Pre-Draft Player Rankings 1.0
PUCK, MEET NET
1.) Tim Benner — The league’s all-time leading scorer should be at the top of most draft boards.
2.) Matty Roncone — One of 2 1/2 full-time players who can carry an offense. Added perk: He’s the king of online zing.
GOING BOTH WAYS
3.) Joe Szprygada — Last season’s MVP and resident skinny guy gets a big boost up the draft board, but it remains to be seen if he can carry a team.
4.) Tool Galante — Big body, big stick. The wheels ain’t what they once were, but he still controls the paint as well as anybody.
THEY’LL SCORE, TOO
5.) Ryan Schamber — The 1/2 player who can carry an offense, he’ll score, score and score some more. Watch out, though: His right trigger has been broken for years.
6.) Shane Mueller — The older of the new-coming brothers, rumors say he could jump right into the league’s scoring race. Unfortunately, he’ll likely be a sub.
7.) Eric Mueller — Younger than Shane, should come in and have little trouble finding the back of the net. Another sub, could add value by spending some time between the pipes.
D-#
8.) Troy Roncone — Defending playoff MVP looks to build off big championship run. Does most of his damage from the back end, but versatile enough to play forward, defense and goalie.
9.) CJ Massett — The league’s first free agent last season, came in displayed a solid game. Won’t wow you, but should put up bigger numbers as he adjusts to the league.
SUPER SQUIRT
10.) Brandon Reynolds — Cutting into our run of D-first players, the kid can score — if you can get him out of bed in the morning. Isn’t one dimensional and will get back on the defensive end.
MASKED MEN
11.) Matt Beck — Part of the incoming Lancaster crew, should come in and find a home for some team in the net as he works off an ACL injury.
12.) Dan Morgan — Last year’s Vezina winner, the guy with the nickname I refuse to use could do it again. Can get knocked off his game. Must keep hydrated.
13.) Matt Bradley — Another incoming tower, the former UB goalie will play out this year. Watch out in the playoffs, though, if he decides to head back to the net.
KNOW YOUR ROLE
14.) James Kooken — Little info available on this newcomer, though he allegedly played some high school hockey. Rumor is he’s aching to see what he can do between the pipes.
15.) Costa Skagias — Dirtiest player in the league last year, he’ll bring the same game to whichever team drafts him this season. Has a big shot but passes less than Fat Albert at the buffet.
16.) Garrett Bulinski — With the league replacing his Saturday morning cardio, he’ll run for days. Should be one of the BHL’s top power forwards, we’ll see if he uses his size a little more in his second season.
BUY A CLOCK
17.) Andy Bucella — A well-rounded player, he brings it on both ends and will step in at goalie if needed. A threat to spend more summer nights at beer tents than mornings at hockey.
MUSCLE AND FLOW
18.) Tom Sisti — The top hustle player in the league, doesn’t stand out until you’ve played against him. Active all over the court.
19.) Steve Garbutt — Put up four points in six games last season as a sub. Solid frame, rumored to be working hard to get in shape for the summer.
20.) Mike Meiler — Biggest body in the league, endurance can be an issue. Can do a little bit of everything, including goalie. Think Dustin Byfuglien is he smoked a couple packs a day.
21.) Ricky Fabiszewski — One of the more talkative players on the court, “Big Game” is still trying to live up to his nickname. Always great for team morale.
PART-TIME HELP
22.) Brad Bialy — Another little-known player, he’s a jack-of-all-trades. Bar-league goaltender, he’ll test his mettle on the open court this summer.
23.) Tom Gallagher — A relative unknown to most BHLers, Gallagher will come in and play a solid two-way game. Adds some size, likely the tallest player in the league.
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY
24.) Ryan Parker — One of the mainstays of summer hockey, attendance could be in question this season with a baby on the way. Maybe the most intense player in the BHL.
25.) Gary Parker — One of the BHL’s two veteran warriors, he’s a force on defense. Will defend any of his teammates and provide some offense with an underrated shot.
26.) Greg Roncone — Also a wily veteran, easily led the league in bruises last season from blocking an astounding number of shots.
WILD CARDS
27.) Mark Vaz — Established Backyard Soccer player, brings another big body this year. Attendance is unknown, will most likely be a part-time player.
28.) Jeff Stack — If you’re lucky, he’ll show up, provide above-average offense and a solid goaltender. If you’re unlucky, he’ll disappear — not just in game, but from life. Most likely, he’s a talented player and a big body who will keep his GM anxious.
29.) Tony Lattuca — A talented defensive player who’ll give his all. Attendance will be limited — if any — for this second-year player.
GRINDHOUSE
30.) Bill Pawlowski — Another runner, showed his stuff in a winter tournament this offseason. Also rumored to have something to show in net.
31.) Miles Meiler — The BHL’s Nigel Gruff, you’ll need depth to cover his smoke breaks. He’ll run for you though, which is key on hot summer mornings.
32.) Nick Dirschberger — Low hockey sense, would probably rather be knocking down mid-range jumpers. Will give 100 percent to his team, even if he’s planning a mutiny.
33.) Phil Kruse — Guaranteed to be in the best shape of any BHL player, will have to hope conditioning makes up for newness to hockey. Could challenge Pijacki for nicest guy in the league.
34.) Mason Meiler — Came in last season as a willing player despite a limited hockey background. Will be interested to see if another year in a dorm cut into his wheels.
SUPER SUBS
35.) Matt Ganci — Could be one of the top scorers in the league, but rumor has it he’s very unlikely to show up. Could swing a week for the right team.
36.) Eric Roncone — A powerful player with a strong two-way game, he’d be an asset if he wasn’t living in Virginia. Probably a third- or fourth-round talent if he can make it for a week.
37.) Todd Otis — OK, three-way battle for nicest guy in the league. Will likely travel from beautiful Ohio to provide solid defense and max effort for a few weeks.
WILDEST CARD
38.) Matt Bilz — A very, very, very big question mark. Best known for showing up at Losson last summer while riding his bike through the park.
