It is no secret that high-end MIAA talent sometimes moves on to the prep ranks every season. That’s the way it goes. It’s hard to imagine that trend ever stopping.
Still, the MIAA is never short on intriguing talent to watch throughout the winter. Whether it's a sophomore blossoming into a top player in their birth year or a senior looking to go out with one last hurrah, it's fascinating.
For some, they're driven by continuing their hockey careers post-high school. For others, it's the burning desire for a state championship.
These players below solidify both.
By no means are these the only interesting players to watch in Division 1 MIAA hockey this season. Many new names will emerge throughout the winter. But these players are already well-established.
Kurt Beck | soph., D, Arlington
Beck, an ’09 birth-year player, has great size at 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds. That will help him not get knocked off pucks and clear the front of his net. He’s a crafty puck-mover who makes smart breakout passes and can join the offense. He made USA Hockey’s Select 15 Camp this past summer.
AJ Farese | sr., G, St. John’s Prep
St. John’s Prep was so good last season that people often overlooked a key piece: Farese. The Beverly, Mass., native is as stable a force in net as there is in the MIAA. At 6-foot-2 and 161 pounds, he always can be counted on. Is he going to face the most shots in the state? No. But it’s also a testament to how good he is that no matter how many shots come his way, he can keep himself fresh and locked in to make the next save.
LATEST MAGAZINE: Check out the November/December edition of the New England Hockey Journal magazine
Devin Gosciak | sr., F, Xaverian
Yes, Xaverian lost some vital scorers from last season. But getting Gosciak back will be key. He notched 11 goals and 22 points last season. He has a deadly shot and can consistently push the pace and drive play for the Hawks.
Sam Hubbard | sr., F, Natick
Hubbard has the chance to be one of the best players in the MIAA this winter. He notched 18 goals and 30 points with Natick last season. In terms of offensive abilities, Hubbard might be in a league of his own. He can rip the puck accurately. His hands are outstanding, as he can dangle through defenders with ease. He drives play and can take over games. For prep coaches looking for a postgrad forward for 2025-26, Hubbard is your guy. Fun fact: He plays football, too.
Finn Kelly | sr., F, Archbishop Williams
Kelly was dynamite last season for Archies, scoring 27 goals and finishing with 42 points. He was a force in the fall with Team Broncos in the Peak Prep Performance fall league and it begs a question: Just how dominant can Kelly be this season? He has the chance to be one of the best players in the state.
Jack Lee | sr., F, Woburn
Fortunately for Woburn, Lee is back for his senior campaign. He posted a whopping 24 goals and 41 points last season, being a leader for Woburn. He stands at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, using his size well to gain inside position against opposing defenders. He has a hard, quick shot that he can get off from anywhere — and it’s dangerous.
Mason Luciano | sr., F, St. John's Prep
St. John's Prep lost a whole bunch of scoring from last year's roster. Luciano will be a player expected to step up and shoulder a lot of that responsibility. He posted 10 goals last season and plays with a high compete. He will be a senior leader for an offense with quite a few new names.
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Mike McGrath | sr., F, Pope Francis
Pope Francis projects to be deep up front. Head coach Brian Foley's team has a nice mixture of veterans and young guys looking to prove themselves. McGrath will surely be at the front of the pack. He posted 18 points last season and should be a force as a senior.
Cam McKenna | jr., F, Hingham
Hingham will always be good and McKenna projects to be a major factor for the Harbormen this winter. He scored 14 goals and tallied 20 points as a sophomore.
Daniel Menyalkin | sr., F, St. John’s Shrewsbury
Menyalkin turned heads this fall with the Cape Cod Whalers’ 18-U team. That same success was prevalent last winter when he stood out for St. John’s Shrewsbury. He scored nine goals and finished with 26 points. He has great size at 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds and uses it to get to high-danger areas and protect pucks.
John Paul Messuri | soph., F, Arlington
Messuri has some of the highest skill that you’ll find in the 2008 birth year in Massachusetts. Despite being 5-foot-5 and 155 pounds, nobody competes harder for loose pucks (and away from pucks) than Messuri. As a freshman last season on a young Spy Ponders team, Messuri notched north of 40 points. He will be one of the most exciting players to watch this season.
Jackson Morse | sr., F, Xaverian
Morse’s two-way game will come in handy for Xaverian this winter. He posted 20 points as a junior last season. He plays a dynamic game, skates well and can make things happen with the puck.
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Nick Ritchie | sr., G, Pope Francis
Ritchie has two years under his belt as the starter for Pope Francis. He famously led his squad to a Division 1 state title in 2023 and followed it up with a nice season last winter. While he's 5-foot-7 and 146 pounds, he's athletic and tracks pucks well. Pope Francis will have competition in the net this winter, but Ritchie certainly has the credentials to be the No. 1.
Nolan Russell | jr., F, Arlington
An ’07, Russell should be one of the top forwards in the MIAA. He was a stalwart up front last season and should be again. His vision is superb and he works perfectly with Messuri. On top of that, Russell knows how to get to open space and has solid foot speed.
