The Michigan Wolverines diipped into the New England Prep ranks last week, committing 2002-born defenseman Luca Fanitilli out of Kimball Union for 2021.
Fantilli, a 3.5-star defender who is originally from Ontario, is currently in his first season with KUA after spending last season in the GTHL with the Toronto Titans and in the OJHL with the North York Rangers.
Maine went to Western Canada to add 3.75-star defenseman Kabore Dunn for next season. The 2001-born defenseman is a British Columbia native who has 25 points (8 goals, 17 assists) in 45 games for the Fort McMurray Oil Barons in the AJHL this season.
“Kabore has the ability to slow the game down and create time and space,” our scouts said after a viewing earlier this month against the Drayton Valley Thunder. “He is shifty with the puck turning away from pressure and reversing it to escape a forechecker. He holds the line and has decent movement at the point allowing him to get shots through. He was really good on the powerplay always having his head up and showcasing his smooth hands. As the quarterback of this umbrella, he did a nice job moving the puck in the offensive zone and breaking it out in the defensive zone.”
Bentley added a promising forward in 2002-born Cole Galata, a 3.75-star winger out of St. Andrew’s College in Ontario who is projected for 2021.
“Galata is having a breakout year and showed why here as he is lightning fast, makes plays at top speed and has a sneaky release,” said our scouts. “The Newmarket native is a goal scorer bottom line. He goes to the right areas of the ice whether its right in front of the net, a soft spot on the ice or creeping on the back door, the kid knows where to be. Silky smooth, smart passer and does a good job of protecting and hiding the puck from defenders and then distributing. Galata isn’t big but is very strong on his edges and likes to bang bodies as well. Plays with that swagger and likes to get involved physically.”
Galata is second on the team with 70 points (24 goals, 46 assists) in 37 games, only behind Merrimack commit Mark Hillier, who has 74 points.
Rickly Lyle is a nice add for Army. The Madison Capitols forward is rated at 3.75 stars and he has 11 points (6 goals, 5 assists) in 27 games this season as a rookie in the USHL.
Committed for 2020, Lyle is a Duluth, Minnesota native.
“Slick hands and plays with head up,” said our scouts. “Had an excellent shot. Showed good speed driving defenders wide on numerous occasions.”
Alaska-Fairbanks added 3.5-star forward Payton Matsui for 2020. Matsui is having a breakout season in the BCHL this season with Merritt, where he has 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists) in 46 games.
“Payton is a clever player who really understands how to create space and space is where he does his best work,” said NZ scouts. “He is only about 5’7” but strong on his skates. He has speed but also knows to use changes of pace to force bad gaps on defenders.”
Across the state, Alaska-Anchorage added Daniel Rybarik, a 3.5-star left winger who is from Calgary.
In 45 games this season for Salmon Arm, Rybarik has 39 points, including 26 goals and 13 assists. Last season he had 52 points (29 goals) in 57 games for the Calgary Mustangs in the AJHL.
“Has solid speed, but could get faster if he works at it,” said our scouts. “A little too easy to bump off the puck, but has a nice quick shot while also scoring a nice backdoor goal.”
| Pos | Player | School | Team (League) | Stars |
| LD | Luca Fantilli | Michigan | Kimball Union (NE) | 3.5 |
| RD | Kabore Dunn | Maine | Fort McMurray (AJHL) | 3.75 |
| LW | Cole Galata | Bentley | St. Andrew’s (Prep) | 3.75 |
| F | Ricky Lyle | Army | Madison (USHL) | 3.75 |
| C | Payton Matsui | Alaska-Fairbanks | Merritt (BCHL) | 3.5 |
| F | Daniel Rybarik | Alaska-Anchorage | Salmon Arm (BCHL) | 3.5 |
