Took in the Tier 1 Elite League showcase here in Cleveland this weekend and some standouts from the 03 birth year were very noticeable. For many of these players it isn't my first time viewing them.
Saw scouts from the Erie Otters/Spitfires/Knights/ and Kitchener Rangers.
North Jersey Avalanche U16:
This was the best team here. The way they play and move the puck was great to watch. Being a Flint fan it was nice to see Brandon Chabrier who is a Flint pick. Very very smooth with the puck and sends lasers of a pass through the neutral zone. Very good one on one defensively too. But more importantly is who he played D with...
D - Dylan Gratton (Penn State) - I don't think this kid gets talked about on here but he's easily one of the best D men south of the border in the 03 birth year. First noticed him at the Select 15's and he's done nothing to change my mind that if he wanted to go the OHL route he'd be in the top 10 conversation. Makes great outlet passes, great active stick, can get up and go and use head fakes to get around the opposition. Can be agressive and close the gap on people too. Just so solid and reliable in every facet.
F Jeremy Wilmer (BU) - Had 10 pts in 4 games here. Think he's from NJ so OHL Draft eligible. Put up 73 pts in 21 games as a bantam last year and he was better than Colby Saganiuk here. Wasn't my first viewing of either of them also. Colby might be a tad better in his own end, but WIlmer was electrifying all weekend and did strip some pucks defensively. Had a play where at full speed he passed the puck between his own legs to his team mate on a 2 on 1. Always has his head up and flies through the neutral zone, anyone can receive a pass from him at any time and his vision cross ice is very very good. Put up points every game and no one was able to shut him down. Very dangerous player.
F Devin Kaplan (BU) (2004 birth year) - I know Seamus Casey and Tyler Duke of Compuware are very good from the 04's but I had to mention him on here as he might be the best 04 in the country. He and Jeremy Wilmer were the best forwards here and when I saw he was an 04 I was shocked. He has great size/speed/hands/ and a very good shot. Able to keep up with the pace of Wilmer and pretty creative offensively too. Had a few plays where he received the puck along the half wall, picked his head up and made a great area pass into the neutral zone for a breakout. Lots of scouts were talking about him.
Buffalo Jr Sabres
D Michael Bevilacqua (Northeastern) - He has a great shot from the point, can walk the line and let a wrister go that beats traffic. Gaps very nicely on the opposition and can poke pucks free and get the game going north. Intercepts passes in the neutral zone and can be a key player on the back end in junior hockey. Not as good as Gratton but was good here.
D Tyler Procious - Wanted to see a more complete game from him after the Select 15's and he has improved. He gets pucks going north, holds the line well and shows more confidence with the puck on his stick. Challenged a few guys and deked around one of them. Can slip into open areas on the offensive zone and generate scoring chances. Will need some seasoning but someone that shouldn't be passed on after the 2nd or 3rd round being an American.
Anthony Agostinelli - Sees the ice well and distributes the puck quickly. Want to see him shoot the puck more but he had a few good setups for his team mates. Able to escape with the puck along the half wall and in the corners and find the open man at the point. Was good here but not great.
Pittsburgh Pens Elite U16
Colby Saganiuk - Elite speed and hockey IQ. For sure one of the best forwards in the 03 birth year. A threat to score whenever he's on the ice. Was shut down by the North Jersey Avs this morning but I've seen him multiple times and he didn't do anything to hurt himself here. When he gets going he's very tough to keep up with and he protects the puck very well. He has a strong lower body and explodes through guys. Able to take the puck around the zone and find the open guy with a hard crisp pass.
D Carter Schade - I think he's better than Bevilacqua of Buffalo. He holds the line really well and able to walk the line and find the open lane or pass the puck off. Responsible in his own zone and is somebody that is used in important moments of the game.
F Jackson Morehouse - Plays on the 2nd line and has very good vision. Knows when to skate with the puck and when to set his team mates up. I'd like to see him be a bit more selfish and shoot more. But he's a name worth remembering from this birth year.
Philly Jr. Flyers
Two players worth mentioning are forwards Cam Bergeman and Kenny Connors.
Bergeman - Scored a goal vs Buffalo where he chipped it past the D man and took a shot. Got his own rebound and buried. Had a setup from the side of the net on another play later on.
Kenny Connors - Showed a good physical presence, not afraid to go to the dirty areas, has under rated passing ability but needs some work before the next level.
