The 2027 NHL Draft will be a top storyline all winter. That's partially due to it being the NHL Draft — it will always be a big deal.
But it's also because, nine months out, the class of New England natives actually looks really good.
There are two potential first-round picks; two New Englanders taken in the first round would be the most since 2023, when Will Smith (Lexington, Mass.) and Ryan Leonard (Amherst, Mass.) were taken in the top 10.
Several other prospects look like potential mid-round selections. And, of course, players always sneak in as late-round picks after strong seasons.
NHL Central Scouting will release its preliminary watch list later this month. Surely, lots will change between now and June.
But this is how I would rank the top 2027 NHL Draft prospects who are New England natives.
Let's dive in.
1. Carter Meyer
Québec Remparts, 4/10/2009, F, left shot, 6-1/179
Hometown: Winchester, Mass.
NCAA: Boston UniversityÂ
Meyer is widely considered a top-10 pick in next June's draft, and most outlets have him in the top five. Lots can (and will) change between now and then, but Meyer has 10 points in eight QMJHL games, playing mainly on the Remparts' second line. That total may not jump off the page, but he's still young for that league. He's also developing a reputation as a reliable, 200-foot center or left wing.
2. Jamie Glance
Saint John Sea Dogs, 9/23/2008, F, right shot, 5-11/185
Hometown: Stratham, N.H.
NCAA: Boston UniversityÂ
After being one of the top players on the NTDP's U18 team last season, Glance has fit right in with the Sea Dogs, notching three goals and 13 points in nine QMJHL games. While size is a minor concern, Glance is still a dynamic, highly-skilled wing who is projected to be a late first-round pick come June.
3. Finn Sears
U.S. National Team Development Program U18, 5/4/2009, F, left shot, 6-0/201
Hometown: Medford, Mass.
NCAA: Boston CollegeÂ
Even without some of the NTDP departures, Sears would've been a top player for the U18 team. But with them gone, Sears is undisputedly one of the top dogs and is making the most of it, with two goals and 10 points in 10 games. So long as he continues producing at or around this rate, he should be a mid-round pick at the lowest. Total speculation, but I think some scouts will value him staying at the NTDP.
4. Jake Boguniecki
Moncton Wildcats, 4/22/2009, D, right shot, 6-2/183
Hometown: Orange, Conn.
NCAA: Boston CollegeÂ
Boguniecki hasn't been lighting up the scoresheet since arriving in Moncton (one assist in eight games), but his game isn't all about that. He's responsible defensively and difficult to play against. He's also on the younger side of the Q. No matter how many points he puts up, a 6-foot-2, right-shot defenseman is someone scouts will always vouch for.
5. Kurt Beck
Sherbrooke Phoenix, 4/2/2009, D, left shot, 6-3/194
Hometown: Arlington, Mass.
NCAA: Providence CollegeÂ
Beck's stock has skyrocketed this year. After a good showing at USA Hockey's Select 17 Camp, Beck has been a hit in Sherbrooke, posting four assists in eight QMJHL games. The physical tools — his size plus his skating and offensive abilities — make his ceiling high enough to be a potential top-three round pick.
6. Matas Janulis
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 11/19/2008, D, left shot, 6-1/179
Hometown: Lincoln, Mass.
NCAA: NortheasternÂ
Like Beck, Janulis' stock has also soared, in large part due to a great first impression at the USHL Fall Classic, putting up a goal and an assist. He has a goal and four points in nine games, but Janulis is mainly known as a reliable puck mover and a good defender with a great stick. A player comp is Springfield, Vt., native Elliott Groenewold, a defenseman drafted in 2024 by the Boston Bruins in the fourth round.
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7. Sam Pandolfo
U.S. National Team Development Program U18, 7/2/2009, F, left shot, 6-4/203
Hometown: Winchester, Mass.
NCAA: Boston UniversityÂ
No matter what Pandolfo's stats are, his most draftable asset is his potential. At 6-foot-4 and as a responsible, 200-foot forward, what Pandolfo could be makes him such an intriguing draft prospect. He's had a nice start to his U18 year at the NTDP with four goals in nine games.
8. Caiden Pellegrino
Rimouski Océanic, 2/10/2009, F, left shot, 5-10/168
Hometown: Uxbridge, Mass.
NCAA: Providence CollegeÂ
Pellegrino is off to a roaring start in Rimouski, putting up five goals and 13 points in nine QMJHL games. That came after he scored six goals in six games at Select 17 Camp. The one potential drawback for scouts with Pellegrino is his size, but the St. Mark's product is strong and regularly wins puck battles against bigger players. As of now, he makes sense as a mid-round pick.
9. Noah Mazzola
Sherbrooke Phoenix, 4/24/2009, D, left shot, 6-2/191
Hometown: Lynnfield, Mass.
NCAA: QuinnipiacÂ
Mazzola has one assist in seven QMJHL games so far. He's a good-skating, two-way defenseman. The size alone will have NHL scouts watching him all season. He also had a strong Select 17 Camp with three points in six games.
10. Brody Berard
Youngstown Phantoms, 9/2/2009, D, right shot, 6-0/194
Hometown: Cumberland, R.I.
NCAA: Providence College
Berard is a hard-nosed, mean defenseman who makes life miserable on opposing forwards. Even at 6 feet, which, for a defenseman, doesn't jump off the page, Berard more than makes up for it with his physicality and skating. He's also wearing an 'A' for Youngstown this season, which is impressive for a 17-year-old.
11. Easton Anello
Cape Breton Eagles, 1/19/2009, D, left shot, 6-2/181
Hometown: Windsor, Mass.
NCAA: MassachusettsÂ
Anello hasn't popped offensively yet, with 15 points in 24 games at Williston last winter and no points in six QMJHL games this season. But Anello has great size, has a phenomenal stick and is a reliable puck-mover. I find him similar to Janulis.
12. Jacoby Palmer
Dubuque Fighting Saints, 8/9/2009, D, left shot, 6-1/192
Hometown: Holden, Mass.Â
Palmer may have zero points through five USHL games, but he's a dynamic puck-mover at his best. What he also has going for him is good size for a defenseman. Captain Obvious here: He's going to need to be a high point-getter to get drafted next June.
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13. Parker Stockseth
Sherbrooke Phoenix, 12/9/2008, G, catches left, 6-3/183
Hometown: Blandford, Mass.
NCAA: MassachusettsÂ
It's always difficult to tell with goalies, especially early in the season, but Stockseth has all the tools. Phenomenal size and great athleticism have long made him one of the top '08 goalies in New England. He's gotten off to a nice start this season, posting a 1.98 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage in two QMJHL games.
14. Evan Jones
Sioux City Musketeers, 2/9/2007, D, left shot, 5-11/175
Hometown: Arlington, Mass.
NCAA: DartmouthÂ
This is Jones' third and final year of NHL Draft eligibility. Already, the Belmont Hill product is producing at a high rate, putting up two goals and seven points in eight USHL games. He's a masterful puck-mover with a high IQ who has produced at every level. If that production continues, I'd be stunned if a team didn't take a late-round flier on him.
15. Cam Minella
Halifax Mooseheads, 8/29/2009, D, left shot, 6-0/168
Hometown: Darien, Conn.
NCAA: NortheasternÂ
Minella is a highly offensive defenseman who is always creative with the puck. Production was low last season, with nine points in 64 QMJHL games, and it hasn't been much so far this year (zero points in eight games). Still, the skating and size for a puck-moving defenseman is intriguing enough for NHL scouts to keep tabs on.
16. Ethan Gingeleskie
Avon Old Farms, 6/2/2009, F, right shot, 6-0/174
Hometown: West Hartford, Conn.
NCAA: YaleÂ
The first current prep player in these rankings, Gingeleskie is a fascinating prospect. He's highly skilled, a quick skater and has wicked offensive instincts. He was hurt for much of last season, but has already been a force this fall for the Northern Conn. Nor'Easter. For an NHL team to pick him in June, he's going to have to be one of the most productive players in prep and show he has a skill that's translatable at all levels.
17. Nico Ciardiello
Avon Old Farms, 11/10/2008, F, right shot, 5-11/174
Hometown: Guilford, Conn.
NCAA: BrownÂ
The parameters for Gingeleskie to get drafted are the same for Ciardiello. The Brown commit is a poised play driver who is a high-end puck protector. He has a great ability to get to high-danger areas and rifle in pucks. After 32 points in 28 games for Avon Old Farms last season, he's due for a big uptick in production this winter.
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18. Noah Survilas
Moncton Wildcats, 12/27/2008, F, right shot, 5-11/176
Hometown: Winthrop, Mass.
NCAA: NortheasternÂ
Survilas had a nice season last winter with 37 points in 30 games for Dexter Southfield, but it was a step back from the 41 in 28 he posted the year before. He's also off to a slow start in the QMJHL with two assists in eight games. Still, Survilas' skill is impossible to miss. His production should improve in the QMJHL and be something NHL scouts keep an eye on.
19. Declan Wotton
Fargo Force, 5/16/2009, F, left shot, 6-1/187
Hometown: Windsor, Maine
Wotton is a classic power forward. The production was low last season (six points in 28 QMJHL games), and he's pointless through four USHL games this fall. But if Wotton can figure out how to successfully be an effective physical presence and produce in juniors, he'll fly up these rankings.
20. Joe Covelluzzi
Dubuque Fighting Saints, 1/30/2009, F, right shot, 5-10/185
Hometown: Wakefield, Mass.
NCAA: MaineÂ
Covelluzzi has two goals in seven USHL games so far. The Cushing product has a lethal shot and can be a solid scorer at right wing. Size isn't on his side, but his offensive abilities certainly are. The production, however, would have to be high for him to be taken in June.
21. Cade Noonan
St. Sebastian's, 8/21/2009, F, left shot, 5-11/190
Hometown: Boston, Mass.Â
Noonan is a gamer. The left winger has an extremely high compete level and knows how to get to the net. He had a strong season last year on St. Sebastian's top line with 26 points in 27 games, and he's due to be the top dog up front this winter. His skating is a potential drawback, but his doggedness will have NHL scouts keeping tabs on him.
22. Brayden White
Williston Northampton, 2/16/2009, F, left shot, 6-0/181
Hometown: Cumberland, R.I.
NCAA: Holy CrossÂ
White had a nice season at Williston last year with 29 points in 24 games, followed up by a strong showing at Select 17 Camp with two goals and four points in six games. He's been a standout with the Neponset Valley River Rats 18 team in the fall. His biggest asset is his skill, as he can dangle into high-danger areas. Like the other prep players in these rankings, he will have to experience a huge uptick in production and have at least one translatable asset to higher levels to be taken in June.
READ MORE: What to expect from Brunswick | What to expect from Winchendon | What to expect from Cushing | What to expect from Salisbury | What to expect from Kimball Union
23. Liam Connelly
Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, 5/28/2009, D, left shot, 6-3/205
Hometown: Medfield, Mass.Â
Connelly wasn't on my radar much last season at Rivers, but a handful of NHL scouts have mentioned him to me this fall. He has two assists in five QMJHL games this season. His size is clearly his biggest asset.
