Cushing defenseman Nolan McElhaney is proof that good things do happen to people that wait. The Natick, Mass., native always had good size, but the ’99 has developed into a very strong skater with offensive instincts. McElhaney had three goals and five assists over the course of the Penguins’ four games at the Groton/Lawrence Tournament....
Cushing defenseman Nolan McElhaney is proof that good things do happen to people that wait. The Natick, Mass., native always had good size, but the ’99 has developed into a very strong skater with offensive instincts.
McElhaney had three goals and five assists over the course of the Penguins’ four games at the Groton/Lawrence Tournament. He parlayed his strong weekend into several college offers from Hockey East and ECAC Hockey schools.
Just a few days after, the senior committed to play at the University of New Hampshire. McElhaney credited the UNH staff for following him closely and taking notice before many other programs joined in on the recruitment.
"I chose UNH because I loved the campus and the atmosphere from the fans. I also really like how Coach (Mike) Souza (Wakefield, Mass.) will run things when I go there. I know he can get me to the next level," said McElhaney.
THE QUOTE
‘Teddy has been great. He’s been a contributor and put up numbers every year. He plays against all of the top lines. He had a ton of ice time against the other teams’ top lines and still put up numbers. He’s physical and plays both ends of the ice.’
— Coach Shawn McEachern on Rivers center Teddy Wooding
Wooding, a 1999-born senior from Wrentham, Mass., is one of the top uncommitted seniors in prep hockey along with Salisbury center Brett Willits.
THE LIST
The prep school hockey season is just over a month old, but it’s never too early to start thinking about the most valuable player in the region. Here are the top three early favorites for that distinction.
1. Aidan Porter, sr., G, Rivers
The Princeton commit has allowed just nine goals in seven games, leading his team to a 6-0-1 record. He has two shutouts and has stood on his head at times, especially over the first two games when the team was hit hard with injuries to key defensemen.
"He’s been very good. He’s been our go-to guy. He’s matured a lot and gotten bigger. He’s calm in there. He doesn’t worry about the past. He’s got a great attitude for the game," said Rivers coach Shawn McEachern.
2. Jordan Harris, sr., D, Kimball Union
The Haverhill, Mass., native and Northeastern commit has the ability to take over games with his immense skating ability. He’s the leader for a deep and talented team that is primed to repeat as top cats in prep hockey.
3. Jay O’Brien, sr., C, Thayer
While it’s been a disappointing start to the season for the Tigers, it’s hard to ignore Providence commit Jay O’Brien, who will almost certainly be the top prep player selected in this June’s NHL draft. He’s averaging well over two points per game.
