Atlantic Junior Hockey League: Bobcats Repeat!

The top-seeded New York Bobcats have repeated as AJHL Champions with a 5-0 win over the Northern Cyclones. To reach the final, the Bobcats defeated the Washington Jr. Nationals, while the Cyclones defeated the Binghamton Jr. Senators. McKeen's reviews several notable players from the regular season and playoffs including: Patrick Cullen, Mark Anthoine, John Carlson, Andrew Panzarella, Jordan Samuels-Thomas and Jerry D'Amigo.

Patrick Cullen (2007), LW, Washington Jr. Nationals

A strong skating winger with good size and mobility .. listed at 6-foot and 185 pounds, but plays bigger, more like a true power forward .. is agile and nimble on his feet .. has a sharp stride and can accelerate quickly .. skating is his strongest asset with excellent balance and fluidity .. a responsible two-way forward who is willing to work in the corners .. will need more upper-body strength to create the chances he gets now at the next level .. possesses a strong shot and a quick release .. shoots low and on target .. willing to follow shots to the net and pay the price for ugly goals .. plays hard every shift and works his tail off .. committed to RPI for 2008 .. Stats: (42-38-32-70)

Mark Anthoine (2008), C, Portland Jr. Pirates

A smooth skating center who likes to handle the puck and create havoc for defenders .. has a solid frame at 6-foot and 175 pounds .. skates well with his head high .. able to change speed well and cuts and turns with ease .. crafty and quick and hard to defend 1-on-1 .. likes to shoot the puck, especially on 2-on-1 breaks where he will look off the defender and then snap off a quick shot .. is fairly one dimensional and does not show the same urgency in his skating or back checking as he does when he has the puck .. committed to the University of Maine for 2008 .. Stats: (44-37-24-61)

John Carlson (2008), D, NJ Rockets

May be considered one of the best 1990-born defensemen in the country .. has great size at 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, as well as great strength, toughness and offensive upside .. skates well for such a large 16-year-old .. is strong and physical in his play .. willing to join the rush and loves to fire the puck at the net .. will play with a mean streak at times .. needs to use his lower half better in producing power and leverage and is still very raw .. poised with the puck both in transition and on the power play .. is able to read oncoming fore checkers well .. drafted by the Indiana Ice of the USHL where he will most likely play in 2007- 2008 .. committed to UMass-Amherst for 2009 .. Stats: (44-12-38-50)

Andrew Panzarella (2008), D, Washington Jr. Nationals

Plays with a chip on his shoulder as he is tough, physical and the emotional leader of the team .. skates well, especially backwards and laterally .. closes gaps quickly and always finishes his hits, even after the whistle .. handles the puck with ease and poise and makes smart decisions .. outlet passes need to be stronger and more accurate .. lacks offensive upside and does not shoot particularly well .. a rock on the blueline and certainly a player to watch during the 2007-2008 season .. Stats: (42-5-13-18 and 232 penalty minutes)

Jordan Samuels-Thomas (2008), LW, Hartford Jr. Wolfpack

Played at Canterbury last year, but made the jump to the AJHL this season .. excellent size (6-2, 205) and strength for a 1990 DOB, and plays a physical punishing style with an aggressive edge .. protects the puck well in the corners and around the net .. talent is still a bit raw, but pro potential is there as time and maturity will tell .. possesses decent speed, but will need to develop a higher top gear .. uses his body well to create space and time .. very prominent on the power play and specialty teams .. showed both scoring and play-making ability .. Stats: (41-20-35-55)

Jerry D'Amigo (2009), LW, Binghamton Jr. Senators

One of the youngest players in the AJHL this year, but instrumental in the new franchise making it to the semi-finals .. used in both power play and penalty killing situations .. smooth skating winger with smarts and a good frame to build around .. technically sound skater with strong edge work .. will need to stop and start more, as he has a tendency to circle and circle as the play moves away .. made intelligent decisions with the puck, rarely forcing a play .. should mature into a strong powerful skater .. currently lacks the strength and explosion to blow by defenders, but it will come .. at 6-foot and 185 pounds, D'Amigo already produced nearly a point-per-night, but should develop quickly into an elite scorer .. recently invited to the USNTDP-17 team tryout .. Stats: (41-17-16-33)