With the release of the first 2007-born forwards watch list, we turn our attention to the birth year’s key impact performers at the defense and goaltender positions.
Although New England Hockey Journal has not yet seen all of the top Bantam teams in the region and around the USA, the early returns have been quite promising, with quality ability and depth for the ’07 class.
The following players have shown exceptional talent and promise, with the potential to play at the highest levels if their development continues.
As we continue our live viewings this season, we will update these watch lists with these and new players as we see them and report.
1. Charlie Tretheway
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, 8/2/07, right shot, 6-1/170
Total package of size, skills, mobility and smarts. Runs the Penguins defense like a field general, getting to pucks rapidly and directing traffic. Skates with his head up and advances the play with authority. Tremendous poise and confidence for one so young. Future U.S. National Team staple.
2. Matthew Judge
Bishop Kearney Selects, 3/6/07, left shot, 5-10/150
Looks big and strong for his age. Moves well and is a hard-nosed defender who can close quickly and uses his stick to keep opponents to the outside. Moves pucks effectively and has an offensive dimension as a two-way defender who joins the rush and makes plays in all zones.
3. Matthew Grimes
Mount Saint Charles, 5/19/07, left shot, 5-8/135
Smart, effective two-way defender sees and thinks the game at a high level already and has good details in his game. He is a very good skater, strong on his edges and able to make sharp cuts to avoid forecheckers. His decisions are excellent, doesn’t crack under pressure and gets pucks to the right places on the ice. The New York native has a high upside going forward.
4. Rocco Marinucci
Mid Fairfield, 2/18/07, left shot, 6-0/150
Very good size and athlete who pops from his first shift to his last. Fluid skater who transitions in all directions smoothly. Can skate pucks out on his own or advance them with hard, on-target outlets. Holds his gaps and understands angling. Will at times try to line up for the big hit versus using the ice and walls to his advantage, but looks like he has a bright future.
5. Alex Baughman
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, 5/8/07, right shot, 5-11/190
Underrated for his superb defensive acumen and ability to make things look easy. Always seems to be in the right position to interdict puck carriers or angle them away from his net. Advanced skater who moves with his head up and makes hard passes. Reads the play and reacts to bring a less is more effect when he’s on the ice. Steady defense, but also brings enough offensively to be a real asset.
6. Tristan Boudreau
Mount Saint Charles, 2/8/07, left shot, 6-2/180
Ottawa import’s great size, skills plus intelligence make him a dual-threat and point producer for a very good team in the early going. His skating has room to improve in the direction change/transitions, but with his size, reach and instincts, he’s developing into a top prospect for the region.
7. Anthony Bongo (Ridgefield, Conn.)
Mid Fairfield, 5/16/07, right shot, n/a
Noticeable for his mobility, hands and confident all-around game to get up the ice effortlessly and join the play. Strong puck transporter and passer- sees the ice well and is an effective player
Honorable mention
Everett Baldwin, Boston Jr. Eagles (Mass.)
Max Wright, Mount Saint Charles
Tommy Bleyl, Mid Fairfield
Myles Brosnan, Boston Jr. Eagles (Winchester, Mass.)
Evan Handler, NV River Rats (Walpole, Mass.)
Cameron Stern, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite
Louie Marobella, South Shore Kings (Sudbury, Mass.)
Chase Laramee, Mid Fairfield (Manchester, Conn.)
Cameron Reid, Bishop Kearney Selects
Shayne Gould, NV River Rats (Princeton, Mass.)
Goaltenders
1. Anthony Palmer (Winthrop, Mass.)
NV River Rats, 10/28/07, catches left, 5-9/140
Winner. We’ve seen him steal games and with his excellent ability to track pucks, read the play and compete, there is a tremendous amount of potential here for him to become one of the better prep goalies in New England. A late ’07, he has time to grow and develop into the position.
2. Ryan Denes
Mount Saint Charles, 1/8/07, catches left, 6-0/165
Big, refined stopper is tough to beat at this level as he reacts quickly and doesn’t give shooters much net to hit. Like many goalies his age, has room to refine his fundamentals and technique, but a lot of raw material to work with here.
3. Giulio Torriero
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, 2/21/07, catches left, 5-6/120
Small but whirling dervish in the net shut out an excellent MSC 14 team in Pittsburgh. He has excellent focus, reads the play well and has outstanding quickness and reflexes to make athletic saves or let pucks hit him. If he keeps growing, he has some of the most intriguing tools to develop into a top goaltender at the subsequent levels.
4. Dante Sousa (Dudley, Mass.)
South Shore Kings, 8/29/07, catches left, 5-8/160
Impresses with his athleticism and compete- a battler in the net who gives his team a chance with his effort and puck tracking. Intriguing long-term potential.
Honorable mention
Steven Luciano, Mount Saint Charles (New Canaan, Conn.)
