Congrats to Rat of the Week winner Connor Guyette of the U14 Team. Guyette has now won the Rat of the week award twice, his 1^st time was coming off a weekend where he scored 3 goals and 3 assists in the lone game on the weekend back in September. He was also a runner up for the Rat of the Week coming off a great Prep Cup tournament. All in all, the Waterbury, VT native has been a force for the U14 Rats all season long from his spot on defense. Considered one of the very best 01 players in the New England, Guyette has had a very strong fall. This past weekend with the MPDHL Championship on the line and the U14 Rats trailing the CT Chiefs 1-0 late in the 3^rd period, Guyette shined bright. He scored a beautiful individual effort beating 2 Chiefs up the ice to tie the game at 1 with 5 minutes to play. On his very next shift, he went end to end and gave the U14 Rats a lead in the MPDHL Title game 2-1 with 3 minutes to play. The Rats would hang on and win the MPDHL title. Guyette’s 2 goals were his 17^th and 18^th of the season. On the season, Guyette has 18 goals and 19 assists for 37 points to lead the U14 Rats in scoring. The Rats finished the MPDHL season going 13-1-1. On the season the Rats are now 17-9-3 and head into the state tournament this weekend.

     Patrick Harper of the U18 team has been named a runner up for Rat of the Week. Harper, a mainstay in the Rat of the Week running, has been named Rat of the week twice and now has been the runner up twice. This past weekend, after missing Saturdays 2-1 loss to 495 Stars, came back Sunday against rival GBL Bruins and as always played great in a big game. In a 5-2 win over GBL Bruins, Harper scored 2 goals, the 1^st 2 goals of the game to help the River Rats win the title in the Mass Select League. Harper also won the scoring title in the league for the 2^nd straight season. He won the scoring title this year by an 8 point margin! The BU commit, finished the 13 games played in the league with 19 goals 13 assists and 32 points. On the season, Harper now has in 27 games played 26 goals 28 assists for 54 points. Harper and the U18 Rats head to the state tournament this weekend as they try to punch their tickets to Nationals.

     Alex Hayward of the U14 team was also named a runner up for Rat of the Week. Hayward, stepped up big time in the MPDHL semi finals scoring 2 goals as the U14 Rats defeated Northstars 4-1 and punched their ticket to the MPDHL title game, which they would go onto win. Hayward, of Plymouth Mass and Plymouth South HS, where he will be a freshman, has been a key clog to a successful U14 season so far. In 26 games played Hayward now has 12 goals and 9 assists for 21 points. He will try to build on that as he and the U14 Rats head to the state tournament this weekend in Walpole Mass. 

   Congrats to Rat of the Week winner Brian Simpson of the U16 Premier team. Simpson, the Seekonk, MA native and Mount St Charles Soph was a stand out for the U16 Premier team in their lone game on the weekend. In a wild game, Simpson scored 4 goals and added 2 assists as the U16 Premier Rats defeated the New England Stars 10-9. The win helped the U16 Premier Rats finish the MPDHL 9-4-1 and await word on league playoffs while also getting ready for state playoffs November 13-15. Simpson in 11 league games has 16 goals and 9 assists for 25 points to lead the Rats in scoring. Simpson and the U16 Premier Rats are 14-7-1 on the season going into the post season.  

  Runners up for Rat of the week are Craig Needham of the U16 team and James Broderick of the U14 team. Needham, the Lawrence Academy star and Medford native is coming off a wrist injury and is back in stride now going into the state tournament. In a 12-0 win over the Boston Jr Rangers, Needham had 2 goals and 5 assists for 7 points. In 9 games on the season played for Needham he has 3 goals and 9 assists for 12 points. The Rats are 7-1-1 since Needham's return to the lineup. Overall on the season the U16 Rats are 17-4-2.

   James Broderick of the U14 team had a monster weekend. Broderick of the Fesseden School and Wellesley, MA has been a big time member of the U14 Rats and has been a huge recruiting target of all prep school coaches this fall. In a big MPDHL weekend for the U14 team he had 4 goals. He scored once in a 3-3 tie with the CT Chiefs and had a hat trick in a 5-3 win at home over the Walpole Express. The 3 point weekend put the U14 Rats in a great position to win the MPDHL regular season title.  

   Congratulations to Rat of the Week winner Patrick Harper of the U18 team. Harper, had a huge weekend, setting the River Rat 2 game goal scoring record on a weekend. In 2 games played Harper scored 9 goals and added 2 assists for an 11 point weekend. On Saturday in an 8-1 win over the Boch Blazers, he scored a hat trick. He followed up that hat trick with an incredible 6 goals and 2 assists in a 12-0 win over the Northstars. Harper was also Rat of the week 2 weeks ago for his play during the league showcase at Northstar arena. Haper now leads the Mass Select league in scoring by 8 points on 2^nd place Jacob Kamps of the GBL Bruins. Harper, the New Canaan CT native, and Avon Old Farms star, in 11 Mass Select league games has 17 goals and 12 assists for 29 points. In those league games the River Rats are 9-0-2. Overall on the season, Harper has 24 goals 27 assists and 51 points for the U18 Rats in 25 games played. The Rats are 20-2-3-1 in those games played.

   Runner up for Rat of the week is Connor Guyette of the U14 team. In the highly scouted and very competitive Prep Cup, Guyette, the Waterbury Center Vermont native and 9^th grader at the Hillside school, was a standout. In the U14 run to the semi finals at Prep Cup, he was a force, including scoring a huge goal in the quarterfinals with 1 minute left to beat Team Maryland 3-2. The goal came right after a tying goal from Team Maryland, off the ensuing faceoff, Guyette took the faceoff win from Connor Wood and went into the zone and blasted a snap shot that powered past a good Team Maryland goalie and into the top corner. Guyette finished the weekend at the Prep Cup with 2 goals and 4 assists for 6 points in 5 games for the big strong Dman. On the season he now has 14 goals 17 assists for 31 points to lead the team in scoring, no easy feat for a defenseman. The U14 Rats are now 13-9-2 on the season.  Guyette was also Rat of the week for his play on the weekend of September 20th.

   Also a runner up is Drew Bavaro of the U16 Premier team. Bavaro, the Bradenton, FL native and Lawrence Academy Dman, had a great weekend for the U16 Premier team. The team fighting for playoff positioning in the MPDHL Premier division scored 2 big wins and Bavaro was a huge part of it. In Saturdays 8-0 win at home over a good RI Hitmen team Bavaro lead the way with 2 goals and 2 assists. On Sunday travelling on the road to Northstars he added another 2 goals in a 6-3 win over the Northstars which helped propel the U16 Premier team into playoff positioning. The team is now 8-4-1 with 1 more league game to play, as they try to clinch a MPDHL playoff spot. Overall they are 13-7-1.Bavaro, was also runner up for Rat of the week after his play on Labor Day weekend. 

   Congrats to U18 forward Danny Jacobs of the U18 team on being named Rat of the week. Jacobs, played his best hockey of the season down at the College Cup in Connecticut, leading the U18 Rats all the way to the finals. Jacobs, a Needham Mass, native and Nobles senior, hes a long time River Rat.  Jacobs had some big games this weekend helping the team in their run to the finals at the College Cup. Jacobs scored some big goals at the tournament including the game winning goal late in the semi finals as the U18 Rats defeated the CT Riverhawks. He also had a great assist in the quarterfinals as the U18 Rats beat the NJ Hitmen 3-1. Jacobs added a big goal in a 5-3 win over the Tampa Scorpions, while the Avon players were all out. He also had 2 assists against the Buffalo Red Raiders. On the weekend, Jacobs had 2 goals and 4 assists for 6 points. His line of Shamus Fenton, Henry Cormier and himself were great all weekend and combined for 6 goals and 9 assists for 15 points. (Fenton 3-1-4, and Cormier 1-4-5) On the season Jacobs now has 6 goals and 5 assists for 11 points for the U18 Rats that are 18-2-3-1.

   Congrats to runner up Vito Bavaro of the U18 team. Bavaro had a very strong weekend playing in the state where he will play his college hockey. The Sacred Heart commit, had 3 goals and 2 assists for 5 points during the College Cup. Bavaro, the Brooks senior and Bradenton, FL native, scored a huge goal for the U18 Rats as they came all the way back from trailing 2-0 to defeat the NS Wings 4-3 in a Mass Select League game. With the game tied at 3 with 6 minutes left, Bavaro scored shorthanded to give the Rats a 4-3 lead and they would hang on for a big win. The next morning against the Buffalo Red Raiders Bavaro scored 2 goals and added an assist in the 7-1 victory, both goal, typical Bavaro fashion as he just blew away the goalie. Bavaro now has 8 goals and 10 assists for the U18 Rats, good for 4th on the team in scoring. 

   Congrats to runner up Jonah Janaro of the U14 team. Janaro, the Essex Vermont native, has been one of the biggest scoring threats all season for the U14 Rats. He continued that trend this weekend as he scored 2 goals and added 2 assists as the U14 Rats went 2-0 on the weekend defeating the NE Stars 7-0 on Saturday and winning a huge game 3-2 on Sunday over Northstars. Janaro had 1 goal and 2 assists on Saturday and on Sunday he added a goal as they U14 Rats beat Northstars to move into 1st place in the MPDHL. With the 3-2 win over the Northstars they avenged an earlier in the season 3-1 loss to the Nothstars. The U14 Rats are now 10-8-1 overall and are 8-1-0 in the MPDHL as they head into a huge weekend at the Prep Cup tournament. Janaro on the season has 7 goals and 5 assists for 12 points in 8 games played. 

   Congrats to Rat of the Week winner Patrick Harper of the U18 Team. Harper, the BU recruit and Avon Old Farms product, was at the top of his game this weekend. In Saturdays 5-1 win over Eastern Mass Senators, he helped lead the U18 team with 1 goal and 1 assist. On Sunday though is when he shined, in front of many NHL scouts and against River Rat main rival Cape Cod Whalers. Harper scored 3 goals and added an assist in a big 5-1 win over the Whalers. Harper dominated the game in every aspect, scoring 2 highlight reel goals along the way. With the River Rats on a 5 on 3 PK, Coach Pasquantonio threw out his top 5 on 3 killer, Harper. Harper responded by taking a nice pass from his Avon teammate Ben Mirageas and deked out the goaltender for a shorthanded 5 on 3 goal to break the Whalers spirits. On the season, in the big games, Harper, many considered New England U18s top player has shined brightest. In the 2 biggest games of the year against Mid Fairfield at the Jamboree and against Cape Cod Whalers at the Mass Select Showcase, hes had 4 points in each game. On the season Harper leads the U18 Rats with 12 goals and 21 assists in 18 games played. The U18 Rats are 13-1-3-1 in those games. 

  This was a very busy week in River Rats teams and we have named 3 runners up for Rat of the Week. The 1st runner up is Patrick Moynihan of the U16 team. Moynihan, an 01 playing up at the U16 level, has been great all season but picked up his game another level this weekend. Moynihan, who earlier in the week committed to Boston College, was great all weekend playing his usual 200 foot game. In Saturdays huge showdown with rival Cape Cod Whalers, who the River Rats beat in the Mass Tier 1 Labor Day Tournament earlier in the season, Moynihan started the comeback for the U16 Rats. Trailing 4-1 to a very good Whalers team, Moynihan scored late in the 2nd period to bring the Rats back within 2. The Rats would rally on goals from Max Rand (late 2nd period) and Jack Nisbet (early 3rd period) to tie the game 4-4, where it would finish. On Sunday, he scored 2 goals and 3 assists as the River Rats blew out the Eastern Mass Senators  Moynihan, despite being a bantam playing up at the U16 level, leads the U16 Rats in scoring with 7 goals and 12 assists for 19 points in 15 games. In those games, the Millis Mass native, and Nobles forward has helped the River Rats to a 11-3-2 record while playing a very tough schedule against all the top teams in the Northeast. 

  Our 2nd runner up is Brandon Sherman of the U14 team. Sherman, brought his A game in net this weekend as the U14 Rats played some of the top teams in New England at the Jr Terriers Tournament. Sherman, an Attleboro Mass native, who will head to Moses Brown Prep this fall, played great in both games he started this weekend. The long time Rat, played against the Boston Jr Eagles on Saturday and held the team many consider to be the best in the state to 3 goals while making a number of great stops. On Sunday, against River Rat main rival over the years at the U14 level the Boston Jr Terriers, Sherman stole the show. He helped the U14 Rats defeat the Boston Jr Terriers 4-3 while making many highlight reel saves. The U14 team is now 8-8-1 on the season, while playing a great schedule and has a big showdown with Northstars this weekend back in MPDHL action. 

  Our 3rd and final runner up is Nolan Donato of the U18 Premier team. Donato, was a bright spot for the U18 Premier team as they fell in both MPDHL games this weekend. The Scituate Mass native and Dexter forward, did all he could to help the Rats win those games. In Saturdays 7-5 loss to the Walpole Express, he went 2-3-5 for the shorthanded Rats. On Sunday, down at Brown, Donato scored both goals for the U18 Premier team as they fell 4-2 to the Northstars in a great back and forth game. 

   Congrats to U16 goaltender Alex Zafonte on being named Rat of the Week. Zafonte, put on a show down at the Yale Showcase as he played a huge part in a big win over Selects Academy 2-1. Zafonte was strong all game but made some huge saves late including a breakaway save Denver recruit Emilio Pettersen late in the 2nd half. Zafonte, from Concord MA, and St Sebs, has been strong all season and has been at his best in big games. He has beaten many of the top teams in Northeast including a 4-1 win over Yale, a 4-1 win over North Jersey Avs and this 2-1 win over Selects Academy. The U16 Rats are now 10-3-1 and head to the Mass Select Showcase where arch rival Cape Cod Whalers await.

  Aidan Torres of the U14 team has been named runner up for Rat of the Week. The Dman from Hingham Mass and Catholic Memorial HS was solid all weekend. The U14 team swept the Springfield Rifles on the weekend. In Saturdays 8-4 win the Dman stole the show, scoring 2 goals and adding 2 assists. He also was called up to the U16 Premier team and was solid for them. On Sunday he added an assist in a 9-0 win. He finished the weekend with 2-3-5 line. The U14 Rats are 6-1-0 and in 2nd place in the MPDHL and are 7-5-1 overall. 

  Devin Barresi of the U16 team was also named runner up for Rat of the Week. Barresi, like Zafonte was solid this weekend at the Yale Showcase, in front of many scouts. He played very well in a 4-2 win over the Springfield Rifles, making some very key saves, many of which on the penalty kill. Barresi, from Worcester Academy, resides in Raleigh, NC, has been solid all season. He was in net for the finals of the Tier 1 Labor Day Tournament as the Rats defeated their main rival Cape Cod Whalers. Barresi and the U16 Rats are 10-3-1 on the season. 

    Congratulations to Rat of the Week winner Dan Winslow of the U18 Team. Winslow, the Avon Old Farms product, had a huge weekend as the U18 Rats went 2-0, defeating the defending National Champion Ct Wolfpack 5-1 and the RI Saints 10-0. Winslow, was a force in the Ct Wolfpack game scoring 2 goals and adding an assist in the 5-1 win on Saturday night. On Sunday back in Mass Select League action Winslow scored a hat trick and added an assist as they Rats blew out the RI Saints 10-0 to improve to 4-0-0 in the Mass Select League. Winslows 5-2-7 weekend now gives him 12 goals and 4 assists for 16 points on the season in 14 games played for the 11-0-2-1 U18 Rats. Winslow is tied for the lead in goals on the Rats with fellow Winged Beaver Jamie Armstrong.

  Runners up for Rat of the week are Michael Kennedy, a Dman from the U16 team and NMH. The 2000 Dman had 1 goal and 2 assists as the U16 Rats won their lone game on the weekend 6-2 over the Boston Bulldogs. Kennedy, who has played a steady D role all season broke out offensively over the weekend with the 3 point night. He now has 1 goal and 3 assists for 4 points on the season for the 8-3-1 U16 team. Brian Simpson of the U16 Premier and Mount St Charles as has also been named runner up for Rat of the Week as he scored 3 goals and added 3 assists on the weekend for the U16 Premier Rats that went 2-1-0. Simpson, while playing at Brown University put on a show scoring 2 goals and adding 3 assists as the U16 Premier Rats beat Assabet Patriots 9-1. He followed it up the next game with a goal as the Rats defeated Weymouth 4-2 in MPDHL action before falling in their 1st league game Sunday to the South Shore Conquistadors 3-2. The U16 Premier Rats are now 11-3-0 overall and 6-1-0 in the MPDHL. 

   Congratulations to Rat of the Week winner Connor Guyette of the U14 Team. In their single game on the weekend, Guyette, the Dman from the Hillside School, put on a show, scoring 3 goals and adding 3 assists in a 11-0 win on the South Shore Conquistadors. As was the case many times this season for the U14 team, Guyette put on a dominating performance as the U14 Rats improved to 4-4-1 overall and 3-0-0 in the MPDHL. Guyette, now on the season has 6 goals and 8 assists for 14 points and leads the U14 Rats in scoring. 

   Runners up go to Dan Winslow of the U18 team and goaltender Bailey Strangis of the U18 Premier team. Winslow, scored 3 goals and added an assist as the U18 team swept the weekend series defeating both the Valley Jr Warriors (4-2) and the East Coast Wizards (7-0) Winslow scored a goal against Valley and added 2 goals and 1 assist against the Wizards. Winslow, the Avon Old Farms product, now has 7 goals and 2 assists on the season and is 2nd on the U18 Rats in goals behind Avon teammate Jamie Armstrong who has 9. The U18 Rats are now 9-0-2-1 with their only loss coming by way of a shootout. Bailey Strangis was excellent in net over the weekend as the U18 Premier team came away with a weekend split against Canton Bulldogs in the MPDHL. On Sunday, Strangis, the Portsmouth Abbey product, shined brightest putting on a great goaltending display including a tremendous 3rd period as the U18 Premier team beats Canton 2-1 to move to 3-8-1 overall and 1-3-0 in the MPDHL. 

  Congratulations to Rat of the week winner Patrick Coyne of the U16 Premier team. Coyne, a forward from Falmouth MA and Falmouth HS was excellent all weekend as the U16 Premier team swept the weekend beating the South Shore Conquistadors 12-1 and beating the Canton Bulldogs 5-4 to move to 2-0-0 in the Mass Premier Development League (MPDHL) Coyne, on Saturday led the team with a monster 6 point game scoring 3 goals and adding 3 assists for 6 points in the 12-1 win. On Sunday, a very shorthanded U16 Premier team playing without players from Lawrence Academy, St Georges, Proctor etc, due to lockdowns, Coyne was moved to defense. He played great D as they Rats gutted out a 5-4 win over the Canton Bulldogs. Coyne was a rock defensively. 

  Kuma Matsukata was named one of the 2 runners up for Rat of the Week. Matsukata of the U16 Premier team and the Hotchkiss school, led the team in scoring this past weekend with 3 goals and 4 assists for 7 points in 2 games, including a huge 4 point game ( 2 goals and 2 assists) in a 5-4 win over Canton Bulldogs to help the Rats stay undeafted in the MPDHL and improve their overall record to 7-2-0 on the season.

  Mitch McKay was named the other runner up for Rat of the Week. McKay, of the U14 Rats and BBN, was huge in the U14 lone game this weekend. He recorded a hat trick in the 6-2 win over Dual State Riverhawks up at UMass Lowell. McKays 3 goals paved the way for the U14 team to move to 2-0-0 in the MPDHL and 3-4-1 overall on the young season. 

  The River Rats are returning something from the past as the Board of Directors have voted to return the Rat of the Week award. This season after each week we will award a Rat of the Week winner and the 2 runner ups.

  The Rat of the Week winner from Week 1 is Dman Reilly Walsh of the U16 team. The U16 Rats were able to win the Tier 1 Labor Day tournament in the Top U16 Division and in the 3 biggest games of the young season, Walsh, the Harvard commit, shined the brightest. In wins over arguably the top 3 U16 teams in the Northeast, Walsh was a standout. In a 4-1 win over the North Jersey Avs, Walsh had 3 assists. In the semi finals against Yale Youth, Walsh had 2 assists in a 4-1 win. He saved his best performance for last as they played River Rat rival Cape Cod Whalers for the title. He had 2 goals and 2 assists in a 6-5 thrilling OT win including an assist on the game winning Ryan Lovett goal. Walsh finished the week with 3-7-10 in 6 games played, but certainly saved his best for last.

  Runners Up

Patrick Harper (U18), the BU recruit and top line Center, was simply the best player in the top U18 Division. Harper scored 5 goals and 15 assists for 20 points so far this season for the U18 Rats who are 7-0-2-1 on the season. Harpers, Labor Day weekend also included a highlight reel goal that received much praise on twitter against the Suffolk PAL U18 team.

Drew Bavaro (U16 Premier) Bavaro, a Dman, who is new to the River Rats this season and younger brother of U18 forward and Sacred Heart commit Vito Bavaro, made some noise in his 1st ever games in a Rat jersey. He scored 9 goals and 4 assists for the U16 Premier Rats who started the season 5-2-0. Bavaro was a major threat on the PP and also played well defensively. He also filled in nicely playing for the U18 Tier 1 team for a game on D. 

The Neponset Valley River Rats will again be competing at the U14 level in the fall of 2015. The model will be similar to our U18 and U16 split season programs. Much like our 18’s and 16’s, we will draw the top 2001 birth years from all over New England.

The season will begin in late August and stretch out into November. The team will play 25-30 games over 13 weeks, with a Prep School friendly schedule.

We will be a Tier 1 National Bound Team. If we win States in the fall, this gives us the opportunity to join back up after the prep season and compete for a Tier 1 USA National Championship in the spring.

The coaching staff will be made up of:

Joe Shea (Last years coach of the State Champion U16 Premier River Rats) and Casey Goll (Former Pro Hockey Player)

The River Rats have been one of the premier midget programs in the Nation as of late. In 2013, the U18 team coached by Jon Hutcheon won the USA Tier 1 National Championship. Like our U14 model, that team was split season with a roster of top Prep School athletes.

Many players from the program have matriculated to Division I, Division III and Professional teams. Some notable alumni are Shayne Gostisbehere (2014 Frozen Four MVP/Philadelphia Flyers) and Alex Killorn (Tampa Bay Lightning). The program has had 12 NHL Draft Picks in recent years along with NCAA Champions and World Junior Gold Medalists.

Take a look at our recent alumni page here: http://www.neponsetvalleyriverrats.com/Page.asp?n=9887&org=neponsetvalleyriverrats.com

The River Rats U14 program ran in 2012 and 2013. Players went on to attend the following prep schools:

Brooks, Lawrence, St. Marks, Avon Old Farms, Salisbury, Nobles, St. Sebastian’s, Belmont Hill, Williston Northampton, Thayer and Proctor.

The U14 roster will feature elite level players who demonstrate a strong passion for both athletics AND academics. Our ultimate goal is to work our student athletes through the ranks providing them with opportunity in the future.

More information regarding the team and schedule will be released shortly.

Thanks!

Joe Shea (joeshea09@comcast.net) 781-859-9522

Casey Goll(cgollnenordiques@gmail.com) 617 777 4700

Neponset Valley River Rats

Steve Bergin (88) left and Adam Pawlick (90) right

  Former River Rats Steve Bergin and Adam Pawlick have teamed up to win the SPHL Title for the Pensacola Ice Flyers. The Ice Flyers swept the Columbus Cottonmouths in the finals 2 games to 0. For Bergin it was his 2nd straight SPHL title, while it was the 1st for Pawlick. On the season, Bergin once again led the Ice Flyers and the entire SPHL in plus minus with a +28. He also added 14 assists in the regular season. The playoffs were more of the same as he once again led the Ice Flyers and the entire SPHL with a +7 and chipped in 3 points. Pawlick, led the Ice Flyers in goals with 27 while adding 14 assists for 41 points. In the playoffs he added 1 goal and 3 assists for the champion Ice Flyers.

  Bergin last played for the River Rats in 2006 and Pawlick was last a River Rat in 2007. Former River Rats players have now won titles in the AHL, ECHL and SPHL to go along with NCAA and USA Hockey Tier 1 Nationals.

Foley (3) backchecks in a U16 River Rats game in 2012

  Congratulations to Erik Foley on committing to Providence College. Foley, a River Rat from Squirts-U16 is argubaly the most successful River Rat to come through the entire youth program. Foley, a 97, was a mainstay on the River Rat 97 teams, leading the team in scoring each season. Foley, who goes to school at Tabor, is an explosive skater with great skills and a heavy shot. He will join a long list of River Rats that have played at Providence, in fact no college has taken more River Rats then Providence College who is a mere 25 minutes from the home rink of the River Rats in Foxboro. Foley's last season with the River Rats was 2012 as he played under head coach Steve Needham for the U16 River Rats.

Barry during 2012 Cancer Awarness game vs GBL Bruins

  Congratulations to U18 River Rat Jon Barry on committing to Northeastern University. Barry, a Hanover Mass native, was a 2 year member of the River Rats helping the team win the 2013 USA Hockey Tier 1 National Championship. In Barry's 2 years with the River Rats playing under head coach Jon Hutcheon, assistant coach Kyle Heagney and assistant coach Shawn Hutcheon, he helped the teams go 47-13-4. Barry was solid offensively and defensively for the River Rats, especially this season being a go to guy all year for the U18 River Rats. Barry, played this high school hockey at Thayer and was named a USHR All East member in his senior season.

  Barry will join former River Rat Jake Schechter on the Husky blueline.  He projects as a NHL draft pick this season finishing the season ranked 147th on the NHL Central Scouting list for the 2014 NHL Draft. He is projected as a 5th round NHL pick.

Whitney in his NHL Debut vs Washington Capitals

  Former River Rat Joe Whitney made his NHL Debut on January 24th 2014 for the New Jersey Devils against the Washington Capitals. Whitney, last was a U18 River Rat in 2006, as he captained the team before he headed off the Boston College where he won 2 NCAA National Championships. Whitney became the 4th River Rat to play in the National Hockey League joining fellow teammates of the 2006 River Rats team Kevin Quick (Tampa Bay) and Brian Flynn (Buffalo) and 2007 River Rat and 89 birth date Alex Killorn (Tampa Bay). Whitney had spent the last 2 seasons leading the Albany Devils in scoring in the American Hockey League (AHL) Congrats to Joe!

  River Rats Dman Miles Gendron has committed to UConn and will join the Huskies as they join Hockey East. Gendron, a great skating Dman from Shrewsbury Mass and the Rivers School will play a year of Junior Hockey next season in Penticton of the BCHL. Gendron will join former River Rat Cody Sharib and current Pensacola Ice Flyers Stevie Bergin as River Rats to have played at UConn.

  Gendron is expected to be picked in the 2014 NHL Draft this June as he is the 74th ranked prospect in North America. Gendron was also named the winner of the John Carlson award from the Boston Bruins as they top senior hockey player in Massachusetts!

Hamilton (center) with Geary (left) and Nylen (right)

    Former River Rat Mark Hamilton has committed to University of Maine. Hamilton a Winthrop Mass native, is a big stay at home, tough defenseman. He is 6'3 210 and was a key member of the 2013 USA Hockey Tier 1 National Championship team, playing alongside current Sacred Heart dman Mitch Nylen. Hamilton finished his last year with the River Rats with 6 goals 25 assists for 31 points in 35 games played and led the team in PIM with 46. Hamilton played this season with the Vernon Vipers of the BCHL for coach Jason Williamson.

    Hamilton will arrive at Maine with fellow member of the 2013 National Championship team, Nolan Vesey. Vesey and Hamilton will look to live up to the large River Rat presence that has been left at Maine by former River Rat and current Buffalo Sabres Brian Flynn.

Catching up on some old news here!

    Congratulations to current U18 defenseman Connor Moore, who committed to play college hockey at Boston College.  Connor, a Georgia native, spent the last 2 season with the River Rats, the 1st under Coach Steve Needham with the U16 team, then last season with Coach Jon Hutcheon and the U18 River Rats Last season in 25 games he scored 4 goals and 29 points as an underager.  Moore is currently a sophomore at Brooks.

   Moore joins a cast of former River Rats that are Eagles including former Captains Joe and Steve Whitney, Barry Almeida and current Eagle Cam Spiro! We look forward to seeing Connor back in a U18 River Rats jersey this upcoming fall!

  Congratulations to Austin Ricker of the Squirt Major (01) team for being named Rat the Week. Ricker, a Mansfield Mass native, was fantasic this weekend in a weekend split for the 01 team. The River Rats defeated the Springfield Rifles in Springfield 7-4 on Saturday, behind a 3 goal 1 assist effort from Ricker, including a penalty shot goal. The team returned home on Sunday to Foxboro, but fell to the GBL Bruins 4-1. Ricker was the lone scorer for the River Rats in that game, giving him 4 goals and 1 assist on the weekend.
  Ricker and the rest of the Squirt Major team get back at it on Sunday in Hockey Northeast action travelling north to East Boston to play the 2-0 Middlesex Braves, looking to give the Braves their 1st loss of the season.

Honorable Mention
Luke Babcock (U16) Babcock picked up right where he left off despite the bye week scoring 2 goals and 2 assists giving him 9 goals and 3 assists on the season in a 8-1 win over the 495 Stars.
Nolan Vesey (U16) Picked up 2 goals and 2 assist in blow out win over 495 Stars
Ryan Ferland (98) Picked up 2 more shutouts in wins over RI Saints (5-0) and GBL Bruins 3-0) In 4 games Ferland GAA is 0.00
Dan Shea (98) In 5-0 win over RI Saints, Shea had 2 goals including a shorthanded tally
Tommy Giandomenico (98) Continues to put up huge numbers with 2 goals and 2 assists in weekend sweep for 98's
Kevin Borah (01) 2 goals in 7-4 win in Springfield Saturday
Marc Hirshom (02) Was especially strong defensively in 4-0 season opening loss to Northstars

   Congratulations to former River Rat and current UMaine Junior Brian Flynn for reaching another milestone at the University of Maine. Already the holder of most points in a game in UMaine Hockey history, Flynn has now become a member of the 100 career point club. With an assist in a 4-0 win on Saturday night vs Umass Lowell, Flynn received his 28th point of the season and 100th of his career.
   Flynn becomes the fastest River Rat to 100 career points breaking the record held by current Boston College captain and Flynn's River Rat teammate Joe Whitney. Flynn received his 100th point in only 107 career games. The previous record holder, Whitney, scored his 100th career point in 115 games. Flynn, the Lynnfield Mass native, now has 47 goals and 53 points and counting in his prolific career at UMaine. Look for Flynn to continue to climb up the career scoring leaders list at Maine, as the team pushes through the stretch run, Hockey East Playoffs, and NCAA's. Flynn, will have one more season to continue to add to these already huge numbers.

February 5, 2011 - For immediate release

   Congratulations to former River Rat Brian Flynn for being named Hockey East Player of the week. Again. Brian was named player of the week in Hockey East last month also. This past weekend Flynn, a Lynnfield Mass native, was huge for his Maine Blackbears as they got two wins over Providence College and defending National Champion Boston College. In a 4-3 overtime win Flynn 2 goals and 1 assists including the game winner in overtime to beat the Friars. On Sunday in a huge televised contest with Boston College Flynn was huge again, scoing 1 goal and 1 assists in a 4-1 win over the Eagles. Flynn looks to keep his hot hand going as Maine heads to Northeastern Saturday night for a game with the Northeastern Huskies.
 

     Congratualtions to Head Coach Frank O'Connor, assistant coach Steve "Bobcat" Needham and the rest of the Midget Minor (U16) River Rats on winning the prestigious Tier 1 Labor Day Classic in Marlboro Massachusetts in dominating fashion. The win in the finals over the Eastern Mass Senators 6-2 capped a weekend which led the River Rats to finish with a 7-0 record.
  The weekend started off Friday night against the Phantom Fireworks from Ohio. The team escaped a penatly filled hockey game with a 4-1 victory led up front by Max Franklin 2 goals and 1 assist and George Hunkele 2 assists. Drew Michals was strong in net killing off many Fireworks powerplays.  The next morning the River Rats showed up to avenge a loss from last season playing the New Jersey Devils. The River Rats in control throughout the night beat the NJ Devils 4-1 behind 3 point nights from Max Franklin( 3 goals) and Greg Zaffino ( 3 assists)  and a 2 assist night from center Luke Griffin. The team then headed to a game against the Bridgewater Bandits. The River Rats were sharp from the get go mercy ruling the Bandits 7-1 behind hat tricks from Jon Pallotta and George Hunkele and 2 assist nights from Hunkeles linemates Chris Calnan and Max Franklin. 
  Going into Sundays matchups with the Eastern Mass Senators and Mid Fairfield the River Rats held a 3-0 record. The morning matchup with the Senators saw the River Rats beat the Senators 7-3 behind a balanced attack offensively. Max Franklin was the leader with 2 goals and 1 assist. Chris Calnan was strong with 2 goals, while Dan Doherty and Jon Pallotta both had 1 goal and 1 assist. Defenseman Greg Zaffino led the way from the blueline with 2 assists. Going into the Sunday night matchup the River Rats already clinching a birth in Mondays Semi Finals game the River Rats faced Mid- Fairfield, looking to get revenge on a team that beat them in the National Championships last April. The River Rats came out and beat a good Mid Fairfield team 4-2. The line of Chris Calnan, George Hunkele and Max Franklin led the way up front. Pat Magliano also scored for the River Rats. Mason Pulde was superb in net. 
  With a perfect record of 5-0 the River Rats played a strong New Jersey Freeze team in the semi-finals. In an epic game the River Rats beat the New Jersey Freeze in the longest Midget River Rat game of all time. The River Rats thanks to a Luke Griffin goal defeated the New Jersey Freeze 3-2 in Triple Overtime. Luke Griffin was the hero pumping in a rebound of a Dan Doherty shot. Doherty and Hunkele provided the other 2 River Rats goals. Drew Michals was very strong in net earning the victory. In the finals the River Rats faced a rematch wih the Eastern Mass Senators once again dominating the Senators this time 6-2. In the finals the star of the night was Chris Calnan who exploded for a 4 point night with 2 goals and 2 assists. George Hunkele (2 goals) and Greg Zaffino (2 assists) were also both strong on the night.
   Over the course of the weekend the line of Chris Calnan ( 6 goals and 7 assists for 13 points), George Hunkele ( 11 goals and 5 assists for 16 points) and leading scorer Max Franklin ( 8 goals and 10 assists for 18 points) was virtually unstoppable. Greg Zaffino lead the way from the blueline with a 3-7-10 line. 
   The River Rats continued there strong play this weekend defeated the Central Mass Outlaws 3-1 and the District 10 Bulldogs 8-2 and now sit at 10-1-1 on the young season.

  3 Former River Rats are on the Final Central Scouting list that came out recently for the 2010 NHL Draft this upcoming June in Los Angeles California. Danny Biega, a defenseman and current freshman at Harvard University is rated number 46 among North American skaters projecting him to be a 2nd round pick in this years draft.  Derek Deblois, who will head to the University of Michigan this upcoming fall is rated the 153rd best prospect projecting him to go in the 6th round. Kyle Quick(shown above), the captain of this past seasons team and current Brown University recruit is rated 188th, slating him to be drafted in the 7th round.
  The Highest River Rat ever drafted has been current Harvard forward Alex Killorn who went in the 3rd round 77th overall in 2007 to the Tampa Bay Lightning a year after Kyle Quicks older brother Kevin went 78th to the Lightning. Quick, after a season at the University of Michigan has bounced up and down between the Tampa Bay Lightning(NHL) and the Norfolk Admirals(AHL). Last season 2 River Rats were drafted Mac Bennett( 79th overall to Montreal) and Wade Megan (153rd overall to Florida)

  Congratulations to former River Rat Joe Whitney for reaching a career milestone to add to his already illustrious career at Boston College.  In last nights 6-5 Hockey East quarterfinal playoff victory over UMass Amherst, Whitney recorded 3 assists the 3rd of which was his 100th career point.  Fittingly the assist came on the power play, when he sent a feed to another former River Rat, his brother, Steve Whitney who put home the goal the would eventually be the game winning goal. 
   Joe Whitney, currently a junior, has played in 115 games and has 31 goals 69 assists for 100 points. In his time on the heights, Whitney has steadily climbed the latter of the all time scorers at Boston College and will continue that climb throughout the stretch drive this season and his senior campaign. 
  While at Boston College, Whitney has been spectacular, earning such accomplishments as the NCAAs Northeast Regional Most Valuable player, when he scored the overtime winning goal to send the team into the Frozen Four, that same season the Eagles would win the 2008 NCAA championship, Whitney had a goal in the championship game on the power play in a 4-1 win over Notre Dame. Whitney has also won 2 Beanpot championships and played defense for sometime as a sophomore for the Eagles.

   A link below to the overtime goal by Whitney that sent the Eagles to the Frozen Four. The play ended up being number 2 on sportcenters top plays of the day!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLBS2hTe98A

   Congratulations to the Pee Wee Minor team who has won the Northern Mass Cyclones Tournament defeating the Greater Boston Vipers in the finals 4-3.  In the finals the River Rats overcame a 3 to 1 deficit going into the 3rd period to pull out the victory.  With the score tied late in the 3rd period the River Rats got the tying goal from Zach McGowan assisted by Eric Piccolo with just over 5 minutes remaining and the winning goal with just under 2 minutes to play from Tom Giandomenico assisted by Dan Shea and Zach D'Amico. In the final game, the River Rats got strong performances from Dan Shea(1g 2a) , Zach McGowan (1g 1a) Tom Giandomenico (1g 1a) and Zach D'Amico (1g 1a). A strong performance in net from Ryan Ferland was very crucial to the tournament championship as he was very strong all weekend.  A strong point for the team was the defensemen and there tremendous play all weekend.

   U18 Forward Jake Goldberg has committed to Brown University for the fall of 2010. Goldberg, a 1991 date of birth, is the 4th member of the U18 2009 River Rats to commit to a Divison 1 college and the 3rd to go to a ECAC school, joining linemate Kevin Sullivan(Union) Corbin McGuire(Wisconsin) and Jonathan Liau(Princeton)
  Goldberg, has been strong this fall, playing alongside Kevin Sullivan and Cam Spiro.  Goldberg, a pure goal scorer, has a great shot with very good vision of the ice. Goldberg was a big part of the U18 team winning the Tier 1 Faceoff tournament scoring some big goals including the winner over the New Jersey Colonials in the final minute. In 8 games played this season Goldberg has 2 goals and 10 assists for 12 points. Goldberg is the 1st recruit in Coach Brendan Whittets time at Brown, and will be the 1st River Rat to play at Brown

The 2009 Neponset Valley River Rats U18 team has been posted. The team is looking to build off a successful season last year where the U18 team was the State Finalist and has had 9 players committ to Division 1 Colleges.  Any Questions please contact

Forwards
Mike Borge
Ryan Coffey
Tommy Dwyer
Jake Goldberg
Sam Kane
Jonathan Liau
Corbin McGuire
TJ Powers
Cam Spiro
Kevin Sullivan
Keith Veronesi
Tyler Whitney

Defense
Ian Coleman
Mark Higgins
Ben Kaplan
Andy Latta
Kyle Quick
Greg Tang

Goalies
Jordan Nathan
Jay Williams

 

  The defending State Champion River Rats Pee Wee Major ( 96) team has started the season off well winning the Central Mass Outlaws Labor Day Tournament in Marlboro this past weekend.  The Pee Wee Major (96) team has started their season off where the left off going undefeated in the tournament with a 5-0-1 record. The River Rats played well in the prelimary round, with their only blemish on their perfect record a 3-3 tie vs the New Jersey Titans.  Once the Playoffs started the team showed that they had earned the number 1 seed in the playoffs and continued to pick up their play defeating the New Jersey Devils 5-2 in the semi finals before facing off in the finals with league rival GBL Bruins and beating them 4-1 in a convincing win to earn the tournament championship.
  The team was lead by stellar defense and great goaltending only allowing 14 goals over the six games. Robbie May was fantastic in net, and Christian Cellini who came in for the last three games of the tournament and was equally impressive. Up front the team was led by Tommy Munichiello's 5 goals and 5 assists for 10 points and Nick Ward's 3 goals and 7 assists  for 10 points.
 

  Despite a 1-3 record by Team USA Under 18's at the Memorial of Ivan Hlinka, River Rats Midget Major (U18) forward Steve Whitney was fantastic, leading the United States team in scoring.  The tournament which was held in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, brought together the world's best players born in 1991.  Whitney, a Boston College recruit, in the 4 games over seas had 2 goals and 4 assists for 6 points.  Whitney is no stranger to doing well at international competitions as he has represented the United States on 5 different occasions already on the world stage, many times leading the team in scoring.