’01 Ondrej Psenicka to Cornell for 2021
Psenicka is a huge get for Cornell and fits the bill of a typical Cornell player, as a 6-foot-6 power forward out of the Czech Republic. Psenicka is overseas this season, presumably due to COVID, but appeared in 43 games for Waterloo in the USHL last season, scoring six goals and adding 12 assists. He looks primed to play for the Czech team at the upcoming World Juniors.
We had Psenicka ranked as our No. 12 uncommitted prospect out of the 1999, 2000 and 2001 pools.
NZ Scouts: “His strength and willingness to work and win battles was impressive, as he was able to use his size to be strong on pucks and create chances for his line. When he hit guys it made an impact, both physically and metaphorically. It did get him into trouble however, leading the tournament in penalty minutes with 29 in 5 games, as he was suspended one game for receiving a game misconduct against Canada West. His 5 points in 5 games tied him for 8th overall in the tournament, the most important being an assist on the late tying goal versus the Americans in the Bronze Medal game to send it to overtime. The large winger was relied upon heavily by the Czechs, and he did well in the tournament as a whole.”
’00 Rylan Mosley to Michigan Tech for 2021
Mosley is a skilled forward who has been tearing up the CCHL the last two seasons. Last season he had 81 points in 56 games and also was a point-per-game player for Canada East at the World Jr. A’s. In 2018-19 as a CCHL rookie, he had 43 points in 55 games.
He’s an Ontario native who should fit in nicely with Michigan Tech’s system with his scoring ability and strong two-way game.
NZ Scouts: “The biggest standout for CPC. Played in all situations and was quick and creative in tight areas. Used his skating and hands to navigate into open space to create plays. Had a beautiful saucer pass on a 2 on 1 goal during a power play to Derek Hamilton. On the PK, he created a turnover in the neutral zone and took the puck down ice, cut back from defenders, and was able to pass it back to his defenseman to kill off time. One step ahead of most of the players.”
’01 Nicholas Niemo to Bentley for 2021
Niemo has popped this fall for the Lone Star Brahmas in the NAHL. He flew under the radar the last couple of seasons playing for the Islanders in the USPHL and NCDC and has put up huge numbers as an NAHL rookie this season, scoring 9 goals and adding 12 assists in just 14 games.
The Vermont native had 50 points (20g, 30a) for the Islanders NCDC team last season.
NZ Scouts: “Niemo possesses great speed and used that in both games to create offense and was rewarded with two assists on the weekend. He has a knack for playmaking and is able to create chances in all three zones by using his speed and passing ability to make odd man rush situations. He excels on transition and is able to catch opposing players flat-footed as he gets to his top speed quickly.”
’00 Andrew DeCarlo to Air Force for 2021
DeCarlo is one of Niemo’s teammates and he’s also off to a hot start in the NAHL, scoring 6 goals and adding 14 assists in 14 games. Last season with Lone Star he totaled 8 goals and 14 assists in 43 games, so in less than half the games he’s nearly out-produced his totals from all of last season.
DeCarlo is a California native who came up through the LA Jr. Kings and Anaheim Jr. Ducks before playing a season with the Selects Academy prior to joining Lone Star.
NZ Scouts: “He pushed the pace and showed good speed and strong edges and he was the first guy in on the forecheck finishing his checks and forcing the play. He was first to puck and did a nice job breaking pucks out of his end and gaining the zone and getting shots to the net. He made a few subtle puck plays here but overall his play was most effective away from the puck.”
’02 Joel Maatta to Michigan State for 2021
A 6-foot-2 forward from Finland, Maattaa lands a commitment to Michigan State after coming to North America last season to play for the Sioux City Musketeers. He acclimated to the U.S. well, scoring 11 goals and 14 assists in 43 games last season while also playing for Finland’s U18 team at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the U18 Worlds.
NZ Scouts: “The big center plays a hard-nosed game, and has a knack for the net. He used his size and strength well, protecting pucks on entries and on the wall, as well as finishing checks following chip-ins. His goal came on a net-front rebound from a point shot, following a great shift with a won draw and battle on the forecheck. He worked hard to win pucks offensively, grinding on the cycle. Also worked hard defensively as the down low guy, and had a blocked shot.”
’02 Nick Marciano to Princeton for 2022
Marciano is a 6-foot-2 defenseman from Connecticut who came up like many New Englanders do, playing prep hockey at the Kent School also also playing split-season for the Mid-Fairfield Rangers. This season he moved over to the Neponset Valley River Rats for his split-season team and will be a senior at Kent.
Last season he appeared in 26 games for Kent and scored 3 goals from the back line while also adding 20 assists. He had 5 goals and 4 assists in 12 games for NV this fall.
NZ Scouts: “Marciano is a tall, smart well-rounded defenseman and has the skills to play at the next level. He is quick to accelerate, joins the rush, and talks on the ice. He snaps passes off on the tape, is smooth and calm on the regroup, and plays solid 1v1 defense. His hockey IQ and overall awareness were continuously noticed as he carried the puck with confidence and rarely made a bad decision. He gets his shots through from the point, moves well on the blueline, and can play both the powerplay and penalty kill with no reservation. An underrated potential D1 prospect who can play a lot of different roles for a team.”
