Scouting Reports
Wisconsin’s Messner Transfers to Merrimack
Posted on July 20, 2020
Wisconsin center Mick Messner is headed to North Andover, committing to transfer to the Merrimack men’s hockey program out of the NCAA transfer portal. Messner will have two seasons of eligibility remaining when he joins the Warriors; he’s appealing to the NCAA in an effort to be eligible immediately. The ’99-born forward, who is a Madison, Wisc….
2006 EHG All Star Weekend: All 44 Skaters & One Goalie Graded
Posted on July 20, 2020
Neutral Zone had at least two and often four scouts in attendance at the Exposure Hockey Group’s All-Star Weekend. Our main focus was the 2005 and 2006 age groups. Matt Miles and the EEHG did a superb job of putting the event on. The talent was excellent with some potential NTDP players and certain DI…
Top 100 Uncommitted Prospects: 1999s, 2000s, and 2001s
Posted on July 19, 2020
Neutral Zone has released its National Rankings for the Top 300 1999s, the Top 500 2000s, and the Top 400 2001s based on this past season of play (2019-2020). Also included in each report are 450-900 additional players — either listed in alphabetical order or ranked based on their respective league.
2002 National Rankings Top 420
Posted on July 18, 2020
While COVID-19 ended these players season short; Neutral Zone scouts were able to evaluate over 1,400 prospects born in 2002 throughout the season. We updated all their star rating and team information and have nationally ranked the top 400 NCAA Eligible prospects. Many of these top prospects are also being evaluated for the NHL Draft…
Yale Officially Hires Paul Kirtland
Posted on July 17, 2020
Yale filled its vacant assistant coaching position by hiring Sacred Heart assistant Paul Kirtland. The position was vacated back in March when Ryan Donald was hired as the head coach and GM of the new BCHL franchise in Cranbrook. Kirtland has been on Sacred Heart’s staff for the last two seasons. There, he had responsibilities…
St. Thomas University Cleared For Move to Division I
Posted on July 17, 2020
St. Thomas University in Minnesota has been cleared to move its entire athletic program to Division I beginning in 2021-22. The school will begin the transition process this upcoming season. The move was debated because St. Thomas was Division III; they become the first school to jump from Division III to Division I in the…
Saginaw Spirit Sign Red Wings Prospect
Posted on July 15, 2020
The Saginaw Spirit inked Detroit Red Wings prospect Albin Grewe to an OHL contract. Grewe was selected in the third round (No. 66) in the 2019 NHL Draft and was taken by the Spirit in the second round of the CHL Import Draft last week. “I am so happy and excited to be a part…
NCAA: Pitts Commits to Utica, Pioneers Commit Another For 2021
Posted on July 14, 2020
Maine Nordiques (NAHL) forward Kevin Pitts has announced his commitment to Utica College. Pitts, 20, made the most of his first and only NAHL season, finishing 4th in team scoring with 39 points in 51 games played this past season. A Quebec native, Pitts was also one of the assistant captains during the 2019-20 season;…
Harvard’s Rathbone Signs NHL Deal with Vancouver
Posted on July 14, 2020
Harvard sophomore forward Jack Rathbone signed an entry-level contract with the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday, forgoing the final two years of his NCAA eligibility. Rathbone had 31 points last season (7 goals, 24 assists). Harvard’s hockey season is in doubt after the Ivy League announced last week that it was halting all sports until at…
USHL Says It’s Focused on Full 2020-21 Schedule
Posted on July 14, 2020
The USHL announced that it’s currently planning for a full 2020-21 schedule, with the season beginning in the fall as is customary. The league’s board of directors met via video conference last Thursday to review the league’s Return to Play Protocol. “Our Board of Directors meetings have been another great example of how in a…
