Hockey Night in Boston, Part 1

This is the first in a three-part series of stories about North Andoverites taking part in the Hockey Night in Boston Major Showcase.

For the past 37 years the HNIB Major Showcase has allowed high school, prep school, and juniors players from across the country to show their stuff in front of friends, family, and most importantly: scouts. This year’s tournament features over 420 players from over 20 states and three Canadian provinces.

This year, the town of North Andover is well represented with multiple players competing on multiple teams. Today’s profile is about Ryan Sweeney and Mike Cusack, whom are competing on the North Shore team. Both Sweeney and Cusack will be seniors at North Andover High in the fall.

The North Shore squad competes in the Massachusetts division which features multiple Division 1-commits as well as some of the best prep school and junior players in the state.

“It’s special,” Sweeney said of the tournament. “It’s a good tournament. Good competition. It’s really helpful for us to play again these good kids. It’s fun.”

Cusack and Sweeney are paired together on the same offensive line by Valley Junior Warrior coach, and North Andover native Andy Heinze.

“We know where each other is going to be on the ice,” Cusack said. “We find each other really well.”

Even though Sweeney and Cusack both said they’re looking to have fun just playing the game they love, they are also trying to garner the attention of the ever-present scouts.

“We’re trying to hook up with a team for after next year and see where that takes us,” Cusack said.

While Sweeney and Cusack may never play professional hockey, they can still do something that former NHLer, and 1989 HNIB Most Valuable Player, Keith Tzachuk never did: win a HNIB Major Showcase championship.

The HNIB Major Showcase is being played at the Haverhill Valley Forum and runs through Saturday.