Stand-outs from the WNY College Prep Showcase
Notes on prospects born between 2000-2006
The Western NY College Prep Showcase put on by Mike Levine, Kyle Quick and Chris Collins featured two divisions, split up between 2000-2003s and 2004s-2006s. There were many division 1 and prep hockey coaches in attendance.
I asked some observers to give me the low-down of who they thought stood out at the camp, which took place over July 8-11th. Here’s what I got:
Breakdown by age
2000
D Clay Korpi - Salisbury captain will be in Brockville (CCHL) this year, had an outstanding week, strong in his own end with offensive flashes. Lots of NESCAC interest with potential D1 upside as well.
D Hunter Sansbury — Right-shot defender from California (plays for the Gunnery) was a threat all week defensively and offensively. Smooth skating with great compete.
2001
D AJ Casperson — Another defender out of Salisbury, Casperson is a tough out in his own end. The Dallas Stars product will play with the Rochester Coalition’s 18s this fall.
F Elijah Devereaux — Plays for Northwood School. Big, strong forward who can skate, had a great week with a good compete level.
F Jeff Kopek — Plays for Gunnery. Big, strong up front and can play any position. Very good down low and does the little things. Rochester Coalition’s 18s
2002
D Zach Bookman — Headed to Millbrook out of Fayetteville-Manlius HS (near Syracuse) this season, what he lacks in size he makes up for in offensive flash and defensive competence. Opportunistic with great poise in possession and strong skating. Rochester Coalition’s 18s
F Dallas D’Amato — Gunnery-bound forward will also be with the Rochester Coalition’s 18s this fall. Good skater who gets pucks north quickly and creates problems with his speed.
F Cam Bauer — Another smaller forward playing prep hockey, but at Nichols in Buffalo. Reportedly had a great showing at USHL-Tri-City’s camp and followed it up with a strong showing here, displaying craftiness and skill.
F Kyle Neudorf — Coming off a great first year in prep hockey with Millbrook, Neudorf is a big, powerful skater with tools that can turn the heads of Division 1 coaches.
2003
F Ryan Walsh — Rochester Coalition 16s forward is very skilled with a high compete. Handled himself well against older, current prep players and created a lot.
F Sam Christiano — Crafty forward with good hockey IQ out of Buffalo, NY, playing for Ridley College (Ontario). Division 1 upside.
F Patrick Cole — Jr. Sabres 16s — 6’2 power forward, skates well and competed alongside the older players.
D Matt Despirt — Jr. Sabres 16s — Smooth skater with poise on the blue, very good compete.
D Cam Lowe — Rochester Coalition 16s — Late-developer, playing with the Coalition’s 16s, good mind for the game. Offensive threat with smarts in his own end.
D Liam Lesakowski — Jr. Sabres 16s — Huge defenseman with a good head for the game whose feet are catching up with his massive growth spurt over the last year.
D Jake Lipani — Rochester Selects 16s — Right-shot defender, big, physical, smart on retrievals and can activate with results.
*F Ty Broad was rostered but was hurt/out all week of camp.
Goaltenders
01 Nick Haas - Late ‘01 played for Salisbury last year, will be with the Rochester Coalition’s 18s as well. Moves well and looks calm in the net, communicates with his team.
02 Owen Parker — 6’7 goaltender reportedly had a great showing at the USA 17s camp and impressed here as well. Someone to keep an eye on for the future.
There was also a younger division made up of players born in 2004-2006.
2004
D Alex Zakrzewski — Buffalo Jr. Sabres — Best defenseman in the group, exceptional skater who is well-ahead of the average defenseman at his age. Legit Division 1 prospect
D Kiernan Gately — Rochester Coalition — Puck-moving defenseman with a tremendous ceiling. Very strong skater and great defensively. Does the little things and keeps the play calm.
D Sam Renaud — Buffalo Jr. Sabres — Tough to play against, kept pucks moving and moves well himself.
F Nick Peluso — Rochester Selects — Crafty with vision, skilled, skates well.
F Brian Judge — Rochester Selects — Crafty, moves well, strong play all week.
F Ryan Novo — Buffalo Jr. Sabres — Great compete with a constantly-running motor, all-around talent who skates well for his size.
F Joey Muldowney — Buffalo Regals (SCTA) — Smaller forward with exceptional skills, made some big plays.
F Trent Barker — Buffalo Regals (SCTA) — Smaller forward with a very nice skill-set, one of the best in camp.
F Carter Lukowski — Nichols — Big forward who skates well for his size, showed especially well controlling the puck in small area games.
2005
D AJ Vitanza — 05 Regals — Smaller defenseman with great skating, can get a little over-extended at times but has the ability to get back into plays.
D Chris Amodeo — 05 Regals — Bigger defenseman, one of the best compete levels and overall work ethic in the camp. His attitude and willingness to put in the work bode well for his future in the game.
F Colby Dobek — 05 Regals — Consistent stand-out with a few highlight reel goals playing against older defenders. Great stick, strong skater with a lot of drive.
F Noah Kellogg — Bud Bakewell Ice Hawks — Good on the puck with hands and the ability to create offense.
F Jack Neill — 05 Regals — Really impressed on the last day, skating hard and turning heads. If he can show that consistently he will be one to keep an eye on.
2006
D Brandt Dubey — 06 Jr. Sabres — Bigger defenseman who competes well, gets up and down the ice. Dubey was skating against mostly older, talented players here and looked very good by the end of the camp.
F Cole Bailey — 06 Regals — Moves well, competed and impressed like he wasn’t playing up. Looked very good here for his age.
Goalies
04 Matt Alberti — Nichols — Calm with very few rebounds, absorbs the puck and positions well.
04 Joey Lovullo — Jr. Sabres 15s — Very good all week, plays the puck with poise beyond his years. “Someone to keep an eye on this year.”
05 Max Illecki — Amherst 05s — Very hard-working kid who made a positive impression on many observers.