Hockey Essentials Northeastern College Showcase Review

The 2017 Hockey Essentials Northeastern College Showcase was a good opportunity for college coaches to see prospects compete under one roof at the Woodbridge Community Center in Woodbridge, N.J.

Coaches from Atlantic Hockey, ECAC Hockey, Hockey East and the NCHC were in attendance as well as NHL and USHL scouts.

The showcase was split into two divisions – 20U and 16U. As is usually the case, there were more high-end college prospects at the 16U Division than at the 20U Division.

The Hockey Essentials team always does a good job of putting together quality rosters – whether it is for their spring and summer teams that compete at Chowder Cup or at this showcase.

The following list is a few names of significance (who didn’t compete at USA Hockey PDC) from the 20U Division followed by prospects who stood out at the 16U Division. Players noted in both divisions reflect who projects well rather than who might have had a good week during summer hockey.

20U Division

BROWN, MATTHEW
#27 Orange, 8/9/99, Forward, Shoots Left, 5-8/165 (UMass Lowell)

The Wood Ridge, N.J. native is a perfect fit for Norm Bazin’s system in Lowell. He is strong on puck pursuit and retrieves pucks to keep the play moving. Brown made a few nice passes out to the slot from below the goal line. The New Jersey Rockets product was constantly in good position on puck support and used his edges well. There was little doubt Brown was the best player in the 20U Division. The 2018 UMass Lowell recruit is expected to play with the Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) this season.

HALLBAUER, KYLE
#4 Burgundy, 3/2/97, Defense, Shoots Right, 5-11/185

Hallbauer is an offensive defenseman who just completed his first season of junior hockey with the Kingston Voyageurs in the OJHL. The Howell, N.J. native generated some buzz here due to his ability to step into the offense from the backend. He has agility and can escape trouble when carrying the puck up ice. His vision is above average and he can quarterback a power play. Whether or not he can play well enough in the defensive end is up for debate. He’d be a nice fifth or sixth defenseman for a program looking for an offensive spark from the blue line.

GOEHRING, TODD
#32 Burgundy, 7/8/97, Forward, Shoots Right, 5-11/165 (Sacred Heart)

The Pioneers commit is a shifty and elusive forward who can generate offense as well as finish. He’s crafty and has a pretty good sense of the game offensively. A native of Wayside, N.J., he could put up some decent numbers down the line in Atlantic Hockey.

16U Division

GRATTON, DYLAN
#6 Orange, 2/25/03, Defense, Shoots Left, 5-11/155

This wasn’t his best showing, but he still showed flashes of why he’s the best prospect (long-term) here. He has a good stick, activates into the rush and can skate with any opposing player.

SCHWEIGHARDT, T.J.
#6 Gold, 3/15/01, Defense, Shoots Right, 5-10/160

The Wayne, N.J. native is a very good skater who does a lot of things well. He has poise when breaking the puck out of the zone. He has agility when carrying the puck up ice and that footwork shines through when walking the blue line. His vision is also athan major asset. He made a really nice look to the backdoor from the right point. Schweighardt makes up for his lack of size and strength with his mobility and he defends with his feet. He’s a legit D1 prospect.

DUNN, KABORE
#4 Green, 11/10/01, Defense, Shoots Right, 6-2/170

A Shawnigan Lake Prep School product, Dunn will be transferring to Shattuck St. Mary’s this fall. The Mill Bay, British Columbia native has good size, length and a mean streak to go with it. He still is a bit raw, but he’s a late ’01 that is garnering serious consideration from a few Hockey East schools.

POSMA, MICHAEL
#15 Navy, 12/4/01, Forward, Shoots Left, 5-11/160 (Air Force)

He scored two goals early in the camp from right on the doorstep. That was indicative of how he would play throughout the week. He’s a kid with a nose for the puck. He goes to the dirty areas and he plays with grit. He has good feet and skates well.

SARLO, CHRISTIAN
#12 Green, 6/29/01, Forward, Shoots Right, 5-11/185

With his size, strength and shot, he might have more upside than any other forward here. His feet are still a little heavy, but if he can work on his stride, he could be a big time get for a college program. The Lynbrook, N.Y. native can protect pucks and has a hard shot that he got off a few times here, but he couldn’t separate from the defense as often as he could have.

LUNDY, JOHN
#13 Navy, 4/27/01, Forward, Shoots Left, 5-9/150

The New York Aviator product will play with the NJ Avalanche this upcoming season. Lundy is a good skater who can be a possession-type forward. He made a few strong moves into the slot for chances. He scored a few goals off nice wrist shots and he made a couple of heady passes.

ZOCCO, NICHOLAS
#17 Gold, 6/19/03, Forward, Shoots Right, 5-9/165

He had a hat trick in Tuesday’s game, his strongest showing of the week. Zocco showed he has good hands and he can finish. On his first goal that day he made a nice move at the blue line to juke around a defender. On his second goal he sniped one right under the bar. Zocco, who will play NJ Avalanche Bantam, forced a couple of turnovers and his speed down low drew a penalty.

WILMER, JEREMY
#14 Green, 8/16/03, Forward, Shoots Left, 5-4/115

Wilmer might have been the smartest player at the camp in terms of hockey sense. He’s extremely small, but he makes up for it with his superb hockey IQ. He has a good jump to his step and makes smart and creative plays with the puck. Wilmer has above average agility and skating ability. One of his highlight reel plays of the camp came from below the goal line when he sent out a nifty backhand to the slot for a wide open teammate.

RIGGINS, JOHN
#12 Gold, 10/28/01, Forward, Shoots Right, 5-8/165

Riggins is a converted defenseman who can really shoot the puck. His shot is his best asset, but he can skate well enough. The Bethpage, N.Y. native needs to improve his hockey sense if he’s going to take his game next to the next level.

CALAFIORE, ANTHONY
#8 Green, 4/6/02, Forward, Shoots Right, 5-8/150

The Staten Island, N.Y. native was quick to get in on the forecheck. He’s a crafty forward with some skill. Calafiore is a fun player to watch.

CLARK, BRENDAN
#10 Gold, 1/16/02, Forward, Shoots Left, 5-10/160

Clark had a nice week for himself. He’s shifty, has good hands and a sneaky release on his shot. He’ll be with the NJ Devils 16U this season.

SEDLAK, CONNOR
#14 Gold, 11/18/02, Forward, Shoots Left, 5-8/155

Sedlak’s skating is just slightly above average, but he has a goal scorer’s touch and decent speed. The Wyckoff, N.J. native will play this season for Jersey Hitmen 16U.

DOMINIQUE, ALEX
#10 Orange, 1/2/01, Forward, Shoots Left, 5-11/155

Dominique doesn’t have the most offensive upside, but he’s a tough player to play against. He wins a lot of one-on-one battles and has a strong stick. He projects as a third or fourth line forward who can provide energy, bang bodies and chip in offensively from time to time.

CIMINO, BRANDON
#5 Orange, 5/18/01, Defense, Shoots Right, 5-10/170

Cimino quietly goes about his business as a smaller, puck-moving defender. He’ll be back with the NJ Avalanche 16U program again this upcoming winter.

BRADY, PATRICK
#8 Orange, 10/28/01, Forward, Shoots Right, 6-0/165

Another converted defenseman, Brady has good size and showed some signs of potential here. The Buffalo Jr. Sabres product will be back at Nichols School for a second season.

HART, D.J.
#4 Navy, 2/23/02, Defense, Shoots Right, 6-0/160

Hart is a player who is still raw, but there is potential, especially with his size. He has length and can move the puck, but he needs to keep things simple and be better in his own end. The Stamford, Conn. native will be with the NJ Colonials 16U squad this winter after growing up in the Mid-Fairfield program.

HALLARD, JOHN
#3 Navy, 1/28/01, Defense, Shoots Right, 5-10/185

Hallard is a strong defender who is tough to play against. He projects as a defensive defenseman who can bring it physically rather than a puck-moving type. He’ll be with the NJ Avalanche 16U.

RIDDETT, KENNY
#2 Navy, 3/26/01, Forward, Shoots Left, 5-6/145

Riddett is always knocked for his lack of size, but he moves the puck, can skate and see the ice well. He’s crafty and has a quick stick.

ZEZIMA, C.J.
#16 Gold, 3/12/02, Forward, Shoots Left, 5-7/140

Zezima will be moving to Trinity-Pawling this winter. He’s a small forward with a quick stick and an ability to get time and space. He has good hands, but lacks strength right now.

CARFAGNA, DAMIEN
#2 Orange, 12/12/02, Defense, Shoots Left, 5-7/125

Carfagna is a good skater who can move the puck up ice and jump into the offense. He’s not explosive, but he quietly does a good job pushing pucks north and promoting positive possession numbers for his team. He’ll be with the Mercer Chiefs this season.

FARJAM, SHAYAN
#5 Green, 1/2/01, Defense, Shoots Left, 5-10/160

He has good agility as he steps into the rush offensively. Farjam, who will be at Brunswick School this season, has a good stick and sees the ice well.

CORSELLO, TREVOR
#1 Green, 4/1/01, Goaltender, Catches Left, 5-11/185

Corsello was the best goaltender here. He moved well, made good saves and ate rebounds. He has good size and looked the part in the crease. He’ll be with the Long Island Gulls 16U.

DEGAETANI, NICHOLAS
#3 Gold, 4/1/02, Defense, Shoots Right, 5-9/135

A small blue liner, DeGaetani is good with the puck on his stick and can jump into the offense. He’ll need to improve his play in his own zone in order to take his game to the next level.

LARUSSO, JAKE
#12 Orange, 3/26/02, Forward, Shoots Right, 5-9/145

LaRusso is fast, plays at a high pace and brought it each shift. He’ll need to improve how he thinks the game with the puck on his stick, but there’s potential for the New Jersey Titans 15U forward.

BARLETTA, ROBBIE
#7 Green, 11/16/02, Forward, Shoots Left, 5-7/145

Barletta, who’ll play with Xaverian (Mass.) HS and the Neponset Valley River Rats, is an energy forward who plays with pace. He’s quick and fun to watch.

MANCINI, ANDREW
#4 Gold, 2/16/01, Defense, Shoots Left, 6-0/160

Mancini has good size, makes some good passes up and ice and likes to join the rush. He’ll have to improve his poise, hockey sense and skating, but he has the physical tools to intrigue observers.

BRANCH, CHRISTOPHER
#1 Gold, 3/1/01, Goaltender, Catches Left, 6-0/165

The second Long Island Gulls 16U goaltender to impress here moves well and has good fundamentals.

FRANCHI, TY
#1 Navy, 3/8/01, Goaltender, Catches Left, 6-2/185

Franchi has good size. He’ll be with the NJ Avalanche 16U.