New England Hockey Journal - December 2015 - 31

Dave Arnold/New England Hockey Journal

tinuing their hockey career at the college
level, no matter the division, and really
enhancing their college experience."
Whether it's a practice session in Marlboro, a game all the way in Philadelphia, a
film session or off-ice workout, the lifestyle
and decorum of college hockey always factors prominently. However, it's one thing
to espouse a philosophy that is college
hockey-centric, and it's an entirely different
matter for leaders to back up their rhetoric.
Mike Anderson (Springfield, Mass.),
who coaches the Juniors Bruins' Premier
team, played for four years at the University of Connecticut and captained the
Huskies during his senior season. Nevin
Hamilton is a former starting goaltender at the University of MassachusettsLowell and also coaches with the Junior
Bruins. When it comes to finding the
right academic and athletic fit, that sort
of experience speaks volumes.
"It's very easy to pick up the phone and
call coaches as players develop to a certain level," general manager Peter Masters
(Lexington, Mass.) said. "We can say if a
player is ready to be put under the microscope, 'this is what he does well' and how
he could fit in. We've developed relationships where our recommendations are
usually right in the ballpark and it's worth
a coach's time to come evaluate a guy."
When coaches do check out a Junior
Bruins player, they are seldom disappointed. Players aren't thrown into a regimented system, but instead are given
full license to express themselves.
"We have a lot of freedom and it's nice
to go out on the ice and be able to play
hockey and not worry where you are,"
said Tim Doherty (Portsmouth, R.I.), a
forward for the Junior Bruins' Premier

Around juniors
The USPHL's New England-based talent is certainly
pushing the envelope in the 2015-16 season. Goaltender
Brian McGrath (Worcester, Mass.) of the Junior Bruins
leads all starters with a 1.72 goals-against average,
while Matt Beck (Westport, Conn.) of the Philadelphia
Flyers has an impressive .928 save percentage.
The buck doesn't stop on offense, as Charlie
Kelleher (East Longmeadow, Mass./UNH) has 20
points for the Junior Bruins. Meanwhile, an uncommit-

 Clockwise from top left: Gus Van Nes (Holland)
is one of a handful of foreign recruits on the
Premier team; defenseman Pat O'Leary (Norfolk,
Mass.); GM Peter Masters; Clay Moriarty (4),
captain Clay Han and teammates before a
game at Foxboro (Mass.) Sports Center.

team. "The game is so fast and a reaction
sport and we have the ability to do that.
They preach speed and creativity, and
both of those things translate really well
to college hockey."
Doherty committed to play at Brown
but left the program in preseason to return to the Junior Bruins.
Simply, the Junior Bruins attract players with a strong stride who can make
decisions at a fast pace and are efficient
at their role. It doesn't matter if the player is a 5-foot-8 center with guile and soft
hands, or a 6-foot-5 power center who
battles in the corners.
ted Nick Marin (Shrewsbury, Mass.) of the Springfield Pics is fourth in scoring with 22 points. ...
Matt Steeves (Bedford, N.H.) is one of the hottest rookies in the USHL. His eight points is fifth best
among first year players. Jarrod Fitzpatrick (Wakefield, Mass.) has 18 assists for the North Cyclones,
while Connor Rodericks (Franklin, Mass.) of the
Walpole Express has a .941 save percentage,. ...
Joey Daccord (North Andover, Mass.), a 2015
Senators draft pick, earned his second USHL Goaltender of the Week award Nov. 16. - JoNATHAN SIGAL

Instead, the Junior Bruins are concerned with how effective the player is
and if their skills are developing for their
next destination.
Fueling the Junior Bruins success
further is the talent the programs attract.
There's a healthy competition in practices and games where everyone is working toward the same goal. That elevates
everyone's play.
However, a skill-set gets a player only
so far. He must understand that studies
are equally as important and that success at the college level is never a given.
"Ultimately we try to make sure that
when they get to college, they understand
the responsibilities of a student-athlete
off the ice and on the ice," Peter Masters
said. "That goes from how you interact
with your teammates and your coaches,
how you practice, how you prepare for

practice, how you prepare for games. We
want our players to get there, and there's
no surprises at the higher level."
Players also are seldom waiting in
the wings when they arrive on campus.
They're prepared for all that a league such
as Hockey East has in store, and rarely are
the 13th forward or seventh defenseman.
"When our kids find their way onto
college teams, they're prepared to contribute," Chris Masters said. "They're not
just going to be a player on the team who
may or may not dress. We take a lot of
pride in that because at day one of practice, they know how to conduct themselves and play all three zones."
Despite all the individual and collective
success, the Junior Bruins aren't resting
on their laurels. Instead, they're committed to constantly improving in every facet.
"We would like to think we've done a
good job of staying ahead of things and in
line with the evolution of the sport," Chris
Masters said. "It's all about staying at the
forefront of development and not being
static. We want to change with the times."
And if early season signs are any indicator - the Premier team is atop the
USPHL standings - the Junior Bruins
are doing exactly that.
feedback@hockeyjournal.com

Recruiting Trail

Email editor@hockeyjournal.com

NAME

POS. LAST TEAM/N.E. HOMETOWN

COLLEGE

Nick Jermain

Merritt Centennials/Cos Cob, Conn.

Quinnipiac

Christian LeSueur RW

Brunswick School/Greenwich, Conn.

Dartmouth

Patrick Moynihan F

Neponset Valley River Rats

Boston College

Christian O'Neill

Belmont Hill High/Westwood, Mass.

Princeton

Daniel Winslow

Avon Old Farms/Fairfield, Conn.

Quinnipiac

December 2015

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New England Hockey Journal - December 2015

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