As we shift to summer hockey, it is a good time to look at the best players in net from the New England region.
After watching hockey at every level this past season from the NHL down to bantam major (14-U), we’ve seen the lion’s share of those who live between the pipes and are the last line of defense for their teams in and from New England.
For this series, we’ll focus today on the birth years 2002-04, with the 2005-2007 prospects getting the spotlight in part two. Time, patience and confidence are often needed to develop goaltenders. The younger you look, the tougher it is to project what those prospects will be after age 20. For the players in this series, we relied on live viewings only, though there are other New England natives who performed well for teams outside of the region.
With the '01s having aged out of juniors, '02 Boston University star Drew Commesso (Norwell, Mass.) leads the next wave of area goaltender prospects who have a chance to play at the highest level of the sport.
2002
Best: Drew CommessoÂ
Boston University, 7/19/02, catches left, 6-2/180
NHL: Chicago Blackhawks (2020- 2/46)
The former St. Sebastian’s star is the best New England ’02 goalie and it isn’t close. Originally committed to UNH, Commesso went on to have a strong two years at the U.S. National Team Development Program before heading to BU. He had a tremendous 2021-22 campaign in the Hockey East and internationally, competing with Team USA at the World Junior Championship (rescheduled for August) and Winter Olympic Games. With all the necessary physical and mental tools, he’ll give the new-look Terriers under Jay Pandolfo (Burlington, Mass.) the kind of top-shelf presence in net to make them a preseason national championship contender.
Honorable mention
Mikey Roberts (Wilton, Conn.)
Taft, 12/25/02, catches left, 6-1/195
NCAA commit: Dartmouth
Taft struggled through the season with a 7-13-2 record, but the senior captain gave his team a chance in every game. He has good size and mental attributes for the position.
2003
Best: Kellen Beauton (Colchester, Conn.)
Pomfret/R.I. Hitmen HC, 1/29/03, catches left, 6-0/176
NCAA commit: Connecticut College (D3)
His elite performance in net helped lead the Griffins to the small school NEPSAC championship. It was just the tip of the iceberg for the future Division 3 star. At midseason, he stood on his head to come out of Dexter Southfield with a tie, and his stellar .942 save percentage, along with a prep-leading 784 saves, validates his standing as the region’s best ’03. He also wore the ‘C’ for coach Matt Goethals’ team in a memorable senior campaign.
Honorable mention
Conor Sullivan (Westboro, Mass.)
Rivers/Little Bruins, 10/3/03, catches left, 6-3/190
With size and athleticism, the senior posted his best year at Rivers, helping the Red Wings stay competitive in the ISL Eberhart Division. He stayed consistent, and is more of a blocking-style goalie who absorbs pucks into his body and keeps rebounds out of high danger areas. Currently uncommitted, he will play in the BCHL for the Merritt Centennials, but with a strong year of juniors, should secure a Division 1 spot somewhere.
Michael Salvatore (Newburyport, Mass.)
Exeter/River Rats, 8/9/03, catches left, 5-11/170
Smaller, but competitive goalie, he put together some impressive wins in the fall and prep seasons with his throwback style, quickness and ability to cut down angles to make opponents miss the net. His teams were almost always in it with Salvatore between the pipes, but he will need to work on protecting the upper portions of his net.
Nick Bevilacqua (Abington, Mass.)
Northfield Mt. Hermon/Jr. Eagles, 8/6/03, catches left, 6-0/175
The Hoggers senior standout had a strong fall season, leading the Eagles to the Mass. Hockey Tier 1 18-U championship in November. He’s a battler with an acrobatic style who can extend his limbs to make desperation saves, and competes hard on the play. More than the sum of his parts, he has a chance to keep playing in college.
2004
Best: Jackson Irving (Newbury, Mass.)
Cushing/Central Mass. Penguins, 2/3/04, catches left, 6-0/175
The senior captain carried the load in net, getting the 17-7-3 Penguins into the Elite 8 before falling to Avon in the quarterfinal. He’s a calm, collected presence who tracks pucks and can make athletic stops with explosive lateral movements. His USHL rights are owned by Cedar Rapids, and he has a chance to give the RoughRiders a steady, capable option who makes up for a lack of ideal size with the mental toughness to succeed. He is one of the better uncommitted goalie prospects in New England.
Honorable mention
Brendan Holahan (New Canaan, Conn.)
Brunswick/Mid Fairfield, 6/15/04, catches left, 6-3/180
Looks the part with his size, length and large net presence, but consistency has prevented him from rising to the top of the ’04 class. He has the physical gifts to translate to the NCAA and pro hockey, but he’ll have to improve his tracking and play with more poise when under pressure. His USHL rights are owned by the Des Moines Buccaneers.
Colin Winn (Westford, Mass.)
Boston Jr. Bruins, 8/5/04, catches left, 6-1/170
After bouncing around the past several seasons, Winn posted 25 wins in the USPHL NCDC this year and parlayed that performance into a USHL draft call from the Youngstown Phantoms. He brings solid technique and instincts to the position, with room to smooth out the rough edges and gain junior experience. He’s another uncommitted prospect who should have Division 1 appeal and is on track for a commitment at some point.
Beau Lane (Pembroke, Mass.)
Thayer Academy/South Shore Kings, 6/16/04, catches left, 6-3/165
Raw, toolsy Boston Advantage product saw a lot of shots on a disappointing Thayer team, but has the attributes to develop into a top college goalie with pro upside. The 21st-ranked North American goalie on Central Scouting’s final rankings for the NHL draft, he’s a long shot to be chosen, but with his size and agility, will be a player to watch in the coming years. He’ll be back at Thayer next season with a chance to be one of the top goalies in prep.
Aaron Matthews (Newton, Mass.)
Belmont Hill/EC Wizards, 3/6/04, catches left, 5-9/140
The only backup to make the list, Matthews deserves to be on here for his terrific numbers and for being lauded as a fine teammate, who didn’t make waves despite only playing 360 minutes for the 21-3-3 Sextants. He posted a minuscule 0.75 GAA and .960 save percentage. Although small in measurable attributes, he played big in net and should be able to keep playing hockey in juniors and Division 3 if he wants.
