Neutral Zone sent two scouts to the Exeter Invitational to get an early look at some of preps top programs. Below we have provided a recap of each team with some information a few players who led the way. We will be posting a Top 80 from the tournament later this week on the Neutral Zone Scouting site with more detail on the players individual performances.
Brunswick – (1-0-1 at PEA) – Brunswick played two solid games at the Exeter Invitational, with a win over New Hampton on Saturday and a tie to Phillips Exeter on Sunday. Led by senior defensemen Jude Brower, junior forward, Michael Salandra, and senior forwards Jakub Teply, Brunswick is deep, well coached, and very young (five 2004 birth years and five 2003 birth years). This will be a fun team to watch develop over the season.
Gunnery – (2-0-0 at PEA) – Gunnery beat up on Phillips Exeter Academy and New Hampton this weekend. With the likes of Alex Jefferies, Mark D’agostino, and David Andreychuk, Gunnery can skate with anyone. They also have high end depth with guys like Dane Dowiak, Daniel Sambuco, and Alex Luff and a nice combination of size, depth and grit. Coach Badger has to like his team this year and we expect they will be competing for hardware in late March/early April.
New Hampton – (0-2-0 at PEA) – Despite losing both games this weekend (to Brunswick on Saturday and Gunnery on Sunday), New Hampton played pretty well. Led by Marcus Joghin, Jack Ring, Adam Shuchart, and Cory Morris, New Hampton has a strong senior class, who compete hard. Adding veteran coach Joe Marsh behind the bench will only help an already well coached team. New Hampton played better than their record indicate and should be competitive in the Lakes Region.
Kent – (2-0-0 at PEA) – what a weekend for Coach Reinhardt and the Kent Lions, beating Hebron handedly on Saturday and upsetting KUA on Sunday on the back of a very strong performance from Goalie Joey Purtell. Kent has a lot of big, strong defensemen that make life difficult for opposing teams to establish any type of consistent attack, as well as feisty, skilled forwards, who apply constant pressure. Fair to say that KUA has more talent, but Kent showed that it can play with anyone and are a very strong all-around team.
Phillips Exeter (0-1-1) – Phillips Exeter lost convincingly to Gunnery on Saturday, but rebounded nicely in a hard-fought tie against Brunswick on Sunday. Led by senior Danny Colon and highly talented youngster Kurt Gurkan (2/13/2004), Exeter has potential with a deep, older lineup but not as much star power as some of their prior years teams have had. On the backend defensemen Jack Simon and Sylas Oberting had strong performances.
Vermont Academy (0-2-0) – two years ago Vermont Academy knocked off KUA at this tournament, but with only 13 skaters, Vermont Academy lost by double digits against KUA on Saturday and were beaten soundly by Hebron on Sunday. Despite not putting up much offense, Vermont Academy nevertheless played hard on what had to be exhausted legs – the 20 minute period format here didn’t help their cause. Junior forward Cody White played well up front and senior defensemen Charles-Oliver Gagnon did everything he could on defense. Might be a long season in Saxtons River, Vermont this year, but these kids will be in great shape come year end.
Hebron (1-1-0) – Hebron was overmatched by Kent on Saturday, but dominated Vermont Academy on Sunday. Hebron is solid this year, but their best talent is in the junior class. With the likes of Cam Bandoni, Zach Smith, and Trevor Tardanico, complimented by underclassmen Nick Theodos and Jack Madden, the future is promising for the Lumberjacks.
Kimball Union (1-1-0)- KUA is full of a highly talented players, but standing atop the heap is 5-star phenom Adam Fantilli, who just turned 15 years old (10/12/2004). You wouldn’t know he’s so young from his size (6’ 2”, 180 lbs) or his incredible skill (projected #1 pick in this year’s OHL draft). His older brother, Luca Fantilli also impressed, as did Tomas Mazura, although we remain concerned about his maturity (broke his stick over the cross bar at the end of the Kent game in frustration). KUA has the balance that will be tough to play against in that their defenders are tough but also skilled, their forwards are strong on pucks and can score but they are also fast and aggressive. They have a returning prep championship goalie and the best center depth in the league with Mazura-Fantili-Dore going 1, 2, 3.
