‘Tis the season…the season for prep hockey holiday tournaments, that is!
New England Hockey Journal has you covered, as we will be in various rinks this weekend to observe the action and bring you coverage on what teams and players go on to make the biggest impact as we wrap up the third week of the 2021-22 season.
This quick primer lets you know what is going on when with some players we’ll be watching and who are worth keeping an eye on. Be sure to check back in with us in the coming days for analysis and notes on the action and who stood out as we get closer to the holidays. While we will not be at every single event, we look forward to bringing you comprehensive coverage of the tournaments listed below.
Avon Old Farms Christmas Classic
Where: Avon Old Farms and Trinity College
When: Dec. 16-18, 2021
Participants: Avon Old Farms (host), Berkshire, Frederick Gunn, Kent, Loomis Chaffee, St. Paul’s, Tabor, Trinity-Pawling
Watch these guys:
Brennan Ali, F Avon- Chicago product is big, skilled and physical. A B-rated skater on the NHL Central Scouting’s preliminary watch list, he committed to Notre Dame during fall play with Mid Fairfield and is one of prep hockey’s most-watched prospects for his high ceiling and upside.
Walker Bright, F, Berkshire (New Canaan, Conn.)- Talented ’06 can skate and create. It will be interesting to see what kind of an impact he makes this season as one of prep hockey’s younger players and a sure USHL futures draft pick in May.
Kiernan Gately, D Frederick Gunn- The St. Lawrence recruit has grown significantly and was a standout with the Buffalo Regals 18 team during fall play. Can he continue his positive momentum and upward trajectory with his team off to a 5-1 start?
Groton/Lawrence Holiday Tournament
Where: Groton School (Pratt Rink) and Lawrence Academy (Grant Rink)
When: Dec. 16-18, 2021
Participants: Cushing, Dexter Southfield, Groton School, Holderness, Lawrence, Pomfret, Proctor, Thayer
Watch these guys:
Billy Norcross, F Cushing (Lynn, Mass.)- The senior is off to a hot start, leading the team in scoring and playing an effective two-way game. He is one of many intriguing players that the 4-0-1 Penguins have going under first-year head coach Paul Pearl (Winthrop, Mass.)
Sean Keohane, D Dexter (Milton, Mass.)- Harvard recruit and late ’04 is not NHL draft-eligible until 2023, but with his 6-foot-4 frame and strong defense, his offensive numbers are up too. The 2-2-1 start is a surprise, but with a talent-laden roster, look for the team to get back on track.
Cooper Boulanger, F Holderness (Barre, Vt.)- Off to a blistering scoring start with 13 points in his first four games for the 4-0 Blue Bulls, he can fly and is fun to watch with the way he gets around the sheet and goes to the net.
Gavin Cornforth, F Thayer (Milton, Mass.)- One of the top area ‘06s is proving it with his pure production to lead the Tigers in scoring as a freshman. The son of former pro Mark Cornforth played fall hockey with the Little Bruins and has helped himself with the superb start.
Flood-Marr Tournament
Where: Milton Academy and Noble & Greenough School
When: Dec. 17-19, 2021
Participants: Andover, Deerfield, Hotchkiss, Kimball Union, Milton, Nobles, Salisbury, Westminster
Watch these guys:
Jackson Kyrkostas, F KUA (Windham, N.H.)- Consistently engaged and dangerous to help his team get off to a 7-0 start. The Wildcats currently sit No. 1 in the New England Hockey Journal prep power rankings and look to establish themselves in this signature event.
Thatcher Bernstein, G Nobles (Brookline, Mass.)- The massive ’06 has begun his prep career in splendid fashion, showing a lot of poise and athleticism to go with his impressive 6-foot-3 frame.
Will Cannata, F Milton (Milton, Mass.)- The two-way pivot is making a positive impact at both ends of the ice for the 2-1 Mustangs.
Dylan Hryckowian, F Salisbury- Younger brother of impact Northeastern freshman Justin Hryckowian, the younger Quebec native also committed to the Huskies at the beginning of the season and is pacing the Scarlet Knights in scoring with his skill/IQ/skating combo.
Bobby Corkery, D Andover (Providence, R.I.)- Big, athletic two-way D and junior has helped the Big Blue get off to a solid 5-1 start. The ’04 is raw, but one to watch with eventual D-1 potential.
Kevin Mutch Christmas Tournament
Where: St. Sebastian’s School
When: Dec. 17-19, 2021
Participants: Albany Academy, Brunswick, Northwood, Rivers, St. Andrew’s College, St. Sebastian’s, Williston-Northampton, Winchendon
Watch these guys:
Jan Korec, G Northwood- Late ’04 Slovak is athletic, talented and capable of stealing games from superior opponents.
Lucas St. Louis, D Brunswick (Riverside, Conn.)- Son of Hockey Hall of Fame forward Marty St. Louis is a dynamic two-way defenseman and puck mover with a Harvard commitment and a nifty ability to impact any contest with his feet, hands and brain.
Matthew Virgilio, D St. Andrew’s- A Canadian ’06 who is the only player from the birth year committed (Michigan) before the new rule changes went into effect. It isn’t hard to see why when you watch him motor around the ice and handle pucks at top speed. A player like him won’t be in the area often, so take advantage of that.
Teddy Mutryn, F St. Sebastian’s (Norwell, Mass.)- A rare ’07 who is big, strong and talented enough to come in and play a substantial role as a freshman. With his big body, skill and power game already, he’s not only one of the area’s best players, but an elite prospect at the national level as well.
Ziv Deener-Chodirker, F Rivers (Newton, Mass.)- High motor and effort senior being rewarded with production in the early going for Freddy Meyer’s club.
Other pre-Christmas tournaments of note
Brooks/Pingree Christmas Tournament, Dec 17-19, 2021 (co-hosted)
Participants: Berwick, Brooks, Hebron, Millbrook, New Hampton, North Yarmouth, Pingree, Tilton
Barber Memorial Tournament, Dec 17-18, 2021 (co-host: St. Mark’s and Middlesex)
Participants: Canterbury, Hill School, Kents Hill, Middlesex, Portsmouth Abbey, St. Mark’s, Vermont Academy, Worcester Academy
Howard Invitational Tournament, Dec. 17-18, 2021 (St. George’s)
Participants: Brewster, St. George’s, Rice Memorial, Wyoming Seminary
Lawrenceville Invitational Tournament, Dec. 17-19, 2021 (Lawrenceville)
Participants: Belmont Hill, Choate, Lawrenceville, Nichols, Northfield Mount Hermon, Stanstead, Taft, Upper Canada College
New England Hockey Journal will be back with a primer on the 2021 Nichols-Belmont Hill, North Yarmouth Academy Faceoff, Nobles-St. Sebastian’s New Year’s Showcase and Watkins New Year’s Invitational events next week.
