The Merrimack men’s hockey team received big news on Friday, when 2003-born center Matt Copponi committed to the Warriors.
This past season, the 16-year-old had 20 goals and 22 assists for 42 points in 30 games at Dexter. It was his first season in prep hockey, having previously played at Mansfield High and with the Neponset Valey River Rats (where he also played midget this past season).
Copponi, who was being pursued by Hockey East, ECAC and Atlantic Hockey programs, skated at Team USA’s Select 16 camp last summer as well.
Copponi was selected in the ninth round of last year’s USHL Phase I Draft and was taken eighth overall by the Quebec Remparts in the 2019 QMJHL American Draft. Copponi is eligible for the 2021 NHL Draft.
“I’ve been watching Matty play for a long time,” said Neutral Zone NHL scout, Ian Moran. “He’s always had excellent vision and poise with the puck. Coming out of the defensive zone and through the neutral zone Matty can make plays at top speed and he’s very good at keeping the defenders guessing. He manipulates their gaps by changing speeds and if he gains the blueline uncontested he’s going to generate a scoring opportunity. I like his feet and think they’re going to keep getting better as he matures. I’m not sure everyone knows it, but Matty has a chance to be 6’1″ or bigger. His older brother grew 2″ while in college so there’s a pretty good chance that Matty will too. I also think his game grew by leaps and bounds this year at Dexter.
“Matty has huge upside and he’s a player that NHL teams will be watching closely over the next 14 months.”
Neutral Zone also had Copponi ranked as the No. 1 uncommitted forward at the NE Prep Finals this past March.
Given his age, it’s likely Copponi will arrive at Merrimack in either 2022 or 2023.
’99 F Sasha Shogren commits to Hamilton for 2020
Shogren is an Edina, Minn. native. This past season he had 4 goals and 4 assists in 47 games for the Minnesota Magicians in the NAHL. Prior to his junior career he played prep hockey at Deerfield, where he had 9 goals and 8 assists two seasons ago.
NZ Scouts: “He’s a fast, skilled forward who can spin off checks, get to open ice and make plays in space. He plays with pace and can access his tools at full speed. His first step quickness allows him to separate and he has a quick release that he can get off in stride and with defenders on him. He scored a nice wrister goal on the power play and was always involved either rushing the puck up ice or getting in on the forecheck and pressuring defenders in the neutral zone.”
’99 D AJ Martinelli commits to Endicott for 2020
Martinelli has spent the last two seasons in the NAHL with Topeka, Austin and Northeast and he also played U18 with Compuware. A Michigan native, he had 103 penalty minutes in 40 games last season.
NZ Scouts: “AJ is 6’2” and 190lbs. Showed off a nice stride and speed. Strong core to play through contact. He is not a puck mover but was poised with possession and waited for the safe play. High IQ player. He used the wall and even was able to hit the stretch man. He was strong and steady. Showed a little more flair the last day as he swiveled with the puck to create but his game is simple and smart. He bumps players off the puck and breaks it out. Every team needs a player like that.”
’99 F Kenny Styles commits to Northland for 2020
Styles is a Michigan native who has spent the last two seasons in the OJHL. This past season, he appeared in 52 combined games for Cobourg and Whitby, scoring 12 goals and adding 14 assists.
Two seasons ago he played for Stouffville, where he appeared in 50 games and scored 16 goals with 17 assists.
NZ Scouts: “Displays some good quickness in the defensive zone getting to board pucks or out to his defenseman when on DZC. Plays a simple up and down game. Works hard and net drives for puck carrying teammates. Besides being a threat for rebounds his net drive earned him a johnny on the spot goal.”
