BU Prep Showcase: Top Prospects

There were several high-end uncommitted college hockey prospects in attendance at the 2017 BU Prep Showcase, a camp that ran from Sunday, July 30 through Tuesday, August 1 at Walter Brown Arena.

With the exception of Terrier recruits Liam Connors and Braden Doyle, the players in the event were all uncommitted. Below is a list of prospects that stood out at the 2017 BU Prep Showcase, excluding the Terrier commits. “A+” prospects are those that could be potential super stars in college hockey or major junior. “A” prospects are ones that project as definite Division I prospects who could make an impact. “B” prospects are those that have potential, but there are limiting factors or red flags, as of now. “C” prospects are ones that were notable here and have a chance to be good Division III players or potentially make a Division I roster if they improve.

“A+” Prospects

SHEPARD, COLE
#9 White, 2/1/02, Forward, Shoots Left, Delta Hockey Academy

The West Vancouver, British Columbia native is a big time prospect. Shepard was selected in the second round of the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft by the Vancouver Giants. His skating is exceptional. He can fly — straight ahead and he can weave in and out of defenders. His ability to stop and start and stickhandle in tight spaces allow him to maintain possession. He keeps the puck moving and was a step ahead of everyone else. Major junior is a real possibility so it would be a major coup for any college program to land Shepard.

BOWIE, BRENDAN
#11 Red, 4/18/01, Forward, Shoots Right, St. Andrew’s College

Bowie didn’t quite have the speed and skating ability of Shepard, but he was easily the second best prospect here. His hands were very good. He caught a difficult pass behind him and pulled it in quickly before ripping a shot. The Toronto, Ontario native played a complete game, retrieving pucks at both ends. A highlight came when he deked a defender with his hands and shiftiness coming off the wall before getting a shot off in the slot. Bowie, an eighth round pick of the Sudbury Wolves in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection, protects pucks and is strong on his skates.

“A” Prospects

EDWARDS, ETHAN
#2 Orange, 6/6/02, Defense, Shoots Left, St. Albert Flyers Minor Midget

The St. Albert, Alberta native is an eighth round pick of the Portland Winterhawks in the WHL Bantam Draft. He’s a small defender who can really skate. Edwards had good gaps, joined the rush and a good stick. What he lacked in size and strength in his own end he made up for with stick and body positioning. Edwards attended the ‘02 USHL Combine so he has interest in the college path.

TSAKOUNIS, DREW
#4 Royal, 7/1/03, Defense, Shoots Left, NJ Colonials Bantam

Tsakounis was the youngest player here and it showed at times, but he did a good job of recovering more than once. His gaps and how he read plays defensively were just average, but his skating ability and his stick more than made up for it. He was at his best with the puck on his stick. He skated with his head up in transition and kept pucks going north. He looks to be a very promising prospect.

AGOSTINELLI, ANTHONY
#10 White, 1/7/03, Forward, Shoots Right, Rochester Monarchs Bantam

The Rochester, N.Y. native has a very good offensive skill set. He has a quick release and made quite a few good passes from down low and along the wall. He’s the type of player who looks like he’s not even close to hitting his ceiling.

TRESCA, PHILIP
#11 White, 4/10/02, Forward, Shoots Right, Rivers School

His speed and craftiness stood out here as he was able to get to pucks and separate from opposing defenders. He scored a penalty shot goal on a nifty finish. He was solid on puck support and went to areas where the puck was going to be. He also scored a tip-in goal by camping out front.

“B” Prospects

KOPPASS, ARTJOMS
#9 Gold, 4/23/00, Forward, Shoots Left, Prizma/Pardaugava U17

Koppass is a player this observer had never seen before. The Latvian had pro size and a good shot. He was solid, but it would have been nice to see him dominate more consistently as one of the older players here at camp.

WAUGH, PHILLP
#3 White, 1/10/00, Defense, Shoots Left, Trinity-Pawling

The McLean, Va. native is a big blue liner who plays with a mean streak. He delivered a few bone-jarring hits. He’s still very raw, but there is a lot of potential. He can defend with reach and closing ability. His stick positioning is solid. For a big player, his mobility and hands are above average. He still needs to work on his skating and learning the game, but there is no doubt he’s a Division I player.

SEYMOUR, JACK
#9 Green, 4/6/01, Forward, Shoots Right, Outaouais Intrépide Espoir

Seymour has flown a little under the radar in Quebec, but he’s a very good skater who plays with pace. He didn’t appear to think the game as well as some of the other top prospects here, but some of that could be due to playing on a sub-par team where he received little help.

NEUDORF, KYLE
#16 Orange, ‘02, Forward, Shoots Right, Buffalo Regals 15U

Neudorf was a little bit of an unknown to this observer. He made it through to NY State Development Camp, but fell short of making it to National Camp. He has a great shot and scored two really nice goals. He has a quick stick and the potential to grow into a power forward. He competes really hard and impacts all areas of the ice. His stride and skating need some work, but there is potential.

CONSTANTINI, ANTHONY
#7 Gold, 8/4/02, Defense, Shoots Right, Toronto Jr. Canadiens

Constantini is a converted forward who has a good stick and defends with his feet. He looks to be a prospect who could really pop onto the scene over the next few years.

YOUNG, TYLER
#11 Orange, 5/8/01, Forward, Shoots Right, St. Mark’s

Young is a good skater who possesses strong puck skills and feet. He had a couple of really nice shifts here. On on particular shift, he got off three shots on goal and flew all over the attacking zone, hemming in the opposition defense.

FOLEY, LUCAS
#13 Red, 1/2/01, Forward, Shoots Right, Edge School Elite 15s

The Calgary native has good size and plays a strong north-south game. His skating, hands and offensive skill set are limited, but he could be a solid third liner if he plays to his strengths. He went undrafted in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft.

WOODING, TEDDY
#12 White, 12/30/99, Forward, Shoots Right, Rivers School

Wooding was able to dominate some shifts as an older player here with an above average skill set. The Wrentham, Mass. native has a powerful stride and brought the puck to the net. He was solid on puck support. He’s likely a fringe prospect — one who could make an Atlantic Hockey roster or be a very good Division III player.

FRIEDMAN, GRADY
#17 Orange, ‘01, Forward, Shoots Left, Kents Hill School

Friedman is a good skater who sees the ice well. He made a couple of nice offensive plays, stopping and starting to break away from defenders. He made a really nice cross ice feed to his right wing from the left wing circle in the attacking zone. He’ll be a sophomore on his dad’s prep team in the fall.

“C” Prospects

BRENNAN, STEPHEN
#6 Red, ‘01, Defense, Shoots Right, Nepean Raiders Minor Midget

He had good size and decent mobility, his stride was just mediocre. He was able to step into the rush and made a nice move to juke a defender before ripping a shot off the post. His reach in the defensive zone was notable.

BECK, RYAN
#17 Royal, 8/1/02, Forward, Shoots Left, Oakland Jr. Grizzlies

His shot was what caught this observer’s attention twice. After coming into the zone he ripped a low wrister past the goaltender. Later in the half, he clanged the post on a shot where he didn’t break stride. There is upside here.

VLASICH, SEAN
#2 Red, 4/20/01, Defense, Shoots Right, Jersey Hitmen 16U

The Upper Saddle River, N.J. native isn’t flashy, but he skates well and did some nice things at both ends of the ice.

MCGLYNN, JACOB
#9 Red, 7/8/00, Forward, Shoots Left, Shattuck St. Mary’s

He has speed, but was only able to show he could play at one pace here. He didn’t show much hockey sense. He projects as more of a energy line, penalty kill specialist.

WILLITS, BRETT
#11 Black, 3/16/99, Forward, Shoots Left, Salisbury School

Another older player who was able to dominate the score sheet here, Willits is an Ontario kid who will be a senior for Andrew Will’s team this upcoming season. He has good skating and agility, which allowed him to keep possession of the puck. His poise and ability to slow the game down stood out. He made a great pass on a two-on-one that was timed perfectly and right on the tape of his linemate.

TRAGGIO, NICK
#6 Gold, 8/1/01, Defense, Shoots Left, Hotchkiss

The son of Hotchkiss coach and former Brown defenseman Mike Traggio, he’s an athletic, physical defender. His skating and hockey sense need work, but he will likely be a good NESCAC, or fringe ECAC, blue liner down the line.

RAYMOND, BEN
#10 Royal, 8/22/01, Forward, Shoots Left, BB&N

Speed is the name of his game. He is a good skater who can really fly. He didn’t do much out here, but he’s a player to keep an eye on as he matures.

RICKETT, BRENT
#10 Red, 9/6/99, Forward, Shoots Left, North Yarmouth Academy

The Portland, Maine native will be the NYA captain in the fall. He has good size and has improved a lot over the past year. He made a strong move from the left wing corner before depositing a backhand into the back of the net once the goalie went down.

NESTERENKO, NIKITA
#11 Gray, 10/1/01, Forward, Shoots Left, Lawrenceville School

He’s a little up and down, but he’s a good skater who uses his edges well. He has above average agility and stickhandles. The Brooklyn, N.Y. native is a late ‘01 so there’s time, but he needs to be more consistent and bolster his strength on the puck.

ODERMATT, MARKUS
#12 Red, 4/5/00, Forward, Shoots Left, CIHA Green

He’s an interesting story as he was born in Great Britain, but he’s Swedish and Japanese, according to Elite Prospects. He plays in the same midget organization as BU commit Dylan Peterson.