Neutral Zone’s Brendan Collins along with three other Neutral Zone scouts have been attending the USA Hockey Select 15 Player Development Camp all week in Amherst, N.Y.
“The ’09 birth year has been pretty strong,” Collins said. “I think there’s some talented goalies. I think the strength of this group is in the backend on defense.”
While there are numerous strong players who had solid performances, here are 17 standouts that caught Brendan’s eye on Days 3 & 4 (quotes included):
Carter Meyer, C, Kelly
“Strong skater. Gets to the right areas. I thought he was quiet early, didn’t give up. Stayed with it and his best games came at the last two. Made some really smart plays.”
Gavin Burcar, C, Forest
“He’s one of the best forwards here. Tall, long, smooth. Can handle pucks and get to the net.”
Frederick Schneider, C, Kelly
“Their leading scorer. Really smart player. He’s smooth, he’s athletic. He’s tough to get a body on. Spins off pressure. I think he’s a playmaker.”
Landon Jackman, C, Purple
“Big power forward. He’s got five goals in three games. He’s a guy who goes hard to the net. He’s got a strong stick. He protects the puck well along the wall.”
Broden McArthur, D, Navy
“He’s a Swiss-army knife, he can do it all. He’s got a heavy shot. He can handle pucks. Broke the puck out well. He can shield it from forecheckers. He’s got some physicality to his game. I really liked him.”
Alexander Milojevic, C, Orange
“He’s long. He’s got a smooth stick. He can handle in traffic areas. He gets low and braces contact well. Powers through checks.”
Isaac Davis, C, Forest
“He’s a very versatile player. He can play with power down low. He can play with finesse in the middle. He’s got a pretty good shot. I just think he’s a player whose game will translate.”
Brayden Willis, RW, Purple
“Really skilled, slows it down. Sees the ice really well – he’s got vision, he’s got poise.”
Brody Berard, D, Purple
“He scored a really nice goalie the last game. More than that, I’ve actually liked how he gaps up. He’s got a stick in lanes, you can tell the kid’s been well coached. He’s an honest hockey player.”
Kaden Aucoin, D, Red
“Big, strong, physical. He plays the game the right way. Very mature player.”
Rian Marquardt, D, Red
“Tall, athletic defenseman. Covers a lot of ice. He’s kind of a hidden gem for me. I think he can be very good down the road.”
Max Dessner, D, Black
“Another mobile defenseman. He can move pucks. He’s great on the power play.”
Oliver Burgess, LW, Navy
“Strong forward. Always in on the play. Never gives up. I like him as both an energy guy who can also make plays.”
Jake Boguniecki, D, Orange
“Big, physical defenseman. Tough. Plays the game the right way. Hard on pucks. Pushing bodies in front of the net. I liked him.”
Cannon Thibodeau, C, Gray
“This kid, he’s balanced, he stays low. He’s able to get to the net. He had some very nice skill plays in tight areas.”
Sam Pandolfo, LW, Columbia
“Kind of a long-rangy kid. He was pretty raw the last time I saw him, which was in the fall. His game’s come a long way. Really like where it’s going. He’s protecting the puck well, he makes smart plays, he gets to the right areas away from the puck. He’s got good hand-eye. He’s getting his stick on tips.”
Cody Costello, D, Columbia
“He’s a long rangy defenseman. Pretty mobile, pretty athletic and played the body.”