2014 NHL Draft Prosect: Cornell recruit Beau Starrett

Beau Starrett and the Cornell University men's hockey program are a match made in hockey heaven. Long time Big Red coach Mike Schafer has always employed a hard-checking, defensive style and that is what Starrett brings to the table.

The left-shot leftwing is a huge, powerful presence who projects as a third line mucker and grinder who can also contribute offensively at the professional level. He only scored 11 goals this past winter for the South Shore Kings in the USPHL, but he dished out 36 assists.

Starrett can do some of his best work in the corners and in the dirty areas, using his strength to out-muscle opposing defenders before finding one of his open teammates.

A former standout at Catholic Memorial, Starrett is a player that reminds this observer of Edmonton Oilers prospect and recent Cornell alum John McCarron. Starrett has the offensive tools to be a productive scorer at the NCAA level, especially with his overpowering physical nature.

Starrett's brother Shane, a goaltender, is a Boston University recruit for 2015 so hockey talent runs in the family. He will play with his brother with the Kings this upcoming season before matriculating to the Ithaca campus. Brown and Yale were other schools in the mix to land the promising prospect out of the USPHL.

Quick Facts:

Beau Starrett

Central Scouting Final Ranking: 83

Hometown: Framingham, Mass.

2013-14 Team: South Shore Kings (USPHL Premier)

2014-15 Team: South Shore Kings (USPHL Premier)

Height/Weight: 6-5/195

Strengths: powerful, strong forward with ability to bull way towards the net and find open teammates from corners

Weakness: Won't wow fans with hands or quickness

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Jeff Cox covers college, junior and high school hockey, NCAA recruiting and NHL Draft prospects. Follow him on twitter @JeffCoxSports.