With the MIAA hockey season just a little over the halfway mark, it’s a good time to look at the candidates for the New England Hockey Journal's Player of the Year.
Our reigning Player of the Year, Belmont right wing Cam Fici, is once again a candidate. Now a senior, the scoring dynamo has led the Marauders to a 7-2-2 mark through 11 games.
Outside of Fici, there are a number of other candidates worthy of consideration for the award that goes to the top individual performer in MIAA hockey.
I put a lot of stock into how valuable the player is to his team’s success while still judging it based on individual merit. While Fici is certainly a leading candidate, there are 11 others with a strong case for consideration.
Cam Fici
Belmont, 4/2/04, RW, right shot, 5-9/155
Fici is on pace for another 30-plus goal season. The senior captain has 16 goals in 11 games. He’s not a blazer, but he does a good job of being opportunistic, putting himself in good positions and finishing. The undisputed leader of this Belmont team, Fici is looking to conclude his high school career by making good on unfinished business. As a freshman, his team was prevented from going for a state championship in 2020 when the finals at TD Garden were canceled due to COVID-19.
Brady Quackenbush
Marshfield, 11/5/04, G, catches left, 5-10/152
At first glance of Quackenbush’s stats, some people might assume a typo. The senior goaltender has a 1.01 goals against average and .943 save percentage for the Rams. The undersized goaltender has been the catalyst for Dan Connolly’s team that has allowed just 12 goals in 12 games. Quackenbush and Marshfield haven’t allowed a goal in their last six games.
Anthony Palmer
St. Mary’s, 10/28/07, G, catches left, 5-8/140
Palmer is having a terrific freshman year for Mark Lee’s Spartans. The Lynnfield, Mass., resident has posted two shutouts and has allowed more than two goals just once. The athletic goaltender has quick reflexes and makes blocker and glove saves look easy. He’s good at tracking pucks, especially low ones through traffic. Palmer will be the key to postseason success for St. Mary’s.
Cole Pouliot-Porter
Xaverian, 7/24/06, G, catches left, 5-9/155
Pouliot-Porter has been a huge addition for the Hawks. The Franklin, Mass., native has a .928 save percentage while helping Dave Spinale’s team get out to a 7-5 record. While there have been more losses than the team has been accustomed to in recent years, Pouliot-Porter provides energy and intensity to bolster the lineup. If he catches fire in the playoffs, he could help this team go further than expected.
Jake Vana
St. John’s Prep, 9/1/05, RW, right shot, 5-11/185
Vana is the leading scorer for the top team in the state. The Boxford, Mass., native has scored seven goals and added eight assists in 11 games for the Eagles. While St. John’s Prep has the most depth and a balanced scoring attack, Vana catches my eye the most. He’s far from the fastest player on the team, but he’s around the puck and brings a ton of hockey IQ to the ice. He wins a lot of battles and makes plays from down low. He’s heavy on pucks and exudes athleticism. After all, he’s a three-sport star for St. John’s Prep.
BIG WIN: Standouts from SJP's huge victory over BC High
Tyler Hamilton
Catholic Memorial, 12/7/06, C, right shot, 5-11/160
Hamilton is the fourth-leading scorer on the Knights, but he’s not far behind the team lead. He has seven goals and five assists in 11 games. From Framingham, Mass., he’s a 200-foot center. Hamilton skates well, competes hard and backchecks as well as any player in the state. He plays in all situations and has plenty of upside. CM is second only to St. John’s Prep in terms of depth and likelihood of winning a state title come March 19 at the TD Garden. Hamilton will have a lot to say about that.
Travis Rugg
Hingham, 7/18/05, C, left shot, 6-2/172
Rugg is the Harbormen’s leading scorer with five goals and nine assists in 12 games. The first-line center plays a two-way game, skating on the first power play unit, killing penalties, and being responsible at both ends. He’s big, heavy on pucks and has above-average hockey sense for this level. Hingham, the deepest team among public schools, likely poses the top threat to the Catholic Conference heavyweights. Rugg will play a pivotal role if that happens.
CJ Watroba
Pope Francis, 2/2/07, LW, left shot, 5-11/168
Watroba is the leading goal scorer for Brian Foley’s Cardinals. The sophomore left wing is smart, heavy on pucks, and plays between the dots. Pope Francis is used to having good underclassmen and Watroba is certainly a budding star. While not on the same wavelength as Ryan or John Leonard, the West Springfield, Mass., native has the potential to play Division 1 college hockey.
Evan Pennucci
Reading, 10/24/04, C, right shot, 5-10/190
Pennucci centers the top line and is the leading scorer for the Rockets. In nine games, the senior captain has seven goals and eight assists. Pennucci plays in all situations, hunts pucks, and makes a consistent impact on the game. He can finish and make plays while showing some shiftiness. While many of his peers in the MIAA hockey world are hoping to continue their playing careers, he’s already set his sights on the next chapter of his life. He’ll pursue an engineering degree at Loyola Marymount University in 2023-24.
Pavit Mehra
Hopkinton, 7/16/04, C, right shot, 5-11/165
Mehra has been a dominant force in most of his team’s games, leading his team with 19 goals and 16 assists. The longtime South Shore Kings and Cape Cod Whalers offensive stalwart plays hard, skates well, and has an above-average stick for this level. He didn’t play in 2021-22 while he tried his hand at junior hockey in the NCDC. His return to the Hopkinton lineup has made the Hillers a favorite to win the Division 2 state championship.
Nick DiCioccio
Tewksbury, 8/15/05, D, right shot, 5-9/140
DiCioccio is the leading scorer for a Tewksbury team looking to win a second straight state championship. He’s got five goals and 11 assists in 10 games for the Redmen. His offensive acumen is far from his best asset. He’s solid defensively and plays physically with a mean streak. If Tewksbury is to repeat in Division 2, he could play a key role on a deep and talented team for this level.
BY COMPARISON: Evaluating Player of the Year candidates in prep hockey
Drew Damiani
Lynnfield, 3/3/05, D, right shot, 5-9/160
Damiani is yet another blue-liner who is the leading scorer for his team, the undefeated Pioneers. A favorite to win in Division 3, Lynnfield is bolstered by the senior leadership of Damiani. He’s not going to blow by any opposing forecheckers, but he’s got his head up looking to make plays in transition. He has eight goals and six assists in 10 games.
