Mid Fairfield Showcase: North Jersey Avs, NJ Rockets impress

Last weekend’s Mid Fairfield Showcase was a perfect example of how an event should be hosted.

Only top teams were present and all but one game was held under one roof at the Stamford Twin Rinks in Stamford, Conn. There were rosters provided for scouts and college coaches.

There weren’t a lot of college coaches in attendance due to it being the opening weekend of the college hockey season, but assistant coaches from ECAC Hockey and Hockey East were in the rink. A few NHL scouts, junior scouts, and NHLPA agents also took in the action.

New England Hockey Journal took in the action both days and observed some very good players from Mid Fairfield, Boston Jr. Eagles, Cape Cod Whalers, New Jersey Rockets, North Jersey Avalanche, and Yale Junior Bulldogs.

The most attention was spent watching 16-U games as that’s where the most high-end talent was. Still, there was a concerted effort to see at least a few minutes of each team’s games. Here are the prospects who stood out, broken down by division:

Mid Fairfield Showcase: 16-U forwards

Gleb Veremyev

#28 New Jersey Rockets, 6/28/03, C/LW, left shot, 6-3/192

Veremyev showed once again why he’s one of the top uncommitted ‘03s in the U.S. He’s a big power forward who protects pucks and drives the net. He scored a couple of goals in Sunday’s tilt against the Jr. Eagles after being just average for his own standards in Saturday’s game. One of his goals Sunday was big time. He ripped a wrist shot, beating the goalie high glove after protecting the puck to get to a scoring area. He also made a great pass on a two-on-one. Big time potential.

Paul Davey

#11 Mid Fairfield, 1/11/01, LW, left shot, 6-1/175
NCAA Commit: Boston College

This was a really good weekend for Davey who used his size and skill to produce. He made a power move and scored on a nice finish. While he can always be a little more engaged away from the puck, he has the physical tools to be able to change the tone of a game with a shift or two in the offensive zone.

Sam Lipkin

#3 North Jersey Avalanche, 1/3/03, C, left shot, 6-1/180
NCAA Commit: Quinnipiac

Lipkin continues to have a really good fall while playing with Jack Musa. Lipkin does a good job of winning puck battles and using his size and strength to gain position for good offensive looks. While his feet could get a little better, there’s a lot to like.

Tim Delay

#19 Boston Jr. Eagles, 6/16/03, C/RW, right shot, 6-0/162
NCAA Commit: Boston College

Delay is an elite skater who can blow by opposing defensemen and make a lot of plays when he has time and space. Over the first two games, he was good while using his speed and getting a couple of chances. In Sunday afternoon’s game against the Rockets, it was one of the best games I’ve ever seen him play. He busted by a defender and sniped one home. He also made a couple of really nice passes to set up teammates.

Matt McGroarty

#13 Mid Fairfield, 1/30/03, C, right shot, 5-10/159
NCAA Commit: Quinnipiac

McGroarty made a great feed from below the goal line for an assist. He goes to the net and plays hard while skating very well. He just plays an honest game and is on the right side of the puck as a cerebral, 200-foot center.

Jack Musa

#17 North Jersey Avalanche, 7/22/03, C/LW, 5-8/135

Musa just keeps having a good fall. Ever since July’s national camp, he’s had good viewings. He plays without fear and wins a lot of races to loose pucks due to his quickness. He’ll go to the net and he isn’t afraid to camp out in the slot and gain position for chances at loose pucks and other scoring opportunities.

Cullin Wilson

#12 Boston Jr. Eagles, 3/12/03, C, left shot, 5-11/180

Wilson plays the wall on the power play and made a nice pass for an assist on the man advantage. He slows things down and sees the ice well. He’s heavy on pucks and wins battles along the wall. He’s smart and can be a 200-foot player. His skating is certainly not bad, but if it can continue to get better, he’ll become an even better prospect.

Cam Bergeman

#10 North Jersey Avalanche, 2/11/03, C/LW, left shot, 5-7/137

Bergeman has always been a skilled player, but he’s starting to play between the circles. He’s gained some explosiveness and seems to be putting on muscle. All of a sudden, he’s becoming a more effective player on nearly every shift. He’s a player trending upwards.

Brendan Gorman

#7 Boston Jr. Eagles, 2/17/03, C/RW, right shot, 5-10/140

Gorman has been the last couple of viewings and that continued this weekend. He’s really good down low and makes plays on the cycle. He’s heavy on pucks and has more skill than given credit for. His skating is also solid. It was a very good weekend for Gorman.

Ryan Remick

#9 Yale Jr. Bulldogs, 4/14/03, LW, left shot, 5-10/146
NCAA Commit: Maine

Remick used his skating ability to hunt pucks and make plays. He made a really good look to the backdoor for a goal on a two-on-one rush. His stick and vision were both really good here.

Daniel Sambuco

#20 Yale Jr. Bulldogs, 6/10/03, C, left shot, 5-11/192
NCAA Commit: Providence

Sambuco plays hard and drives the net. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and likes to mix it up physically. His hockey sense needs improvement, but his compete level and ability to be heavy on pucks will fit well in a system like Providence’s.

Zachary Glass

#4 Cape Cod Whalers, 2/14/03, C/RW, right shot, 5-11/165

This might have been the best viewing I’ve had of Glass. He was really good. He created a lot of chances and went to the dirty areas to bang home a rebound. Glass used his speed to chase down loose pucks and made a couple of notable backchecks in Sunday’s game.

Tyler Kopff

#22 North Jersey Avalanche, 4/22/03, C/LW, left shot, 5-11/170

Kopff was good here by using his size, strength and hard shot. He’s heavy on pucks and continues to remind me of a somewhat better-skating Christian Sarlo with perhaps a little less IQ.

Andon Cerbone

#17 Mid Fairfield, 4/13/04, C, left shot, 5-7/137

Cerbone has a lot of skill and made a few really nice plays in Sunday night’s game. His game isn’t well-rounded, but his offensive instincts and puck skills allow him to be effective, especially coming off the wall on the power play when he has more time and space.

Mick Thompson

#14 North Jersey Avalanche, 1/1/04, LW, left shot, 5-3/115

Thompson is small, but he does a good job of maneuvering around defensemen and getting offensive chances for his teammates.

Phil Feinberg

#14 Yale Jr. Bulldogs, 3/31/03, RW, right shot, 5-8/160

Feinberg has moved around a lot, but will be a newcomer at Kent. His speed was an asset this weekend as he was able to get open. He had good chemistry with Remick and capitalized on a couple of chances. One such tally was a snipe right under the bar.

Oliver Flynn

#15 Yale Jr. Bulldogs, 6/13/03, C, left shot, 6-0/165
NCAA Commit: Connecticut

Flynn drove the net and has that explosive stride. He had a nice assist after winning a puck battle below the goal line and getting it out front to a teammate.

Michael Cataldo

#7 Cape Cod Whalers, 5/4/03, RW, right shot, 5-11/165

Cataldo is a big winger who plays hard. He’s heavy on pucks and throws his weight around. Cataldo has a hard shot and could become an even better prospect if his foot speed and puck skills improve some.

Michael Callow

#8 Boston Jr. Eagles, 1/15/04, RW, right shot, 6-1/169

Callow is still a little raw. He has size and can skate, but it doesn’t always come together. He did make a power down the right wing, but couldn’t finish as the puck clanged off the post.

Evan Brown

#67 New Jersey Rockets, 10/14/03, C/RW, right shot, 5-7/140

Brown competes hard and keeps his feet moving. He can play center or wing and should get better as he grows more.

Jackson Coutu

#87 Cape Cod Whalers, 1/9/03, C, right shot, 5-11/175

This was a really good weekend for Coutu, who is a good all around athlete. He seems to always find his way onto the score sheet. He’s quick and gets time and space for his linemates.

James Shannon

#19 Mid Fairfield, 8/12/04, RW, right shot, 5-8/152

Shannon drove the net and plays hard while using his body to throw some hits.

Beanie Richter

#20 Mid Fairfield, 8/20/04, LW, left shot, 5-10/148

Richter scored a goal and is a smart player, knowing where to go to find it. He’s becoming more explosive.

Ziv Deener-Chodirker

#11 Boston Jr. Eagles, 1/4/03, C, right shot, 5-10/160

Deener-Chodirker is a hard-working forward who gets a lot of chances. He also competes hard in his own zone and blocked a couple of shots.

Matthew Brille

#19 New Jersey Rockets, 1/2/03, C/RW, right shot, 5-8/160

Brille scored a goal in Sunday’s game against the Jr. Eagles. He has a good shot and makes an impact on the forecheck by being heavy on pucks.

Greg Spitznagel

#5 New Jersey Rockets, 5/10/03, RW, right shot, 6-2/200

Spitznagel scored a goal Saturday on a snipe from the right wing circle during a power play attempt. I’d like to see him use his size and physical tools to his advantage on a more consistent basis.

Will Lawrence

#6 New Jersey Rockets, 9/22/03, LW, right shot, 5-9/140

Lawrence plays with a lot of energy. His compete level allows him to force turnovers and make an impact on shifts even when he’s not generating offensive chances.

Cole Eichler

#17 Yale Jr. Bulldogs, 3/28/03, RW, right shot, 5-11/195

Eichler is heavy on pucks and has a hard shot. His feet still need to get a little better.

Joseph Luff

#11 Yale Jr. Bulldogs, 1/4/03, RW, right shot, 5-8/140

Luff had a notable game Sunday night against Mid Fairfield. He was around the puck a lot and ripped a shot off the post.

Cole Watson

#10 Yale Jr. Bulldogs, 4/21/03, RW, right shot, 6-0/165

Watson has some potential with his size. He camped out in front of the net and buried a chance.

Gavin Bloder

#13 Yale Jr. Bulldogs, 2/22/03, RW, right shot, 6-0/155

Bloder projects as a solid bottom six winger who can use his size and protect pucks while using his physical presence to impact away from the puck.

Colin Norton

#8 Cape Cod Whalers, 5/23/03, RW, right shot, 5-10/175

Norton competes hard and gets the most out of his abilities.

Mid Fairfield Showcase: 16-U defensemen

Drew Tsakounis

#8 Mid Fairfield, 7/15/03, D, left shot, 5-9/160
NCAA Commit: Penn State

Tsakounis was big time this weekend. His feet allow him to sidestep oncoming forecheckers and he has great touch on his passes. He made numerous good looks on the rush and in attacking zone sequences. His ability to quarterback a power play as well as move pucks out of his own zone are both remarkable traits. While his defensive play is still a work in progress, he has the puck on his stick a lot.

Lane Hutson

#23 North Jersey Avalanche, 2/14/04, D, left shot, 5-7/120
NCAA Commit: Boston University

Hutson is a dynamic, offensive defenseman. His mobility and feet are both elite. He’s smart and can retrieve pucks and get the transition from defense to offense going with ease. He still needs to learn to pick his spots a little more wisely, but there is upside here.

Brendan Fitzgerald

#3 Boston Jr. Eagles, 3/6/03, D, left shot, 5-11/147

Fitzgerald plays hard and has a good stick while defending the rush. He made a good physical play to shut down a rush opportunity against the Jr. Bulldogs. His feet still need some work, especially going back, but he’s a little undervalued in my opinion.

Nicky Wallace

#9 North Jersey Avalanche, 3/7/03, D, left shot, 5-7/158

I’ve said this for a month or two, but Wallace’s skating ability is too good to pass up. He continuously gets pucks out of his own zone and up ice. He still needs to learn to be better on zone entries and be willing to slow it down some to wait for teammates to join him on the rush so pucks don’t end up on the other team’s stick.

Declan Loughnane

#16 Cape Cod Whalers, 11/22/03, D, right shot, 5-11/194

Loughnane seems to always get pucks going north when he’s on the ice. He has good offensive instincts, gets shots to the net from the point, and makes plays on the breakout and zone entry. His skating is getting better, which allows his puck-moving skills to be even better.

Aidan Lyons

#10 Boston Jr. Eagles, 2/26/03, D, left shot, 5-9/163

Lyons made a couple of really good looks while moving the puck up ice and in the attacking zone. His vision to find open teammates is very good. He’s got a lot of creativity, including one purposeful shot to the side of the net for a redirect. This was one of his best weekends of the fall. He limited turnovers and didn’t try to force it too much.

Charlie Leddy

#12 Mid Fairfield, 1/11/04, D, right shot, 6-0/173
NCAA Commit: Boston College

Leddy is a rugged defender who can move pucks up the ice and also play with a little bit of a physical edge in his own zone.

Will Elias

#5 Boston Jr. Eagles, 1/28/03, D, right shot, 5-11/165

Elias is usually very steady and reliable, but he had an uncharacteristic turnover early in a game Saturday that led to a puck in his own net. He skates well and has an above average stick. While not his best weekend, there’s still a lot to like in his game.

Nolan Joyce

#27 Boston Jr. Eagles, 9/25/03, D, right shot, 5-11/153

Joyce has come a long way over the past year. He’s added muscle and has become more of an explosive player. He makes some good plays with the puck and has a good stick, but he still needs to keep things simpler than he does at times. Not a great weekend for a lot of the Jr. Eagles, but his game is trending up in general.

Michael Rubin

#44 New Jersey Rockets, 5/5/03, D, right shot, 5-11/184

Rubin is a rugged defender who is getting better. He needs to be better with consistency, but there’s some potential here. He appears to be getting stronger and playing with more of a physical presence.

Bryceon Lago

#24 North Jersey Avalanche, 5/20/04, D, left shot, 5-6/130

Lago is a small, skilled offensive defenseman who can move pucks up ice. He’s somewhat of a one-dimensional defender as of now, but there’s time.

Charles Andriole

#3 Yale Jr. Bulldogs, 4/19/03, D, left shot, 5-8/153

Andriole has good skating ability and can move pucks.

Callum Chau

#19 Yale Jr. Bulldogs, 4/30/03, D, left shot, 5-8/141

Chau is a little on the smaller side and his skating could get better, but he’s an offensive-minded defenseman with good instincts. He sees the ice and moves pucks north.

Jackson Stuzynski

#13 Cape Cod Whalers, 2/18/03, D, left shot, 5-9/155

Stuzynski was good with the puck on his stick and he makes some good plays to join into the offense.

Jan Olenginski

#7 Yale Jr. Bulldogs, 3/23/03, D, right shot, 5-6/163

Olenginski likes to jump into the rush and has the feet to do so.

Daniel Lurie

#2 Yale Jr. Bulldogs, 6/30/03, D, left shot, 5-11/160

Lurie has good feet and an above average stick. He needs to improve his puck touches some, but he should be another mobile defender on the Westy blue line this winter.

Mid Fairfield Showcase: 16-U goaltenders

Nicholas Von Kaufmann

#31 New Jersey Rockets, 4/30/03, G, catches left, 6-6/219

Von Kaufmann was really good in Sunday’s game, allowing just one goal. He has good size and covers a lot of the net. When he’s on, he can be very good.

Beauton, Kellen

#32 Yale Jr. Bulldogs, 1/29/03, G, catches left, 6-0/150

Beauton, a newcomer to Pomfret, was really good against Cape Cod. He’s a good-sized butterfly goaltender who moves well. He needs to stay a little quieter in the crease, but he’s got a lot of athleticism and should be another good goalie for the Griffins.

Conor Callaghan

#35 Mid Fairfield, 3/2/03, G, catches left, 5-10/178

Callaghan was solid in Sunday night’s game against Yale. He’s a little undersized for today’s standard with goalies, but he competes hard and has good fundamentals.

Brendan Holahan

#1 Mid Fairfield, 6/15/04, G, catches left, 6-1/184

Holahan is a good-sized butterfly goaltender who moves well and has strong technique. He’s one of the better ‘04 goaltenders in the U.S.

Greyson Pane

#1 Yale Jr. Bulldogs, 8/2/03, G, catches left, 6-4/175

Pane has good size and looks the part, but was a little inconsistent this weekend. He’s still a goaltender who should be on the scouting radar.

Mason Joseph

#1 Cape Cod Whalers, 10/3/03, G, catches left, 5-10/145

Joseph was really good in a game against the Rockets. He doesn’t have great size, but he competes hard, uses his athleticism, and has quick reflexes.

Mid Fairfield Showcase: 15s forwards

Nicholas VanTassell

#21 New Jersey Rockets, 4/18/04, RW, right shot, 6-1/154

VanTassell is a power forward who can be explosive at this level. He has a second gear and the length to protect pucks while blowing down the wing past opposing defenders. He made a really good look from the right wing circle to left wing circle on the power play.

Zachary Wagnon

#17 New Jersey Rockets, 3/26/04, C, right shot, 5-10/153

Wagnon scored at least a couple of goals on the weekend. He hangs around the net a lot for rebound goals and also had a nice redirection tally. He played the point on the power play and was responsible in his own zone. He’s quick and fun to watch.

Makai Tarjamo

#87 New Jersey Rockets, 10/22/04, LW, left shot, 5-9/145

Tarjamo is quick and has a high compete level. He skates well and uses his edges while forcing turnovers.

Andrew Garzone

#13 Cape Cod Whalers, 3/30/04, C, right shot, 5-10/155

Garzone was good here, but stood out on Saturday for a really nice pass he made for an assist on his team’s first goal.

Pavit Mehra

#10 Cape Cod Whalers, 7/16/04, C, right shot, 5-9/130

Mehra was around the puck a lot and works hard. He got a really nice chance on the penalty kill after forcing a turnover. The Hopkinton High School forward will be a great pickup for a prep team.

Grayson Badger

#5 Cape Cod Whalers, 5/9/04, RW, right shot, 5-11/163

Badger was his usual self, playing with high energy and throwing his weight around to disrupt the opposition’s flow. He hunts pucks and gets in quickly on the forecheck. The Brookline High School star would be another good add for a prep team.

Mel Mortarelli

#17 Boston Jr. Eagles, 1/7/04, C, right shot, 6-1/175

This is the first full look at the Jr. Eagles 15 team and Mortarelli was the most noticeable player. He has good size, centered the top line, and has some upside.

Mid Fairfield Showcase: 15s defensemen

William Moloney

#4 New Jersey Rockets, 1/11/04, D, left shot, 6-1/154

Moloney is a big defender who can play at both ends. He made a couple of really nice passes on zone entry and to keep puck possession. He’s smart and doesn’t try to do too much. He had a point shot tipped for a goal. His feet are above average, especially for a big guy. He has the length to defend and seems to be able to bring it physically.

Noah Jones

#5 New Jersey Rockets, 2/22/04, D, right shot, 6-1/155

Jones is a raw, big defenseman. He made a couple of big hits, including a bone-crunching one on a left wing coming into his own zone.

Kareem Alazem

#7 New Jersey Rockets, 1/2/04, D, right shot, 6-2/170

Alazem is a tough, physical defenseman. He consistently played with jam and grinded. His puck skills and skating both need some work, but there’s potential.

Chris Romaine

#17 Cape Cod Whalers, 2/21/04, D, right shot, 5-10/150

Romaine uses his feet and puck skills to make plays with the puck on his stick. He can break pucks out of his own zone. His hockey sense and decision-making could use some work as he climbs the development ladder.

Sean Keohane

#15 Cape Cod Whalers, 11/4/04, D, left shot, 5-10/145

Keohane is a smooth, steady defenseman who was solid in both zones.

Mid Fairfield Showcase: 15s goaltenders

Tyler Muszelik

#36 New Jersey Rockets, 7/1/04, G, catches left, 6-1/163

Muszelik was really good a couple of times over the weekend. He has good size and his rebound control was excellent. He’s poised and moves well. There’s some upside here.

Mid Fairfield Showcase: 18-U forwards

Sasha Teleguine

#7 Boston Jr. Eagles, 9/17/02, C, left shot, 5-10/180
NCAA Commit: Northeastern

Teleguine was his usual self with the puck on his stick. He’s an elite skater who can burn opposing defensemen. He found the back of the net by using his speed to create separation before good finishes. He still needs to cut down on turnovers and be more engaged away from the puck in order to truly reach his full potential.

Quinn Hutson

#27 North Jersey Avalanche, 1/1/02, RW, right shot, 5-10/175
NCAA Commit: Boston University

Hutson continues to have a monster fall for the Avs. He’s a skilled winger with speed. He’s able to get to pucks and create time and space. He was really good on a line with center Anthony Calafiore and left wing Chris Carroll.

Jake Quillan

#20 Yale Jr. Bulldogs, 2/2/02, C, left shot, 5-8/155
NCAA Commit: Quinnipiac

Quillan is a really good skater and he’s got a ton of potential as a 200-foot, playmaking center. He plays the game the right way and uses his speed to hunt pucks and create time and space for his linemates. The Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, native has outstanding vision.

Chris Carroll

#28 North Jersey Avalanche, 5/4/01, LW, left shot, 6-0/180
NCAA Commit: Merrimack

Carroll continues to play hard this fall and show why Merrimack offered him a commit. He scored a nice goal coming down the left wing that he buried just inside the far post. He forced turnovers and was heavy on pucks.

Phil Tresca

#4 Boston Jr. Eagles, 4/10/02, C/RW, right shot, 5-10/170
NCAA Commit: Yale

Tresca continues to put on size and be more effective. He’s always had good hands and been a slick offensive player. However, here he showed his progression in playing between the circles and making plays even under pressure. There’s still a ways to go, but if he keeps on this track, he should be a good college player.

Cody Hoban

#11 Yale Jr. Bulldogs, 4/26/01, RW, right shot, 5-9/175
NCAA Commit: Dartmouth

I admittedly wrote Hoban off, but if this weekend is any indication, that was a bad idea. He was really good and made a lot of plays. He’s small, but he’s quick and can dish the puck and facilitate offense in small areas. He can also finish with his above average hands and quick release. Keep an eye on him the rest of the fall and during the prep season.

Briggs Gammill

#21 Mid Fairfield, 5/9/01, C, left shot, 5-10/162
NCAA Commit: Yale

Gammill was the only legitimate offensive threat for Mid Fairfield. The Berkshire senior missed almost the entire 2018-19 season with an injury. He’s a smart, playmaking center who skates well. He gets to pucks and knows where to go with it. He should continue to get better and will likely find a home in the BCHL next winter.

Cole Vallese

#24 Yale Jr. Bulldogs, 2/15/02, LW, left shot, 5-8/135
NCAA Commit: Providence

Vallese is a speedster who scored a nice goal coming down the wing on the rush. With his skating and tenacity when hunting pucks, he can make an impact. His hockey sense is an area of his game that could use improvement.

Stephen Willey

#51 Mid Fairfield, 3/26/01, RW, right shot, 6-1/195

Willey is a big winger who skates well for his size and can be a cerebral bottom six player. He was on the top line with Gammill for a lot of the time here. He should be able to have a big final season at Trinity-Pawling before moving onto the NAHL or BCHL.

Tristan Fasig

#16 Yale Jr. Bulldogs, 10/9/01, C, left shot, 6-0/185

Fasig is one of those players that could find his way onto a Division I program after a couple of years of junior hockey. He’s always been close. He has good size and is on the right side of the puck a lot. He should center Taft’s top line this winter.

Mark D’Agostino

#14 Yale Jr. Bulldogs, 5/6/01, RW, right shot, 6-0/175
NCAA Commit: Connecticut

D’Agostino uses his speed to beat defenders wide and can make some plays on the rush. His speed is an asset, but I’d like to see him be even more engaged and play more between the dots. He could utilize his skating ability further if he did so.

Jason Ahearn

#9 North Jersey Avalanche, 5/23/01, LW, left shot, 5-11/175

Ahearn never really stood out in past viewings, but he was really good here. He seemingly was buzzing all over the ice. He was around the puck a lot and made a couple of notable blocks on shots from the point in his own zone.

John Gelatt

#21 North Jersey Avalanche, 4/29/01, RW, left shot, 5-10/200

Gelatt is good on the forecheck and works hard below the dots. He made a nice feed out to William Kormanik on a score Saturday. He keeps his feet moving and is a fun player to watch. He could be a potential bottom six player in the NAHL or USPHL NCDC next winter.

William Kormanik

#13 North Jersey Avalanche, 3/20/01, LW, left shot, 6-3/200

Kormanik is a big winger who has shown flashes over the years. He scored a nice goal by driving the net and cashing in on a good pass from below the goal line. There’s still some potential here if he continues to develop and plays a couple of years of junior hockey.

David Jacobs

#22 Boston Jr. Eagles, 9/26/01, RW, right shot, 5-9/150

In Saturday afternoon’s game against North Jersey, Jacobs had a goal and an assist. Jacobs put up nearly four times as many points last winter as he did the previous season as a sophomore. The Needham, Mass., native should provide Nobles with some secondary scoring options this winter.

Mid Fairfield Showcase: 18-U defensemen

Bayard Hall

#3 Yale Jr. Bulldogs, 8/16/02, D, right shot, 6-1/176

Hall has taken major steps in his game and recently decommitted from Brown. He’s a good-sized defender who skates well and closes on opposing forwards. He has a good stick and can make simple, yet effective passes up ice and on the power play.

Frank Djurasevic

#7 North Jersey Avalanche, 3/9/02, D, right shot, 6-2/190

Djurasevic is another player who has taken his game to the next level this season. He has good size, skates well, and can play both ways. He made a couple of nice plays to defend on the rush with his strength and physicality. He uses his stick to pokecheck and keep the play to the outside. While he likely projects as a defensive defenseman, he has some offensive instincts and makes some nice stretch passes. He’s a player who shouldn’t be uncommitted for long.

Jason Marsella

#4 North Jersey Avalanche, 11/20/02, D, left shot, 5-11/181
NCAA Commit: Yale

Marsella is an elite offensive defenseman. His skating and vision allow him to break pucks out of his own zone and then make good plays on the zone entry into the attacking end. He makes good passes to facilitate offensive opportunities and did a good job of not forcing plays this weekend.

John Hallard

#3 North Jersey Avalanche, 1/28/01, D, right shot, 5-11/190

Hallard isn’t a big defender, but he’s solid in his own zone. He does a good job taking away time and space from opposing forwards and plays with jam and toughness.

Eamon Doheny

#20 Boston Jr. Eagles, 1/6/01, D, left shot, 6-2/190

Doheny is a player I’ve always liked as he’s grown at Deerfield. However, he’s finally taken the next step in his game. He’s had the defensive ability with his size and reach for a while, but his skating has gotten better. With that has come confidence to jump up into the rush and he has a hard shot.