Attleboro, MASS. – The Austin Bruins had a very successful two days at the New England Sports Village on Monday and Tuesday as the NAHL hosted their annual Top Prospects Tournament.
Aimed at helping uncommitted players showcase their skills in front of hundreds of NCAA-DI and NCAA-DII scouts, while also letting committed players dazzle in front of NHL scouts, the Top Prospects tournament in 2020 had imprints from the Austin Bruins all throughout.
Let’s take a look at each representative and some of their highlights. (In alphabetical order).
Jed Pietila – Central Divion – 1G, 0A, 1GWG
This list might be going in alphabetical order, but perhaps the best Bruins performance of the weekend came from Jed Pietila. While he was held off the score sheet during Day 1 of the tournament, on Day 2 Pietila’s shot from the point found the back of the net for his first and only goal of the tournament. That goal held up to be the game-winner as the Central Division beat the South Division in the final game of the tournament; in a matchup that many called the marquee showdown of the event.
GOAL! 🚨 It’s another goal for the Central Division as they widen their lead to 5-3 at the #NAHL #TopProspects Tournament as @theaustinbruins defenseman Jed Pietila sends a seeing-eye shot through traffic for the goal pic.twitter.com/ENlKSb8TFA
— NAHL (@NAHLHockey) February 18, 2020
Hugh Quinn – Central Division – 0G, 1A
The best day for Hugh Quinn came on Day 1 where he could be seen everywhere on the ice. On one occasion, Quinn found himself with the chance to fire off a between-the-legs shot which just sailed wide of the netminder. One day later, Quinn’s Central Division teammate Daniel Chaldek of the Bismarck Bobcats imitated Quinn with a better result for the Central Division. Easily the best moment of the tournament for Quinn was his beautiful assist on the goal scored by Minnesota Wilderness forward Tyler Watkins.
GOAL! 🚨 Towards the end of the 2nd period, the Central Division goes up 4-1 as it’s the second goal of the night for @mnwilderness forward Tyler Watkins is the recipient of some great passing by @theaustinbruins Hugh Quinn pic.twitter.com/khHTnE7Huz
— NAHL (@NAHLHockey) February 17, 2020
Carson Riddle – Selects Blue Team – 0G, 0A
While Riddle didn’t log any points during the tournament, the Western Michigan commit had plenty to be proud of. Riddle’s passing and neutral zone play helped create many quality chances for the Selects Blue Team throughout the entire tournament.
Jaden Shields – Central Division Team – 0G, 0A
Shields showed his speed and quick-thinking many times throughout the tournament. The defenseman put his hockey-IQ on display for all in attendance. During Monday’s Game 1 against the Selects Blue Team, following a blocked shot on the other side of the ice, Shields hustled through the neutral zone and prevented a breakaway while covering for his defensive partner who got caught too far in the offensive zone. Shields also showed toughness and strength on Day 2 going check-for-chick with South Division forward Will Stromp who tried on several occasions to muscle past Shields. The Royal Oak, MI native Shields, just wasn’t having it though.
Tiernan Shoudy – Selects Blue Team – 1G, 0A
Shoudy, along with Pietila, were the two goal scorers wearing the Bruins crest on the front shoulder of their sweaters. For Shoudy, his tally game during Day 1 when the Selects Blue Team took on the Central Division. The play started with Shoudy anchoring in near the blueline and not allowing the puck to leave the offensive zone. He followed the play and squeaked closer to the goal until the puck found his stick and he slammed home a shot into a practically wide-open net.
GOAL! 🚨 It’s a quick start to the 3rd period for the #NAHL Blue Selects team as just :42 seconds in, @theaustinbruins forward and @MSU_Hockey recruit Tiernan Shoudy parks himself on the backdoor to make it 4-2. pic.twitter.com/dbgGAC6eCu
— NAHL (@NAHLHockey) February 18, 2020
