With the 2021-22 hockey season now a month old, New England Hockey Journal has capitalized on opportunities to see teams at myriad levels.
The Bantam Major (14-U)/2007 birth year is showing promise in the early going of the season, and we have had a chance to observe several clubs ranked inside the MyHockeyRankings top-10.
Whether closer to home or on the road, these teams have risen to the occasion in our viewings and these particular forwards have gotten high marks for their contributions.
The following players have shown exceptional talent and promise, with the potential to play at the highest levels if their development continues. Unless otherwise noted, they play at the 14-U level.
1. Teddy Mutryn (Norwell, Mass.)
Boston Jr. Eagles 16 - Moran, 2/16/07, right shot, 6-0/180
Playing up two years with some of the best Massachusetts ‘06s at forward, this total package of size, skating, skills and brains is on the fast track for the U.S. National Team Development Program in the spring of 2023. He’s got a world of talent, but is also able to skate and hit with older players. He’s one of the best prospects in the region for any age group and will be a highly-coveted college recruit when the top schools are able to talk to him.
2. John Mooney
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, 3/8/07, right shot, 5-5/145
Explosive, dynamic scoring forward can do it all at this level. He has top-shelf speed and skill, but also sees/thinks it at an elite level. The West Mifflin, Pa. native is always where the puck is going and makes everyone around him better. A pure playmaker who is uptempo, goes to the net and a threat to score every time he’s out there. He’s not going to be bigger guy, but checks all the boxes and competes. Another forward already tracking well for the Program and top NCAA schools.
3. Cooper Dennis
Bishop Kearney Selects, 5/7/07, right shot, 5-5/135
One of those natural scorers who is always around the puck and finding ways to create scoring chances. Jumps out at you with his speed burst to pull away from defenders or beat opponents to loose pucks. He’s constantly going and moving his feet- difficult to get a bead on. Can really fire it. Not just a finisher, though- unselfish with the puck and will dish to open mates in the right areas with ease. He’s got the talent and style to translate well at the higher levels if he keeps developing at current pace.
4. Nic Whitehead
Mount Saint Charles, 2/11/07, left shot, 5-9/140
Scoring machine and prime play-driver for his team. Native Floridian has advanced skills that belie his young age, as he can beat goalies from just about anywhere on the ice. Excellent one-timer- able to carve through defensive schemes and find open ice where he can bury the puck, especially on the power play. He’s another one who seems to be on another level and will likely advance to Team USA and have an early NCAA commitment.
5. Jack Murtagh
Bishop Kearney Selects, 1/1/07, left shot, 5-8/134
Along with Cooper Dennis, gives the BK Selects 14s a potent 1-2 scoring punch up front. He can really wheel and loves to attack up the ice, using his speed to gain the edge off the outside and take pucks to the net. He has a powerful shot that he uses to score goals off the rush. With his speed and bigger-than-listed-size style of game, he’s difficult to contain. When he puts it all together, there aren’t many better.
6. Liam Kilfoil
Mount Saint Charles, 3/21/07, left shot, 5-9/152
New Brunswick import is a player. He’s got size, talent and is a smart, playmaking center who is unselfish with the puck and loves to dish it off. In one game against the South Shore Kings, he had the puck along the left half wall and made a quick cut back, putting a perfect seam pass across the zone to Whitehead who buried it on a one-timer. Kilfoil plays with pace and creates. High upside here.
https://twitter.com/kluedeke29/status/1439607589269131266?s=20
7. Conrad Fondrk
Mount Saint Charles, 6/1/07, left shot, 5-9/150
St. Paul, Minn., native has been noticeable and dangerous on a talented R.I. Saints team in the early going. Uses his size effectively to drive through contact and get to the net. Is skilled and smart- will make the preemptive hit to create space for himself and doesn’t need much time or space to get his shot off. Has some wiggle and elusiveness to get away from defenders and open up shooting or passing lanes. A lot to work with here.
8. Brian Woods
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, 8/8/07, left shot, 5-9/144
Noticeable for his speed and willingness to go to the net and generate offense when he’s on the ice. He’s energetic and hustles to his own zone on the backcheck. Liked his solid habits and details for one so young and with his advanced offensive abilities- players like that typically just look to score. He stood out for an outstanding Pens Elite 14 squad in a decisive win over Mt. St. Charles in Pittsburgh.
9. Egan Beveridge (Concord, Mass.)
Mount Saint Charles, 1/11/07, right shot, 5-8/155
First saw him at the Eastern Exposure All-Star Weekend in July and his tenacity and competitive drive stands out right away. He plays with effort and energy, but also has a nose for the net and has been able to score goals consistently because he moves his feet and doesn’t wait for plays to come to him. Very good catch-and-shoot skills- doesn’t hold pucks for long when he gets a pass. Power play weapon. Heading in the right direction.
10. Bradley Backen
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, 4/18/07, left shot, 5-5/125
Another smaller, but dynamic forward for a stacked Pens Elite team. Can fly and handles the puck well at speed, getting to the net and making smart, creative plays. Not afraid to shoot the puck and plays with some abrasiveness despite not being the biggest player out there. That kind of fearlessness coupled with his skills and natural instincts will take him far.
11. Jake Tavares (Belmont, Mass.)
Boston Jr. Eagles, 1/27/07, right shot, 5-10/145
He’s one forward among many talented players on that Jr. Eagles squad, but he’s tracking to be a bigger body who can skate and score at this and subsequent levels. When he moves his feet and powers through traffic, not many can stop him from getting to the net. Intriguing long-term potential if he stays the course.
Honorable mention
Michael Munroe, Boston Jr. Eagles 7/6/07, 5-6/130 Â (Hanover, Mass.)
Dylan Krayer, Mt. St. Charles 3/12/07, 5-5/120 (Concord, Mass.)
Liam Gore, Boston Jr. Eagles 6/22/07, 5-9/148 (Arlington, Mass.)
Tommy Anderson, NV River Rats 2/2/07, 5-6, 145 (Braintree, Mass.)
Matthew Dabrowski, Mid Fairfield 2/18/07, 5-5/130 (Stratford, Conn.)
Cam Caron, South Shore Kings  6/21/07, 6-1/160 (Dracut, Mass.)
Colvin Callahan, NV River Rats 2/9/07, 5-9/135 (Lexington, Mass.)
Billy MacAusland, Boston Jr. Eagles 8/4/07, 5-5/130 (Westwood, Mass.)
Connor Mudd, South Shore Kings 1/1/07, 5-7/135 (Shrewsbury, Mass.)
Jack Kilcoyne, NV River Rats 6/26/07, 5-6/135 (Belmont, Mass.)
Ryan Magaletta, South Shore Kings 1/1/07, 5-7/130 (Southborough, Mass.)
