Merrimack added its first recruit to the 2019 recruiting class with a verbal commitment from Ethan DeStefani, a power forward from Bedford, New Hampshire. DeStefani has been on the radar…
Scouting Reports
Moncada signs with Guelph Storm
It is somewhat rare to see a third round draft pick sign with an OHL team in June, but for Luke Moncada and the Guelph Storm it was the right fit at the right time. Moncada brings a power game to the Storm, a big, strong two-way forward with a high compete level. We caught up with the 42nd overall pick and asked how he came to sign with Guelph.
Top 5 College Hockey Recruiting Classes for 2016
Neutral Zone has created an algorithm-based ranking system for college hockey recruiting, a description of which can be found under the Team Rankings tab. Every player committed to a D1…
Aidan Dudas signs with Owen Sound
Aidan Dudas, the 10th overall pick in this year’s OHL Draft, signed with the Owen Sound Attack this past week. In many ways Dudas is a beacon of hope…
Against the Grain: Inside Mittelstadt’s decision to return to Eden Prairie
More than at any other point in history, the hockey landscape facing today’s generation of amateur players is defined by an ultra-competitive, accelerated, and stop-at-nothing culture where players and…
Neutral Zone to Launch Women’s Hockey Scouting Website
April 2016 marked the official launch of Neutral Zone (https://neutralzone.com), a first-of-its-kind amateur hockey scouting website. Since the organization was formed over a year ago, Neutral Zone staff have…
Dylan Seitz signs with Kitchener
The Kitchener Rangers come south of the border to sign one of their late round draft picks from the previous year’s draft in Dylan Seitz. The gritty, two-way forward…
Connor Marshall on his commitment to Brown
In the past month Connor Marshall has committed to Brown, been selected 3rd overall in the USHL Draft and represented Selects Academy in the Tier 1 Nationals in…
Wyllum Deveaux: On his road to Harvard
Wyllum Deveaux is not your average Harvard commit, his road to Cambridge was unique. He grew up in Nova Scotia with his family but moved at the age of…
Curtis Hall Commits to Yale
Our scouts at Neutral Zone have watched Curtis Hall since he was a Bantam and every year he gets better and better and better. He announced his commitment to Yale…
AIC Surges in Recruiting Class Rankings under Eric Lang
Eric Lang was hired by his alma mater in April after longtime Head Coach Gary Wright stepped down after 32 seasons behind the bench. It’s a unique situation as Lang…
Matthew Fawcett Commits to Quinnipiac
Matthew Fawcett, a little speedster out of Rhode Island who plays a fast and aggressive game, committed to Quinnipiac this past weekend. We caught up with him shortly after to talk…
Jacques Bouquot Commits to Boston College
Q & A with ’00 Jacques Bouquot, Salisbury School F and Boston College commit Neutral Zone caught up with 2000 forward Jacques Bouquot of Salisbury School (New…
USHL Phase I Draft Grades
The Phase I USHL Draft took place Monday night and provided a setting for the top 160 prospects born in 2000 from around the United States (and beyond) to be selected…
USHL Draft Phase I Top 200
The USHL Draft, similar to the OHL Draft, is what they call an “agents draft.” This means that it is not simply the best players who are selected in the early rounds. These players are chosen for a combination of factors including upside, willingness to attend camp, relationships with advisors and team management,etc.
USHL Combine Top 2000’s
Another season has come and gone, but just like that, preparations are already underway all over the country for next hockey season. The USHL is no exception.
NCAA Early Departure Breakdown
The number of NCAA players in the NHL has grown dramatically over the past 25 years, from a small minority to nearly one-third of the league. There are several factors…
U16 Tier 1 USA Nationals Recap
It felt strange getting out of the hotel room, stepping out to 85-degree weather, and passing palm trees on the way to the rink at the end of March. The tournament ran from March 31 through April 4, a five-day event that featured 32 of the best Tier 1 Midget AAA teams in the US. The event was held in San Jose at the Sharks practice facility, a four sheet complex with a restaurant upstairs that became a hangout for the NCAA/CHL/USHL/NAHL scouts putting in long hours in the rinks. The tournament was hosted by the San Jose Sharks youth program and they did a nice job keeping scouts fed, handing out programs, and printing shirts, hats, sweatshirts, etc.
NTDP U17 Roster Breakdown
After two years of scouting and evaluating the 2000 birth year class, USA Hockey’s National Development Program announced its U17 Team roster. This announcement came just a few short weeks after the NTDP Evaluation Camp which included the top 48 players in the US as determined by USA Hockey scouts and staff. We sat down with the Director of Player Personnel, Ryan Hardy, before the Evaluation Camp to ask about the program and the selection process.
USA Hockey U14 National Tournament
First, I would be remiss if I did not point out what a wonderful host city Anchorage, Alaska made for a tournament of this magnitude. From the facility, The Subway Sport Center, and volunteers, to the many local fans who came out to watch these impressive young hockey players compete. Around every corner was a friendly face looking to strike up a conversation about the sport of hockey and more specifically the national championships taking place in their backyard.
Neutral Zone, LLC launches first-of-its-kind website
Neutral Zone, LLC launches first-of-its-kind amateur hockey scouting website Site covers top NCAA & CHL prospects from throughout North America Neutral Zone, LLC today announced the launch of its new…