The 2022-2023 is almost underway. As we head into the River Rats Jamboree this weekend, we would like to highlight some of the top teams and their players to key in on as the year opens up. This year, the BEAST league looks to showcase some of the top young hockey players in the country.

Neponset Valley River Rats

14U – The River Rats look to be an early top-20 contender as the preseason opens up. Lead by goaltender Vinnie Durso, who is a rock between the pipes, NV looks to be strong from the net out. Chase Fields , a forward who played for the Terriers last year, plays a complete game and should be their top forward amongst a very strong group. Mike Federico is another strong player with tremendous athleticism, great skater and can really shoot it. Another player to highlight is Cam Macpherson, a 200ft player who makes plays and is responsible in every facet of the game. 

15U- This could be NV’s most impressive collection of talents. Seven players on their opening roster were at USA select 15s. Mike Munroe and Tommy Anderson are superbly talented forwards who look to drive offense. Liam Gore is a big time power forward with a physical edge and the scoring touch that collegiate coaches dream about. Their defensive group is stellar as well. Marco Senerchia is an undersized defenseman with high end skil. Collin Rowe is another puck moving D who can make plays. Anthony Peliterri is a big tough defenseman that will be looked on to lead this defense group. In net NV showcases Anthony Palmer, a very competitive goaltender who attacks the puck and is very aggressive in the net.  

16U- Led by forward Ryan Staples, the 16U group looks to turn some heads. Staples , who is committed to Yale University is a 200ft forward , great skater, does everything a coach could want and was great at select 16s. Caden Herrington led defense in scoring at select 16s. He is a big skating dman with a great stick and tons of offensive ability. He is a prospect that was under the radar and will continue to grow in the right direction. Goaltender Ethan Ramonetti is undersized but very athletic, moves well and is a tremendous academic. Another player to watch is Josh Itri, a slippery water bug type player that is relentless in pursuit of the puck. 

18U- Look for Jaden Davis who hails from Montreal to push the envelope offensively for this group. He is very skilled and is a quick skater. Jake Lewis can score goals, he has a good offensive skillset with a lethal shot. Ryan Flarrerty is a 200ft center who works very hard in all areas of the game. Defensman Marek Thompson skates well, moves the puck very well and is the brother of Aidan Thompson, a former NHL draftpick to the Chicago Blackhawks. In net NV has Aidan Hopewell who has always been a solid goaltender and looks to showcase his consistency. An underrated player to look out for is Brad Guden, a smooth skating defenseman who is tending upwards. 

Long Island Gulls

14U- Goaltender Jordan Valcich will be a huge reason behind this teams success this year. He is a big boy who moves very well and protects his crease. Kevin Lyoshir is a speedy forward with a natural ability to create high end plays and has an elite shot. Owen Degraff is a huge physical presence with smooth skating ability and good offensive instincts. Anthony Pedalino played 07 gulls last year. He’s a tough defender with offensive upside. Dominick Mack is a gifted skater who pushes the pace offensively and does not make mistakes defensively. Luke Savage is a huge skilled D that will be used on the power play. 

15U- Ethan Wyttenbach will be a driving force for this offensive group. He possesses an elite offensive IQ and has a knack for making big plays in big games. Joey Argentina has an elevated compete level and makes his teammates better. On the back end, Jared Petruso is a smart, smooth skating D that can be relied on in all situations. Nathaniel Poole is a long athletic D with the ability to run a power play. A player to keep an eye on is Jonah Rainisch. Jonah is both skilled and very smart. His compete level is phenomenal we expect him to really pop this year. 

16U- Coming off a tremendous year last year, Gulls 16U reloaded and should compete for a National title. This forward group is deep and balanced. Joey Macrina is an undersized Chicago Steel draft pick that has a high motor and great brain. Grant Young is a plus shooter who can really put pucks home. Plays with and edge and has a ton of skill. Young is a smooth skating forward who will not be uncommitted for very long. Merrimack’s most recent commit, Thomas Zocco will be a huge contributor in his second year with the gulls. Zocco has an elite brain and tremendous release. His skating has improved greatly and he should really take off this year. On the back end, look for Princeton’s Dan D’Alessandro to be counted on in all situations. He has great skating ability and a ton of jam. Watch for him to quarterback one of the top power plays in the country. 

18U- Another Gulls team with a lot of depth both offensively and defensively. Brendan Boring looks to build off his production at 16U and continue to light up the score sheet. Antonio Arcaroli battled some injuries last year but is a strong power forward who plays a full sheet. First year 18U forward Richard Rucireto looks poise to take the next step offensively. Anthony Cappello is another 16U graduate that will be counted on to produce offense at a high rate. An under rated forward to look out for would be James Guiffre, a Long Island local who continues to get better every time he touches the ice. On the back end look for Odie Ford and Eddie Romano to play huge roles. Ford is a tremendously gifted athlete with elite skating ability. Romano will be counted on to produce offensively and run the power play. 

Junior Bulldogs

14U- Gavin Cox and Aosen Hu were both at STX top 60 and will be their top two defensemen. Babalisky is a 200ft player should be the glue of their team. He plays a heavy game with a great shot . Two under the radar players are Jacob Ward and Max Stracar. Ward is a big lanky skater with upside while Stracar more undersized but shares similar upside with his ability to play in tight situations. 

15U- Should be a top team in the country. The marque name in this group is Indiana Grossbard. Grossbard is an incredible athlete that was fourth in scoring at National Camp. Stefano Peideracharro is another forward to lookout for who will be attending Kent in the fall. The Bulldogs have 2-3 D that are strong considerations for the NTDP at this time. Nate Watson is an undersized D , a great skater and could be the best of the bunch. John Donohue is a real difference maker because of his physicality. Over the last two years, his offensive game has really taken a step. Jack Daley has great size and the first pass out of the defensive zone that coaches ask about. In net, the Bulldogs could have the best goalie in the New England Area, Liam Joyce. 

16U – This team has two huge names on the back end. First off is Providence commit , Alex Bales. Simply put, Bales has the ability to shut down anyone at the 16U level. He was great at the Hlinka games and looks to continue his progress this year at Kent. Jacob Ingstrup , a London Knights draft pick is only a sophomore and should have every college in the country calling pretty soon. He skates unbelievably well and has a great shot. Upfront, Wonjun Yun should be a forward that turns some heads. Gennaro Pompano out of Loomis Chaffe is a 200ft , hard noised competitive forward. An under the radar forward to look out for is Tian Boyu. 

18U- What seems to be a trend with the Bulldogs is the luxury of having one of the top players at each age group on their rosters. At the 18U level this player is Joe Connor, a Northeastern commit. He played at Hlinka and is one of the premier 05’ birthyears in the United States. Another forward to watch is Derek Tremblay. He boasts great scoring ability and high end playmaing skill. Avon’s Hudson Miller has an intriguing defenseman to keep an eye on. RPI commit, Matt Hansom is a big tough heavy defender that will push the identity of this back end. Drew Anastasio is a bit undersized but plays a complete game and should have colleges knocking on his door come October. The Bulldog’s have three goaltenders that can win any night; Andrew Hines, Rudy Guimond, and Steven Peck. 

New Jersey Rockets

15U- Goaltender Matt Manchik will be the backbone of this group. He is a big goalie , played well at festivals and should be a top goalie in the country. Dante Rodriquez is a skilled puck moving left defenseman. Max Wright is a big 6’ RD who hones a big shot plays heavy and should be a key component on their power play. Up front looks for Aidan Wilson , Tyler Kuznier and Dom Szmgiel to be filling the score sheet and competing hard each night. 

16U- Right wing Christian Chouha is a pure goal scorer with blazing speed. He plays a complete game and gets lost away from the puck, allowing himself time and space. Igor Barbano is a skilled an creative center man. Typically, Igor is a pass first player. He has great wheels and stick handling ability. Omaha Pick, Niko Pournas is a big skilled forward who has a true knack for finding the back of the net. Vinny Bronzo is an intelligent LW with a lethal shot. On the back end, look for Madison pick, Ryan Lukko to do a little bit of everything. He has an elite brain and competes like an animal, albeit his smaller stature. 

18s – Brown commit, Tripp Pendy is a speedy skilled 200ft left center. Pendy is also property of Sioux City and is expected to have a big year offensively. Michael Hoffner is a smart skilled RD who always makes the right first pass. He should be partnered with Han Shin who is a skilled puck moving LD. A player to look out for is Billy Sheridan. Sheridan has shown the ability to make a ton of plays off the right wing in the last couple years. In goal is Jason Cai, a competitive kid who has always shown up during big games. 

Bishop Kearney 

16U- For the last couple years Bishop Kearney has established themselves as a top team in the country. This year should be no different. Nate Delladonna is a through back type of forward with a great shot and has the willingness to get to the dirty areas to score goals. Geno Carcone has elite offensive instincts, great poise with the puck and recently played for team USA at under 17 five nations tournament. Grant Dillard is a big forward who moves well. You’ll find that his best work is done below the goal line and he really loves to attack the net. Two defensemen to look out for are Jack Sullivan and Carson Yates. Sullivan has tremendous offensive ability, he’s a great skater and should take a massive step in his game. Yates is a great skater with an offensive mindset that can finish as good as any forward on the ice. 

18U- JC Humphreys is a skilled offensive player and proved goal scorer. He made huge strides in his first year of 18u and will be relied on in every situation during the 22-23 season. Jett Otwell is an elite skster and is always one of the fastest players on the ice. He’s a versatile forward that takes pride in his defensive details while still producing on the offensive side. Jacob Carroll is an extremely well rounded center that consistently scores and creates opportunities for his teammates. Effective in all situations, Carroll is a mature player that should make an immediate impact in his first year in the States. Defenseman Chris Macgovern is a smooth skating big body right shot. Macgoven will find himself in all situations for BK this season. He plays with an edge and is a proven leader to this point in his career.