The New England prep hockey season begins in less than a month. When it does so, there will be various high-end players to watch throughout the region.
But a trend has popped up over the last 10 years.
Sometimes, the best prep players depart for junior hockey before they graduate. That includes the United States Hockey League (USHL), British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) and North American Hockey League (NAHL). This season was no different.
The big benefit of moving on is playing against better older players. Those players who leave often face a different kind of adversity than their peers in prep. Instead of playing top-line minutes, they may be relegated to the fourth line or watching many games as a scratch.
For some, it works out great. For others, not so much. Every player is different.
We don't know what will happen yet with these 12 players. But they're worth tracking throughout this season.
LAST YEAR'S CROP: Check out the players who left early last season
One thing to note: Players who graduated prep and are now playing junior don't count for this story. That would be a long article.
Let's dive in.
Luke Calabria
Okotoks Oilers, 12/16/2005, D, right shot, 5-10/165
Hometown: Huntington, N.Y.
NCAA: ColgateÂ
Calabria was one of the most dynamic defensemen in prep last season, notching seven goals and 29 points for Frederick Gunn. He played in all situations for head coach Craig Badger's team and began there during the 2021-22 season. His speed and vision set him apart in prep and will serve him well with Okotoks, where he has two assists in 13 games so far.
BEANTOWN FALL CLASSIC: 12 uncommitted 16U standouts | 8 uncommitted 18U standouts
Cam Caron
Surrey Eagles, 6/21/2007, F, left shot, 6-3/207
Hometown: Dracut, Mass.
NCAA: NortheasternÂ
Caron starred at Dracut/Tyngsboro (Mass.) High in 2021-22. Then, he made the move to New Hampton where his game grew even more. As a freshman in 2022-23, he notched 18 goals and 47 points. He accelerated ahead of last season to become a junior. With that, he became eligible to commit to a college and chose Northeastern. He had a strong season last year, too, scoring 19 goals and finishing with 44 points. He made the move to junior ahead of his senior season and has one goal and five points in eight games with the BCHL's Surrey Eagles.
Hugo Daniel
Maine Nordiques, 8/18/2007, F, left shot, 6-2/205
Hometown: Yarmouth, MaineÂ
After getting some playing time as an eighth grader with North Yarmouth Academy in 2021-22, Daniel followed that up with two very productive seasons. He notched 25 points in 33 games as a freshman in 2022-23 and then 26 goals and 44 points in 34 games last season. Daniel's size is intriguing and he has two assists in nine games for the NAHL's Maine Nordiques.
Michael Fiedorczuk
Kenai River Brown Bears, 6/23/2006, F, left shot, 6-2/181
Hometown: Lake Villa, Ill.Â
Fiedorczuk had a big hand in helping Kent win the Large School championship last season, finishing with 16 goals and 27 points in 26 games. He was a breakout prospect in prep last season after posting just nine points in his sophomore year. Through 11 games with the BCHL's Kenai River Brown Bears, he has one goal and three points.
Laz Giardina
West Kelowna Warriors, 6/29/2006, F, left shot, 6-4/207
Hometown: Reading, Mass.Â
After just one season at Lawrence Academy, Giardina headed off to the BCHL's West Kelowna Warriors, where he has two goals and three points in 13 games. He notched 12 goals and 22 points in 28 games as a junior for the Spartans last season. He was a standout at last year's USA Hockey Select 17 Camp and was a standout at Reading (Mass.) High from 2021-23. It will be interesting to see what his next step will be given his size and speed.
Luke Goukler
Chicago Steel, 8/11/2006, F, left shot, 5-11/172
Hometown: Cumming, Ga.
NCAA: MerrimackÂ
Goukler was on a stacked Cushing team last season, posting 16 goals and 27 points in 32 games. That came after playing for the Nashville Junior Predators. Goukler can fly, showcasing high speeds. After just one season with Cushing, he has three goals and six points in 12 games with the USHL's Chicago Steel.
NHL DRAFT IN FALL:Â 10 prospects to watch in New England fall hockey
Dylan Hunt
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 2/9/2006, D, left shot, 6-1/174
Hometown: Marlboro, Mass.
NCAA: YaleÂ
Hunt's ascendance at Milton over the last three years could serve as the ideal model for prep defensemen. After six points his freshman year, Hunt took on a top-four role as a sophomore in 2022-23, posting one goal and 11 points. He committed to Yale the following summer as a high-end shutdown defenseman. Hunt grew into his own offensively last winter, scoring eight goals and leading his team in points with 40. Hunt will likely be a defensive defenseman at the higher levels and has two assists through 11 games with the USHL's Cedar Rapids RoughRiders.
Kole Hyles
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 1/16/2006, F, right shot, 6-0/190
Hometown: Newfields, N.H.
NCAA: New HampshireÂ
Hyles was a steady presence down the middle for Cushing last season, posting 14 goals and 23 points in 32 games as a junior. Hyles arrived at Cushing after being a standout with Seacoast Performance Academy the previous three seasons. He's a two-way center who will likely continue being that through juniors and into college. He has two assists in 10 games for the USHL's Cedar Rapids RoughRiders.
Brady Kudrick
Surrey Eagles, 10/28/2005, F, left shot, 5-11/165
Hometown: Norwell, Mass.Â
Kudrick was always on an upward trajectory at Thayer, going from five points as a freshman to 17 as a sophomore and then finally 38 last winter as a junior. Kudrick is known for a hard shot and a lot of offensive creativity. He could've headlined Thayer as a senior this winter, but he took the leap to play with the BCHL's Surrey Eagles. So far, the move has paid off. He has nine goals and 16 points in 13 games. He committed to Boston College over the weekend.
Michael Munroe
Youngstown Phantoms, 7/6/2007, F, left shot, 5-9/170
Hometown: Hanover, Mass.
NCAA: MaineÂ
Munroe spent the last two seasons with Avon Old Farms. He posted 14 points as a sophomore in 2022-23, en route to the Winged Beavers winning the Elite 8. Last season, he led the team in goals (18) and ranked second in points (35). The Maine commit was a standout at USA Hockey's Select 17 Camp this summer, notching five goals and eight points in six games. So far, he has one assist in seven games with the USHL's Youngstown Phantoms.
PREP PREVIEWS: Avon Old Farms | Belmont Hill | Berkshire | Brunswick | Frederick Gunn | Phillips Andover Â
Andrew O'Sullivan
Green Bay Gamblers, 8/15/2006, D, right shot, 5-11/165
Hometown: Boston, Mass.
NCAA: ColgateÂ
O'Sullivan was one of the best defensemen in prep last season, scoring eight goals and posting 55 points, which was tops among all defenders in the region. One of his most memorable plays came in the Elite 8 quarterfinals last season when he scored the overtime winner to put the Wildcats past St. George's. He's dynamic, can run a power play and can rush the puck with ease. The Colgate commit has two goals and five points through 10 games for the USHL's Green Bay Gamblers.
Will Prowse
Lincoln Stars, 2/18/2006, G, catches left, 6-1/186
Hometown: Vail, Colo.Â
This is a name most New England hockey fans might not be aware of. Prowse, who was a sophomore last season, was Ryan Nolan's backup at Holderness. It was his first year at Holderness after coming in from the Rocky Mountain Roughriders. He made the USHL's Lincoln Stars and through his first five games has a 3.18 GAA and an .876 save percentage.
