Fri. 4/6/18
Tomorrow's Players Today
On the weekend of April 13th to 15th we'll once again be at the Total Pro Evaluation (TPE) Spring Showcase, where the next generation -- the '04s, '05s, and '06s -- will be showcasing their skills. Due to its growth, this year the showcase has moved from Merrimack College, its home for the tournament's first two seasons, to the New England Sports Center in Marlborough, Mass.
Traditionally, the tournament has been held the first weekend in April, between the NCAA Regionals and the Frozen Four/USA Hockey Nationals, but this year Easter came inconveniently early, so the tournament had to be pushed back a couple of weeks.
The weekend, put together by Boston Bruins Assistant Director of Amateur Scouting Scott "Fitzy" Fitzgerald, will feature the up-and-comers. Fitzgerald knows this age group well -- he's made it his business -- and has put together a camp featuring many of the best. We've seen a number of them -- the '04s, to be specific -- and there are some excellent ones. Coaches who show up -- whether from the youth, prep, junior or college ranks -- will not be disappointed.
As was the case last year, players from the top Massachusetts youth programs will be represented, as well as players from organizations such as the Mid-Fairfield Junior Rangers, the NJ Junior Devils, the LI Gulls, Westchester Express, NJ Colonials and many others. But, this spring, there will be more players from outside the region, with kids from Honeybaked, Team Illinois, Chicago Mission, Lac St-Louis, the Toronto Marlies and many more.
To accomodate the increased number of players, the tournament has expanded again this year, with eight teams in the '04 Division (up from six last year), eight teams in the '05 Division (up from five) and six teams in the '06 Division (up from five).
This year, the showcase will using NHL scouts to coach instead of prep coaches. This change is due to feedback from parents whose aim is to move their kids on to the prep ranks. This will free up the prep coaches on hand to spend more time watching all the players.
For schedules and rosters, check out the tournament website at:
www.totalproevaluation.com and click on "Platform".
In addition to the games, on Friday each team will have two skills sessions and there will be separate goalie skills sessions run by Stop It Goaltending president Brian Daccord and Boston University assistant coach Brian Eklund.
The games start Saturday morning, and will be spread across five rinks, running from 8:00 am to around noon.
On Saturday afternoon, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm, there will be information sessions at the Best Western Royal Plaza, 181 Boston Post Road, Marlborough.
The games will pick up again at 5:00 pm Saturday. And the final games will be Sunday morning from 8:00 am to noon.
We've always liked this event. Players of this age are less jaded. Showcases are still a relatively new thing for them. They just play hockey. So expect end-to-end action and no funny business.
There will be a lot of kids on hand with prep school aspirations. Any prep coaches who need more details should contact Scott Fitzgerald at scottfitzbruins@comcast.net
Wed. 3/7/18
Spring Beantown Gets Underway Today
The Beantown Spring Classic gets underway this afternoon at the New England Sports Center in Marlborough, Mass. with Draft Division games starting at 4:20 pm.
Tournament director Peter Masters reports that things are looking good in terms of the schedule, as most players are already in town.
Thursday, as usual, will be the biggest day, with all divisions in action.
Spring Beantown Rosters
Spring Beantown Schedule
Sat. 2/24/18-- updated 3/18
Mass. Super 8 Scoreboard
1. Central Catholic -- eliminated March 10
2. BC High
3. St. John's Prep -- eliminated March 12
4. Hingham -- eliminated March 15
5. Andover -- eliminated March 4
6. Burlington -- eliminated March 4
7. Arlington -- eliminated in play-in game
8. St. John's-Shrewsbury -- remains as #8 seed, eliminated March 10
9. St. Mary's -- eliminated in play-in game
10. Pope Francis -- becomes #7 seed
Play-in Round, Mon. Feb. 26 at the Chelmsford Forum
#10 Pope Francis 3, #7 Arlington 0
#8 St. John's-Shrewsbury 3, #9 St. Mary's 0
First Round, Wed. Feb. 28 at the Tsongas Center
#4 Hingham 2, #5 Andover 1 (OT)
#3 St. John's Prep 5, Burlington 3
First Round, Thurs. March 1 at the Tsongas Center
#1 Central Catholic 5, St. John's-Shrewsbury 0
#2 BC High 6, Pope Francis 1
Losers' Bracket, Sat. March 4 at the Chelmsford Forum
Pope Francis 3, Burlington 2
St. John's-Shrewsbury 3, Andover 2 (OT)
Second Round, Mon. March 5 at the Tsongas Center
Hingham 1, Central Catholic 0
BC High 1, St. John's Prep 0
Losers' Bracket, Sat. March 10 at the Chelmsford Forum
(Makeup of Wed. March 7 & Thurs. Mar. 8 postponements)
Pope Francis 4, Central Catholic 1
St. John's Prep 3, St. John's (S) 1
Mon. March 12 at the Tsongas Center
Pope Francis 5, St. John's Prep 1
BC High 4, Hingham 2
Wed. March 14 at the Tsongas Center
Pope Francis 6, Hingham 0
Sun. March 18 at TD Garden
Super 8 Championship Game:
BC High 2, Pope Francis 1
USHR Headlines
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