SALEM, N.H. — The New England Fall Prep Hockey League and Northern Cyclones hosted separate showcases about 20 minutes apart in southern New Hampshire over the weekend. The NEFPHL Showcase was held at the ICenter in Salem, N.H., and the Cyclones Arena in Hudson, N.H. played host to the Northern Cyclones Showcase.
There were several very good prospects who stood out in the 16-U division at each of the showcases. There were some extremely lopsided games in each showcase at this age division, so the top prospects who I have chosen to feature come mostly from the top three teams I saw over the weekend.
The River Rats, Islanders Hockey Club and Junior Bruins won games by margins of nine goals, eight goals and five goals, respectively. The River Rats and Junior Bruins each went 2-0 while the Islanders went 1-0-1.
While I had seen the River Rats in the first two events of the fall, this weekend was my first look at the Junior Bruins and Islanders Hockey Club, both full-season teams and members of the USPHL. I was particularly impressed and intrigued by the Junior Bruins. Topher Bevis’ team has a very good first line, all ’04s who were USHL draft picks back in May. Additionally, the team has a few elite ’05s and ’06s on the roster. The Islanders, coached by Tim Kyrkostas, who also is the bench boss of the organization’s NCDC team, have a solid group.
Below is a look at the prospects who stood out at the 16-U division of the NEFPHL Showcase and Northern Cyclones Showcase. Prospects are broken down by position, in alphabetical order.
Forwards
Shane Baker
Junior Bruins, 4/21/04, RW, right shot, 6-0/175
Baker had a really good weekend while playing right wing on the team’s top line. He skates well and has some skill. The Grafton, Mass., native is in his second season playing for Topher Bevis’ 16-U team and will play some games with the organization’s NCDC team.
Cam Cooke
Junior Bruins, 2/2/06, C, right shot, 6-1/165
Cooke might have the best pro potential of any player I saw in the 16-U division all weekend. I’ve seen him quite a bit against his own age, but he proved he belongs while playing up here. He’s a big power forward who can protect pucks, finish and drive possession. The Pelham, N.H., native wasn’t quite as dominant against older players, but he’s shown me enough with the Minuteman Flames 14-U and in various showcases to sell me on him as a big-time prospect.
Chris Delaney
Junior Bruins, 9/25/04, LW, left shot, 5-7/130
Delaney is a small, skilled forward who continues to become more dynamic. I’ve been impressed with his ability to be heavier on pucks and improve his straight-line speed. His agility and side-to-side speed in small areas always has been impressive. He sees the ice well and makes plays. The Hopkinton, Mass., native also will be playing up some with the NCDC team.
Tyler Fogu
River Rats, 2/23/04, LW, right shot, 6-2/175
Fogu had a monster five-point weekend to pace the River Rats. From Bayonne, N.J., Fogu has size, skating and hockey sense. He’s come a long way over the past 12 months. He’s now a player who can be on the ice in all situations. He plays an honest game and has more skill than I previously thought. The Trinity-Pawling junior is receiving interest from multiple Ivy League schools.
Jackson Graber
River Rats, 10/20/04, RW, right shot, 5-10/160
Graber played the opposite wing with his future Trinity-Pawling teammate in Fogu. The Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., native had a goal and three assists. He has a lot of skill and offensive instincts. If he can get heavier on pucks and be better away from the puck, his game will continue to soar at the prep level. Based on skill alone, he’s already a Hockey East-caliber player.
Jackson Kyrkostas
Islanders HC, 8/19/04, C, right shot, 5-9/140
Kyrkostas centers the top line for his team. He’s skilled, skates well and is becoming a more well-rounded player by each viewing. He stood out in games against Boston Hockey Academy and New Hampshire Avalanche.
Teddy MacAusland
Junior Bruins, 1/13/06, RW, right shot, 5-6/140
MacAusland didn’t find the scoresheet in my viewing over the weekend, but he’s a crafty, skilled forward who is playing up as an alternate. From Westwood, Mass., his full-time team is the Minuteman Flames 14-U.
Henry Wilson
Junior Bruins, 5/13/04, C, left shot, 6-1/165
Wilson has a lot of potential with his physical ability. He checks boxes for size, skating and strength. He can play a physical brand of hockey and he has a hard shot when he gets it off. He’s centering the team’s top line with Delaney on the left and Baker on the right. If he can show signs of improving his hockey sense this season, I’d expect him to earn a college commit. The Winchester, Mass., native played has previously with Winchester High School, Boston Advantage and Islanders Hockey Club.
Defensemen
Will Brophy
River Rats, 10/26/04, D, right shot, 6-4/182
Brophy is a little bit of a project, but there are some tools. He’s big, skates fairly well for his size, and is getting better in terms of breakout passes. If he can learn to play a more physical style, I think he could be a solid five-six defenseman for a college team down the road. The Worcester, Mass., native is going to be a sophomore at St. John’s Shrewsbury.
Ollie Chessler
River Rats, 7/9/04, D, left shot, 5-11/165
Chessler, from Weston, Mass., is the most fine-tuned prospect I saw this weekend. His footwork and mobility are both very good. He can move pucks north, quarterback the power play, and make plays with his feet on zone exits and entries.
Brayden Grange
Boston Hockey Academy, 8/17/04, D, left shot, 6-0/165
I don’t think Grange played his best hockey on Saturday night, but he has above-average size, mobility and skill. The Marquette, Mich., native is confident with the puck on his stick and will get better as he learns to read plays with more precision.
Miles Meltzer
Islanders HC, 6/16/04, D, left shot, 5-9/145
Meltzer is a mobile defender with some skill. The Frisco, Texas, native comes to the Islanders Hockey Club by way of the Dallas Stars Elite.
Luke Santilli
Islanders HC, 12/5/04, D, right shot, 6-2/165
Santilli is a big blueliner with some tools. His first couple of steps look to be even better. The Reading, Mass., native is still a little raw, but I think there’s a lot of potential. It’s important to remember he’s almost an ’05.
Trey Scott
Junior Bruins, 5/4/04, D, right shot, 5-9/160
Scott impressed me in Sunday morning’s game with how well he moved pucks north. He sees the ice well, has good mobility and picks his spots wisely. From Fitchburg, Mass., he’s in his second season with the Junior Bruins.
Goaltenders
Tyler Bloomfield
Junior Bruins, 3/21/05, G, catches left, 5-11/170
Bloomfield picked up the win in Sunday’s game against the East Coast Militia. From Hudson, Mass., Bloomfield played for the Junior Eagles last season. He has good size and moves well.
