For NZ Scouts, Labor Day Weekend is exactly that, labor intensive. With well over 100 teams consisting of four age groups, U18, U16, U15 and U14 there was a…
Prospects
“Not Big Enough”: The Drew DeRidder Story
Don’t tell Drew DeRidder that he’s not big enough to stop the puck. The “undersized” goalie has accomplished more as a sixteen-year-old than most youth players do in their…
Home Grown: The Joey Strada Story
At 5’3” and 130 lbs Joey Strada doesn’t look like a hockey player. He certainly doesn’t look like a division one talent…until the puck drops. The fast, cerebral playmaker…
Beantown Classic Pro Division: Top 100
NZ headed to Marlboro, Massachusetts for the Summer Beantown in mid-August with a focus on the futures and pro divisions. The showcase was very well done. Teams had jerseys with matching socks, numbers and names that were visible and respected coaches on the bench. Each team had 16 skaters and the games were all
Beantown Classic Summer Showcase: Futures Division Top 85
The Beantown Classic is one of the premiere hockey tournaments in New England and provides scouts and coaches the opportunity to see some of the best players in the region play against one another in a single setting. It also jumbles up rosters and ages which is nice to see. Due to conflicts with
From the Backyard: The Brian Halonen Story
Most fans know Minnesota is a special hockey community, and Brian Halonen’s parents demonstrated the unique dedication to the game that defines the region by building a rink in…
Passed Over: The Mitchell Chaffee Story
In a world of instant gratification, Mitchell Chaffee’s story is one that serves as a reminder of the value of patience and persistence. Growing up in Michigan, Mitchell learned…
Making a Name: The John Malone Story
For John Malone, the rising sophomore at Delbarton School, the hockey dream didn’t start as a young boy; in fact, his hockey story began as an eight year old…
Playing with Something to Prove: The Zach Solow Story
As a three-year old growing up in Naples, FL, Zach Solow was first exposed to hockey watching games on TV with his dad. This sparked a desire to play…
Alec Regula: A Diamond in the Rough Story
Alec Regula, an elite prospect who has emerged out of Michigan High School hockey, is one of the hottest names in youth hockey right now. We have been on…
Close to Home: The Jerry Harding Story
Like many hockey families, Jerry Harding’s introduction to the game came from chasing his two older brothers around the backyard in street hockey. Growing up in Canton, MA he…
Across the World: The Carson Dimoff Story
Carson Dimoff, one of the best Western US prospects in the 99’ birth year, has had unique journey to college hockey. “I was born and raised in the…
Born to Win: The Jeremy Davidson Story
Jeremy Davidson was the only player in the country last year to win the National Championship two years in a row for different organizations. He won the U14 National…
Junior Chowder Cup Review
At Neutral Zone we typically avoid the rush of summer hockey showcases. We aren’t against them as it can be fun or a chance for players to get on the ice; but to properly evaluate players during summer hockey showcases is not good practice. However, for the Junior Chowder Cup being less than a
RPI Lands Top 50 Forward
Matt Cameron grew up in Berwyn, PA, however his parents hail from Canada and have a deep appreciation for hockey so at the age of five Matt found himself…
US Select 16 National Development Camp
Every year in Buffalo, NY the top players from around the country meet for the US Development Camps. It is a chance for the players to test themselves against…
Know Your Role: The Chase McLane Story
In today’s hockey climate players are participating on split season teams, summer teams and full season teams; often times for different organizations and different coaching staffs for each. Most scouts…
Owen Lindmark Becomes a Badger
Owen Lindmark didn’t grow up with hockey; it was a passion he discovered at 7 years old watching Chicago Blackhawks games on TV. The next year the family moved…
Midwest is Home: The Patrick Keegan Jr. Story
In the world of college hockey, recruiting has become a national enterprise. While the majority of Minnesota’s and Boston College’s rosters are full of locals, they also have players…
Terriers Land Top Recruit for the Class of 2020
In the scouting world it is rare to go a day without hearing some kind of comparison between this player and that player. Typically, it’s regionalized and, in some…
Mathieu De St Phalle Commits to Wisconsin
Mathieu De St Phalle has covered a lot of miles in his short hockey career, playing on some of the top programs in the country in the process. He…