The Massachusetts Selects Hockey League and Cape Cod Whalers are proud to announce the selection of Matt Beniers, Brett Berard, and Drew Commesso to join the 2018-19 US Under-17 Team.

All three players were members of the Cape Cod Whalers 16-and-under team last season.

Beniers, a native of Hingham, MA, led the Whalers in scoring with seven goals and five assists (12 points) in eight league games. After the end of the fall midget season, he played for Milton Academy and finished fourth on the team in all offensive categories with 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points in 25 games.

Berard proved to be a top defensive forward with the Whalers and Bishop Hendricken (RI) high school last season. He chipped in a goal and three assists (four points) in eight games during Mass Selects League play, but his true impact was felt on the backcheck, as he contributed mightily to the Whalers’ 7-0-1 record in which the team gave up only 13 goals. The East Greenwich, RI, native is committed to play for Providence College.

Commesso was long considered one of the top goaltenders of his age group and a lock for the NTDP before the season started. Having played in seven of the Whalers’ eight games, he amassed a 6-0-1 record and a league-leading 1.86 goals against average. During the prep season, Commesso played in 21 games for St. Sebastian’s and recorded a 2.13 goals against average and .918 save percentage. Upon completion of his NTDP career, he will attend Boston University.

Congratulations to Matt, Brett, Drew, and their families.