern Cyclones, 6/21/01, Shoots Right, 6-1/165
Uncommitted
Destefani had a good shift late in the game where he made a play due to his skating ability. He was relatively quiet other than that.
15. Pavel Karasek
#15 National, Springfield Pics, 2/3/01, Shoots Left, 5-10/160
Uncommitted
Karasek showed a few signs here, but was buried on one of the lower lines on his team. His skating and vision were both good and he’s a player this observer wants to watch again soon.
16. Jude Kurtas
#16 National, NJ Rockets, 10/6/01, Shoots Right, 5-10/150
Uncommitted
He had decent hands and made a nice move cutting in from the left wing. He skated well and could become a prospect if he bulks up.
17. Colin Graf
#5 American, Junior Bruins, 9/21/02, Shoots Right, 5-5/125
Uncommitted
As a late ’02 who’s small to begin with, he was in a little over his head here. He wasn’t able to do much, but he had a shift or two where he was close to making a play come through.
18. Oscar Worob
#12 National, Jersey Hitmen, 3/27/01, Shoots Right, 5-10/161
Uncommitted
Worob had a good first period and assisted on a goal. He made a few nice passes throughout the game.
Defensemen:
1. Spence Evans
#21 National, PAL Islanders, 4/19/02, Shoots Left, 6-3/205
Uncommitted
Between his size and skating, Evans is starting to generate buzz, and interest from a few top Division I programs. He pinched for two goals in this game, including the game-winner in the third period. He makes good passes on outlet passes and is smooth on pivots. He has the strength to rip shots. The only negative here was he over-handled the puck at times.
2. Thomas Schweighardt
#22 National, Jersey Hitmen, 3/15/01, Shoots Right, 5-11/165
Uncommitted
Schweighardt played a steady game and was very good in both ends. He skates well, has a good stick, moves pucks north and defends the rush well. He's mobile when defending in his own zone. He has several college offers on the table.
3. Dominick Campione
#21 American, Skipjacks, 11/25/01, Shoots Right, 5-10/160
Uncommitted
Campione is a good skater who showed off his shiftiness and agility on a few occasions. He scored his team’s third goal moving left to right into the slot.
4. Tim Kippenberger
#22 American, Junior Bruins, 4/27/01, Shoots Right, 5-10/181
Uncommitted
Kippenberger scored the game’s first goal. He sniped a one-timer into the top of the net from the point on the power play. He played physically and skates well.
5. Sean Vlasich
#17 National, Jersey Hitmen, 4/20/01, Shoots Right, 5-9/160
Uncommitted
Vlasich is a good skater who likes to join the rush. He’s athletic and can pivot well. He has a good stick, but his gaps need work.
6. Bradey Farrell
#20 American, Junior Bruins, 4/5/01, Shoots Left, 6-3/185
Uncommitted
Farrell has size that intrigues and can close quickly with his reach. His skating and poise with the puck need work, but there’s upside.
7. Jack Barbro
#23 National, CP Dynamo, 5/22/02, Shoots Right, 5-9/150
Uncommitted
Barbro had a few moments here offensively and was a player to watch as he gets older.
Goaltenders:
1. Liam O’Gwen
#31 National, Jersey Hitmen, 1/19/02, Catches Left, 6-0/170
Uncommitted
O’Gwen gave up just one goal in the third period as his teammates scored four times at the other end. He has good size and covers a lot of net from the butterfly position. He moves well and squared up to shooters. He’s probably just on the outside looking in for a NTDP Evaluation Camp invite, but it wouldn’t be undeserved if he was selected for a tryout in Plymouth.
2. John Werber
#1 National, Jersey Hitmen, 4/24/01, Catches Left, 6-0/154
Uncommitted
Werber is the second half of the Jersey Hitmen’s dynamic duo between the pipes. He does a good job squaring up to shooters, cutting down on angles and playing at the top of the crease. He’s athletic and has good fundamentals.
3. Aidan Harper
#1 American, Skipjacks, 3/28/01, Catches Left, 6-1/161
Uncommitted
Harper has good size and moves well in the crease. His post-to-post explosion is strong. There’s been more than a few good viewings of him during the first half of the season.
4. Jacob Zacharewicz
#30 National, PAL Islanders, 2/11/01, Catches Left, 6-0/170
Uncommitted
He has good size and is a good goaltender. He’ll need to shore up his rebound control and become a little quieter in the crease in order to generate more interest from colleges.
5. Kyle Chauvette
#30 American, NH Jr. Monarchs, 10/15/01, Catches Right, 5-9/150
Uncommitted
Chauvette is a small, athletic goaltender who flops around a lot. He made a few acrobatic stops here, but also was caught out of position a few times on goals.
