Bryce Wiitala and Charlie Puglisi Headline Big Names To Know
The Mini-Chowder Cup concluded on Sunday, crowning champions at the 2007- and 2008-birth years. This New England-based event is one of the highlights of summer hockey on the East Coast, with a series of tournaments for several age groups including the Mini (‘07 and ‘08), the Junior (‘05 and ‘06) and the classic, Senior Chowder Cup (‘01, ‘02, ‘03 and ‘04).
Sixty-six teams took the ice in Foxboro, Massachusetts, on Friday. Boston Hockey Club won the 2008 Division and NorthStar Elite took the 2007 Division. Following its conclusion, tournament directors acknowledged some of the standouts from the weekend with its All-Tournament Teams.
2007 Standouts
Most Valuable Player: Bryce Wiitala, NorthStar Elite
After scoring six goals in the first four games of the tournament, Wiitala tacked on three more tallies in the playoffs for a total of 12 points in seven games. He saved his biggest performance for the biggest game of the weekend, scoring two goals and two assists, including the game-winner in NorthStar’s 5-4 overtime victory against Coaches’ Choice.
Goalie: Aidan Kaiser, NorthStar Elite
Defense: Donato Bracco, Coaches’ Choice
Defense: Kyle Heger, NorthStar Elite
Forward: Mason Minsky, NorthStar Elite
Forward: Cooper Dennis, Coaches’ Choice
Forward: Marko Lisica, Coaches’ Choice
2008 Standouts
Most Valuable Player: Charlie Puglisi, Boston Hockey Club
One of the more steady players throughout the tournament for Boston Hockey Club, Puglisi compiled one goal and six points through the first four games. He added three more points in the playoffs, as BHC rolled to a championship on Sunday courtesy of one of the largest goal differentials in the entire tournament at plus-41.
Goalie: Carson Mertz, Boston Hockey Club
Defense: Nolan Nassar, Boston Hockey Club
Defense: Will Bent, Boston Jr. Blues
Forward: Luca Cannata, Boston Hockey Club
Forward: Caleb Romph, Boston Jr. Blues
Forward: Joe Iginla, Boston Jr. Blues
The Chowder Cup series continues on July 22nd, with the College and Junior-A Divisions taking center stage. Top prospects and teams are expected to be on-hand and World Hockey Hub will be on top of the action at the Senior-Chowder Cup. Be sure to connect with us on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook for the latest content!
