“If you’re good enough, coaches can get you into their school” Misconception: Regardless of a players academic performance, college coaches can get players into schools if they are good…
Articles
Major Bantam; Huron Perth at Eastern Ontario
Major Bantam AAA Alliance East – November 2016 – Blueline tournament Saturday, Nov 12 Huron Perth vs Eastern Ontario Wild Game rating scale used for the Minor Midget players…
OJHL; Georgetown vs. Orangeville
Nov 13, 2016; Georgetown Raiders vs. Orangeville Flyers Georgetown controlled most of the play from the second period onward and went on to a 4-1 win. Both goalies played…
Beantown Fall Classic U16 Top 75
Neutral Zone headed to Marlboro for the Fall Beantown Classic in late October. We had two scouts in attendance and focused on the U16 Division. Once again, there were a lot of teams and some very high end talent. Below are the players that we noticed over the weekend. The fact that a player is mentioned here means that we believe they had a generally positive influence on their teams. Grades are a way to differentiate this group from each other. All the players listed are solid prospects and many are new additions to our profiles.
Logan Pietila (#17, Compuware, ‘00; F)-If you blinked, you missed Logan. One scout used the word “creative” three times in three games. He played fast which was impressive but what made him stand out was his ability to access all his tools at full speed. He was a factor in space, on the wall and in all three zones. He was one of the best players (certainly the most elusive) in the entire tournament. College: Michigan Tech Grade: A-
HPHL October Showcase: Top 40
Neutral Zone sent two scouts to the first HPHL U16 Showcase took place on October 22-23, 2016. The showcase displayed Chicago vs. Detroit in all of their games. The Detroit area took this month winning most of the games. The Chicago Mission appeared to be the team to beat moving forward showing a 2-1 record on the weekend and dominating opponents despite losing a tough one to Compuware in the last game. Compuware made it aware that they are going to be hard to deal with moving forward with a deep group and Honeybaked is a young team that should only get better as the year goes along.
Below are the players that our scouts evaluated. If both scouts had notes one one player, we listed both sets below that player’s name. Grades are in relation to those players listed here. Every player on this list had a good showcase. All of these players will be in our NZ profiles.
Grade: A+
Luke Toporowski (L, 5-10/166, Mission, 01) – He was very dynamic and dangerous throughout the weekend. Showed a mix of skill and compete level consistently. He showed he can change the game with the puck on his stick whether it’s on the rush or down low. He was a 1st round pick and currently signed with Spokane in the WHL, where his father Kerry was a legend back in his playing days. Kerry accrued over 600 penalty minutes in the regular season and playoffs during the 1990-91 season.
– Toporowski’s skating really stood out in these games. He appears taller than he is, and a lot of that lies within his really long, fluid stride. It just appears to make him rangier than he may actually be at 5-9. He generates a lot of power in his stride and it is very smooth and effortless looking. It was utilized well in winning some races to loose pucks and on a few occasions in beating defensemen wide to the net. Toporowski protected the puck well and is really good at using his body to edge off defenders. Very difficult to remove from the puck. We look forward to seeing more from him as the season progresses.
ON Midget AAA; Carleton Place, Cornwall, Gloucester, Cumberland, Smiths Falls, Ottawa.
Carleton Place Midget AAA- November 5th, 2016 Luke Jefferies #80 (R-Winger -5’10 168 lbs- Carleton Place Midget AAA- Dec. 7th, 2000) Average sized winger with average speed. Needs to work…
National Letter of Intent Week: Live Updates
Starting today, November 9th, prospective student athletes are allowed to sign a national letter of intent between themselves and the school they are committed to. This is reffered to in college…
Midget AAA; Carleton Place, Kempville, Brockville, Ottawa
Neutral Zone checked out some midget AAA hockey. Below are players we noted and added to our profiles. Grades are for these games only. All players here made a mostly…
Compuware/Honeybaked Tournament U18, U16, U14: Top 65
Neutral Zone attended the Compuware/Honeybaked tournament in October. Below is a list of players from U14, U16 to U18 that stood out. Keep in mind, these grades are a reflection of how the players performed at this event only and is not a reflection of their overall skill set or upside.
We are still gathering information on the younger players and we will update profiles as we are able.
Austin Neirynck-(R- 5’11/175lbs-04/21/98-Compuware U18)-Very hard worker, likes to go to the net and get dirty to score goals. Has a knack of scoring goals, has a quick release and accurate shot. He has the quickness, smarts and the offensive ability to make things happen in the offensive zone. Very capable playing in the defensive zone and he’s not a liability. Very strong skater and balanced in which he uses his quickness to his advantage. Would like to see him handle the puck and create even more chances. Grade: A
GOJHL; Caledonia at Fort Erie
Caledonia Corvairs vs. Fort Erie Meteors – Oct 31, 2016; Caledonia 11-Fort Erie 1 This wasn’t a competitive game. Below are players that stood out for each team. Grades are…
GOJHL; Kitchener @ Cambridge; Guelph @ Elmira
GOJHL JrB consolidated game reports for October 29 and 30, 2016 Saturday, Oct 29 Kitchener @ Cambridge – Kitchener 7-5 win Sunday, Oct 30 Guelph @ Elmira – Elmira 7-2…
Midget AAA; Cornwall, Brockville, Kanata, Ottawa, CP, Nepean, Cumberland, Smiths Falls
Below are players Neutral Zone noted in Midget AAA action October 24 and October 29, 2016 Cornwall Midget AAA –October 24th, 2016 Campbell Craig #4 (R-Defence-5’8 158 lbs- Cornwall Midget…
Mercer Invitational U15
10/29-30, 2016 Mercer Invitational Neutral Zone checked out the Mercer Invite on October 29-30. Players noted below are here for their overall positive play and grades are in relation to…
ON Midget AAA; Cambridge @ Huron; Lambton @ Cambridge
Minor Midget AAA Alliance East – weekend games for the weekend of Oct 28-30 Games reported on -(Friday, Oct 28 Cambridge Hawks @ Huron Perth Lakers, Sunday, Oct 30 Lambton…
Wendy Dufton Top 70
The London Knights hosted the Wendy Dufton Memorial Tournament from October 7th through the 9th 2016 in London, Ontario. Neutral Zone sent two scouts to the event. Below are 70…
OJHL; Aurora at Lindsay
OJHL game Aurora Tigers at Lindsay Muskies; October 28, 2016 Focus on Lindsay. Players below stood out and rates are in relation to others on the list. #7 Owen Barnett…
GOJHL Scouting Report: Lasalle Vipers vs Lambton Shores Predators
Lasalle Vipers vs Lambton Shores Predators
October 26th, 2016 @ Lasalle Vollmer Center
Lasalle won the game 10-4 outshooting Lambton 49-29.
Grades reflect only performance in this game.
FORWARDS
B+
Liam MacDougall #9 Lasalle Vipers (L, 5-10/175, late 1997)
MacDougall has a powerful skating stride and moves the puck well playing center and uses his wingers effectively. He is methodical with the puck on his stick and looks to make a play rather than give up possession of the puck. He knows how to create separation as the high guy on a 3-on-2 and supports his D down low in the defensive zone. He needs more structure when penalty killing especially in the neutral zone where he goes at the puck even if a teammate is already there.
OJHL; Pickering at Newmarket
OJHL game Pickering Panthers at Newmarket Hurricanes; October 27, 2016 #2 Cole Howran (L, 6-0/150, Newmarket Hurricanes, ’99) Forward. An AP who is agile, speedy forechecker but didn’t play regular…
T1EHL U16 Ontario Showcase: Top 40
The focus at the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League event in Windsor, ONT was on the U16 level. The league is very deep once again with future Division I players from all around the Country. There were some good hockey players that didn’t make the top 40 this weekend, but look for some of them to appear on next month’s list as the league will take action in New Jersey.
On display this month in Windsor were teams that ranged from LA to New Jersey and Milwaukee to Dallas. The top teams at this level included: North Jersey (#2), Dallas (#7), Colorado T-Birds (#8), Buffalo (#13), Belle Tire (#14), Milwaukee (#16) and Anaheim (#18).
Chase Yoder (F) (L, 5-9/156, Dallas, 02) – A bantam aged player who is playing against players one and two years older than him. He showed very good puck skills and the ability to make plays all over the ice. Shifty and strong on his edges, he had the ability to create in tight areas. Showed good hockey sense and an understanding for time and space. A fun player to watch and to track in the future as he becomes older and stronger. He should be receiving a good amount of Division I attention at the moment. Grade: A
NE Prep School Preview: Founders League
The Founders is once again a top-heavy Division, but some new challengers will be making strides this season. Last year saw four teams make the playoffs, but this year a lot will hinge on a youth movement. Big senior classes have graduated and some committed players have moved to the USHL, but the path to success may be paved by which incoming class can make the quickest impact. We expect Avon Old Farms, Loomis Chaffee and Salisbury to be the odds on favorites to secure playoff berths. Here are our capsules for all 10 teams in the upcoming season, ranked in order of predicted finish.
Avon Old Farms Last season was a successful one record-wise (21-2-4) for the Winged Beavers, but ended in a tough semifinal loss to eventual Elite 8 Champion Gunnery. Many of last year’s big names have moved on: F Patrick Harper (BU freshman), D Adam Karashik (UCONN commit), F Jamie Armstrong (Northeastern) and D Ben Mirageas (Providence). To be successful, Avon will need to see players like F Tyler Madden (Northeastern) and F Matt Allen (Providence) step up as offensive kingpins. They will also have many, many young weapons to mentor including: 99 F Nick Wildgoose (St. Lawrence), 99 D Ben Pirko (Union), 00 F Drew Elser (UCONN), 00 D Mac Wiseman (UCONN) plus 4.25 star BU recruit 01 F Trevor Zegras. They also welcome smooth skating defenseman Jack Babbage from the Don Mills Flyers in the GTMMHL who had a strong summer at the National Development Camp in Buffalo, NY. Oh and let’s not forget one of the best goalie prospects in the country: 4.5 star 01 Spencer Knight (BC). While this next kid might not get the press of some other blue chips listed above him, don’t count out Will Christensen, a speed/energy forward who may not dazzle on the stat sheet but he’s a high motor, no-quit type that skilled teams need. The future is very bright for Avon Old Farms and Coach John Gardner but the present isn’t to be taken lightly.
NZ’s Take: No team in prep school lost the talent Avon did this past year and that might be an understatement. Patrick Harper has been one of prep’s finest players over the past two years and Armstrong and Karashik gave the typically skilled team a physical presence. Mirageas was arguably the best pro prospect in the league and was key to their blue line in every situation. With that being said, they have a highly talented group coming in including six division one commits; led by BC recruit Spencer Knight and BU recruit Trevor Zegras. Both are ‘01s and could take some time to adjust, but they are likely the no.1 and no.2 prospects in all of prep school. Returners Matt Allen and Tyler Madden are coming off strong years and look to take their games to the next level. With a healthy mix or returning and incoming talent, Avon could be the team to beat, not only in the founders league, but in all of New England prep. Time will tell but talent is certainly on Avon’s side. Avon should return to the Elite 8 again this season despite taking on the heavy loses to departures, but with the talent more spread out it could actually benefit the Winged Beavers instead of being a one-line dominated team.
NE Prep School Preview: Eberhart Division
The Eberhart looks to be a Division divided as we move into 2016-17. Last year it produced four playoff teams and this year should be no different. We expect Rivers, St. Mark’s, Roxbury Latin and Brooks to be the odds on favorites to secure playoff berths. Here are our capsules for all 8 teams in the upcoming season, ranked in order of predicted finish.
Rivers The Red Wings come off a strong season with 22 wins and a berth in the Small School Championship, succumbing to eventual champion St. Mark’s. Coach Shawn McEachern has regularly found success by recruiting athletes at every position and filling in holes from departed seniors. This past year’s graduating seniors include D Frank Boie (Holy Cross commit), F Christian Capello (Bowdoin) and D Mike Gurska. Key returnees prepared to take the mantle include F Ted Wooding (34 points), F Brendan Hamblet (27 points) and D Michael Young (22 points, UCONN commit). On the way to the championship game last season a key contributor was 00 D Tony Andreozzi, who parlayed his strong season into a commitment to Brown. Andreozzi is a long, two-way, skilled defenseman who will be a key player for them at both ends of the ice. With G Aidan Porter back between the pipes, sporting a sub-2.00 GAA, expect another solid run for Rivers.
NZ’s Take: Rivers did lose some talent but they have a talented core returning at every position, most importantly Porter in net. Porter will be the best goalie in the division and he’ll help during the early part of the season where Rivers is plugging in new faces to play more important roles after the departure of several key seniors. It should be a dog fight between St. Mark’s and Rivers but we give River’s the edge because they’ll be older and more experienced.