Despite talent loss, ISL hockey reloads for 2018-19 season

Rivers School defenseman Cade Webber is a favorite among scouts due to his 6-foot-6 frame. (Dave Arnold)

Not many graduating classes can stack up with the one that skated off the ice in the Independent School League last season.

One first-round draft pick (Jay O’Brien of Thayer). Six NEPSAC All-Stars (O’Brien, Aiden McDonough and Jayson Dobay of Thayer, Neil Shea of Lawrence, and Teddy Wooding and Aidan Porter of Rivers). Dozens of players who went on to Division 1 college programs.

But don’t sleep on what’s back this year, as the next generation of top players leads us into what promises to be another exciting season, as teams chase league supremacy and New England accolades.

A loaded St. Sebastian’s team is the one that bears watching. The Arrows take the ice with eight Division 1-committed players among their four classes, a collection of talent that bodes well for this season and the future.