The new year is always a time of hope. For some, it's the hope that comes with a famous New Year's resolution. For others, it's conquering a new challenge. Maybe this is the year of the promotion, the dream vacation or training for a marathon (extreme, I know).
On the recruiting scene, it's also a time of hope.
Colleges will take the first legitimate step in recruiting the top high school sophomores when the calendar flips to 2024.
Schools can begin reaching out to players on Jan. 1. It isn't until Aug. 1 that they can extend an offer.
Some schools go heavy on the calls. Others wait for the dust to settle.
There are a handful of local, slam-dunk recruits who will have their phones ringing on New Year's Day. Others who are mentioned in this story will be prime candidates to be commits come August.
Tommy Coccaro
Westminster, 4/10/2007, F, right shot, 5-8/161
Hometown: Fairfield, Conn.Â
Coccaro first caught attention with Mid Fairfield's 16U team in the fall. His skill and shiftiness, mixed with an ability to find routes to the net, turned heads. That's continued at Westminster, where he has two goals and four points in eight games. George McCaffrey, his teammate at Mid Fairfield and Westminster, committed to New Hampshire in the fall.
Nick D'Olympio
Catholic Memorial, 6/8/2007, F, right shot, 5-7/134
Hometown: Rockland, Mass.Â
D'Olympio plays a similar style to Coccaro. The Rockland, Mass., native knows how to score and produce offense, especially along the walls. He plays a large role for Catholic Memorial and will be someone colleges pay attention to.
Max Donatelli
St. George's, 6/15/2007, F, left shot, 5-9/155
Hometown: Barrington, R.I.Â
Donatelli was impactful as a freshman, scoring five goals and totaling 21 points in 28 games. He's on pace to sail past those numbers, averaging 1.43 points per game this season. While small, he plays with speed and can always be counted on to produce.
Jack Fitzpatrick
Xaverian, 10/22/2007, F, left shot, 6-4/190
Hometown: Canton, Mass.Â
Fitzpatrick has the size to be considered by colleges. His ability to drive play and emphasize puck protection should also be why colleges come calling. A late '07, he was strong with the East Coast Militia's 16U team in the fall.
Justin Graf
Rivers, 7/10/2007, F, left shot, 5-11/160
Hometown: Lincoln, Mass.Â
Speaking of strong forwards from the East Coast Militia's 16U team, Graf was their best forward in the fall. Scoring 16 goals and 33 points in 24 games, he is a good skater and always a threat in the offensive zone. That's continued into the winter with Rivers as he's tied for the team lead in goals (6) and points (11). Collin, his older brother, is a star for Quinnipiac.
Indiana Grossbard
Loomis Chaffee, 12/21/2007, F, right shot, 5-9/145
Hometown: Wilton, Conn.Â
Grossbard has been outstanding in his second year of prep, leading Loomis Chaffee in goals (7) and points (14), which followed him being productive for the Yale Jr. Bulldogs 16U team. He's not the biggest player on the ice, but his compete makes up for it. He has a good shot and has a high offensive IQ.
Evan Jones
Arlington High, 2/9/2007, D, left shot, 5-8/165
Hometown: Arlington, Mass.Â
Jones' cool, calm and collected way in which he controls and moves the puck should have colleges calling on Jan. 1. He's a smooth-skater and projects to continue to be a good, puck-moving defenseman as he grows and gets older.
Billy MacAusland
Nobles, 8/4/2007, F, left shot, 5-10/160
Hometown: Westwood, Mass.Â
MacAusland has had a strong start to the prep season, posting five goals and eight points in eight games for Nobles. The Westwood, Mass., native has a good shot and his offensive IQ is high, leading to chances and production. He was a vital member of the Boston Jr. Eagles 16U team in the fall.
Joe Marchi
Dexter Southfield, 10/30/2007, F, right shot, 5-8/170
Hometown: Foxboro, Mass.Â
A trend in this story is smaller forwards with high motors and high skills. Marchi might just be the best demonstration of that. The Catholic Memorial product is a great skater with soft hands and an elite ability to see plays develop. He has one goal and five points in eight prep games so far. A big second half should help ensure colleges reach out.
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Casey Mutryn
St. Sebastian's, 7/5/2008, F, right shot, 6-0/175
Hometown: Norwell, Mass.Â
Duh. Mutryn is the biggest slam-dunk candidate on here. In a pivotal season that should end with Mutryn getting an invite to the United States National Team Development Program's evaluation camp, the Boston Jr. Eagles product has five goals and 13 points in eight games, leading St. Sebastian's. His frame, two-way game and skill make him a prime candidate for anywhere he wants. Teddy, his brother, committed to Boston College over the summer.
Anthony Palmer
Avon Old Farms, 10/28/2007, G, catches left, 5-10/160
Hometown: Lynnfield, Mass.Â
Goalies typically commit later than skaters, but Palmer is still worth noting. Palmer garnered a lot of attention at St. Mary's Lynn last season, posting a dazzling 1.48 goals-against average and a .941 save percentage. His strong play continued to USA Hockey's Select 16 Camp last summer and into this winter at Avon Old Farms where he sports a 1.04 GAA and a .957 save percentage.
Luke Schairer
Mount St. Charles 15O, January 2008, D, right shot, 6-3/174
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisc.Â
Even though he's not from New England, Schairer is with Mount St. Charles' 15O squad and a standout defender. His size is a huge advantage and he makes his presence felt at both ends of the ice. Of the players on here, Schairer and Mutryn are best positioned for spots with the U.S. National Team Development Program, which will make them all the more coveted by colleges.
Marco Senerchia
St. George's, 7/4/2007, D, left shot, 5-8/150
Hometown: Greenville, R.I.Â
Senerchia has been one of the more well-known '07s in the region for some time. He's been at three schools in three years — Mount St. Charles as a 14U, New Hampton last season and St. George's this year. He earned invites to USA Hockey's Select 15 and 16 camp the last two summers. He's a smooth skater and good puck-mover with seven points in seven games for St. George's so far.
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Jake Tavares
Belmont Hill, 1/27/2007, F, right shot, 6-0/174
Hometown: Belmont, Mass.Â
Tavares has been one of the biggest breakout stars in prep, scoring eight goals in seven games and being a driving force behind Belmont Hill's 5-1-1 record. He has good size and strong offensive instincts. After a freshman season in which he only posted seven points in 29 games, this scoring explosion may have come at the perfect time.
Patrick Woods
Belmont Hill, 7/5/2007, F, right shot, 6-1/170
Hometown: Charlestown, Mass.Â
Oh, look — more Belmont Hill. Woods has the size, skill and scoring ability to be coveted by Division 1 colleges. He's had a good start to his season, scoring two goals and totaling six points in seven games. He has a nose to get to interior ice, which is an early tell that a player will continue to be effective at higher levels.
Other prospects to watch:Â Hugo Daniel, North Yarmouth Academy; Parker Murch, Berwick
