Neutral Zone spent the day at the Stoney Creek Bantam Showcase, focusing specifically on Gateway Arena. The weekend from an organizational stand point was run very smoothly. No scheduling issues and an overall very scout-friendly event. As for the talent, both individual and team performances ran the spectrum. Below are the players whose on-ice effectiveness stuck out and impressed us.
Forwards
A-
Emma Connor, 2002, Anaheim Jr. Ducks: A strong, power forward type who gets around the ice very well for her size and age. Heavy shot and decent release. Improvement in her feet will take her game to the next level. Also could improve consistent impact on the game, as her profile should allow her to contribute positively every shift. Plays both F and D, but we see her being more of a forward down the road. Division I prospect with certainty.
Kiley Mastel, 2002, Assabet: Big, mobile and skilled, Mastel dominated the game we saw offensively. She is a clear D1 prospect from MA who likely will be committed in the next 12-18 months. Good edges for her size which allowed her to possess and protect the puck for lengths at a time. Size and skill combination at U14 level was too difficult for the opponent to handle.
Madison Primeau, 2003, Brampton: Decent size for a 2003, but ALWAYS around the puck and the play. Her IQ, vision and playmaking were off the charts on this day. She consistently was one step ahead of her opposing defensemen. Offensive threat always as a 2003 playing 2002.
Abby Lewis, 2002, Ottawa 67s: Huge kid for her age who completely dominated the game we saw with her offensive skill set. Played a lesser opponent but we were impressed by the fact that she played at one speed—fast and hard. Would like to watch her against stronger competition, but again, size and skating will take you places in this game, and she displayed both at a high level.
Elena Junkala, 2003, Assabet: A top motor at the tournament on this day. Her puck pursuit was off the charts, and with the puck, she could make plays at speed. The combination of grit and skill made her effective each and every shift. As a 2003, she did not look at all out of place. Presented as a bit undersized but strong. Another kid who could play all situations (PK, PP and ES) due to her well-rounded game.
Lindsey Bochna, 2002, Etobicoke: Another viewing after seeing her this summer at the Ponytail. Bochna plays the game like a seasoned hockey player. There is a focus and intensity to her game that is noticeable through her play without even knowing her. Powerful and strong stride. She still possesses one of the top releases that we have seen yet. Scored 30 seconds into the game we saw and then six minutes later.
B+
Jordan Kowalski, 2002, Assabet: Tall, lanky forward who displayed very good offensive upside. She looked as though the addition of strength to her lower body would provide her a stronger stride and more explosiveness. Played with Mastel, and the two displayed good chemistry and offensive creativity. Another D1 prospect due to the size, skill and skating combination.
Sydney Wegner, 2002, Buffalo Regals: Transplant from FL who played or plays with the Vipers. Very good size and she gets after it hard to use that size well. Small detail, but she was excellent on face-offs for her team. Powerful stride to create separation speed through the neutral zone and off of the rush. A good find for the Regals, as she is a primary offensive producer on their top line. Could benefit from more responsible puck distribution, as she occasionally turned the puck over through the middle of the ice.
Angela Huo, 2003, Barrie: Small and compact. Played with strength in her stride and her overall game. Came to Barrie having played boys’ hockey last year. Huo possessed very good hands in tight spaces. Occasionally over-handled the puck but mostly created. Body language could improve when things were not going well. Also can add more of a defensive zone / backchecking presence to her game in hopes of being a 200-foot player. All things that are doable for this talented young lady.
Kayla Welk, 2002, Barrie: Strong 5’7” forward who plays the game hard. Strong on pucks and excellently relentless on the penalty kill. Size and compete level made her noticeable throughout. High level point producer in 15-16 for Barrie.
Tatum White, 2002, Kingston: Played very well against Honeybaked. Good size and mobility. She also plays hard which, combined with her size, makes her difficult to stop. She had a goal in this game; a heavy one-timer off the rush that she blew past the opposing goaltender. Would like to see her again, as the 8am game usually only gives flashes of a kid’s ability. Impressive with what we saw.
B
Emerson Hayes, 2002, Anaheim Jr. Ducks: Small winger who skates very well and seems to understand the game in all three zones. Very active in the defensive zone with regards to stick positioning and cutting off passing lanes to the point. This is unusual for kids her age to be so active. Speed allows her to be effective offensively as well, although her size made it challenging to get to the scoring areas. Moves the puck hard and plays at pace. Definite upside as she matures physically with time.
Elle Rutherford, 2002, Anaheim Jr. Ducks: Tiny forward who skates very well and competes very hard. Hands are likely a lesser rating, but her consistent tenacity and compete level put her in the “B” category. Good first couple of steps. Excellent on the backcheck and forecheck, as she has no fear of puck pursuit. She, as much as anyone in this rating, could blossom into an A- level player should she increase her strength or size. Fun player to watch. Type of kid who coaches love to have every day in practice and in games.
Jersey Phillips, 2002, Buffalo Regals: Small forward with fluid skating ability. Quick and hard on pucks even though undersized. Showed flashes of skill, but she more so is an energy forward who creates with her effort. Thrives within a system that rewards puck pursuit and tenaciousness. Size currently will scare off some college scouts, but everybody needs a motor in their top 12. She will continue to impress with time.
Sarah Hirst, 2003, Anaheim Jr. Ducks: Evaluator had her rated a bit lower until realizing she is a 2003. Small but quick. Had a great goal in the game we saw. Skating allows her to have a positive impact on the game overall. Her play improved as this particular game went on. Would presume that she has an even greater impact within her own birth year on the west coast. Worth tracking.
Logan Biggs, 2002, Etobicoke: Saw at Ponytail this summer. Good skill package still. Undersized but works hard. Needs to bring more consistency to her game and, with time, determine the type of player she wants to be. That will help with the consistency.
B-
Madelyn Son, 2002, Anaheim Jr. Ducks: Solid all-around game. Skill set is average but general work ethic is above average. Explosiveness is an opportunity for improvement and could help move her game along. Played top line minutes for the ducks.
Alaina Giampietro, 2002, Cleveland Barons: Not on the roster and the tiniest player in this report. Tiny to the point of wanting you to not like her, but she consistently found herself around the puck and with the puck in the offensive zone. Her impact on the game was worthy of notice and another look should we see the Barons play. Crafty, good playmaker.
Defense
A-
Sabrina Kim, 2003, Anaheim Jr. Ducks: Undersized but an outstanding IQ and understanding of the game. Sabrina displayed excellent puck poise and decision making time and time again. She never exerted a ton of energy, and as such, she controlled the game in her own way when on the ice. Skating and edges are solid, but again, she does not present as a burner. She is very under control. Definite D1 prospect for the 2021 class. A top 4 D-man for this 2002 team and likely her next one as well. Coaches must be very comfortable when she is on the ice.
Makenna Chokelal, 2002, Durham West: Very good sized kid for her age and moved very well. Limited notes due to her team dominating the opponent, but her reach, wingspan and skating make her a D1 prospect all day. The team had an absurd number of very big defensemen.
Myah Neira, 2002, Durham West: Similar to Chokelal with her size and mobility. Will be given every opportunity to become a D1 player because of her tangible and intangible qualities. Worth watching.
B+
Taylor Larson, 2002, Brampton: Very good skater, especially when taking back ice or gap control through the neutral zone. Her skating, especially backwards for a defenseman (obviously), will be very helpful in her transitioning to every level. Quick release and hard shot. Good size.
Kendall Butze, 2003, Cleveland Barons: Strong and powerful for a 2003. Plays the game hard and at speed. Looks like she could become a power forward without any trouble. Decision making on the back end, specifically with breakout decision making, could improve. She currently is strong enough and plays hard enough to accomplish a great deal on her own. Definite upside and a D1 prospect frame/strength combination.
Bailey Oakes, 2003, Brampton: Good size and a thick, strong kid. Very heavy shot. Dangerous offensive presence from the blue line based on the ability to get shots through with pace that is very above average for the age group.
Melissa Jefferies, 2002, Kingston: Average sized D-man who controlled her part of the game with skating and poise. Very under control and very aware on the ice. She most always made the correct, sound decision for her team. Not very high risk but instead very reliable. Not a sure fire D1 kid, but her mind for the game will always make her effective.
Nicole Hunter, 2003, Durham West: Very good size for a 2003 and very effective on a 2002 team with a lot of good players. Really liked her edges and ability to regroup the puck with ease. Passes the puck hard and on the tape, a skill that cannot be overlooked at her age. Suspect she will continue to blossom in a top 2003 D-man.
B
Seo Hyung Kwak, 2002, Anaheim Jr. Ducks: Unorthodox looking skater who consistently had an offensive impact on the game. Strong and thick frame, she used her power to jump into the play and get the puck to the net front. Deceptively effective and a kid who could get overlooked. Would like to watch her again, but viewers could not deny the positive impact she had on the game for her team.
Kristina Allard, 2002, Assabet: Good skater with good size. Mobile in the sense of being able to open her hips and rely on her edges. Worth watching.
Tory Mariano, 2003, Cleveland Barons: Good size and decent feet. Less noticeable than Butze (on same team), but that doesn’t mean less effective. Played boys hockey out of Buffalo last year so unsure if she is a tournament player or full timer. Very good in transition and strong on the puck.
