MARLBORO, Mass. — The Minuteman Flames will return to USA Hockey Nationals for a second straight season as the team won the Massachusetts Hockey 15 Only State Championship on Nov. 14 at the New England Sports Center.
The Flames, coached by Peter Masters and Jerry Buckley, upset Boston Hockey Academy, Cape Cod Whalers and Neponset Valley River Rats en route to the title. While the team looks vastly different, sans a handful of players, the Flames’ 2006 birth year will return to nationals in Michigan this March after getting an at-large bid in 2021.
The 15 Only division at the state championship featured plenty of surprises and nerve-racking games over the course of the two days.
There were five key storylines to the weekend that I’ll touch on below.
Minuteman Flames return to USA Hockey Nationals
The Minuteman Flames were the fifth seed entering the weekend but upset the fourth seed, first seed and third seed en route to carrying the banner off the ice in Marlboro. The team had gradually come together throughout the fall but took a step in November with a full lineup.
The undisputed best player on the Flames was Dennis Davidson, a freshman at Nobles. He’s around the puck a lot and has a consistently positive impact on the game. The Newton, Mass., native is a good skater who can create offense on the rush and is able to protect pucks before finding open teammates.
Davidson was a more well-known player heading into the weekend. One prospect whose stock soared based on his play at the state tournament was forward Alex Gomes. From Ludlow, Mass., he’s heavy on pucks and was able to use his size and strength to score goals. He has split time this fall between the Flames '06 team and the Junior Bruins 16-U.
One other forward of note was Danny Buckley, a freshman at St. George’s. His older brothers ('04 Ryan and '05 Ben) will be prep school teammates with the Dragons. The youngest Buckley has good hockey sense and played an honest, 200-foot game. All three brothers hail from Warwick, R.I.
The team’s two best defensemen were Nate Walsh (Mendon, Mass.) and Aidan Colleary (Hopkinton, Mass.). In goal, Mason Decaire exceeded expectations.
Big guns propel River Rats
The River Rats’ leading scorers all fall were Bishop Hendricken sophomore center Ryan Staples (Middletown, Mass.) and BC High sophomore left wing James Marshall (Weymouth, Mass.). The duo wasn’t together the whole weekend, but they were electric together on the power play and even strength the last two games. Staples plays an honest, 200-foot game and has length and a good stick. Marshall exudes skill and has that long fluid stride. He stepped up his game away from the puck on the weekend.
The biggest surprise of the weekend was Marshfield sophomore, Cam McGettrick. He entered the weekend with just four goals on the season but potted six in three games, including a hat trick in the quarterfinal victory against Assabet. When McGettrick plays to his full potential, he can be a force to be reckoned with.
Tabor sophomore Josh Itri also had a productive weekend for the Rats. He uses his speed to hunt pucks. He’s one of the more tenacious players at the age level. The Sandwich, Mass., native brings a physical element that will be fun to watch as he develops at the prep level.
Austin Prep youngsters boost Valley Junior Warriors
In most seasons since I’ve been following high school hockey in Massachusetts, Austin Prep has been one of the better teams in the MIAA. The Cougars have had their ups and downs of late, but if there is a return to prominence in 2021-22, look no further than the infusion of young talent from the Valley Junior Warriors.
Defenseman Josh Williams stood out for his size, strength and athleticism. He showed some skill and willingness to activate into the offense. Forwards Jacob Duval, Noah Pineo and Evan Regan also were impressive players from Bill Pappas’ team. Duval is a power forward who can shoot it with zip and authority.
Whitfield coming along for Whalers
It was a disappointing weekend for the top-seeded Whalers, but one player that stood out was Bishop Hendricken sophomore defenseman, Colton Whitfield. The Warwick, R.I., native has good size and has really come into his own over the last 12 months. He’s strong and can defend with his length and shut down plays on the rush. Offensively, he’s best when he’s keeping it simple and pushing pucks north with his first instinct. He should anchor the defense for the best team in the RIIL this winter.
Up front, the top forward was Ben Nakata, a newcomer to Nobles. He’s not the flashiest of players, but he sees the ice well and is solid away from the puck. Winchendon sophomore Will Dumais showed his goal-scoring ability. When he plays to his identity as a power forward and keeps his feet moving, he’s effective.
Three other notable players
There were three other notable players among the other four teams that made it to the state championship. Assabet Patriots forward Daniel Menyalkin, a freshman at St. John’s Shrewsbury, stood out in his team’s quarterfinal loss against the River Rats.
Boston Hockey Academy forward Cameron Stehle and Springfield Rifles defenseman Zachary Buffone, a sophomore at Pope Francis from Belchertown, Mass., stood out for their respective teams during losses on Saturday morning.
