The Beast League Fall Showcase is coming up this weekend with a host of games at the U16 level. Action will run from Friday, September 15 to Sunday, September 17 at four sites: Canton Ice House, New England Sports Village (Attleboro, MA), Rodman Arena (Walpole, MA) and New England Sports Center (Marlboro, MA).

There are 16 total games over the three-day showcase including some key matchups between some of the hottest teams.

The Long Island Gulls are a team to watch for as they are 3-0 to start fall Beast campaign and coach Dan Cassano likes what he is seeing out of his group.

“We're excited to have our full lineup back together with the return of Nicholas Sykora and Cooper Dennis from their stints in the USHL,” said Cassano.  “This will allow us to use the strength of our team, our depth and hopefully allow us to post a strong weekend.”

One player to keep your eye on for the Gulls is Poul Anderson who Cassano has been impressed by in the early going.

“Poul Andersen who has come to us from Minnesota,” said Cassano. “He's been a power forward for us with the ability to score goals because of his shot.  He's been a great teammate and hard worker both on the ice and in the video room.”

The Gulls have three key games this weekend against the Yale Jr. Bulldogs (Saturday, 6:50pm), the Neponset River Rats (Sunday, 9:40am) and Mid-Fairfield (Sunday, 3:10pm) all at NESC in Marlboro.

Another team playing well heading into the Showcase are the U16 Boston Hockey Academy, readying for a couple of big games with the Valley Forge Minutemen on Saturday (11:20am, NESV) and the East Coast Militia on Sunday (4:10pm, NESV). Coach Nate Bostic is pleased with his team’s showing so far in the early going.

“So far we have been very happy with our group,” said Bostic. “This weekend we are looking to continue to build on team chemistry as we have many new players. Our goaltending has been great between Jensen Carlstrom and Logan Heideman."

Atlantic Coast Academy is another team that has been playing well to start up the fall. They are gearing up for games Friday against the New Hampshire Mountain Kings (12:30pm,, Rodman Arena) and the Rochester Coalition (8:20pm at NESV).

“We are looking forward to the weekend,” said ACA head coach Dennis Kravchenko. "Also, looking forward to seeing the players continue in their development and the competition for this upcoming season."

 A few players that have been impressive so far for Atlantic Coast have been Walter Jimenez in goal, Keygan Paquette (forward), and Bailey Yates (forward). 

Other U16 games on the docket this weekend:

9/15 at NESC

North Shore Hockey Academy vs Valley Forge Minutemen 4:40 pm (Rink 4)

9/16 at NESC

Boston Jr. Huskies vs CT Chiefs National (9:50 am (Rink 7)

Neponset River Rats vs. Avon Regals 3:20 pm (Rink 4)

EC Militia vs. Mid-Fairfield National 4:50 pm (Rink 5)

9/16 at NESV

Rochester Coalition vs. Valley Forge Minutemen 4:20 pm

9/17 at NESC

Yale Jr. Bulldogs vs. Mid-Fairfield 8:00 am (Rink 4)

EC Militia vs. Avon Regals 9:30 am (Rink 8)

Avon Regals vs. Yale Jr. Bulldogs 3:00 pm (Rink 8)

9/17 at NESV

North Shore Hockey Academy vs. Rochester Coalition 9:40 am