As I stood watching Foxboro Prep League action on Wednesday night, I couldn't help but think about how much I will be at Foxboro Sports Center over the next three months.
Foxboro Sports Center and New England Sports Village and New England Sports Center and Icenter and Enfield Twin Rinks and...the list could go on.
All are popular destinations for fall hockey, which begins this week.
Fall hockey may look a bit different this season. Yes, some teams always change. However, with the CHL ruling, players are at QMJHL camps right now, and it's unknown where certain players will suit up this fall and winter.
Let's dive into some storylines to track in fall hockey.
How much will rosters be changing?
This is more of a problem for the 16U and 18U levels than for the 15O and 14U levels. Why? Because 2008-born players and older prospects are eligible for junior hockey — and that means the QMJHL.
A slew of locals have been in Canada competing in QMJHL rookie and training camps. While many will return to the region to compete for their fall and prep teams, some will stay.
Locals playing some junior hockey in the fall is nothing new. In recent seasons, players have gone out to the USHL for a game or two on a weekend, but returned to their fall squad.
With the QMJHL, that's even more players who will — or could potentially — leave.
That could lead to teams looking different throughout the fall.
Does 16U hockey take a hit in competition?
It's become a trend for the highest-end players at the 18U level skipping town for the USHL, which caused the 18U level to dip slightly. Players now having the QMJHL option will surely hurt the 18U level even more.
But what about the 16U level?
Typically, the only players missing from the 16U level are the ones who make the U.S. National Team Development Program or are tendered by USHL teams.
READ MORE: 7 early boys prep storylines for 2025-26
It's possible that '09s, now 16U, leave for the QMJHL. Some 16U players left their full-season academy teams for the QMJHL midway through last season. In my recent story tracking the locals at QMJHL camps, several are '09s.
The NTDP candidates to watch among the 15Os
Last year, much of the NTDP focus was on the Boston Junior Eagles with Carter Meyer (Winchester, Mass.), Finn Sears (Medford, Mass.) and Sam Pandolfo (Winchester, Mass.). On the full-season side, Mid Fairfield and Mount St. Charles got most of the attention.
Some different teams will get attention this fall.
Mid Fairfield and Mount St. Charles will certainly be in the mix. But the Minuteman Flames and Neponset Valley River Rats will have NTDP eyes on them.
St. Sebastian's center Jack Queally (Milton, Mass.) is the leading candidate (as of now) with the River Rats. The do-it-all center has the trademarks of a responsible, 200-foot center. Two other interesting names to watch for the Rats are defensemen Jake Donatelli (Barrington, R.I.) and Nick Ware (Weymouth, Mass.).
The Flames boast Milton Academy forward Blake Wilichoski (Danvers, Mass.), Dexter Southfield forward Austin Wu (Dedham, Mass.) and Belmont Hill forward Sam Lee (Woburn, Mass.). All are worthy of NTDP eyes.
The NHL Draft candidates to watch among the 18Us
The lack of NHL Draft talent playing at the 18U and prep levels in New England has been well documented. It goes back to what I said earlier — the highest-end players (those who would get drafted) are consistently opting to play their draft year in the USHL.
This year, however, there are some legitimate names with a legitimate chance of getting picked.
READ MORE: Our first 2026 NHL Draft rankings
It's a good year for NHL Draft-eligible defensemen. Thayer's Brian McFadden (Holbrook, Mass.), who is slated to play with the Boston Junior Eagles, leads the way at 6-foot-5. Groton's Kaiden Donia (Townsend, Mass.), who is also 6-foot-5, will certainly be one to watch with the East Coast Militia. He was at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup camp this summer. At 6-foot-4, there's Winchendon's Brady Murnane, who should get attention. He will be playing with the Islanders Hockey Club East squad. Then there's Myles Brosnan (Winchester, Mass.), who will be with the Brookline Whalers. At 6-foot-1, his two-way abilities will be what NHL scouts hone in on the most.
With David Bosco slated to play for the USHL's Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, the name to watch up front is Will Manchuso (Concord, Mass.), who will be with the Neponset Valley River Rats. The Dartmouth commit is known for his speed and powerful offensive game.
Prep teams playing together in the fall
This isn't anything totally new, as prep teams have played together in previous falls. The notable ones are the Central Mass. Penguins (Cushing), Fall Prep Wildcats (Kimball Union), Islanders Hockey Club West (Holderness) and East (Winchendon) and Holy Name (Berkshire). Many more play in the New England Fall Prep Hockey League.
There is a new prep team on the block, though: the Brookline Whalers. That's Dexter Southfield.
Most of Dexter Southfield will play for that team this fall, although some 18U players who have been with their fall team for a while will stay. An example is Owen McHale (Charlestown, Mass.), a longtime Boston Junior Eagle, who will stay with them this fall.
THE '07s: Top uncommitted forwards in the region | Top uncommitted defensemen and goalies
Prep teams playing together in the fall has become more and more common. I don't think it's a coincidence that many of those teams start the actual prep season hot and finish with good records.
