While it's not officially a conference or division, the group of Independent teams in New England boys prep hockey is wild.
Some of the best teams in the region are here. If you asked a random person on the street who some of these teams and schools were, there's a good chance they'd know them.
It doesn't just project to be another strong year among the Independents — various teams in here are due to begin competing for the Elite 8.
Here's a team-by-team breakdown of the group.
Let's dive in.
Albany Academy
Coach: Matt Alvey
2024-25 record: 5-23-4
Players to watch: Mason Keramidas, F; Tanner Smith, F; Luca Didio, F; Brady Leonard, F; Jonah Lindsay, D; Oliver Tellier, D; Aaden Wilsey, G
Outlook: Albany Academy only posted five wins last season and lost quite a few seniors and postgrads. Still, the Cadets return a nice core of scorers up front who are looking to take the next step. The same can be said on defense. In net, Wilsey played the second-most minutes behind postgrad Silas Stanek-Streed last season. Wilsey should be ready for more work.
Berkshire
Coach: Kevin Czepiel
2024-25 record: 25-7-1; lost to Kimball Union in championship of Small School tournament
Players to watch: Matt Lacombe, F; James McMurray, F; Jonah Rainisch, F; Carter Johnson, F; Dylan Chernoff, F; Erion Milla, F; Gus Chong, D; James Reilly, D; Dominic Somma, D; Harry McLean, D; Lucas Smith, D; Alex Kim, G
Outlook: The Bears took a huge step last season, and despite graduating their top two scorers, they should take another step. They have experienced, prep scorers up front, and most of the defensive core returns for this winter.
Brunswick
Coach: Mike Kennedy
2024-25 record: 22-10-3; lost to Cushing in quarterfinals of Elite 8 tournament
Players to watch: Mason St. Louis, F; Ben Lombardi, F; Keegan Kazan, F; Owen Gibbons, F; Ben Taylor, F; James Jackson, F; Colton Cleaves, F; Hampus Vandenberg, D; Jack McCullough, D; Aidan Doughtery, D; Evan Akerman, G; Zai Ferraro, G
Outlook: Their top forward, defenseman and goalie all left early for the CHL. Still, the Bruins should have enough talent to contend for the Elite 8. St. Louis will be expected to drive the offense and players like Lombardi and Kazan will need to take another step in their production. Vandenberg will be expected to be his best, two-way self. In net, it’s completely up for grabs. Ferraro, however, looks most primed to grab the starting job.
READ MORE: 9 takeaways from Dexter's 4-1 win over Cushing
Canterbury
Coach: Paddy McCarthy
2024-25 record: 13-13-4
Players to watch: Gino LaRusso, F; Gaines Clonts, F; Britton Bethard, F; Jack Mceleney, F; Tommy Browne, D; Cody Hew, G
Outlook: It was only two years ago that Canterbury won the Small School tournament. Losing Ryan Lucarelli (Westport, Conn.), Jack Pomichter (North Haven, Conn.) and Avery Tymus — the top three point-getters from last season — will hurt. Hew takes over after Maxim Pitts graduated, and is poised to grab the net. He had a 2.72 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage last season in limited action. Browne, Clonts and Bethard were secondary scorers last year who should be primed for much bigger seasons this winter.
Cushing
Coach: Dan Fontas
2024-25 record: 23-7-2; won Elite 8 tournament
Players to watch: Joe Covelluzzi, F; Chase Warsofsky, F; Blake Cash, F; Axel Favreau, F; Miles Mireault, F; Parker Murch, F; Ben Marcolini, F; Colin Yandle, D; Oliver Svoboda, D; Mason Raycroft, G
Outlook: The reigning champs rank relatively low entering this season due to all the Penguins lost throughout the offseason. Their biggest strength last season was on defense and in net, and most of those players graduated or left for juniors early. Defense and goaltending will be Fontas’ team’s biggest question mark, but the good news is there is legit, experienced firepower up front.
Dexter Southfield
Coach: Danny Donato
2024-25 record: 21-6-1; lost to Cushing in championship of Elite 8
Players to watch: Noah Survilas, F; Owen McHale, F; Joe Marchi, F; Nick D’Olympio, F; Jack Fitzpatrick, F; Jake Assad, F; Tyler Hamilton, F; J.P. Messuri, F; Liam Guilderson, F; Austin Wu, F; Myles Brosnan, D; Kurt Beck, D; Matt Hines, D; Tayvin Frongello, D; Tommy Broderick, D; Kyle Ready, G; Drew Karlovits, G
Outlook: Dexter has the deepest, most proven forward core in prep by a long shot. The taste of losing by a goal in the Elite 8 title game is fresh in their memories, and they have a roster that should get back there. Brosnan, an NHL Draft prospect, leads a defensive core full of high-end talent and reliable depth. The big question will be in net: Can Dexter get good enough goaltending to stay No. 1 throughout the winter and into March?
Frederick Gunn
Coach: Craig Badger
2024-25 record: 12-14-7; lost to Kimball Union in quarterfinals of Small School tournament
Players to watch: Tucker Mears, F; Ryan Tartaglione, F; Nate Desanto, F; Whit Denzin, F; Alex Taylor, F; Patrick Cerullo, F; Troy Hamelin, F; Peter Royer, F; William Wright, F; Christian Luo, F; Dylan Hall, D; Tyler Clouthier, D; Chris Paolone, D; Ryan Collins, D; Jack Giamou, D; Michael Block, D; Alex Schnarr, G; Alex Saga, G
Outlook: Frederick Gunn missed expectations last season, finishing under .500 and missing the postseason. On paper, this team looks skilled, deep and can play any style. This roster also boasts multiple older players, which is often a sign of a successful team. Badger's team should be counted on to bounce back and be back in the postseason.
READ MORE: 17 standouts, takeaways from St. Paul’s Jamboree
Hoosac
Coach: Brett Welsh
2024-25 record: 7-12-2
Players to watch: Aiden Ayojiak, F; Luca Iannuzzi, D
Outlook: Hoosac is in a brand new facility this season, which is a bright spot. The Owls will be a young team, however, and the plan is to build a foundation this season that will reap more rewards in future ones.
Millbrook
Coach: Vincent Sorriento
2024-25 record: 11-18-2
Players to watch: Sam Gero, F; CJ List, F; Casey Berninger, F; Brandon Remppel, F; Mike Rutledge, D; Mason Serafin, D; Esref Erkmen, D; Matt Brooks, D; Dean Repaci, G
Outlook: Sorriento is fortunate to have a whole lot of returning players, which usually lends to improved play on the ice. "I'm excited to see if this group can take a step forward after last year," Sorriento said. "The team was close last season to having a very different record with a little more maturity and attention to detail."
Mount St. Charles
Coach: Mark Andreozzi
2024-25 record: 6-10-2
Players to watch: Carter Balducci, F; Cam Reed, F; Ethan Figueredo, F; Jimmy Carrerra, F; Ollie Haynes, F; Mike Tober, F; Brady Lecuyer, D; Jack Devlin, D; Graham Phinney, D; Alex Tarves, G; Connor Fitzpatrick, G
Outlook: It's only the second season in the NEPSAC for Mount St. Charles, and it's Andreozzi's first year as head coach. The goal is to build a foundation for long-term success. Fortunately for Andreozzi, there's a nice mix of returning talent (which can help with leadership) and intriguing new additions to the roster, which should make Mount a more competitive squad. "These athletes position us to remain strong and resilient throughout the season," Andreozzi said.
Northfield Mount Hermon
Coach: Jake Bennett
2024-25 record: 15-15-1
Players to watch: Jonas Marek, F; Joey Dellacroce, F; Teddy Farren, F; Isaac Hutchinson, F; Miro Fedor, D; Marek Oboril, D; Tadeas Liska, D; Layne London, G
Outlook: This is a very different Northfield Mount Hermon team than the one that skated off the ice last March. There are 16 new players on this roster, with players coming from as far as Czechia and Slovakia. Dellacroce being back is big after he tallied 30 points last season. Expectations are high, especially with the new rink coming next season. "There is a lot of anticipation that this team will contend for a New England title," Bennett said.
Phillips Andover
Coach: Paul Tortorella
2024-25 record: 20-9-3; won Large School tournament championship
Players to watch: David O'Neill, F; Alex Small, F; Alex Theodore, F; Nate Kreppner, F; Kieran McIntosh, F; Michael Barrett, F; Jack O'Dell, D; Zachary Fedele, D; Louis-Felix Beaulieu, D; Tyler Miocevich, D; Matt Piotrowski, D; Eddie Lord, G; Senji Kimura, G
Outlook: Andover only graduated five players off its Large School championship team from last season. The Big Blue are deep with impactful talent up front, while the defensive core is as deep as almost any team in New England. The questions will be in net, as Lord should have the inside track to starting, while Kimura had a strong summer at USA Hockey's Select 15 Camp and fall with the Neponset Valley River Rats.
READ MORE: What’s the state of boys prep hockey?
Phillips Exeter
Coach: Sean O'Brien
2024-25 record: 13-16-1
Players to watch: Noah Poinsett-Yoshida, F; Alex Stahl, F; Cam Fiascanaro, D; Brendan McCarthy, D; Brendan Petraco, G
Outlook: It's Year No. 1 of the O'Brien experience, and Exeter should be much better. Fortunately for O'Brien, Poinsett-Yoshida is a nice driver of offense, and Petraco was a huge bright spot on last year's team. The key will be for new players to step up. That will likely be the biggest difference between Exeter missing and making the postseason.
Pomfret
Coach: Matt Goethals
2024-25 record: 16-12-2; lost to Holderness in quarterfinals of Small School tournament
Players to watch: Rich Cavanagh, F; Cam Peltz, F; Giacomi Caliri, F; Will Norton, F; Nathan Dono, F; TJ Swinson, F; James Hayward, F; Brady Grislis, F; Ian Sherman, D; Sean Farrell, D; Aidan Norton, D; Nolan Wrenn, D; Max Gerum, D; Joey Mitchell, G
Outlook: Pomfret should be back in the postseason mix. The Griffins have a very deep group up front and two strong top-pairing defenders in Sherman and Farrell. The big X-factor is returning Mitchell, who was stout in net last season, taking on the majority of time in the crease. Pomfret will be a legitimate opponent on any schedule.
Wilbraham & Monson
Coach: Lawrence Biondo
2024-25 record: 0-19-0
Players to watch: Nick Burns, F; Brody Gouin D; Maxime Labelle-Lavallee, G
Outlook: Wilbraham & Monson will be the first to say that last year was a rebuilding year for the program. What's in store for this season? It's hard to tell. "Our expectations are to be more competitive and earn some wins," said Michael Desmond, the logistics coach at Wilbraham & Monson.
Williston Northampton
Coach: Brandon Borges
2024-25 record: 10-16-1
Players to watch: Brayden White, F; Declan Grenache, F; Hayden Hunter, F; Cam Tabb, F; Sam Chartier, D; Easton Anello, D; Cole Ryan, D; Sawyer Berzins, D; Kamden Jackson, G
Outlook: The popular sentiment around prep: This is the year Williston takes a big step into prominence. All the pieces are there, including a brand new coach. “We believe we have a team that can surprise a lot of people,” Borges said. This roster shouldn’t surprise anybody — they should straight up be good.
READ MORE: Preseason All-Stars for the Independent teams
Winchendon
Coach: Mike Busconi
2024-25 record: 15-15-1
Players to watch: Ben Short, F; Charlie Puglisi, F; Jackson Smail, F; Steven Khonroo, F; Kaidan Sahajpal, F; Jake West, F; Kaden Kern, F; Cooper Ludwar, F; Drew Short, F; Anthony Pomarico, D; Jack Durcharme, D; RJ Grace, D; Jacob Turcotte, D; Matthew MacInnis, D; Danny Maglathin, D; Tyler Poti, D; Brady Knode, G
Outlook: With this roster, Winchendon shouldn’t just be above .500 — it should be in the Elite 8 hunt. The goaltending is there, the high-end offense is there and despite losing Brady Murnane to the OHL, the defensive core should be more than good enough. Winchendon should be back near the top of the region.
