| Chris Romaine | Milton Academy | NE Prep | R | D | 6’0″ | 190 | Braintree, MA | 2004 | 2021-2022: C |
Flood Marr Tournament, December 31, 2021: Our scouts covered 6 prep tournaments this weekend and Romaine was arguably the best of the best; a smooth skating, polished, multi-dimensional defenseman who makes everything look easy. He isn’t a dynamic offensive defenseman yet he finished the 4 games with a goal and 5 assists to lead his team. He has a long, effortless, fluid stride, he can accelerate in every direction which allows him to play tight gaps. His transitions are excellent, he can pivot on a dime, he maintains the right gap, he keeps his stick in lanes and while he isn’t an overly physical player he has a smothering defensive style. Forwards who go against him have a tough time penetrating to the net as he angles them outside and is nearly impossible to beat wide with speed. Romaine is mature and understated on his breakout play because he isn’t taking the puck end to end every time but he’s the first guy back to the puck, he can pick pucks effortlessly off the wall and make quick moves to shake off forecheckers and move it instantly up to his forwards. He had some clever reverses and D to D plays as well that tricked the forecheckers and led to easy breakouts. On the power play Romaine looks to have improved his puck play walking the line with his head up, being more patient and waiting for the lanes to open and getting his shots off quick when he has a line to the net. He rarely ever gets a pass picked off or a shot block because of his poise, his vision and overall hockey sense. He manages the puck with maturity and efficiency, he doesn’t panic when pressured and draws opponents out of position by waiting and baiting and then moves the puck behind them. Smart, smooth, has a quick processor, can move the puck as soon as he gets it by reading the play and knowing where he wants to go with it before he gets it and plays a patient, detailed game. The Milton defenseman may not be the most dynamic, may not be the biggest or the strongest but his game translates well at the next level because of his skating ability, his poise, his hockey sense and overall athleticism. NHL teams would do well by taking a serious look at this sleeper. Grade: A+
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments, August 2021: I know you’re not going to see his name on any other lists (YET), but Chris Romaine is on our 2022 NHL Draft watch list. I know he doesn’t have a commitment, but as his career and path continues to develop I believe he is a kid who will thrive playing with and against the highest and best competition. I’ve talked about his hockey sense and skill level for years so I’m not going to talk about it again right now, but I’m really looking forward to how he starts the split-season. I really want to see him take charge. Not go coast to coast every time he touches the puck. I want to see him be the best version of himself every game. Hard accurate passes, jumping into the play as a late option and demanding the puck in return because he knows he can be a difference maker. Using his powerful frame to defend and end the cycle early or clear shooting lanes for his goalie. Chris is playing on a Whalers’ team that will be watched closely all Fall by NHL scouts and I believe that his name will consistently be at the top of their grading charts when the split-season comes to an end.
PHL: Team ACT vs Team SullyMac, June 25, 2021: Romaine earned 17:01 in total ice time including 2:44 on the power play. In the 5-2 win he was +1 with 3 shots on net. His 1 Grade A scoring opportunity came on the power play where he was running the umbrella and walked down the Royal Road releasing a hard snap shot that forced a save and rebound opportunity. Defensively his gaps were tight, he communicated with his teammates and he forced poor decisions at the lines, including forcing icings. Offensively we liked his game. He moved his feet to create passing lanes, not just to carry the puck out of the zone. His passes were deceptive and on the tape. Romaine is willing to take a hit to make a play. We feel he is a high end puck moving defensemen who should be getting Hockey East and ECAC phone calls on August 1st.
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments, June 2021: So I just don’t get it. Chris Romaine does not get the love he deserves. He should be in USA Hockey’s wheel house, but he doesn’t even get asked to Natty Camp?!? I honestly don’t understand it. It doesn’t make sense. He’s a high IQ right shot defenseman who is strong as a bull, smooth as hell and he does not take stupid penalties. His passing skills are excellent. He understands puck possession and how to create space. Chris Romaine would be absolutely glorious on the big sheet. That is literally what USA Hockey is all about, but he’s never been asked to National Camp? Not this year for the Select 17s? And how the hell he wasn’t asked two years ago for the 15s is honestly beyond comprehension. Maybe he’s so smooth and poised that he looks like he doesn’t care, but if that’s the case then I’m telling you that USA Hockey is missing out on one of the best 2004 defenders in the country.
2004s: MA Festival, June 9, 2021: Romaine is a smooth skating, puck moving defenseman. He is a balanced skater and has good edges. Romaine moves the puck quickly and will jump up into the play when he has the chance. He takes open ice and can wheel with the puck. He did a nice job getting pucks north and out of danger in his own end. He defended 1-on-1s well and attacked the triangle and kept guys in front of him. He has a hard shot from the point and has a quick release. He did a nice job getting it through and was accurate with it. Grade: B
PHL: Team ACT vs Team CCM, May 9, 2021: Romaine earned 17:10 in total ice time, including 2:27 on the power play and 1:14 on the penalty kill. He was +2 in the 5-1 win, and had an even strength primary assist. He also had a Grade A scoring opportunity after he used his edge work and powerful cross under stride to evade a neutral zone forechecker, continuing on to beat an opposing defender on a 1v1 and drive the net the hard. He also drew a penalty on the play. He used his power and explosiveness to win wall battles and 50-50 pucks in all three zones. We liked his assertiveness and confidence.
PHL: Team ACT vs Team Hockey IQ, May 2, 2021: Romaine earned 20:09 in total ice time and was a factor on special teams playing 4:08 on the power play and 1:43 while a man down. He finished the game -1 with the lone goal against coming in over time after his forward fell in the offensive zone after a mid-wall scissor play. Offensively Romaine moved the puck quickly in transition. He showed touch on his passes and has the ability to hit the stretch man in stride. We liked his ability to extend plays in the offensive zone by walking the blue line or activating for a high cycle or scissor play. Defensively he maintained net front positioning during loose pucks or rebounds and we liked how he lifted sticks up, rather than come over the top to prevent movement. Romaine is an excellent skater. He has a strong powerful fluid stride and his lateral acceleration is explosive. We feel he is a player who would have had college programs after him if the New England Prep season took place.
PHL: Combine Test Scores, April 22, 2021:
- 30 Meter Backward Average 5.285 (9th)
- 30 Meter Backward Average with Puck 5.451 (3rd)
- Transition Agility with Puck 11.577 (3rd)
- Weave Agility 9.315 (1st)
- Weave Agility with Puck 9.95 (10th)
PHL: Sunday Review, April 13, 2021: We used the roster sheets as note pads and had so many words for Chris that it covered his name. He got pucks on the net and created rebounds. He picked up an assist as he saw the whole ice and his first touches gave him more time to make plays. His stick was active and effective and he stopped the rush and squashed the cycle. We liked how he protected the pucks, extended possession and made stick to stick breakout passes. He does not like to whip the puck up the wall. He used the whole ice to make plays and was able to put backhand passes on the tape. His passing was very good. Solid player with a strong stride and good game sense for the 2004.
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments, January 2021: I’ve been watching Chris play for a long time and I think he’s one of the best defensemen in his age group. Not just in the Northeast, in the 2004 age group. He’s naturally a strong kid with a great easy flowing stride and I believe that sometimes the game looks too easy for him. He can have a forechecker on his back and the dump-in can be stuck to the wall but Chris will feel the pressure, pick the puck cleanly off the boards and wheel the net leaving the opponent looking lost and all the time Chris looks like he’s he playing shinny hockey with his buddies. His passes are hard flat on the tape and, most importantly, easy to handle. If I’m running a Division 1 program I am keeping Chris Romaine’s name at the top of my list. He’s a righty, he’s butter and I believe he’s most likely a 4 year top 4 who helps you compete for a National Championship. And, I’m just telling you that he’s going to play on the other side of college.
U16: Cape Cod Whalers vs Boston Jr. Eagles, December 12, 2020: This fast paced game played right in Romaine’s hands, as his high level edge work and powerful stride allowed him to be a factor at both ends of the rink. In transition he retrieved dump-ins or loose pucks with the purpose of exiting his zone as quickly and cleanly as possible. His passes were on the tape and he followed the play up the ice as a forth attacker on every rush. Romaine was not a spectator. He was involved in all three zones and looking to make a difference. We liked his puck poise along the offensive blue line and his point shots generated rebounds. Division 1 programs will be very interested in Romaine when the recruiting process opens up.
2004s: Mass Festival, May 16, 2019: Romaine was the best defenseman at this evaluation camp and everyone else was playing for second place. He wasn’t the tallest but he does have a strong frame and above all he was really smart with every possession. He has tremendous vision which allows him to break down the zone and carve up opposing defenders as he takes a tour of the zone without interference. He has excellent hips which allow him to change direction quickly and his speed with and without the puck makes it appear as though he is in fluid motion without really moving quickly. He recognizes plays far up the ice: most notably making a tremendous two-line pass which sent away a teammate on a breakaway. Not afraid to mix in physicality as well and uses his strength to his advantage at both ends of the ice. A really solid outing here and he will be on the fast track to National Camp. Grade: A
2004s: Eastern Exposure Cup, November 2018: Chris is very skilled right shot D- he is extremely poised with the puck all over the ice. He does not force plays and everything is tape to tape or up and out of pressure. Mobile D man that can play in all situations. Grade: B+
U14: USHL Fall Classic, October 24, 2018: Christopher is a smooth, crafty puck-moving defender. He is at his best turning defense into offense in transition. He wheels through the neutral zone and takes ice when it is given to him. He has a long stride and uses a strong lower half to get up to speed quickly. He plays the top of the umbrella on the Power Play and facilitates the offense on the back-end. He jumps routes and cuts down space and angles, keeping forwards to the outside of the rink. Strong weekend. Grade: A-
2004 Crimson Combine, August 2018: Really good offensive D man- right shot and makes a good first pass out of the zone. Calm under pressure. High IQ and smooth with the puck on his stick. Does a good job at taking space and not forcing plays. Very impressive. Playing with South Shore Kings this winter.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
Game Stats are from InStat.