USA Hockey: Prep Holiday Tournaments Part III

While the rest of their classmates were enjoying the Holiday break, most prep players were battling all over New England in the Holiday Tournaments. In the final installment of a three-part report, McKeen's correspondent Vincent Montalbano has notes from the Tabor Academy Joshua Weeks New Year's Invitational.

Kyle Hunchberger (2008) Milton Academy, F (JR)

A 1990 DOB (Feb) .. good size (6-2, 195) .. strong skater with a wide stride .. has a quick release and a strong shot, but questionable goal scoring ability .. uses his body well to protect the puck .. in the defensive zone, he is strong on the puck and battles along the boards .. dangerous in the offensive zone and created lots of scoring chances .. had an assist in the game .. surprisingly was never chosen in the shootout against Governor's Academy .. drafted by Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL).

Thomas Tysowsky (2008) Milton Academy, G (JR)

A 1990 DOB (April) .. good size (6-2, 195) .. allowed two goals in the game .. one came off a nice shot from 1993 DOB Alex Gacek from around the hash marks .. the other came off a scramble in front .. was solid in the shootout stopping four and allowing only two in the win .. moves well post-to-post, plays at the top of the crease, and challenges the shooters.

Ryan Edwards (2008) Milton Academy, F (JR)

Size (6-0, 181) .. tough and goes hard to the net .. aggressive on the PK .. uses his body well to protect the puck .. scored in the shootout against Governor's Academy .. a player to watch.

Chris Menard (2008) Governor's Academy, F (JR)

A 1990 DOB (April) .. decent size (5-10, 185) .. a shifty-type winger and dangerous with the puck in the offensive zone .. quick with the puck and hard to hit-and-pin against the boards, as he always keeps his feet moving .. on the PP, he is always moving around and getting into the best shooting areas .. had an assist in the game .. also had a chance in the shootout, but Milton goalie Tysowsky made a nice pad save.

Herbie Kent (2008) Governor's Academy, F (SR)

Committed to Bentley for 2008 .. captain .. 1989 DOB (Jan) .. a good skater with a quick stride .. has a heavy shot, but too big of a wind-up .. decent size (5-10, 185) .. does not play a physical game, but does not shy away from the corners .. a few years ago, it was not crazy to think that Kent had very high potential, but his game has seemed to level-off after his sophomore year.

Josh Watson (2008) New England Jr. Falcons, G

Played in the game against Hill and was not tested much .. a 1990 DOB (Aug) .. good size (6-2, 175) .. showed quick reflexes and is strong down low .. decent glove .. might be passed in the 2008 draft, but could gain some more recognition for the 2009 draft.

Andrew Latta (2009) Tabor Academy, D (SO)

A 1991 DOB (April) .. a smaller defenseman who has the ability to skate the puck and create instant offense .. has a strong shot and likes to join the rush.

Trevor Pawliczka (2008) Tabor Academy, F (SR)

1989 DOB (April) .. decent skater with quick hands .. needs to shoot quicker .. showed good vision in the offensive zone and good instincts .. picked-off a pass in the neutral zone and went up ice on a 2-on-1, made a nice pass, but his linemate could not finish the play .. had an assist in the 4-1 lose against St. Sebastian's.

Steve Rogers (2008) St. Sebastian's, F (JR)

A 1990 DOB (July) .. size (6-0, 190) .. has ability to skate the puck with good speed .. plays the point on the PP and moves the puck very well .. protects the puck well .. goes hard after the puck and battles in the corners and along the boards .. would like to see him get a little stronger on his skates .. rang one shot off the post .. had an assist in the 4-1 win over Tabor.

Chris Brown (2009) St. Sebastian's, F (JR)

A 1990 DOB (Oct) .. lacks size (5-9, 180) .. has quick strides and good speed .. showed a strong burst of speed with the puck .. good vision in the offensive zone .. needs to get stronger and despite his size, will need to battle more for loose pucks and not play so much on the perimeter.

Brendan Corcoran (2009) St. Sebastian's, D (JR)

A 1990 DOB (Nov) .. size (6-0, 170) .. strong defensive defenseman .. tough to beat in his own end and hard to shake away from him in the corners .. good backwards skater with speed that makes him difficult to get around when coming down 1-on-1 against him .. does lack offensive skills.

Joe McNamara (2008) St. Sebastian's, F (JR)

A 1990 DOB (Aug) .. good size (6-2, 215) .. good skater but takes short strides and for someone his size, he should extend his strides out more .. scored against Tabor off the faceoff, as he walked around the opposing center and scored on a quick snapshot .. has good skills and is a definite player to watch.

Tabor Academy Joshua Weeks Tournament Participating Teams

Governor's Academy, Hill School, Milton Academy, New England Jr. Falcons (EJHL), St. Sebastian's School, Tabor Academy.