Mid-Atlantic Prospects Propel Mount St. Charles to the Top of the U15 Rankings

Few teams in the country have gotten off to a hotter start than Mount St. Charles’ U15 team. Currently sitting behind Shattuck St. Mary's atop the 2009 rankings, they are boasting an impressive 15-1 record, with signature wins against the Boston Jr. Eagles, Pittsburgh Penguins and Long Island Gulls. 

Given the program’s national reach it's surprising that such a big part of their roster is made-up of Mid-Atlantic talent, what isn’t surprising is that many of these players appear in our early season rankings and are driving much of the team’s success this year. 

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Forwards

Mount has a talented crop of forwards which explains the team’s 6 goals/game scoring average. Showcasing a dangerous combination of skill, speed and creativity, their forwards like to play with relentless waves of offensive pressure. They have the dynamic speed to play run-and-gun while piling up chances off the rush, but they also know how to play a strong puck-possession game by pinning teams deep and going to work in the corners. A handful of their forwards will be in discussion for NTDP spots, and many of them are from the Mid-Atlantic region. 

Rocco Pelosi  

For the 2nd season in a row Pelosi is leading Mount’s offense, and he’s already amassed an impressive 22 goals and 19 assists in only 19 games. He was one of our highest rated players coming into this season as he’s a physically mature forward who seems to be able to score at will. His combination of strength and puck possession make him a nightmare for defenders as he bulldozes his way around the offensive zone, sniping goals from every angle. 

Braiden Scuderi 

Scuderi is the straw that stirs the drink for his team, and his shifts play out like a continuous highlight reel of skill. He’s one of the most dynamic players in the country and despite being undersized, he’s relentless on pucks up-and-down the ice. Everything about Scuderi’s game is fast-twitch, and his hands, feet and brain are constantly firing at an explosive level. So far this season he’s amassed 12 goals and 22 assists in 19 games for his squad. 

Stephen Cover 

Cover finished last season with over 100 points and he’s producing at an even higher rate this year. While he isn’t as explosive or flashy as some of the other forwards on the roster, he’s incredibly cerebral and he’s constantly in the right spot to make strong plays on the puck. He has great vision and playmaking ability, and even when he doesn’t jump off the ice at you, he finds himself all over the scoresheet. He currently has 11 goals and 22 assists on the year. 

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Defensemen 

The best defense is a good offense, and while it’s true that Mount’s puck-possession forwards take a lot of pressure off their D-core, the group is certainly nothing to sleep on. They have a great balance of size and skill and most importantly they allow the team’s talented forwards to do the heavy lifting offensively. ½ their D-core is made-up of Mid-Atlantic talent and includes some of our top-rated 09 defensemen.

Maksim Yakub

Yakub is a physically strong, 2-way D who anchors the blueline for Mount. He plays both sides of the puck with poise and confidence and uses his physical strength and mobility to create space at both ends of the ice. He constantly plays with his head up so that he can read through his options, and his grit and physicality make him a nightmare to play against in his own end. 

Christian Semetsis 

Semetis is a newcomer to Mount’s blueline having previously played for the Long Island Royals, but he’s already proving to be a key contributor in their lineup. He’s got a good frame and plays long and smooth with impressive puck-skills and mobility. He doesn’t panic with the puck on his stick and he stays in position to make plays in all 3 zones. 

Cody Costello 

Costello brings great size and balance to Mount’s talented D-core. While he isn’t as dynamic as some of the other players in their lineup, his calm and consistent defensive play should not go overlooked. His long stride and reach allows him to cover a lot of ice defensively and he’s incredibly efficient transitioning pucks up to his forwards. He’s that reliable player that every coach wants to have in their lineup, and we really think his best hockey is still ahead of him. 

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Goaltending 

Let’s be honest, Mount’s roster is a dream scenario for a goaltender. Forwards that put up 6 goals a game and a strong and mobile D-core in front of you….who wouldn’t sign up for that? And while it’s true that life is pretty good if you are a Mount goalie, the reality is that you are also constantly facing some of the best competition in the country. Fortunately for Mount they have a top-rated goalie who also happens to be from the Mid-Atlantic.

Nathaniel Chizik

At 6’3 Chizik has a pro-frame that allows him to fill up a ton of the net and swallow up shots. He’s quick and athletic for his size and comes out to challenge shooters rather than just relying on pucks hitting his frame. He’s poised and confident and doesn’t seem to get rattled by scrums in tight. His size is going to give him a lot of runway to develop and he should have a ton of options at the next level.

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