The NEPSAC playoffs allow for three champions to be crowned. But it also provides uncommitted prospects more exposure on a bigger stage.
Each game is between worthy opponents. The stakes are higher than the game before. Performing in those games means more.
That all leads to championship day. On March 3 at Harvard, there were many college coaches across all conferences in the East, giving players a chance to be scouted.
I've already written about the forwards. Let's take a look at some uncommitted defensemen and goalies who showed well during the postseason.
Ty Creech
Salisbury, 6/19/2005, D, right shot, 6-4/205
Creech may have only registered one point over Salisbury's two games in the Elite 8, but it was impossible to miss the big man's impact on defense. His size and reach enhanced his ability to make life difficult on opposing forwards. And for a big guy, he skates well and has confidence with the puck on his stick. That was prevalent in the Elite 8. He made smart decisions when moving the puck and knew when to join the offense. The senior is an intriguing '05 prospect.
Beau Johnson
Pomfret, 6/28/2004, G, catches left, 6-4/180
Pomfret shocked the prep hockey world when it took down No. 2 St. Mark's, 5-2, in the Small School quarterfinals. Johnson made 36 saves to complete the upset and then made 46 to come close to taking down No. 3 Canterbury, falling, 3-2.
Pomfret head coach Matt Goethals went with '07 sophomore Joey Mitchell in January, but Johnson took hold of the job in February and ran with it, going 7-3-2 in the final month. He finished with a 2.81 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage for the season. He's currently deciding what to do next with his career.
BEST OF THE BEST: Top performers from NEPSAC playoffs
Blake McMeniman
Kimball Union, 2/28/2007, G, catches left, 5-8/150
Jack Sadowski's (Arlington, Mass.) heroics were the biggest storyline of the Elite 8. The second biggest: McMeniman's play in net. The 5-foot-8 netminder led KUA past St. George's after the Dragons seemed to stun the Wildcats, making 49 saves. McMeniman made 28 saves to beat Salisbury in OT before making 36 saves on the biggest stage to take down No. 1 Cushing. The Revere, Mass., native made a large statement, asserting himself as someone college coaches should remember.
Jack McMinn
Kimball Union, 6/10/2006, D, left shot, 5-11/175
McMinn wasn't flashy in KUA's three games en route to an Elite 8 title, but he got the job done and then some. He registered two assists in the Wildcats' first two wins and played responsibly on the top pair with Colgate commit Andrew O'Sullivan (Boston, Mass.). The Elite 8 win capped off a terrific season for McMinn, who developed into one of the better two-way defenders in prep hockey. The BCHL seems like the most logical spot for him next season.
Anthony Palmer
Avon Old Farms, 10/28/2007, G, catches left, 5-10/160
While Avon Old Farms didn't repeat as Elite 8 champs, Palmer was its most important player during this tournament. He got the nod in the quarterfinals, making 29 saves to edge past Holderness, 2-1. Then, in the semifinals, he had Cushing tied, 1-1, entering the third period. He made numerous big stops but his team fell, 4-1, with two of those coming as empty-netters. Palmer made 31 saves and enhanced his stature as one of the best '07 goalies in the region.
Ryan Poirier
Kent, 9/19/2008, D, left shot, 5-10/165
In the Large School championship game, a lot of eyes were on senior and St. Lawrence commit Teddy Mallgrave, who played a phenomenal shutdown game. But prep fans also got a good glimpse at the future. Poirier, an '08, stepped up as a strong sophomore this season, posting five goals and 13 points. He notched two assists in the playoffs, including one in the championship game on Owen Mahar's third-period goal.
UNCOMMITTED FORWARDS: 13 prospects who boosted their stock at NEPSAC playoffs
Jake Stevens
Canterbury, 10/20/2005, D, right shot, 5-10/175
Stevens is well known for being a terrific, puck-moving defenseman, and he was that and more in the Small School playoffs. His biggest game came in the semifinals when he tallied a goal and two assists against Pomfret. He posted two assists in the quarterfinals as well. He's a good skater who should be a good get for the Maine Nordiques in the NAHL.
