Almost all prep schools have impressive campuses. But there aren’t many that feel as different from the surrounding area as Dexter Southfield does.
“The campus is just beautiful,” Dexter junior forward Joe Marchi (Foxboro, Mass.) said. “It doesn’t get much better than this.”
It’s a day school, so only kids within driving distance can attend. For the hockey team, that makes recruiting players from other parts of the United States and Canada almost impossible. Drawing top talent from the surrounding area is paramount.
The proximity to Boston is a major factor in bringing in potential Division 1 college hockey players. Boston College, Boston University, Harvard and Northeastern are down the road.
The program has consistently been in the Elite 8 hunt — except for the last two seasons.
Dexter has been a young team lacking high-end, offensive firepower. Head coach Danny Donato’s team made a run last season, winning four of their last five en route to the No. 3 seed in the Large School Tournament, where they fell 3-2 to Kent in the championship game.
“We’re a little bit slow to start,” Donato said. “But then boom, boom, boom and here we go. By the end, we’re usually not someone you want to play.”
Most of the roster that skated off the ice in defeat at Harvard in March is back. Add in reinforcements from around Massachusetts and Dexter isn’t just an Elite 8 contender — they’re in a small group of favorites.
“To win an Elite 8 championship, that’s what’s on everyone’s minds,” Dexter senior and captain Tyler Hamilton (Framingham, Mass.) said.
It’s a group that took different paths to arrive at Dexter. Now, they’re together with a common purpose.
Starting early
Sean Leetch has been at Dexter Southfield since the third grade.
He admits that there were times he considered going elsewhere. Being in the same place from third grade to 12th grade is a long time. But he kept coming back.
As the years went by, hockey became a bigger part of his life, which is no surprise given his father is Hall of Famer Brian Leetch.
That meant Leetch was going to take a specific approach with hockey — and that doesn’t mean what you think it might mean.
“Because [Leetch’s] dad is such a down-to-earth guy who had immense talent, Brian was a well-rounded high school athlete,” Donato said. “Sean has been brought up well-rounded and appreciating things. He wasn’t running off to do eight gazillion hockey things. It’s only in the last three or four years that he actually played club hockey at a high level.”
When Leetch entered high school, he was on the junior varsity team. Typically, that could trigger a transfer. But he stuck it out and the higher-ups took notice.
“He was a JV kid for a year so all of a sudden you started to say, ‘Wait a second. This kid sees the ice really well,’” Donato said.
The ‘05 got more playing time in 2022-23 and had an uptick in production, scoring five goals and tallying 14 points in 32 games in a depth role.
Leetch wanted to be more than that, however, and repeated his junior year. The move paid off. He became a go-to scorer, finishing second on the team in both goals (14) and points (34). He played with Cullen Emery (Reading, Mass.) and Nate Porter (Hingham, Mass.) on the top line.
“He’s a luxury because he can kill penalties, he can block shots, which he loves doing, and he’s also a guy that can think it with the best power play guys,” Donato said.
It was not a surprise when Donato tapped Leetch as one of his four senior captains. A reward to a loyal soldier through ups and downs.
“He’s definitely one of my top kids where you really look back and say, ‘This is why I do what I do.’” Donato said. “He’s worked his butt off.”
It’s no secret that Leetch will be a major piece of this year’s team. So, too, will defenseman Myles Brosnan, who also began at Dexter before high school.
Brosnan’s older sister, Ava, who now plays lacrosse at Stanford, was a standout at Dexter. But it was a chat with Donato that solidified Brosnan’s decision to come to Dexter.
“I just really liked his values and he’s just such an awesome coach and everything that he was about, everything that Dexter was about,” Brosnan said.
Brosnan played on the Dexter middle school team. But his first go-around with the varsity team came last winter.
The 6-foot, 185-pound defenseman notched three goals and 21 points in 31 games. He was a two-way force, shutting down opposing players at one end of the ice and contributing with offensive production at the other.
Donato believes Brosnan is one of the best defensemen in prep.
“His hockey IQ is off the charts. He thinks the game like a pro,” Donato said. “He just has to get bigger, stronger, faster, which he has done. He’s already gotten significantly bigger from a year ago. I expect him to work really hard on defending in his own zone, but also I could see him running the power play up top.”
That versatility was on display over the summer when he was chosen to represent Massachusetts at USA Hockey’s Select 17 Camp.
ISL ALL-STARS: ISL Eberhart First and Second teams | ISL Keller First and Second teams
Brosnan is now positioned well as a Division 1 prospect. His grades are very good, so an Ivy League school would be on the table, although Brosnan is adamant that he’s open to anywhere.
Still, Brosnan wants to wisely utilize these Dexter years.
“My plan is to graduate from Dexter,” Brosnan said. “From what I’ve seen, the longer you stay and the longer you develop at a prep school for the most part has been more successful for kids. Obviously, there are some kids that leave and they do great and that’s awesome.
“But I just think that from what I’ve viewed, the longer you can stay and develop and be ready dominate when you go out [to juniors], as opposed to going out and looking to hang on, makes a big difference.”
The MIAA route
Joe Marchi was conflicted. So, he did what anyone making a tough decision would do: he made a pros and cons list.
He was mulling over whether to stay at Catholic Memorial for his sophomore year or move to Dexter Southfield, and there were a lot of different voices around him.
“We were just going to go to CM and see what happened,” Marchi said. “I always wanted to play prep school hockey, but we didn’t know how long I was going to be [at CM].”
Marchi was a standout as a freshman at CM. He was able to drive play and have his way offensively. His skating stood out. He had 20 points. Dexter felt he was ready to make the jump.
On the other hand, he still only had one year in the MIAA. CM, understandably, wanted him back.
“It was very 50/50,” Marchi said. “I had the chance to come here, but I was getting persuaded so many different ways in that it’s beneficial [to go], it’s not beneficial. Every kid is different. In my opinion, I didn’t dominate at CM, but I was definitely one of the better players and if you come to Dexter, you’re going to have a lot of eyes on you, some good players around you and the coaching staff.”
At the same time, Tyler Hamilton, Marchi’s teammate, was going through the same thing.
Since Hamilton was a year older than Marchi, the Framingham, Mass., native played two strong seasons in the MIAA. He improved from freshman to sophomore year, undergoing a 12-point increase, as well as top-line center responsibilities.
The big difference, however, was Hamilton entered CM without prep school in mind.
“Not at all,” Hamilton said. “I was just going to CM to further my education and meet new people. …I went there for the experience, to play hockey and just to be at a private school.”
It wasn’t until the end of his freshman year in the spring of 2022 that he began getting interest from prep schools. He opted to return to CM. At that same point the next year, however, he knew it was time.
“I felt like I was ready to make the next move,” Hamilton said. “I had people telling me I should stay, I should go. I just talked it over with my family. After touring Dexter and a couple other schools, I thought it was time for me to go. Moving from CM to here, it’s made me realize it was the right choice for me.”
Colin Davis, Dexter’s starting goalie last season, made a similar move.
Davis was the starter for Canton (Mass.) High during his freshman and sophomore years, culminating in leading his team to a Division 2 state championship in 2023.
PREP HOCKEY: 32 breakout forward candidates | 18 breakout defensemen candidates
Then, it was time to go.
“There were definitely some mixed opinions,” Davis said. “There were plenty of people in my corner — not to say that plenty of people weren’t. People were obviously upset I was leaving, which I understand. I really do.
“But at the end of the day, you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.”
All three value those MIAA experiences.
“Playing in the MIAA is awesome,” Hamilton said. “Every game is packed. There’s not one place you can stand. Playing under that pressure and playing under a lot of people watching you made me feel comfortable to play prep hockey.”
With those big crowds come older players looking to land big hits that will either rile up the home fans or simmer down the opposing ones, making it a physical league.
That doesn’t mean all three transitioned seamlessly to prep, which is a much faster and more skilled league. Hamilton entered as a junior, assuming an upperclassmen role as a leader on a new team.
“It made me realize we can’t win on talent alone,” said Hamilton, who posted 11 goals and 25 points last season.
Marchi, a late ‘07, was used to holding onto pucks for a while. That didn’t fly in his early days at Dexter.
“What Joe needed to learn at this level last year, as good as he is with the puck, you’ve got to move it and make other guys better with you,” Donato said. “He learned that if I give it, I’m getting it back.”
Those words hit home with Marchi, who played on a line with sophomore Jake Assad and freshman Noah Survilas. Marchi made the necessary adjustments and the trio produced quite a bit. He finished with 26 points in 31 games and has had Division 1 interest for the last year.
In net, it was a legitimate jump for Davis. Prep is much deeper than MIAA, where a third-liner is far less imposing.
“The speed changed a ton,” Davis said. “You’ve always got to be ready. Every single one of these kids in prep is a really good player. The longer periods are a big jump, too.”
Davis shouldered the bulk of time in between the pipes, posting a 2.81 goals-against average and an .893 save percentage.
Ironically enough, challenging Davis for the net this season will be Kyle Ready — a standout goalie from Pembroke (Mass.) High.
Switching prep schools
Last winter, New England Hockey Journal had St. Sebastian’s on the cover as the preseason No. 1 team in prep. They were stacked with seniors, as well as high-end juniors and sophomores.
But there was a freshman who, despite lots of talent above him, climbed his way up the depth chart to make an impact: Rian Chudzinski.
He scored 13 goals and tallied 22 points in 27 games, helping him earn a fifth-round selection (No. 71) by the Youngstown Phantoms in the USHL Phase 1 Draft. He was then a standout with the Massachusetts District at USA Hockey’s Select 17 Camp in June.
He chose not to return to St. Sebastian’s. Instead, he will wear a Dexter Southfield uniform this winter.
“The biggest thing was just the opportunities [at Dexter],” Chudzinski said.
PREP PREVIEWS: Avon Old Farms | Belmont Hill | Berkshire | Brunswick | Frederick Gunn | Holderness | Kent | Kimball Union | Phillips Andover | Salisbury
Donato was happy to welcome him.
“I think he’s a kid that has a little chip on his shoulder from last year,” Donato said. “He played on a very talented St. Sebastian’s team but wasn’t able to get the minutes that he wanted.
“I think he’s on a mission to prove everyone wrong.”
Chudzinski enters Dexter Southfield, where his sister Maggie also attends, with a unique opportunity.
By accelerating to become a junior, he was allowed to receive offers from Division 1 programs on Aug. 1 — and receive them he did. The Needham, Mass., native had interest and offers from programs all over the United States.
Chudzinski committed to Boston University last week after a long recruiting process.
“It’s obviously a couple years away. I’m not going next year,” Chudzinski said. “So I just want to take my time and make sure it’s the right place for me, the best place for my development. I don’t really care about committing on Aug. 1 just so I can put out a social media post.”
In October, Chudzinski was brought on to play two games with the U.S. National Team Development Program. He notched an assist against Boston College. He has been one of the best 18U players in the region throughout the fall.
Chudzinski bolsters an already talented forward group at Dexter. Whether Donato chooses to slot him down the middle or at right wing, he should be a headliner on the top line.
It would surprise no one if he was among the top five scorers in the region come season’s end.
But he also adds a hard-nosed element to Dexter’s lineup.
“He brings an element of physicality and he loves to be physical on the puck,” Donato said. “All that stuff that we really need.”
Chudzinski isn’t the only player on the Dexter roster who used to play at another prep school. Senior defenseman and captain Cam Smith spent two seasons at Brooks from 2021-23.
“We played against him two years ago and I noticed him,” Donato said. “He’s got an absolute rocket of a wrist shot. He could step over the blue line and beat a goalie with a wrist shot.”
Smith, from Lincoln, R.I., had been living at Brooks. But once he got his driver’s license, it was his dream to attend Dexter. His father, Matt, who had played with Donato at Catholic Memorial, called the coach to let him know.
Donato realized there was a spot on defense entering last season, so he took him in.
“Cam has really improved his foot speed,” Donato said. “I think playing here against high-end forwards really developed his feet and that’s one area he had to work on. Cam is an incredible student in the classroom and a great ambassador around school. We just need Cam to be Cam. … just be simple, be reliable, be able to kill penalties, be on one of the power plays and just be a great teammate like he is and we will be in great shape.”
That players ponder leaving other prep schools to go to Dexter is nothing new.
“I think what Dexter is academically appeals to people,” Donato said. “There are a lot of great choices around us and a lot of great coaches and programs. I think what’s been really beneficial to us is our history over the last 15-20 years of sending kids on to some of the best college programs. I think people, when they meet and find out that I’ve had 16 guys make it to the NHL, 200-plus guys make it to college hockey at the Division 1 and Division 3 level, they know there’s a background and that there are connections there.
“I like to think we work pretty hard to get our guys to that next level.”
Sometimes, that next level can come too soon.
Leaving early for juniors
In early October 2022, I sat down with Nate Porter in an office at Dexter Southfield. He was lighting it up with the Boston Junior Eagles’ 16U team and entering his sophomore year at Dexter poised to be an impact player. In June of that year, he was a seventh-round pick of the Omaha Lancers in the USHL Phase 1 Draft.
He would lead the team in points that season with 27. His trajectory was pointing up.
That summer, he moved on to Omaha, foregoing his junior and senior years at Dexter.
“I thought it was a good idea to challenge myself,” Porter said. “I was really excited. I’m like, ‘Wow, I’m a 17-year-old and I can play with all these kids who are 19 and 20 and NHL Draft picks.”
Things didn’t go as planned. After playing one game with Omaha, he was traded to the Madison Capitols for a ninth-round draft pick.
“Once you go to that next step, it’s just a business and they want to win,” Porter said. “They don’t really care. They just want you to perform and they want to do what’s best for the team.”
Porter was learning to play the game at a faster pace. His IQ and ability to withstand physicality grew. He was even maturing off the ice living far from home.
The Dexter community came in handy as Porter’s time passed in the USHL.
INDEPENDENTS: A team-by-team breakdown | Preseason All-Stars
“It wasn’t the opportunity that I had believed was going to be there in the summer,” Porter said. “I still stayed in touch with coach Donato and plenty of my teammates and they were urging me to come back. Staying in touch with them and being like, ‘I want to come back and I want to graduate.’ It was always a possibility but a couple weeks before the season, it was like ‘All right, let’s do this.’”
He decided to return to Dexter for the 2023-24 season. “I’m happy I did,” Porter said.
It didn’t return immediate dividends.
“Honestly, he had a tough beginning,” Donato said. “He wasn’t dynamic. He lost his confidence. Then, as he played more and more, by the end of the year, I remember a college coach telling me at the [NEPSAC championship], ‘That’s the first time I’ve seen Nate Porter look like Nate Porter.’”
Porter was back to his old ways. He scored 12 goals and posted 26 points in 26 games. Throughout this fall, he was noticeably better for the Neponset Valley River Rats’ 18U team.
The whole experience is finally dawning on Porter as a positive one.
“I also think my confidence grew when I came back,” Porter said. “Just kind of being like, ‘All right, I played at the next level. I know what it’s like and I know what I have to do to get better and be a real producer out there in that league or any other league in the junior level.”
A player who could use Porter’s experience as a cautionary tale is star sophomore Noah Survilas.
Survilas was one of the best freshmen in prep last season, scoring 12 goals and tallying 30 points in 31 games. He commanded games, taking over when he had the puck. For the most part, he was able to do what he wanted.
“He’s got some bite to him, which I really like,” Donato said. “He’s got a chip on his shoulder. For a kid that comes in that talented, you don’t often see that.”
The Winthrop, Mass., native somehow wasn’t invited to the U.S. National Team Development Program Evaluation Camp in March, but he was selected in the third round (40th overall) by the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL Phase 1 Draft.
“He sees the ice so well,” Donato said. “He knows where guys are going to be. He can lead you on a pass because he knows you’re going to that area where some guys have to see it happen and then make the pass. I just think his hockey IQ is off the charts.
“When you play with a little bit of bite and you have a good hockey IQ, it makes you a really good next-level player.”
He will be a top weapon in Dexter’s offense this season. The big question will be about that next level: When will he make the jump to junior? It’s not crazy to think that might come before the 2025-26 campaign.
Whenever it does come, Porter has advice for him and any player mulling over leaving prep early.
BOYS PREP RANKINGS: Our preseason top 10 | Who are the next 15 teams?
“Every situation is different,” Porter said. “Every path is different. Don’t just look at kids on social media or look at kids that have come before being like, ‘Oh he did this. He went from here to here so I have to do that.’ Just kind of realize that it’s got to be different for everyone. You’ve got to realize that I want to be put in the best situation for myself to succeed.
“Don’t try to copy someone. You have to follow your own path and it’ll all work out.”
Porter is one of the four senior captains in a consequential season for him. Division 1 schools will be watching. Junior teams looking for his services next season will be watching. Re-proving himself will be part of the deal.
But team success will also be a big driver of that.
The entire team [has something to prove], but especially me,” Porter said.
“I want to prove everyone wrong and tell them that we’re still the best team in prep.”
