September 19th – South Shore Kings vs Twin City Thunder
South Shore Kings
Lukas Fursten #30 (G, L, 5’10”, 165, South Shore Kings, 12/07/2005) – Lukas demonstrated patience and maintained strong posture during a clear-cut breakaway from the red line in forcing the shooter to make the first move. He effectively covered the lower part of the net and displayed confidence in puck-handling especially when playing dump-ins and attempting to clear the zone during penalty kills. His quick glove hand was evident when he snagged the puck out of midair from his knees during a goal-mouth scramble. Positionally sound he consistently challenged shooters while staying square to the puck. Throughout the game Lukas showed good rebound control and a competitive spirit. Grade: B-
Gregor Jennersjo #2 (D, L, 5’11”, 181, South Shore Kings, 11/09/2004) – Gregor displayed poise with the puck and an efficient skating stride when facing forechecking pressure and at the offensive blue line while distributing the puck on the power play. He is an intelligent defenseman who springs forwards with long tape-to-tape passes from the defensive zone, showing excellent patience and awareness while waiting for passing lanes to open up. The Swedish native uses strong edges, pivoting well from backwards to forwards when defending below the top of the circles in the defensive zone and moving laterally across the offensive blue line, where he is proficient at getting wrist shots through to the net for deflections and rebounds. Grade: B-
Jake Kavanagh #91 (F, R, 5’9″, 170, South Shore Kings, 05/30/2005) – Jake has quick feet and good edges, as evidenced by his acceleration away from defenders while maintaining the puck through the neutral zone. He can transport the puck and distribute it to wingers while moving at high speed. His offensive instincts were on display as he helped set up the tying goal by buzzing around in the offensive zone and going hard to the net, deflecting a point shot while a teammate scored on the rebound off his deflection. He is a quick, elusive skater who is hard to contain or check. His skating ability allows him to be the first forward on the forecheck, pestering defensemen to move the puck quickly. Grade: B-
Will Rassier #10 (F, R, 6’0″, 174, South Shore Kings, 11/07/2004) – Will has quick hands, which he demonstrated by releasing an accurate wrist shot off a pass from the off side of the ice. His hands and creative offensive instincts were again showcased when he maneuvered around a defenseman with an outside-inside stickhandling move while approaching the offensive zone, generating a scoring chance. The puck seems to follow Will around the ice, similar to many talented offensive players. Grade: B-
Xavier Vaillancourt #15 (F, L, 6’2″, 185, South Shore Kings, 08/16/2004) – Xavier showed good offensive instincts and skill as he went to the net, elevating the puck on his backhand off a rebound to score an important tying goal in the third period. He was noticeable in the offensive zone around the net, using his size to hold off the opposition, gain position, and create offensive chances for himself and his teammates. Grade: B
Jason Zaccari #20 (D, L, 6’0″, 181, South Shore Kings, 06/02/2005) – Jason was a strong physical presence, using his size and strength to deliver body checks in both the neutral and end zones. He displayed solid edge work and a powerful skating stride, which helped him evade forechecking pressure and maintain excellent gap control in the neutral zone. In the defensive zone, he took away time and space from opposing forwards with strong positional play. As a defenseman, Jason utilized stick-on-puck techniques when defending the rush and demonstrated exceptional awareness in all three zones, constantly scanning the ice with his head on a swivel. His first pass out of the defensive zone was consistently strong. Despite being injured from a heavy open-ice hit while reaching for a puck, the California native showed leadership by returning to the game. Offensively, he displayed good instincts by moving pucks to the forwards and getting shots to the net from the point. He smartly broke up a 2-on-1 in the third period of a tie game while on the power play, using a well-timed and properly positioned stick. Jason plays a powerful and effective game on both sides of the puck. Grade: B+
Twin City Thunder
Sean Connolly #5 (D, R, 6’4″, 214, Twin City Thunder, 02/03/2004) – Sean transported the puck from the defensive zone on the power play, making smart distribution decisions and passes. He displayed intelligent stick-on-puck technique and good backward skating ability, maintaining an effective gap while defending against the rush. A physical presence on the backend at 6’4″ and 215 pounds, he delivered a big open-ice body check. He is an excellent passer, consistently making crisp first passes out of the defensive zone and effectively using his partner at the offensive blue line after drawing the opposition to him. He confidently handles and smartly distributes the puck to forwards and/or his defensive partner in the neutral zone. Grade: B-
Gregory Johnson #17 (F, R, 6’2″, 190, Twin City Thunder, 12/05/2005) – Gregory showcased good edge work and outside speed against a defenseman while generating a scoring chance on the backhand. He delivered strong body checks as the first forward on the forecheck. Grade: C+
Gaber Jovanovic Sorn #9 (F, L, 6’0″, 179, Twin City Thunder, 11/09/2006) – Gaber displayed a quick release on his wrist shot and exhibited good offensive instincts while going to the net. He scored the game-winning goal late in the third period, quickly coming from behind the net and releasing a wrist shot while in stride, fooling the goalkeeper. The Slovenia native demonstrated a quick first step and is able to accelerate in tight spaces away from defenders. He won two puck battles down low, fought off a third checker on the half boards, and carried the puck across the offensive zone before executing a no-look cross-ice pass to set up the tying goal, showcasing a nice mixture of skill, strength, and high compete on the play. Grade: B
Jeffrey Kreidler #35 (G, L, 6’0″, 187, Twin City Thunder, 02/29/2004) – Jeff posted a 3.14 GAA and a .923 save percentage during the 2023-24 season, splitting time between the Mercer Chiefs and the Thunder Hockey Club. He was sound positionally and aggressive while challenging shooters. He made a good stick save off an odd-man rush in the third period of a tie game and showed good quickness with his glove during a goal-mouth scramble. Grade: B-
Shawn Laperriere #91 (F, R, 5’10”, 172, Twin City Thunder, 06/27/2005) – Shawn displayed quickness in jumping into the play to create a 2-on-1 and generate a grade-A scoring opportunity. He was able to convert and score by staying around the net and elevating the puck over the goalkeeper after the initial rush was defended. He has good offensive instincts, a quick release on his wrist shot, and is an unselfish player who looks to distribute the puck to his teammates. Grade: B-
Josh Reaska #18 (F, L, 5’10”, 150, Twin City Thunder, 01/25/2006) – Josh is a tough player to play against, showcasing a very high compete level along the boards in his end zone as a winger while dealing with pinching defensemen. He always appears to be physically involved with the opposition and is willing to take a hit to make a play, often giving himself up in the offensive zone to dish the puck to a nearby teammate. He fought off two players along the boards below the offensive goal line with hard work, leverage, and good positioning of his skates until a teammate provided support and picked up the puck. Josh displayed good penalty intelligence and coachability while remaining within the penalty-killing structure, using an active stick and maintaining awareness of high-risk areas in the defensive zone. He scored the all-important first goal for his team and possesses many leadership qualities through his physical, hardworking, and selfless style of play, playing much bigger than his listed size. Grade: B
September 20th – Boston Jr. Rangers vs Railers Jr. Hockey Club
Boston Jr. Rangers
Tyler Dale #28 (F, L, 5’10”, 168, Boston Jr. Rangers, 05/17/2004) – Tyler scored the crucial first goal for his team during a two-on-one rush, coming from his off wing and elevating the puck on his backhand into the top of the net from 15 feet out. He has a strong wrist shot and a shoot-first mentality. Tyler showed courage by going to the net front and battling for loose pucks. He assisted on the second goal with a well-placed pass to a teammate and created another Grade-A scoring chance after retrieving his own rebound and dishing it to a teammate, who was unable to convert. He was very noticeable in the offensive zone, displaying smart tendencies with the puck. Grade: B-
Joshua Furman #88 (D, R, 5’9″, 179, Boston Jr. Rangers, 07/04/2004) – Joshua maintained an excellent gap, standing up opposing forwards with physical play at his defensive blue line. He’s a strong backward skater who did not retreat when defending the rush and was able to close on opponents thanks to his advanced lateral mobility. He also showed poise and patience when moving the puck to teammates and displayed confidence when rushing it up the ice. Grade: B-
Colin Kwak #12 (D, R, 5’7″, 165, Boston Jr. Rangers, 02/24/2004) – Colin demonstrated advanced skill by scoring on a one-time slapshot from the left circle, his off-side, during a third-period power play. He displayed good hockey sense by switching point positions with his defensive partner at the offensive blue line before executing the one-time goal that reduced the deficit to 3-2. He also played with grit, battling in front of the net. Grade: B-
Luca Leinonen #31 (G, L, 6’0″, 170, Boston Jr. Rangers, 10/09/2005) – Luca posted a 1.70 GAA and a .931 save percentage during the 2023-24 season for SaPko U20 in Finland. In his first-ever start in North America, Luca kept his team in the game during the first period with 12 saves, many of them spectacular, including a leg-pad stop on a semi-breakaway just 20 seconds into the game. He made a skilled toe save on a backhand shot after a full extension on an odd-man rush. Luca showed great compete level, keeping the puck out of the net with an acrobatic save during a goal-mouth scramble. He tracked the puck well, fighting off a shoulder-high shot when the opponent used a defenseman as a screen. Grade: B-
Aidan Rufa #15 (D, L, 6’2″, 201, Boston Jr. Rangers, 07/30/2004) – # 15 – Aidan has a strong forward and backward skating stride, as evidenced by his ability to quickly and fluidly close gaps on opponents in various areas of the ice, including the neutral zone when defending the rush and down low in the defensive zone. He moves confidently around the ice and takes good angles when closing on opponents, standing up rushing forwards with strong stick placement and acting as an effective impediment. Aidan is a smart and efficient defenseman with a good stick. Grade: B-
Railers Jr. Hockey Club
Tye Battipaglia # (F, R, 6’4″, 194, Railers Jr. Hockey Club, 11/24/2004) – Tye is an above-average skater for a player of his size (6’4″), as shown by his mobility and an attempted spin-o-rama move while trying to beat a defenseman from the neutral zone. He scored both his team’s first goal and the game-tying goal by jumping into the slot and finishing on the backhand. Tye can accelerate up the ice with speed, creating problems for opposing defensemen on the forecheck and effectively cycling pucks down low. His big frame makes him difficult to contain due to his strength and quickness. He’s slippery in possession, able to slip off and skate through body checks. Tye has a quick first step and the speed to make plays on both sides of the puck. Grade: B
Austin Jerzak #20 (F, R, 5’10”, 170, Railers Jr. Hockey Club, 04/21/2004) – Austin can really pick up speed quickly, thanks to his wide skating stride, which allows him to accelerate rapidly from a standstill. He flew through the neutral zone with the puck, making the opposition appear as though they were standing still. He possesses a strong wrist shot, which he used on multiple occasions. Austin also used his speed effectively as a penalty killer and as the F1 on the forecheck. Grade: C+
Jake Lindstrom # (F, L, 5’10”, 182, Railers Jr. Hockey Club, 08/31/2004) – Displayed a goal-scorer’s touch and skill with soft hands and patience, tucking a backhander under the goalkeeper to make the score 3-2. Grade: C+
September 20th – Utica Jr. Comets vs Northern Cyclones
Northern Cyclones
Logan Abric #33 (G, L, 6’4″, 179, Northern Cyclones, 10/25/2004) – Logan posted a .916 save percentage over 27 games for the Northern Cyclones during the 2023-24 season. In this game, he was outstanding, making crucial saves at key moments to give his team a chance to win. He stopped a breakaway from the red line by forcing the shooter to make the first move, then slid to his right and made a sharp right-pad save deep in the blue paint. With under thirty seconds left in the second period, he made a point-blank save after a goal-mouth pass on a two-on-one, again shifting from right to left in a controlled manner. During a five-on-three disadvantage, Logan made a chest save after moving from right to left, directing the rebound into the corner. He then moved from the left post to the top of the crease to challenge a shooter and made another solid chest save. In a pivotal moment, Logan made four excellent saves while shorthanded, maintaining his team’s control. He also stopped a second breakaway in the third period, outwaiting the shooter and making a left-leg pad save. His movement in the net was composed, controlled, and efficient, with minimal wasted motion. Grade: B
Kyan Helenklaken #3 (D, R, 6’2″, 201, Northern Cyclones, 06/16/2004) – The Netherlands native utilized his size and mobility effectively, highlighted by a big open-ice hit in the neutral zone where he closed on his opponent quickly and with force. He displayed solid composure and smart decision-making with the puck, especially under pressure in both the defensive and neutral zones. A capable puck mover, Kyan consistently played with his head up, distributing the puck to the right teammate at the right moment. Grade: C+
Thierry Lizotte #95 (D, L, 6’0″, 190, Northern Cyclones, 05/12/2004) – Thierry demonstrated advanced puck-handling skills, carrying the puck with poise in all three zones. He’s a strong skater with excellent acceleration, using his advanced edgework to maneuver around and past opponents. He set up the Cyclones’ second goal by skillfully lugging the puck up the ice and delivering a behind-the-back pass to a teammate in the slot, leading to the goal. Lizotte also displayed strong mobility by skating backward across the offensive blue line, finding a shooting lane, and delivering a hard low shot on net. His strength was evident as he fended off a checker with one arm while maintaining control of the puck. Confident and determined, Thierry consistently sought opportunities to make an impact and take control of the play. Grade: B-
Lorenzo Marra #21 (F, R, 5’11”, 160, Northern Cyclones, 01/12/2006) – Lorenzo scored his team’s first goal by going to the net with determination and converting on the power play. He took a hit from behind and scored short-side while getting knocked to the ice. Grade: C+
Isac Martins #12 (F, L, 5’10”, 165, Northern Cyclones, 03/03/2004) – Isac brought high energy and physicality to the game, highlighted by a strong neutral zone hit on a defenseman trying to cross the red line for a dump-in. He showcased impressive speed generated by a quick first step, maintained through excellent edgework and strong skating posture. A quick and dynamic player, Isac was active all night. He stripped a defenseman of the puck and created a prime scoring opportunity by setting up a teammate for a point-blank chance, though it was not converted. Trusted by his coach to protect the lead in the final minute with the opposition’s goalie pulled, Isac sealed the game with an empty-net goal. Grade: B-
Keenan Schneider #91 (F, L, 6’2″, 172, Northern Cyclones, 01/02/2004) – Keenan scored his team’s second goal, displaying strong offensive instincts by following up his own shot, heading to the front of the net, and poking home the rebound during a goal-mouth scramble. He also showed good hands by stickhandling through a defenseman to create a grade-A scoring opportunity. Keenan demonstrated a solid compete level, battling hard down low in both the defensive and offensive zones. Long, lean, and shifty with the puck, he consistently used his agility to make plays. Grade: C+
Will Welburn #9 (D, R, 6’9″, 240, Northern Cyclones, 05/26/2004) – For a young 6’9″ player, Will moves very well both backward and forward in straight-line skating. He showed nice edge work on the power play, utilizing the extra space to maneuver and distribute the puck to teammates. He is a strong player who will go to the wall first to retrieve pucks. Grade: C+
Utica Jr. Comets
Dylan Eliason #39 (G, L, 6’0″, 181, Utica Jr. Comets, 04/09/2004) – Dylan posted a 2.60 GAA and a .922 save percentage while going 8-2 for the Utica Jr. Comets Premier club during the 2023-24 season. He has quick legs, as evidenced by a point-blank right-leg save off a feed to the net front from behind the goal line. He stopped a penalty shot midway through the second period with good patience and positioning, keeping the score at 3-0 and giving his team a chance to come back. He demonstrated very good quickness by making an excellent, timely right-leg save while his team was shorthanded. Grade: C+
Zach Groleau #23 (F, L, 5’7″, 160, Utica Jr. Comets, 04/22/2006) – Zach had 21 goals and 43 points in 37 games with the Connecticut Chiefs during the 2023-24 season in the EHL. He made a gorgeous dish pass through the seam between two defenders’ sticks to set up a power play goal, pulling his team within one goal. He has soft hands and can create offensive opportunities. An above-average skater with good edges, he can dart in and out of traffic. Grade: C+
Declan Stewart #14 (F, R, 6’5″, 185, Utica Jr. Comets, 09/10/2005) – Declan is a big-bodied player who excels in the net front on the power play. He scored a power-play goal with a quick-release wrist shot from the mid-slot area after receiving a pass from the half boards. Turning his body swiftly, he beat the goalie cleanly to the blocker side in the upper part of the net, showcasing excellent release and power behind his shot. He doesn’t shy away from physical play, as demonstrated by his willingness to go to the front of the net and battle in high-traffic areas. His skating ability allows him to apply pressure on opposing defensemen effectively. Grade: C+
Ricky Volpe #2 (D, L, 5’9″, 185, Utica Jr. Comets, 05/10/2004) – Ricky demonstrated excellent timing and willingness with a big stand-up body check in the neutral zone. He was clever and patient with the puck, consistently making firm first passes to forwards or his defensive partner. Ricky showed real confidence at the top of the power play, dancing across the blue line to get shots through or finding the open man with smart movement. He set up a power-play goal with his puck-handling and distribution skills, drawing defenders toward him and dishing the puck to a teammate who assisted on the eventual goal. His smooth, effortless skating stride allows him to find open space, set up teammates, and escape forecheckers. He is a smart, efficient defenseman who moves the puck well and isn’t afraid of physical contact. Grade: B-