Justina Demetry
Jalen Worstell
During the off-season, the Junior Bruins were scouting just like any other team; however, this year they brought a goalie from Florida, Ben Cunneen, and a center from Canada, Zach Kayton, to be on their 2017-2018, 16u team.
Since their team will be based out of the New England Sports Center in Marlborough, Cunneen moved with his mom to live in Westborough at the beginning of school year and Kayton moved in to live with Cunneen’s family at the end of November.
Cunneen played for the Palm Beach Hawks in Florida but was recruited when the Junior Bruins scouts came down to watch him play. He received an offer to play with them this season.
Cunneen has played goalie for eight years and prefers it over other positions, he says he has tried playing forward but it wasn’t for him. On the other hand, Kayton also started playing hockey since he was eight years old.
Kayton has been on a few hockey teams including the Florida Junior Panthers, Palm Beach Blackhawks, and the Notre Dame Hounds. He plays center and when asked what other positions he would switch to, he says “I wouldn’t switch.”
The Junior Bruins are ranked 25th in the country this season with 25 wins, 6 losses, and 1 tie as they continue to play more teams from all over the country. Cunneen states “We’ve been doing pretty well so far.”
Throughout his hockey career, Cunneen has had much support from his mom who is one of his role models. He also cites Jake Allen, a goalie playing for the St. Louis Blues as a role model. Kayton looks up to Sidney Crosby, captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
In his free time, Cunneen plays basketball with the new friends he has made in Westborough High. Kayton enjoys spending time with friends in his free time, and he loves living with Cunneen.
Westborough would love to have them walk with the Class of 2019, although they may have to change teams considering this a 16U team and they will be turning 17 soon.
Cunneen has many hopes for the future including playing for a good college hockey team; his dream college would be Wisconsin but he thinks highly of BU. He would love to attend if he was offered a scholarship. Kayton hopes to play D1 hockey for colleges such as Union College, Michigan State, and Boston College.
Be sure to check out their schedule down below!
