The Beantown Classic, wasn’t just a gathering place for midget, prep, and junior teams, but a gathering place for five future University of Maine players. Connor Leen (New Jersey Hitmen), Brian Morgan (New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs), Jake Rutt (New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs), and Brian Harris (Boston Junior Bruins) all played at the Classic. The fifth is Cam Brown (New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs) who didn’t play Sunday in the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs-Boston Junior Bruins game due to mono.
Leen liked the fact he will be playing in Hockey East when he joins the Black Bears. He also made a visit to Boston College.
“When I went up on my visit, I felt like it was the right place to commit and they are in Hockey East,” Leen said.
He also describes himself as an offensive forward.
“I am definitely an offensive minded forward,” he added. “I’ve been working on the defensive zone this year especially with Coach Hunt. I like to create plays in the offensive zone and make things happen.”
He was named the Eastern Junior Hockey League’s offensive player of the week for the week of October 7th to October 13th. In that time, he had two goals and for assists in three games.
Right now he’s unsure if he will be with the Black Bears in 2011 or in 2012.
“It’s up to the coaches, it all depending on my progression this year,” he added. “Hopefully it’s 2011, but if it is 2012, I will work on my body, getting bigger, stronger, and faster.”
What’s it like to play against a future teammates
Brian Harris of the Junior Bruins went up against four future teammates last weekend. He and the rest of his Bruins teammates lost Saturday to Connor Leen and the New Jersey Hitmen 5-0. On Sunday the Junior Bruins lost to the Junior Monarchs 6-4.
“It’s nice to know we will be teammates later on down the road,” Harris said.
Jake Rutt doesn’t pay attention if he’s playing against future teammates.
“It’s fun, but when you are on the ice, you don’t really think about that,” Rutt said. (Harris) is on the other team, in a couple years he will be on my team which is great because he’s a great player.”
Harris and Cam Brown were teammates last season with the Boston Advantages of the Tier I Elite League.
“It’s always fun playing against each other,” Harris added.
Cam Brown Update
Speaking of Brown, who will miss three weeks due to Mono, was lighting the EJHL up. In nine games he had four goals and five assists.
“He’s been great, he’s an entertaining player to watch,” said New Hampshire Junior Monarchs Head Coach Sean Tremblay. “He’s like an Adam Shemansky up (at Maine), little bit on the smaller side, but he knows how to create space. He’s incredible gifted with the puck and skilled. He will be a great hockey player.”
