Recent Portland Pirates 18U News
Toronto, ON- The National Hockey League (NHL) Central Scouting final rankings have been released for the 2015 NHL Draft and seven USPHL players, both past and present, are on the list.
Two current players, John Marino (South Shore Kings) and Lucas Michaud (Portland Jr. Pirates) appear on the list. Marino was ranked 63rd overall and Michaud was given the 138th ranking.
The list also includes three Junior Bruins alumni and two former players from the Islanders Hockey Club. Leading the way is former Bruin Jack Eichel at number 2, followed by Connor Garland (86) and Brien Diffley (136). Islanders alumni Connor Moynihan was ranked 156th and Liam Darcy was ranked 204th.
The 2015 NHL Entry Draft will be hosted by the Florida Panthers at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, FL. The first round will take place on June 26 and the remaining six rounds will be held on June 27th. Last season, six USPHL players and alumni were selected.
Matthew Brooks finished with two goals including the game-winning goal at 12:53 into the overtime, giving the PJP’s a 3-2 victory in Troy Michigan.
The Junior Pirates had trailed Charlotte, 2-0, in the third period before Brooks scored his first of the game. With 12 seconds left in regulation, the Junior Pirates tied the game on a power play goal from Kyle Woodruff.
Brooks intercepted the puck along the board, creating an odd-man rush where he shot the puck past Checkers’ goalie Tanner Bain for the winner.
Brooks, who played for Brunswick High School, led all players in scoring with eight goals, four assists for 12 points in five games.
The U18’s finished the round robin, 3-0, beating Casper (WY), 7-0, Golden Eagles (UT), 7-0, and Atlanta Phoenix (GA), 9-2, to advance to the championship round.
The U18’s took down the TVHA Hawks (ID), 7-0 to advance to the final game on Monday against the Charlotte Checkers.
Boston, MA- Three players from the US Premier Hockey League’s Premier Division and three alumni of member organizations were recognized on the NHL Central Scouting Bureau’s “Players to Watch” list for 2015 draft-eligible players released on November 20.
Current players John Marino (South Shore Kings), Lucas Michaud (Portland Jr. Pirates), and Daniel Gysi (Springfield Pics) all made the list along with alumni Jack Eichel (Junior Bruins), Brien Diffley (Junior Bruins), and Connor Moynihan (Islanders Hockey Club).
Marino received a “B” rating, which means he is a potential second or third round draft pick. The North Easton, MA, native is in his first full season with the Kings Premier team after splitting time between the Premier and 18U squads last season.
Michaud and Gysi both received “C” ratings, meaning they are fourth, fifth or sixth round draft pick candidates.
Junior Bruins alum Jack Eichel received an “A” rating and is expected to be drafted with one of the top three picks.
Fellow Bruins alum Brien Diffley received a “C” rating, as did former Islanders Hockey Club 16U and 18U player Connor Moynihan.