Forwards:
Jake Calanni – New Jersey Aspen Kings Blue
– Calanni uses his speed to turn breakouts into breakaways, generating scoring opportunities on his own. However, he is a pure two-way player, as he back checks with aggression while also battling in front of the net in the attacking zone. Through three games so far, Calanni has a goal and an assist.
Ian D’Ambrosio – Haverford Hawks
– A sniper from the center position, D’Ambrosio can turn the puck into a rocket with a flick of his wrist. He also has a hard-working nature and slick skating ability to supplement his scoring.
Dylan Kouba – Haverford Hawks
– A determined, hard-working winger, Kouba is the type of player that sparks energy on the bench by simply stepping on the ice. He also has great speed and puck control to establish scoring chances.
JL O’Toole – New Jersey Aspen Kings Blue
– O’Toole can skate with speed and aggression, using it to attack the puck on offense or defense. Paired with a strong set of hands, JL has a full “toole” box.
Colin Rink – Haverford Hawks
– With a top-tier hockey name, Rink has the skills to do the name on the back of his jersey proud. With good speed and vision, along with a strong sense of where to be in front of the net, Rink causes headaches for many defenders.
Aaron Shulman – North Jersey Skyland Kings Navy
– Shulman utilizes his quick, strong hands all over the ice, from winning face-offs to dangling around defenders. Paired with great knowledge of the game, Shulman has the potential to be a top-tier talent.
Fredrick Sitner – Rockets Hockey Club
– Using his elite speed to create open space, Sitner can use his top-level skill to generate opportunities for himself and for his teammates. He has a very well-rounded offensive game, including great shooting and passing abilities.
Defense:
Johans Bars – North Jersey Skyland Kings Navy
– Able to knock the puck away from attackers, Bars uses his body to win the puck away from opponents using his large frame. He also puts that frame into a strong shot from long range.
Nathan Cucinatta – Haverford Hawks
– With good speed for his size and physical play, Cucinatta stands out on the blue line. Using his speed, he is able to convert defense to offense.
Joel Saxon – New Jersey Aspen Kings Blue
– A player with a very high hockey IQ, Saxon is able to adapt to wherever the play goes, especially in the offensive zone. He is able to clear room in front of the net and he has a thundering shot when positioned at the blue line. He has a goal through three games.
Constantine Sidorov – Rockets Hockey Club
– A player that always moves the puck with care and intent, despite his physical style of play, Sidorov has the can both move defenders off the puck and help advance attacks with insightful passes.
Blake Stevens – New Jersey Aspen Kings Blue
– A two-way defenseman, Stevens is able to use his outstanding speed to generate offensive opportunities from his own zone. He has a knack for finding the tape of open teammates elsewhere on the ice.
Goalies:
Zach Carter – Hollydell Hurricanes Red
– One cannot ask for a better start to the season than what Carter provided the Hurricanes, as just recorded a 36-save shutout to kick-off the season along with some solid games early on. Look for him to rely on his athleticism to continue his hot streak.
Chrisitan Mackey – Haverford Hawks
– Mackey uses his height to his advantage, using his entire body and athleticism to stop pucks from all angles. Mackey’s positioning and rebound control are also evaluated among the best in the 16U AA group.
Connor Thomas – New Jersey Aspen Kings
– Thomas has stellar puck tracking and precise net movement. Along with good size and a quick glove, Thomas provides firm support for the Kings in net. In two games so far, Thomas owns an .890 SV%.
Defense:
Joel Saxon – New Jersey Aspen Kings Blue
– A team leader that saw time on both special teams units, Saxon emerged as a leader for the Aspen Kings. His energetic, intelligent play kept the Aspen Kings in close games. Through four games, he was also able to add a goal and two assists to the scoresheet. His leadership will surely aid New Jersey to victory in close battles.
Ryan Walter – New Jersey Aspen Kings Blue
– Averaging 3.5 shots-per-game from the blue line, Walter served as a critical presence on the Aspen Kings power play efforts. Moving the puck well and finding open ice for himself on the man advantage to use his heavy shot, Walter showed a lot of potential as an offensively-minded defenseman.
Bonding is important when playing a team sport. Doing activities outside the realm of hockey has always been vital to building chemistry and making lifelong friends. One team found a way to take that aspect of team sports and use it to benefit others. On Sunday, Nov. 7, the North Jersey Aspen Kings 14U A Grey team decided to participate in the 6th Annual Hero 5k Run/Walk.
According to Matt Landolfi, assistant coach for the Kings 14U A Grey, the start of this journey began at team practices. “Before practices in August, September, and October, our team would run a mile outside as part of our dryland conditioning,” Landolfi said. “Surprisingly, most of the kids enjoyed it, and it became quite competitive. So, when we were looking for something charitable to do with the team on an off-day, the idea of the 5k run was perfect for our group.”
The team looked at options in northern New Jersey and decided on the 6th Annual Hero 5k Run/Walk. All the proceeds raised during the event went to help the student veterans of Bergen Community College, located in Paramus, NJ. The event was limited to 300 participants and managed to sell out, with 23 of those participants being involved with the North Jersey Aspen Kings 14U Grey, which included not only its players, but many of the parents and siblings.
Coach Landolfi was very proud, with some of the kids and their siblings placing near the top of their age groups in the results. “It was fantastic to see the kids push themselves. We only run 1 mile before practice, so this race was a big test for most of them physically and mentally. Coaching these kids is more than just teaching them the game of hockey. It’s showing them how to be good young men, how to develop habits that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. So things like running and staying active, and also giving back and helping others, are a big part of what we talk about with the boys.”
According to the BCC Hero Run Facebook page, the event raised $15k for the Bergen Community College student veterans and was a big success.
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