2008 New England Pro-Am Jr. Chowder Cup: Part II

In part II of a multi-part series, McKeen's correspondent Vincent Montalbano continues his review of the Jr. Chowder Cup - a showcase of some of the top '92s and '93s from all over North America.

East Coast Express

Markus Poeck (2010), C, Undecided

1992 DOB (Jan) .. size (6-1, 185) .. good hands, especially in tight .. speed with puck, especially coming through the neutral zone .. against Ontario Shamrocks, had a nice assist when he walked around the defenseman and sent a quick pass across the top of the crease to diminutive Cam Brown for the easy tap-in .. protects the puck well and got better as the tournament went on .. poised .. physical at times, but would like to see him do it more consistently .. takes the puck to the net and drives hard .. don't know where he is playing next year, but should be at a high level. Stats: 4-2-3-5

Drew Kariofiles (2010), C, Undecided

1992 DOB (Feb) .. lacks size (5-7, 155) .. despite size, he is a physical and never stops skating – always moving his feet .. has quick hands and is quick with the puck .. always around the puck and making plays .. feisty and all over the defense on the forecheck .. when around the net, he creates havoc in front .. scored against North Jersey when got a nice pass by Jon Mleczko and fired it five-hole .. do not know where he is playing next year, but should be at a high level. Stats: 4-2-0-2

Jon Mleczko (2010), D, Milton Academy

1992 DOB (Apr) .. lacks size (5-9, 172) .. despite being undersized, I really like the decision to drop him back to defense .. in two games watched, he really showed the ability to rush the puck, as he seems to get the puck in the defensive and neutral zone and just takes off .. when he rushes the puck, he has the offensive instincts to make smart plays .. his offensive game does not suffer by playing defense .. has very good speed with and without the puck .. he has poise and is smart with the puck, especially on the PP .. still needs to work on his decision-making as a defenseman and his positioning .. has a strong shot from the point .. should have a breakout season for Milton. Stats: 4-0-4-4

Brian Harris (2010), D, Boston Advantage U18

1992 DOB (Jun) .. lacks size (5-9, 175) .. complete opposite of Mleczko, despite size, he is an aggressive and tough defender .. solid 1-on-1 .. physical in the corners and tough in front of the net .. offensively, he is decent and keeps it simple - gets pucks to the net .. has ability to rush the puck and has speed with the puck when given some room to get going .. solid on the PK .. scored against Ontario Shamrocks when on the PP, he took a shot from the point that looks to have been deflected .. needs to show more poise at the point with the puck .. should be able to make the jump to the EJHL soon. Stats: 4-0-1-1

Nathan Hardiman (2010), RW, Xaverian High School

1992 DOB (Mar) .. size (6-0, 185) .. has a wide stride and good speed with and without the puck .. skates the puck very well .. has good hands in tight .. physical in the offensive zone .. had one big hit while on the PP that allowed his team to get back control of the puck and eventually score .. needs to shoot when in those shooting areas because he has a strong shot .. tends to over handle the puck and tries that impossible pass .. questionable decision-making with puck in the offensive zone – maybe from lack of playing at higher level? Stats: 4-3-1-4

East Coast Selects 93

Ryan Haggerty (2011), C, Mid-Fairfield

1993 DOB (Mar) .. good size (6-0, 170) .. his best asset is his skating – strong, long stride and good speed .. has a combination of hands and vision in the offensive zone .. physically dominant along the boards and in the corners .. a solid, all-around player .. scored two goals against Top Dog – 1st goal – made move in tight and goalie made the save, but it slid in .. 2nd goal – backdoor pass from Brian Hart and he fired it home .. so strong with the puck .. takes the puck hard to the net .. look forward to watching his progress. Stats: 3-2-0-2

Thomas Forgione (2011), W, Green Mountain Glades

1993 DOB (Aug) .. lacks size (5-9, 140) .. committed to Vermont for 2011 .. a very good skater with good speed .. vocal .. aggressive on the PK and despite size, he is aggressive on the forecheck .. had two goals against Top Dog – 1st goal – one-timer blast off a nice pass from Victor Bjorkung .. his 2nd goal – collected rebound for the easy tap-in .. look forward to watching his progress. Stats: 3-4-2-6

Nik Lakaris (2011), W, Green Mountain Glades

1993 DOB (Feb) .. good size (6-1, 165) .. moves the puck very well in the offensive zone .. he is the most effective when he is using his size and playing physical but needs to be more consistent .. has a quick release in the slot .. scored against Top Dog when he received a pass from Christian Hagg and fired a quick shot in the net. Stats: 3-2-0-2

ISS Future Stars

Zack Phillips (2011), C, Lawrence Academy

1992 DOB (Oct) .. size (6-1, 170) .. the recently drafted Lewiston (QMJHL) player looks to be heading to Lawrence for one season and then will move onto Lewiston .. an incredible talent with the puck .. in the last viewing, it was a concern that the level of play might be a reason for him to do the things he was doing, but in a tournament with numerous high profile 92's, he definitely showed he belonged near the top of that list .. excels in the offensive zone with his vision and hockey smarts .. has very good hands in tight and in traffic .. a real sniper in tight around the net .. scored against NJ Titans – sniped after a nice pass by Logan Shaw, who had the poise to hold the puck while the defender slid 3-on-1 and when Phillips got the puck, he quickly fired it in .. showed willingness to go to the net and get his nose dirty .. not overly physical, but willing to battle along the boards for the puck .. loves the puck on his stick and likes carrying the puck into the offensive zone and setting up the plays. Stats: 4-3-5-8

Garrett Clarke (2011), D, Lewiston (QMJHL)

1992 DOB (Nov) .. size (6-0, 185) .. a recent first round pick by Lewiston (QMJHL) and will not be playing for Fargo (USHL) or going to North Dakota (2010) .. one thing that stands-out the most is his skating .. Clarke is a tremendous skater .. he makes a great first pass .. seems to love the puck possession game and never throwing the puck up the boards .. strong and physical in the corners .. has a great low and accurate shot from the point .. has tremendous poise with the puck in every zone and controls the play when he has the puck .. will jump into the offense, but has the speed and skating ability to get back .. scored against NJ Titans with a rocket from the point .. very good prospect who will only develop more at the next level. Stats: 4-2-2-4

Logan Shaw (2011), W, Cape Breton Midget

1992 DOB (Oct) .. good size (6-2, 180) .. has a long stride with good speed .. had a nice assist on Phillips' goal when he showed good poise to hold the puck on the 3-on-1 while the defenseman slid down .. did very well on the PP on the half-wall and moving the puck .. showed good vision .. has a quick release but looks to pass more .. an intriguing prospect who has a lot of upside. Stats: 4-1-3-4

Brent Andrews (2011), C, Cornwall Thunder

1993 DOB (Jan) .. size (6-1, 180) .. showed good hands and speed with the puck .. solid on the PK .. good hands in tight .. always moving his feet .. uses his size well to protect the puck and moves it well in the offensive zone .. scored against the NJ Titans with a shot off the goalies glove and found its way in .. another high-end prospect to keep an eye on. Stats: 4-2-0-2

Josh Dangel (2010), W, Detroit Compuware

1992 DOB (Aug) .. size (5-10, 170) .. has very good speed and really gets in on the forecheck .. quick with the puck and good hands around the net .. quick release .. has good offensive instincts .. strong skater .. goes hard to the net .. another good prospect. Stats: 4-2-2-4

Tyler Piercy (2010), G, North Yarmouth Academy

1992 DOB (Mar) .. lacks size (5-8, 165) .. an Eaglebrook graduate .. very quick down low and strong post-to-post .. kicks rebounds to the corners .. good angles and challenges shooters .. goes down quick but is quick up top .. 1 GA in game against NJ Titans – blocker side breakaway. Stats: 2-0-0-1

Jr. Bruins

Bill Arnold (2010), F, Nobles

1992 DOB .. recently committed to Boston College for 2011 .. has a wide stride and speed .. can take the puck through traffic and come out with it .. has great hands in tight and is smooth .. looks bigger and stronger .. moves the puck very well in neutral and offensive zone .. can really fire the puck .. has good vision .. has tremendous talent in the offensive zone and thinks the game so well .. solid in the faceoff circle .. willing to go to the net and battle for rebounds .. needs to work on battling harder in the defensive zone .. expecting him to have a strong season next year at Nobles. Stats: 5-4-8-12

Scott Oke (2010), C, Undecided

do not know much about him (including his DOB) and official size .. has good size .. really goes hard after the puck and attacks the puckcarrier with good angles in the neutral zone .. strong and tough along the boards and in the corners .. good with the puck .. skating is decent .. moves the puck well in the offensive zone .. good positioning in the offensive zone .. does not put up the numbers but very effective every shift he was out there. Stats: 5-0-1-1

Zach Luczyk (2010), W, Worcester Academy

1992 DOB (Feb) .. lacks size (5-9, 180) .. has quick feet and speed with the puck .. good hands and quick in tight .. looked to be strong defensively and had a strong hit down low .. good 1-on-1 moves .. has a quick release and a strong shot .. creative with the puck .. needs to work on his play away from the puck .. should look into moving up the level of play, as he should dominate the Division II prep ranks next year. Stats: 5-5-4-9

Alex Gacek (2011), F, Governor's Academy

1993 DOB (Apr) .. lacks size (5-7, 160) .. scored against Tri-State Stars with a rocket of a wristshot top corner over glove .. so dangerous around the net with the puck .. has quick strides and very good speed with and without the puck .. despite size, he will battle for the puck, but still does not win many battles .. look forward to watching his progress .. he should be a candidate for the NTDP tryout next year for the U-17 team. Stats: 5-4-2-6

Mass Stars

Gunnar Hughes (2011), F, Salisbury Prep

1992 DOB (late Sept) .. good size (6-1, 175) .. has really progressed and his skating is getting better, which is allowing him to get to the puck quicker for more scoring chances .. has good hands around the net and takes the puck hard to the net whenever possible .. possesses a decent shot .. scored against Atlantic Canadiens when he stole the puck and protected it before positioning himself to take a shot – fired it five-hole .. showed good defensive awareness .. heading to Salisbury after playing for Jr. Bruins Empire team .. had 13 points (4 goals 9 assists) in 28 games. Stats: 3-3-2-5

Kevin Lind (2010), D, Team Illinois Midget

1992 DOB (Mar) .. good size (6-2, 175) .. solid offensively and strong defensively .. has ability to rush up the ice with the puck .. showed lots of skill with the puck .. poised in the defensive zone with the puck .. strong at the point .. a definite powerplay defenseman .. strong skater forwards and backwards .. should be able to make the jump to the USHL in a couple years. Stats: 3-2-0-2

National Capital Recruits

Jordan Warren (2010), RW, Ottawa Valley Titans AAA

1992 DOB (Jan) .. good size (6-2, 190) .. a tough forward with good offensive skills .. has a quick release .. strong in the corners .. protects the puck well .. a little chippy .. showed good touch around the net .. surprised not to see him selected in the 2008 OHL Draft. Stats: 3-3-4-7

Ian Lavigne (2010, D, Eastern Ontario Wild AAA

1992 DOB (Mar) .. good size (6-1, 185) .. has good offensive instincts and jumps into the offense a lot .. uses his speed to get back .. scored against Long Island Gulls – while on the PK, he followed up his teammates breakaway and put home the rebound with a blast top corner .. poised at the point and gets pucks to the net. Stats: 3-1-2-3