Then, they grabbed a bus to suburban Pittsburgh for the USHL-hosted Fall Classic, the annual showcase for junior and college scouts. The 16Us made it all the way to the final there, losing in a shootout on a Monday.

 

And by Wednesday they were back on the road again, hopping a flight to the Twin Cities for their usual spot in the MN Blades Showcase, where they went 3-0-1 — including a 2-2 tie with traditional power Shattuck-St. Mary’s — to close out the season’s opening month.

 

In a word: Whew. 

 

“We’ve handled it awesome,” Collins said during a rare free moment in Minnesota. “You can see the results, but it’s bigger to me to see the growth. We’re teaching on the fly, but we think we’re in a pretty good place.”

 

Collins said the age group he coaches usually faces a steep adjustment at the start of the season, as the focus needed for success shifts from individual assertiveness to more of a team-oriented approach.

 

In that vein, the 16Us struggled at the NE Pack event with moving the puck cleanly and structure in their defensive and offensive zones.

 

“You have to play a team game and connect the dots that way,” Collins said. “You can’t just get the puck and do what you want. It’s different from when you’re younger. It’s a learning curve.”

 

A couple of talented 16U forwards who could probably be excused for freelancing, but who have been doing anything but, are James Scantlebury (Montréal, Québéc) and Dain Gordon (Denver, Colo.).

 

The two dynamic linemates are both well past the 20-point mark already and have shown a smooth synergy as they pace the BK attack.

 

“I think we have clicked because we are very understanding of each other,” said Gordon, a recent Colorado College commit who has averaged over a point per game in two seasons at BK.

 

“We talk a lot on and off the ice and strategize a lot on the bench. We constantly know where each other are on the ice and look to find each other.”

 

Scantlebury, who won’t turn 16 until the new year, is coming off a remarkable debut year at BK in which he suited up for all four age groups at least once. While skating with his age-group peers at the 14U level, he posted an eye-catching 130 points (64 goals, 66 assists) in just 55 games.

 

The former standout for the Lac St-Louis Arsenal program said moving away from home last year forced him to mature at a rapid rate.

 

“BK has helped me grow a ton,” Scantlebury said. “I learned how to live on my own and stop relying on my parents to do everything for me, so it has helped a lot.”

 

As for this season, Scantlebury said he’s emphasizing his two-way game while trying to add more physicality to his style. Collins likes his chances based on the work ethic he’s shown on and off the ice.

 

“Obviously James is super-skilled,” Collins said. “He has elite hands, shot and skating, but he’s the hardest-working kid on the ice. If you have that, you’re going to make it somewhere.”

 

Added Gordon on his linemate: “I think his IQ stands out the most to me. He has a great vision and can scan and read the ice really quick.”

 

We’re still early in the process to see where this season ends up, but with how the 16Us have managed the hectic pace of September, they couldn’t have wished for a much better start.

 

Ironically, the few moments they’ve had to relax amidst all the action might be just as important as anything that happens at various rinks across the continent.

 

“I think we have played well recently because the team is building chemistry and really starting to bond,” Gordon said. 

 

“Just hanging out with the team and really getting to know everyone kinda creates that enjoyable environment.”