We've looked at the breakout forwards already. Now, it's time to look at defensemen.
It can be harder to judge what a breakout defenseman is. For some, it's a massive jump in points. Shutting top opposing players down in tough minutes is another route. Those who can do both get double the stick taps.
Last year, I highlighted 18 breakout candidates. Some of the highlights were Brunswick's Cam Minella (Darien, Conn.), Rivers' Freddy Meyer (Winchester, Mass.), Thayer's Brian McFadden (Holbrook, Mass.) and Avon Old Farms' James Odyniec (Wilton, Conn.).
I'll take the wins where I can get them.
Some ground rules for this year: No college commits or anyone over a point per game or close, since these are defensemen. Players who were in the story last year, however, could be back in here this time around.
Here are 24 breakout defensemen candidates to watch. A separate story will be done on goalies.
Let's dive in.
Preston Abbott, New Hampton
Abbott was one of the best defensemen at the Mass. Hockey Festival this spring, shining among the '09s and earning a spot at USA Hockey's Select 16 Camp. After being at Masconomet Regional High (MIAA) last season, his confidence with pucks and smooth skating should have him in a position to be a force on New Hampton's blue line.
Emmett Aufiero, Belmont Hill
Defensemen can take longer to pop in prep, but Aufiero has the tools to make an impact as an '11. At 6 feet, he's an agile skater who carries and moves pucks extremely well. Maybe this is a year early, but Aufiero is the kind of player you don't doubt.
Olivier Benoit, Tabor
At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Benoit can shut opposing players down with his his physicality and his stick, which should come in handy for Tabor this winter. Now a senior, I'm curious if the '07 can up his offensive game, too, after tallying 14 points last winter.
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Logan Cotter, St. Mark's
The word to describe Cotter is dynamic. He's a fantastic technical skater and has good speed. He makes smart puck plays and creates offense both off the rush and from the point, helping when the puck is cycled high. As a '10, his big thing will be having his game translate to prep against older players. Fortunately for him, he's on a really good team, so he should be insulated.
Jake Donatelli, St. George's
As a '10, Donatelli took his lumps going against much older players last season. That experience paid off, as he was a standout at USA Hockey's Select 15 Camp this summer and with the Neponset Valley River Rats in the fall. He's coming off an injury that caused him to miss the last bit of fall hockey. He should have a major role at St. George's.
Justin Garvey, Milton Academy
Garvey enters his second full season as a defenseman. Last winter, he was fantastic with 17 points in 28 games. The '07 is poised to take an even bigger step offensively on a much-improved Milton Academy team. He's a name I'd have circled if I were Division 3 programs and junior teams.
Zach Gill, Salisbury
Salisbury will be all about defense this winter, and Gill will be at the heart of that. His numbers didn't jump off the page last season (eight assists), but his impact as a two-way defenseman who can play in any situation should have him as an '08 for colleges to keep tabs on.
Tegan Gregory, Holderness
As an '08 sophomore last season, Gregory had a respectable 13 points in 30 games. The 5-foot-9 defender, however, has more to give, as he's made strides with his skating and moving pucks. He will step into a bigger role for Holderness.
Cal Gustafson, Kent
With Harvard commit Ryan Poirier (Salem, N.H.) and Dartmouth commit Nathan DiChiara (Fairfield, Conn.) gone, there's room for someone to elevate into being Kent's No. 1 defenseman. Gustafson, at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, has the traits and abilities. The Montpelier, Vt., native had 12 points in 25 games last season.
Dylan Hall, Frederick Gunn
Hall had 13 points in 31 games as a junior '07 last winter. The Glastonbury, Conn., native has a penchant for being involved in the offense and had six points in eight games with the C.E.M. Fall League.
READ MORE:Â 32 breakout forward candidates in boys prep this winter
Phin Howard, St. Mark's
Howard was impactful as a sophomore '08 last winter with 13 points, but he showed a lot of improvement over the spring, summer and fall. While he didn't make Select 17 Camp last summer, I thought he did enough at the Mass. Hockey Festival to move on. At 6-foot-1, his skating and puck-moving abilities should have him experiencing a big jump in points.
Matas Janulis, Lawrence Academy
Somehow, Janulis didn't even make the Mass. Hockey Festival's Final 40 this past spring. At 6-foot-1 and 179 pounds, the Lincoln, Mass., native is a responsible, two-way guy who can move pucks efficiently. He had nine points in 25 games last season.
Matthew MacInnis, Winchendon
MacInnis is new to Winchendon after a long run with Seacoast Performance Academy. He's 5-foot-8 and plays a pretty responsible game. With high-end forwards to pass to, he should rack up some points while also playing an admirable game in his own end.
Dylan Mallgrave, Kent
Kent head coach Dale Reinhardt was ecstatic talking about Mallgrave earlier this fall, comparing him to his older brother, Teddy, who is at St. Lawrence. Mallgrave is 6-foot-1 and, as a junior, Reinhardt believes he can pop at this age just like Teddy did as a junior in 2022-23.
Brendan Martin, St. Sebastian's
I was thoroughly impressed by Martin throughout the fall. The Neponset Valley River Rat played a reliable, two-way game at the 15O level. He shut down opposing top forwards while also funneling pucks through from the point and making an impact in the offensive zone. As a '10, he should make an impact on the Arrows' blue line.
Colin O'Leary, Rivers
O'Leary has clearly grown last season, reaching 6-foot-1. But he also played bigger throughout the fall with the Boston Junior Eagles' 16U team, showcasing more toughness and physicality than ever before. On a young Rivers team with new players throughout the roster, O'Leary's steady, shutdown game will be important.
ISL KELLER: A team-by-team breakdown | Preseason All-Star teams
Henry Prowse, Holderness
Prowse had 22 points in 30 games last season as an '06 junior, so he's a bit of a stretch on here. I still think Prowse is destined to do a lot more this winter as an all-situations guy for head coach Alan Thompson. He recently tendered for next season with the NAHL's North Iowa Bulls.
Brady Smith, Taft
I've always liked Smith's game as a puck-moving, mobile defenseman. His numbers improved last season as a junior with 12 points, but he should be due for an even bigger jump as a senior '07. He's someone that junior hockey and Division 3 coaches should be watching this season.
Kris Soja, Nobles
Nobles' strength is defense and goaltending this season, and Soja is a legit part of that. The '08 is physical and is responsible in his own zone, but I'm curious to see if there's more in the tank for him offensively. He has point totals of 14 and 11 the last two years, respectively.
Oliver Svoboda, Cushing
It was easy to stand in the shadow of Division 1 commits like Tommy Bleyl, Ryland Randle, Tyler Russo (Hamilton, Mass.) and Kristopher Richards last season. All graduated, so Svoboda enters as the lone returner on Cushing's blue line. He had a nice sophomore year last season with 12 points, but should be someone head coach Dan Fontas relies on in every situation this season.
Payton Tracy, St. George's
St. George's graduated Providence College commits Everett Baldwin (East Providence, R.I.) and Marco Senerchia (Greenville, R.I.), as well as Nate Walsh (Mendon, Mass.). Judging by his performance with the Neponset Valley River Rats 18U squad this fall, he's grown into being a No. 1 defenseman.
Max Yakub, Avon Old Farms
Yakub arrives at Avon Old Farms after two national championships with Mount St. Charles at the 14U and 15O levels. There were bigger, flashier defenders alongside him at Mount, but Yakub always found a way to get the job done while still producing points. It will be a jump from 15O hockey to playing against older players, but Yakub should be more than ready.
Matt Hines, Dexter Southfield
The Hingham, Mass., native had 19 points in 27 games last season, which is strong production from a junior. But Hines is such a smooth skater and moves pucks so calmly that he should be due for even better numbers as a senior. He was at Select 17 Camp this summer and should be a name junior hockey teams watch this winter.
READ MORE:Â Our preseason boys prep top 10Â |Â Ranking the next 15 teamsÂ
Colin Yandle, Cushing
Yandle steps into a young D core at Cushing. At 5-foot-9, he plays a responsible, two-way game. Defensive zone exits are a strength of his, so it will be interesting to see what his production looks like. He arrives via Catholic Memorial, where he helped lead the Knights to an MIAA Division 1 championship.
