Thought I'd start a thread to keep track of how our best British prospects are doing. Hopefully mattski will drop in and help out. Its a work in progress - if you have any info or track any down, please let me know. Cheers. These are the ones I know about:
Listed youngest to oldest in draft years - not because I expect anyone to be drafted but simply for reference!
Adam Walker
Born 1986. Manchester Phoenix EIHL 31 3+5=8
ADDED
Brett Perlini Born Canada but british trained, and Elegible for National team(s) Drafted last summer into the OHL playing down a league this season.
Soo Thunderbirds NOJHL 28 22+13=35
Thought I'd start a thread to keep track of how our best British prospects are doing. Hopefully mattski will drop in and help out. Its a work in progress - if you have any info or track any down, please let me know. Cheers. These are the ones I know about:
Colin Shields - Idaho Steelheads (ECHL) - Forward 5-11, 176
Born Jan 1980
For years, the best British prospect. Last year had 47 points in 31 games in the EIHL. This year has played for Fresno Falcons before joining Idaho. In 32 games has 9-14-23. Doing well enough that he may yet play in the AHL. Probably the top British player right now.
.....
Shields was also drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers. His play was good until an injury sidelined is progress.
Aaron Connolly - Invicta Dynamos (ENL South)/Invicta Dynamites (U14s) - Forward
Born 1993? Gillingham
Has seen plenty of action already with the senior Dynamos despite being 13, and has 38+6 in 10 games at U14 level. Shows huge promise.
Scott Conway - Kingston Rivermen (U12s) - LW/C
Born 1997? Kingston-upon-Hull
Son of British hockey legend Kevin, has really made a name for himself this year at U12 level despite being up to three years younger than the rest of the players at this level. Has scored a stunning 49+7 in 5 games this year, accounting for 57% of his team's total goals and has looked comfortable playing at U14 and even U16 level. Apparently has NHL-level talent already at age 9. Watch this space...
Joe Henry - Coventry Blaze (EIHL/U19s) - LW
Born 06/06/1989 Coventry 5-8/125
In his second senior year, no stats in 19 games for senior Blaze but 12+7 in 7 games at U19 level.
Andrew Jaszczyk - Nottingham Leopards (U19s) - Netminder
Born 1988 Nottingham
Has a 96.4 sv% at U19 level and looks to be the finest goalie Nottingham have produced so far.
Joe Snazzell - Romford Buccaneers (U19s) - RW/LW 5-9, 177
Born 19/02/1990 London
Made his senior debut at age 15 last year and hit the post on a breakaway in his first game. Has scored 25+5 in 7 games at U19 level.
Nathan Craze - Bracknell Bees (EPL) - Netminder 5-10, 174
Born 26/11/1986 Merthyr Tydfil
Played a year in Minnesota before returning to GB as backup in Belfast. Posted a 91.9 sv% in 15 games as cover for injured starter Mike Minard and became a wanted man in the Summer. Gained the starter's job at Bracknell aged 19 and has posted 91.6 sv% over 26 games so far. Yet another excellent Welsh goalie.
Mark Richardson - Cardiff Devils (EIHL) - RW 6-0, 183
Born 03/10/1986 Swindon
In his second senior year after posting 21+30 in 64 games in 04/05. Currently has 5+10 from 30 playing on Cardiff's third line.
James Neil - Nottingham Panthers (EIHL) - LW 5-10, 138
Born 01/02/1990 Nottingham
Made senior debut last season, after 25+31 from 16 at U16 level and 4+14 from 12 at U19. Looks set to be a star in the making and earns regular shifts against other teams' top lines. 2+5 from 3 at U19 so far this year.
Blair Daly - Fife Flyers (SNL) - Netminder 5-9, 163
Born 15/03/1988 Edinburgh
Fife's #1 goalie at age 18, with a 91.0 sv%. Could be Scotland's next great keeper.
Robert Dowd - Sheffield Scimitars (EPL) - RW 5-8, 152
Born 22/05/1988 Newcastle
Fresh from a year in America, scored 7pts at the World U20s and has 12+8 in 18 games with the Scims. His greatest assets are his speed and wrist shot.
Matt Towe - Sheffield Scimitars (EPL) - RW/C 6-1, 183
Born 07/01/1988 Sheffield
15+17 from 23 games already this year, Towe has the size and skill to make him one of our most promising players.
Matt Davies - Solihull Barons (EPL) - RW/C 5-6, 149
Born 15/02/1990 Hull
An unkown coming into this season, but has been a bright spot on a poor Solihull side. 12+11 in 28 this season, their highest scoring Brit at age 16.
Great stuff - I remember hearing about Nathan Craze before. I mixed up Mark and Lee Richardson.. I thought Mark was the older one because he seemed to have much more ice time, but both of them look good.
Oh I put Shields on there because he was the top prospect for so long, I'm still following how he does. I think he's good enough to play in the AHL.. he just needs a chance.
How about doing a top 10 ranking just for fun? How would you guys rank them, based on what you know?
John Dewar
Brett Perlini
Ben O'Connor
Tom Duggan
Danny Wood
Martin Clarkson
Stephen Lee
Tom Carlon
Oliver Bronnimann
Tom Pease
Last edited by Gwyddbwyll: 01-11-2007 at 01:04 PM.
Just read that aparantly Scott Conway has joined the Guildford set-up. Also says he is Fred Perlini's nephew (may be why he has gone to Guildford -apart from the fact it appears he is awesome! - as Fred is a coach with the Flames Junior set-up).
Just read that aparantly Scott Conway has joined the Guildford set-up. Also says he is Fred Perlini's nephew (may be why he has gone to Guildford -apart from the fact it appears he is awesome! - as Fred is a coach with the Flames Junior set-up).
As though Guildford need more good Brits in their pipeline... Seriously, if true it's good to see him move to a first-class junior system. He could reach his potential after all. Surprised he didn't move to Dumfries to be with his dad.
Aaron Connolly - Invicta Dynamos (ENL North)/Invicta Dynamites (U14s) - Forward
Born 1993? Gillingham
Has seen plenty of action already with the senior Dynamos despite being 13, and has 38+6 in 44 games at U14 level. Shows huge promise.
...
I only really know about the ENL level players, so this lad I can comment on. Invicta play in the ENL South, Connolly only has one senior game for the Dynamos (1 point). His 44 points at U14 have come in 10 games not 44.
Seems a great talent at that age, but his points at U12/U14 have been comparable with many others who never made it at British hockey let alone better, so a wait and see for a couple more years on him.
Two more guys - Lewis Day and Aaron Nell, playing for Okanagan Hockey Academy, in Pencticton. Nell (born Oct 89) is leading his team in goals (23) and points (54) in 29 games. Pretty good. I'm not sure where Lewis Day is playing now??
Looking at the history in the GBSC website I found that John Dewar has already played for our junior team which is good - I thought he might not be interested if he considered himself Canadian.
Includes Clarkson and Lee from the U20 squad that just played. Other names are James Neil and Aaron Nell. There's two more Brits in Lake Placid in the squad - Jonathan Boxill and Thomas Mills.
He's under contract with Bracknell but isn't an active player. He lives and studies in London and he found he was unable to juggle his studies and hockey effectively. He remains registered with the Bees if they ever need him - Bracknell Article
You missed out the best GB defenceman prospect 19 year old Dave Phillips from Hull Stingrays, now in his 4th season in Hull Stingrays colours, has surpassd his brother Kevin who was a good prospect, but has suffered from a lack of confindence last seson.
Dave has been playing PP/PK for 2 years now, and is on Hulls 2nd line D partnership with Ukrainien Pavel Gomenyuk
Hes better than Stevie Lee althougth Stevie is better than Dave was at 16
Lewis Day has had a few years experiance fof Hull, where he came throught the junior ranks...... but he stagnated, fast skater, but his stick handling lets him down
Youre bang on about Scott Conway, definate one to watch
I only really know about the ENL level players, so this lad I can comment on. Invicta play in the ENL South, Connolly only has one senior game for the Dynamos (1 point). His 44 points at U14 have come in 10 games not 44.
Seems a great talent at that age, but his points at U12/U14 have been comparable with many others who never made it at British hockey let alone better, so a wait and see for a couple more years on him.
He played his second Dynamos game last night and got another assist.
Anyone know Iain Beattie? Scored his first goal for the Capitals last night in the Elite league. Another one from our generational 1987 year. Should be getting more ice time this season since three of Edinburgh's top players deserted them before the game.
Another one to keep an eye on is Brendan Perlini. Currently playing for Guildford U12s:
11gp 36g 24a 60pts
Do you think Conway will ever make it over to North America in some capacity? A successful British player would probably do wonders for the hockey program.
I think a successful British team is more important. The sport needs media interest (and funding) to grow. That's media interest in our own league. British media is almost as self-obsessed as American.. they arent very interested in what some guy playing a minority sport in a foreign country is doing. If the British team manages to win more often, then that helps their case for government funding too.
Do you think Conway will ever make it over to North America in some capacity? A successful British player would probably do wonders for the hockey program.
I agree with Gwyddbwyll in that it is more important to have the GB team doing well. But players succeeding in NA would certainly help the National Team, as it would suggest they are top players.
I i think it is accepted that a player is likely to develop much better if playing in North America as opposed to Britain.
It is true though, that just having a player over there isn't going to make much of a difference (unless they make it to the NHL).
EDIT: To answer your initial question, it is very early with regards to Conway, and i must admit i don't know the junior stats of GBs current top players, but it seems he is a way ahead of his fellow U12s and stepping up to U14 comfortably aswell. Time will tell, but he does look promising.
Edinburgh are developing some good young players since their imports left. Iain Bowie is a 16 year old who is doing well for them. 3 points in 7 games. That's in addition to Beattie, Garside, Dalgliesh and Glasgow.
Danny Wood continuing his good form with 20 in 29 now to lead the team in goals despite playing fewest games. I make him eligible for the draft this year.. will he be picked??
Tom Duggan leads the same team in points with 45 in 41. Second youngest.. he isnt eligible till 2008.
Seriously, if true it's good to see him move to a first-class junior system. He could reach his potential after all. Surprised he didn't move to Dumfries to be with his dad.
