USA Hockey: Little Bondra

Team Maryland (AAA National) won the Shattuck St. Mary's U16 Invitational this past December, which consisted of top-ranked teams from around the country. To win the tournament, they had to beat the Colorado Thunderbirds, Dallas Alliance, PF Changs and Russell Stover, who are currently all ranked in the top 30 nationally. With their success, Team Maryland went into last weekend's match-up against #9 Team Comcast as the 24th-ranked team in the country.

Team Maryland won Saturday's game by the score of 1-0 but stumbled in the second game of the two-game set, as Team Comcast found its offensive mojo and put up 12 goals in victory. McKeen's will be scouting several Team Maryland players in the near future, including David Bondra (son of the legendary Peter Bondra) and 1992-born NTDP hopeful Scott Howe. In the meantime, McKeen's was able to catch up to coach Kersner to get his thoughts on some notable players.

Coach's Notes:

Nick Wetzel (2009), F, Team Maryland U16 AAA National

(45-19-24-43) .. Captain of the team and the hardest-working player on the ice .. Nick will be playing prep school hockey next year, most likely at Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts .. possesses great speed and is the first player off the bench in every situation .. leads the team in blocked shots.

Nick Sorkin (2009), F, Team Maryland U16 AAA National

Jake Lynes (2010), F, Team Maryland U16 AA National

I group Nick Sorkin (45-20-30-50) and Jake Lynes (45-24-23-47) together because of their potential .. both of them are lanky but are late-bloomers .. as a result, they should be about 6-3/6-4 and 190 pounds in the next two years .. because of their frame, they are not the best skaters .. however, they are highly productive players with great hands, hockey smarts and playmaking abilities.

David Bondra (2010), F, Team Maryland U16 AAA National

(45-17-19-36) .. Skates and plays much the same way as his father .. still a little raw but he is developing everyday .. has great wheels, which allow him to create substantial scoring opportunities.

Scott Howe (2010), F, Team Maryland U16 AAA National

(45-37-24-61) .. Scott is the team's offensive stud .. he leads the team in goals (37) and points (61) .. his nine PP goals and two GW goals are also team highs .. currently averaging 1.36 PPG .. as a 1992-born, the NTDP has him on their radar for the 40-player camp later this year.