True Hockey Prep Cup: Top draft prospects and uncommitted players

Cole Barrett was impactful for Culver on Sunday. (Dave Arnold/NYHJ)

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The 2023 True Hockey Prep Cup brought a number of NHL executives and scouts to the Merrimack College campus over the course of three days last weekend.

Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney and a number of the organization’s other scouts attended the event ahead of its midseason meetings. A handful of NHL teams had their Director of Amateur Scouting and top crossover scouts inside the facility with two ice sheets.

In somewhat of an upset, Culver Academy won the event, thanks to a shootout victory over St. Andrew’s College in the final. Culver, coached by former Vermont assistant Kevin Patrick, received a strong effort and a few unheralded players stepped up during victories over St. Andrew’s College, Frederick Gunn and Kimball Union.

UMass recruit Larry Keenan, the team’s only commit, was the leader of a solid Culver defensive group that also included Isaac Fecteau and former NTDP Evaluation Camp attendee Francois DeVilliers. Up front, Philippe Lalonde, Cole Barrett, and Romulus Riego de Dios were a few of the players that stepped up.

Below is a look at the top three prospects for both 2023 and 2024 NHL drafts, plus uncommitted players who had notable performances at the True Hockey Prep Cup:

2023 NHL draft prospects

Larry Keenan

Culver, 3/15/05, D, left shot, 6-3/185
NCAA: UMass

Keenan was the best draft prospect among defensemen at this event. His skating, hockey sense and physical presence all drew my attention. One of the best plays he made was on the defensive side of the puck. He took a strong angle and rode off an oncoming forward into the boards. As far as junior and college potential, he’s big-time. When nitpicking for NHL draft consideration, his stick is a little lacking. He made a couple of nice passes, including a saucer pass up the middle from the left wing wall on zone exit. I could see Keenan going anywhere between the fourth and sixth rounds.

Jonathan Castagna

St. Andrew’s, 4/20/05, C, left shot, 6-1/183
NCAA: Cornell

Castagna is an elite skater whose stride and edges stand out immediately when watching him. He played in all situations and was impactful in both the offensive and defensive zones. By my count, he scored a power-play goal and an empty-net goal over the course of the weekend. The power play tally was a snipe. His speed is dynamic and he’s able to separate from opposing players. He can cut and juke to protect pucks in traffic. Castagna is a great player at this level, but going forward, he projects as more of a bottom-six center in the NHL. His skating will translate for that. If his offensive hockey sense and stick can get better, his upside will increase. He looks like a fifth or sixth-round pick in 2023.

Francesco Dell’Elce

St. Andrew’s, 6/23/05, D, left shot, 6-0/155
NCAA: UMass

Dell’Elce has the skating and stick to attract attention from NHL scouts. He scored a goal and had at least two assists. He made a couple of slick passes in transition and has the ability to be a breakout guy. What hurts him is his propensity to be high-risk, high-reward, and overcomplicate puck touches. I don’t have him as a draft pick, but he should be an above-average offensive defenseman for the Minutemen after a year or two of junior hockey.

2024 NHL draft prospects

Dean Letourneau

St. Andrew’s, 2/21/06, C, right shot, 6-5/175
NCAA: Northeastern

Letourneau showed more high-end NHL upside than any other player at this tournament. The big righty keeps getting better with each viewing this season. He’s not even close to reaching his ceiling. I bounced around rinks but did watch most of the St. Andrew’s games. By my count, he only had one assist, but he made a number of other nice hockey plays. A pass to the F3 driving into the slot from the right wing wall on zone entry was one that stood out Friday. That was one of a few plays he made on zone entry. He did a nice job protecting pucks and using his height and length. Once he fills into his frame more, he’ll become heavier on pucks and be able to take over games. He looks to be a potential late first-round or second-round pick in 2024.

Jack Pridham

St. Andrew’s, 10/8/05, RW, right shot, 6-0/146
NCAA: Boston University

Pridham is a goal scorer. The late ’05 has an elite shot that is already pro-ready. One goal he scored was from the slot where he just turned around and rifled it past the goaltender. His best game was in the final where he had a goal and an assist. His goal came by cutting into the middle and shooting for a spot without breaking stride. His skating isn’t as elite as his shot, but it’s certainly good enough to merit draft consideration. His skating earned him a couple of breakaways on Friday. He played the bumper on the power play. For Pridham to be moved up 2024 draft boards, he’ll have to prove to scouts that he can play more in the middle of the ice. He was a little light on pucks and perimeter at times this weekend. He’s without a doubt a draft pick in 2024, but if he can become heavier, I could see him being a third- or fourth-round pick.

Connor Arsenault

St. Andrew’s, 3/1/06, C, left shot, 6-1/205
NCAA: Cornell

Arsenault already plays a pro-style game. As I stated after the Prep Hockey Conference event at Mount Saint Charles in November, Arsenault plays a mature game. If you didn’t have a line chart or roster in front of you, it would be hard to believe he’s an ’06. He’s got good size, is heavy on pucks, and plays a complete, 200-foot game as a third-line center. He throws his weight around and wins battles down low and along the wall. Arsenault doesn’t have as high of a ceiling as his two aforementioned teammates eligible in 2024, but he has a shot to play in the NHL some day as a bottom-six forward. His stick is lacking in terms of higher upside. He did score a nice goal off the crossbar and in against Dexter Southfield.

Uncommitted standouts

Anselmo Rego

St. Andrew’s, 6/1/05, RW, right shot, 5-7/170

Rego had a goal in the semifinal and final. The first-line right wing has a good stick and is smart. He hangs around the net and finds soft spots in opposing defenses. The reason he’s not yet committed is his height and average feet. If he can improve his ability to play at pace, he’ll have more college opportunities. As it stands, Atlantic Hockey and even a few ECAC Hockey schools would be wise to start recruiting Rego.

Phillipe Lalonde

Culver, 1/6/05, RW, left shot, 6-2/176

Lalonde was Culver’s leading scorer heading into the tournament. His best game was Friday against Kimball Union. He scored a nice goal, using his speed and skill to blow down the right side and beat the Wildcats’ goaltender. When watching Lalonde, a few things stand out right away. He’s tall, long and skilled with a dynamic stride. A few concerns started to rear their head later in the weekend. He has to consistently engage away from the puck and have a heavier stick. If he can play more in the middle of the ice and find more of a power-forward style, his college interest will soar.

Isaac Fecteau

Culver, 3/30/05, D, left shot, 6-0/187

Fecteau is one of those offensive defensemen who would skate right out of the rink if the Zamboni door was open. It makes him fun to watch, from an entertainment standpoint. It is also the reason he’s not yet committed. That’s not to say he can’t continue refining his game and reeling it in some more. Fecteau scored two goals, including the game-tying tally late in the third period of the final and an insurance marker in the semifinal against Frederick Gunn.

Cole Barrett

Culver, 4/2/05, LW, left shot, 5-9/165

Barrett had a goal and an assist against KUA and then scored the second goal versus St. Andrew’s. He also scored a goal in the shootout to help secure the victory. Barrett is one of those smart players who gets the most out of his ability. That’s not to say his physical tools aren’t good enough for Division 1, but he doesn’t immediately jump out at you when watching him. His stick is above average, but it’s his vision that helped him produce in the tournament. He probably has to improve a step or two skating-wise to get a nod at Division 1.

Romulus Riego de Dios

Culver, 4/13/04, C, left shot, 6-1/175

Riego de Dios made quite a few plays throughout the course of the weekend. He’s slightly above-average height and made good passes in all three zones to promote possession. He’s able to play with some pace and could make a solid addition for teams in the NAHL or BCHL in 2023-24.