As we get closer to the 2021-22 prep hockey season, it is time to look at some of the more experienced 2003 birth year players who will be among the best, most impactful players this season.
Throughout the late spring and summer months, we have had a chance to observe and then review prospects from the 2005 and 2004 birth years. expected to play prep this season in various competitions and are making the evaluations based on as many viewings as possible.
This is not a comprehensive list or ranking of every ’03 player we viewed, but is a watch list of student-athletes who have performed well over the past several months and look like they are poised to do big things in New England this year.
Forwards
C Noah Bird, Governor’s Academy (Andover, Mass.)
2/6/03, shoots left, 6-0/170
Two-way forward plays with pace, energy and jam. Noticeable whenever he’s on the ice because he’s a relentless forechecker who creates turnovers and takes pucks the other way. His effort will generate consistent scoring chances; he’s more than the sum of his parts and should be one of the Governors’ top players this season.
C/LW Cooper Boulanger, Holderness School (Barre, Vt.)
7/8/03, shoots left, 6-0/180
Dynamic skater: gets up to full speed in just a few strides and gets up and down the ice effortlessly. He loses none of his momentum when he has the puck and in viewings this summer, he scored in a variety of ways. Snaps pucks off his stick quickly and looks like a real play driver for Holderness this winter.
C Mike Cataldo, St. Sebastian’s (Norfolk, Mass.)
5/4/03, shoots right, 5-11/160
Not flashy, but he’s around pucks a lot. Has a sneaky-good offensive skill set with the ability to find quiet ice and get his shots to the net. Tough to separate from the puck and plays with some jam, too. He may not have a lot of prep experience at St. Sebastian’s but will form part of the core of a dangerous returning forward group in 2021-22.
C/RW Brendan Gorman, St. Sebastian’s- Princeton (Arlington, Mass.)
2/17/03, shoots right, 6-0/170
Like his father and older brother, Brendan Gorman will play college hockey at Princeton. He skates well and has a heavy shot. When he moves his feet and gets to the net, there aren’t many defenders who can match up with him at this level. He looks primed for a big offensive year.
LW Jayden Grier, St. Sebastian’s (Needham, Mass.)
12/12/03, shoots left, 6-2/220
Big, athletic power forward is the son of former BU star and NHL forward Mike Grier (now AGM with the NY Rangers) and should be a force this year. He’s a more patient and refined player and uses his size and strength along the walls and in front of the net to wreak havoc. When he’s on top of the paint, he can convert rebounds with ease. Puck possession machine.
RW Drew Haxton, Nobles (Wakefield, R.I.)
1/12/03, shoots right, 5-9/165
Explosive skater can really back defenders up with his pure speed and elusive quickness. He is dangerous off the rush where he can beat opponents to the edge and take pucks to the net. His size limits him at times, and we’d like to see more of an all-out effort over the entire ice surface. He will put up big numbers this year.
RW Jaiden Moriello, Kimball Union Academy (Saugus, Mass.)
5/4/03, shoots right, 6-2/195
Tall, and plays with length, effort. Skating is the only drawback to his game: foot speed and the ability to separate are below average, but he mitigates that with a high compete and tremendous shot/offensive instincts. Below the dots, he hounds pucks and has a lightning release. With his natural knack for the net, he’s going to score a lot of goals this season.
RW Dominic Murphy, St. Mark’s- Holy Cross (Worcester, Mass.)
11/4/03, shoots right, 6-0/180
All-around forward secured a commitment to Holy Cross earlier this summer and it showed in the way he plays: fast, smart and engaged. He may not have the skills to project as a top-line point-getter at the next level, but he’s a valuable player for his intelligence, effort and versatility.
Defensemen
Will Elias, St. Sebastian’s (Weston, Mass.)
1/28/03, shoots right, 6-0/178
Smooth, steady and just reliable. While he takes pride in his defensive play, he’s a solid two-way guy whose confidence and puck poise has taken another step. Elias is underrated, and with the way he plays, it's hard to believe he does not yet have a D-1 commitment.
Brendan Fitzgerald, Governor’s Academy- UNH (North Reading, Mass.)
6/3/03, shoots left, 5-11/160
Smart, defense-first player does everything well and will be a top player this season. The son of New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald, he has two older brothers in pro hockey, so he has an advanced understanding of the game and the details coaches crave. He’s smart, patient, employs a disruptive stick and keeps it simple. He may not be a dynamic skater, but gaps are flawless and exhibits great judgment.
Nolan Joyce, St. Sebastian’s- Boston College (Dedham, Mass.)
9/25/03, shoots right, 6-1/175
Very good skater has been steady in his development and turned that into a commitment to Boston College this summer. Assuming he returns to prep (he was drafted by the USHL’s Chicago Steel in May), Joyce will be an impact player for his mobility, ability to get pucks up the ice and solid defensive game.
Will Killoran, Belmont Hill (Charlestown, Mass.)
1/30/03, shoots right, 6-2/195
Physical, hard-nosed defender’s nickname is a no-brainer: ‘Killer.’ He relishes body contact but doesn’t take himself out of position to make a big hit. His skating/range is improving, but he sees the ice well and takes the right angles. There’s not much offensive upside here, but handles pucks well and makes a crisp first pass. He’s going to log big minutes and should secure a college commitment at some point.
Declan Loughnane, Thayer Academy- Providence College (Milton, Mass.)
11/22/03, shoots right, 6-0/196
Very good skater with an attacking mindset. Has the offensive skills/shot to be a difference-maker from the back end. He was drafted in the USHL by the Dubuque Fighting Saints but as a late ’03 and having lost a prep season to COVID, he’ll be one of the top two-way threats from the back end in prep this season.
Aidan Lyons, Nobles (Brookline, Mass.)
2/26/03, shoots left, 5-10/170
Loves to grab the puck and go: his skating and offensive tools are among the best of any ’03 in prep hockey. Though not big, he can skate with anyone and able to contain outside speed well. His defensive acumen is something he’ll need to address, however, as he doesn’t always activate at the right times and gets out of position. He’ll be productive and dangerous at Nobles, expected to see plenty of time on the power play.
Goaltenders
Thomas Giroux, Groton SchoolÂ
9/18/03, catches left, 6-0/168
While he may not possess ideal size, Giroux is extremely quick, competitive and plays bigger in net than his listed size. Tracks pucks very well and the Verdun, Quebec product keeps his team in the games we've seen. Intriguing upside and potential- could be a star in prep this season.
Alex Mickanin, Dexter Southfield (Hopkinton, Mass.)
8/11/03, catches left, 6-0/180
Sound technique and quick reflexes. Moves well laterally and stands his ground. Performed well in the summer prep league for his overall skills/compete and should be someone who can help a talented Dexter squad get the most out of that roster.
Colin Ronan, Cushing Academy (Saugus, Mass.)
6/6/03, catches left, 6-3/185
Athletic and has the ideal size/skills package to be a top netminder at this level and beyond. We watched him in the Beantown Summer Classic and there was a lot to like, but consistency was elusive. This is a talented player who when focused and tracking pucks through traffic is very tough to beat. He will form an impressive 1-2 punch in net with ’04 Jackson Irving for the Penguins.
