They don't all compete against each other, but boy, are there some good teams among the NEPSAC Independents. And when they do play each other, it's must-watch action.
A handful of teams in our top 10 and countless others will be right outside that grouping and will compete for the Elite 8.
Mount Saint Charles also joins the fray, as it's the famed high school's first season in boys prep hockey.
Here are our breakdowns on all the NEPSAC Independents.
Albany Academy
Coach: Matt Alvey
2023-24 record: 10-15-2
Players to watch: Mason Keramidas, F; Sebastien Mackson, F; Eric Backlund, F; Ben Dalto, F; Liam McGrath, F; Jack Napieralski, D
Outlook: This is a much older Albany Academy team. Five postgraduate players are on the roster, along with 12 new guys in total. The big thing with this mature team will be putting full, three-period efforts together. They should be able to wear teams down over the course of a game with their strong forwards.
Austin Prep
Coach: Patrick Driscoll
2023-24 record: 7-17-2
Players to watch: Tyler Killilea, F; Liam Conley, F; Cam Morrow, F; Riley Fone, F; Ayden Badrikian, D; Emmett Bellow, D; Luca Damian, D; Logan McGovern, D; Liam Burke, G; Aidan Goodwin, F; Jake Pandolfo, F
Outlook: Entering their third season since moving from the MIAA to the NEPSAC, the Cougars expect to continue building under the progress they made last year and look forward to challenging themselves against an independent schedule. Burke returns to the goal to provide the team with stability at a key position, which Driscoll believes will be especially important given the overall youth of the lineup. Killilea and Conley bring speed and scoring ability to the top of the forward lines, while Damian and Bellow figure to anchor the blue line in front of Burke.
Berkshire
Coach: Kevin Czepiel
2023-24 record: 20-12-0; lost to Kent in semifinals of Large School Tournament
Players to watch: Duncan Thompson, F; Evan Regan, F; Deven Hikspoors, F; Matt LaCombe, F; Jonah Rainisch, F; James McMurray, F; Josh Williams, D; Gus Chong, D; Harrison McLean, D; Dominic Somma, D; Kyle Bolduc, G; Damon Mos, G
Outlook: Berkshire underwent a nine-win increase last winter, going from well under .500 to a playoff group. Yes, there were some losses to the roster. But the majority of last season’s core is back. “Now, it’s just trying to build off that culture that we were able to establish in the first year. Flipping the page, it’s not getting too far ahead of ourselves. Last year is done and it’s a whole new team and a whole new journey.” Berkshire should be well-rounded enough to be in the Elite 8 conversation throughout the season.
Brunswick
Coach: Mike Kennedy
2023-24 record: 26-6-2; lost to Salisbury in quarterfinals of Elite 8 Tournament
Players to watch: Joseph Salandra, F; Mason St. Louis, F; Oliver Czaja, F; Tucker Spiess, F; Ben Lombardi, F; Keegan Kazan, F; Blake Stant, D; Jack McCullough, F; Hampus Vandenberg, D; Harry Holland, D; Declan Minella, D; Cam Minella, D; Dylan Lee-Stack, G
Outlook: Brunswick looks like a new team this season after losing most of the previous core to graduation. Fortunately for the Bruins, various high-end, young players will have the chance to create their own winner. Brunswick has long been a day school in the Elite 8 hunt and this season looks no different. Kennedy compared this team to the one he had in 2021-22 which featured numerous players who would later become prep school stars. That group was the top seed in the Large School Tournament. It wouldn’t be a shock if this team has a similar fate.
Canterbury
Coach: Paddy McCarthy
2023-24 record: 21-10-2; won the Small School Tournament over Rivers
Players to watch: Rob Savaglio, D; Ryan Lucarelli, F; Jake Pomichter, F; Max Pitts, G
Outlook: The Saints have key leaders returning from last season’s team that was seeded third and beat No. 1 Rivers to win the Small School bracket, their first New England title since 1997. Savaglio will anchor the defense, while Pitts returns to the net as a senior after posting a .945 save percentage across the final two playoff rounds last winter. The graduated quartet of Ryan Stratton, Sam Ciappa, Duncan Stewart and Jackson Powers combined for 81 goals and 174 points last season alone, so there is ample room for younger players to add to their offense. Fortunately, Sacred Heart commit Lucarelli can carry some of that load after skyrocketing from 18 to 43 points between his sophomore and junior seasons.
PREP HOCKEY: 32 breakout forward candidates | 18 breakout defensemen candidates
Cushing
Coach: Ryan Bourque
2023-24 record: 28-4-0; lost to Kimball Union in championship of the Elite 8 Tournament
Players to watch: Max Dineen, F; Axel Favreau, F; Eric Lund, F; Parker Murch, F; Chase Warsofsky, F; Joseph Covelluzzi, F; Tyler Russo, D; Ryland Randle, D; Tommy Bleyl, D; Kristopher Richards, D; Maksim Corovic, G
Outlook: Cushing has come oh-so-close to winning the Elite 8 the last two seasons, losing to Avon Old Farms and Kimball Union in the championship games. This is also a very different-looking team. The obvious strength of this team is on defense. With a core of Russo, Randle and Bleyl, all three are college commits and bring something different. Russo is a shutdown specialist, while Randle is dynamic offensively. Bleyl is a two-way force. The big question with this team will be where the scoring comes from. Expect Cushing to be in the Elite 8 conversation all season.
Dexter Southfield
Coach: Danny Donato
2023-24 record: 19-10-2; lost to Kent in championship of Large School Tournament
Players to watch: Rian Chudzinski, F; Sean Leetch, F; Noah Survilas, F; Joe Marchi, F; Nate Porter, F; Tyler Hamilton, F; Nick D’Olympio, F; Jack Fitzpatrick, F; Myles Brosnan, D; Cam Smith, D; Colin Davis, G; Kyle Ready, G;
Outlook: Hey, it’s the cover team. Naturally, high expectations come with that. Dexter absolutely should be in the Elite 8 at the end of the season. Its biggest strength is the offense. Donato’s team will have three lines that could be a top line on almost any team in prep. Chudzinski arrives from St. Sebastian’s and looks poised to be one of the top players in prep, while D’Olympio and Fitzpatrick come in from the MIAA. Brosnan looks ready to become a legit, No. 1 defenseman in prep and Survilas is one of the best ‘08s in the region. How the goaltending shakes out will be interesting — and an X-factor that could determine how far they go.
Frederick Gunn
Coach: Craig Badger
2023-24 record: 18-12-5; lost to Rivers in semifinals of Small School Tournament
Players to watch: Will Jackson, F; Billy Collins, F; Tucker Mears, F; Corbin Carkner, F; Ian Kuisis, F Isaac Truman, F; Braden O’Neill, D; Talen McBride, D; Andrei Dubchak, D; Jake Pellicane, D; Logan Heideman, G; Alfie Blakeley, G
Outlook: Despite losing key players like top scorer Alex LoGuercio, defenseman Luke Calabria and goaltender Mitchell McCusker, Badger believes that this Gunn team boasts plenty of depth as it looks to make a NEPSAC Small Tournament run again this season. A deep forward group and two strong newcomers in goal should be pillars of the roster. Jackson and Collins are the most experienced players expected to pick up some of the scoring load.
Hoosac
Coach: Brett Welsh
2023-24 record: 8-8-1
Players to watch: Anthony D’Arienzo, F; Cooper Grant, F; Zack Robert, F; Jack Browning, F; Enzo Scattolin, F; Thierry Vigneault, F; Carter Wood, F; Luca Iannuzzi, D; Simon Ugolnik, D; Justin Cai, D; Jackson Green, G; Dominic DeLuca, G
Outlook: Welsh’s squad is older, which should help them throughout the season. Four postgrad forwards should help them compete. The Owls are a bit young in net with Green, an ‘09, and DeLuca, an ‘08. This will be a vital year of development for both. Hoosac is already 2-1-0 on the season with wins over Vermont Academy and North Yartmouth Academy and a loss to Berkshire.
Millbrook
Coach: Vincent Sorriento
2023-24 record: 7-21-3
Players to watch: David Ambuhl, F; Mason Walker, F; Sam Gero, F; CJ List, F; Mike Rutledge, D; Gavin Urnek, D; Devan Bahia, D; Mason Serafin, D; Esref Erkmen, D; Matt Brooks, D
Outlook: The integration of 15 newcomers has Sorriento confident that the Mustangs will be on the upswing following a run of sub-.500 seasons. Two of the team’s four double-digit goal scorers last year are returning, including Walker who netted a team-high 17, while Ambuhl scored 10 and also co-led the team with 15 assists. Gero was previously a top scorer for Madison in the New Jersey high school ranks. Veteran Urnek will lead a back end that includes several newcomers.
Mount Saint Charles
Coach: Jamie Carroll
2023-24 record: New to NEPSAC
Players to watch: Noah Sampson, F; Ethan Figueiredo, F; Ashton Farrell, F; Laurent Daudelin, F; Logan Souza, F; Ollie Haynes, F; Ty Carroll, D; Brayden Slack, D; Tyler Simo, D; Alex Tarves, G
Outlook: It’s important to note that this is not the Mount Saint Charles 18U or 16U team we often write about. This is the school’s direct team and after playing against Rhode Island high school teams, they’ve moved to the NEPSAC. This is a whole new group, as 18 players joined Carroll’s squad and only five returned. The forward group is intriguing with various players coming from elsewhere to play for this team. Sampson, at 6-foot-5, will be fascinating to track after dominating with The Woodstock Academy in Connecticut over the last few seasons.
PREP PREVIEWS: Avon Old Farms | Belmont Hill | Berkshire | Brunswick | Frederick Gunn | Holderness | Kent | Kimball Union | Phillips Andover | Salisbury
Northfield Mount Hermon
Coach: Jake Bennett
2023-24 record: 8-23-1
Players to watch: Blake Baksay, F; Braydon Hudtlott, F; Filip Svodoba, F; Easton Gates, F; Michael Robertson, D; Evan Akerman, G
Outlook: Bennett expects the Hoggers to have an improved season with 15 seniors on their roster, but playing in the Kevin Mutch Tournament at St. Sebastian’s in December and playing Salisbury and St. Andrew’s College on a trip north will provide stiff challenges throughout the season. Baksay and Hudtloff will look to build on their outstanding pasts, having combined for 31 goals as the team’s top two scorers a season ago. Robertson is an experienced returnee on defense, while Akerman is a newcomer from Montreal in goal.
Phillips Andover
Coach: Paul Tortorella
2023-24 record: 17-11-2; lost to Dexter Southfield in semifinals of Large School Tournament
Players to watch: Grayden Robertson-Palmer, F; Peyton Militello, F; Rui Han, F; Alex Theodore, D; Kieran McIntosh, F; Nathan Kreppner, F; Russell Louie, F; Patrick Benson, F; Zachary Skowronek, D; Chas Sabre, D; Louis-Felix Beaulieu, D; Matt Pitrowski, D; Chase Anderson, G; Edouard Lord, G
Outlook: Andover got back on track last season with 17 wins and an upset victory in the Large School Tournament. All eyes will be on Robertson-Palmer this season, as he was one of the few prep players on NHL Central Scouting’s preliminary watch list. The two-way dynamo will play in all situations for Andover. A strong supporting cast on offense will have to chip in a lot of scoring as well. Skowronek leads the way on defense and Anderson and Lord will battle for the net all season. Reasonable expectations for this team is a high seed in the Large School Tournament.
Phillips Exeter
Coach: Tim Mitropoulos
2023-24 record: 13-12-5
Players to watch: Will Cavanagh, F; Dryden Dervish, F; Cam Fiasconaro, D
Outlook: Exeter graduated 13 seniors, this will be a fairly new team. With that, comes the unknown. “We will see how this group comes together and who can step up in their roles to help us be successful,” Mitropoulos said. “We have a lot of new faces.” Exeter has missed the playoffs the past two seasons. “The mindset is certainly to get back there this year,” Mitropoulos said.
Pomfret
Coach: Matt Goethals
2023-24 record: 13-13-3; lost to Canterbury in semifinals of Small School Tournament
Players to watch: Luke Corrigan, F; Matthew Itzkovitz, F; Rich Cavanagh, F; Ethan Chiweshe, F; Cole Leblanc, D; Sean Farrell, D; Ian Sherman, D; Joey Mitchell, G
Outlook: The Griffins expect to have another competitive group with the ability to compete against any opponent, as evidenced by a NEPSAC Small quarterfinal win over second-seeded St. Mark’s last season. Despite losing 24-goal scorer Louie Marcellino to the Canadian junior ranks, among others, Goethals’ team will benefit from three veterans returning with double-digit goals to their names. Corrigan is the top returnee with 41 points, including 23 assists.
BOYS PREP RANKINGS: Our preseason top 10 | Who are the next 15 teams?
Williston Northampton
Coach: Derek Cunha
2023-24 record: 8-14-5
Players to watch: Zack Tremblay, G; Gab Qureshi, D; Olivier Lapointe, F; Declan Grenache, F; Camden Tabb, F; Easton Anello, D; Teddy Devoe, F
Outlook: Williston boasts more depth at every position and will look to build on the experience it gained after incorporating 13 new players last season. This year’s incoming group is smaller, but includes a new junior in Tabb, an AIC-committed forward from Mount St. Charles. Lapointe produced a team-high 32 points last season from his role as a strong two-way center, while Cunha believes Qureshi is poised to emerge as a defensive anchor. The Wildcats also benefit from the return of an experienced goaltender in Tremblay, who split time in his first season with the program.
Winchendon
Coach: Mike Busconi
2023-24 record: 11-20-1
Players to watch: Trevor Pellecchia, F; Ben Short, F; Jake West, F; Steven Khonroo, F; Cooper Ludwar, F; Charlie Puglisi, F; Kaden Kern, F; Nate Freelove, D; Johnny Harbour, D; Brady Murnane, D; Brady Knode, G
Outlook: Winchendon has a whopping 15 new players on the roster. Busconi reloaded in his second year at the helm. Pellecchia, West and Short, who is committed to Merrimack, are the three returning scorers who will elicit excitement this season. Busconi’s squad has a strong core on defense who will make life difficult on opponents and Knode arrives at Winchendon after two strong seasons with the Washington Little Caps. The goal for this season is to make the postseason. The roster looks more than good enough to do so.
