Although we’re still in the middle of the summer offseason, it is time to take a look at a group of 2005 birth year players at every position who are poised to make a significant impact on the New England prep hockey landscape in the 2021-22 season.
New England Hockey Journal has had a chance to watch these players live and on video in various events, festivals showcases and leagues over the past several months.
As we prepare to ramp up our prep hockey coverage for the coming season, here is a quick preview of six forwards, four defensemen and two goalies who we believe are going to establish themselves this year with productive and successful campaigns for their respective schools.
This is not a comprehensive ranking of every 2005 player slated to play prep, but is an initial 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 the region this year.
Forwards
Will Cannata, C, Milton Academy (Milton, Mass.)
5/17/05, shoots left, 6-0/174
Smart, two-way center has good size, plays with energy and has a sneaky offensive dimension that could blossom this season. Plays the right way, with solid fundamentals and habits; knows what his job is and does it well. Cannata has been trending up for a while now. His USHL rights are held by the Cedar Rapids Roughriders.
Joe Connor, C/LW, Avon Old Farms (Amherst, N.H.)
3/31/05, shoots left, 5-10/165
Most recently helped the New England Crows ’05 team capture the 2021 Junior Chowder Cup, this Avon Old Farms. Abrasive but fast, skilled forward drives hard to the net and not afraid to stick his nose in. Drafted late in the USHL draft by the Muskegon Lumberjacks, you can see why when you watch him- Connor can beat you in a variety of ways and is only beginning to hit his developmental stride.
Ethan Gardula, LW, Cushing Academy (Princeton, Mass.)
2/28/05, shoots left, 5-11/174
With his frame and room to grow and fill out, there is a lot of raw potential here. His feet are a bit heavy, but has the mechanics to improve the power in his stride and get quicker off the mark. With the puck, he's strong and dangerous around the net with the ability to snap off shots quickly and in tight spaces- natural knack for finding the back of the net. He shields the puck well and is an asset on the cycle and in the possession game. Sioux City owns his USHL rights.
Colin Gorman, C/LW, St. Sebastian’s (Arlington, Mass.)
5/18/05, shoots left, 5-11/160
Athletic forward will get bigger and stronger. He has an intriguing skill-set, able to handle pucks and shoot with little time and space, and when he goes to the net, he makes plays consistently. The consistency in his game isn’t always present, but there is a lot of raw material to work with here. He went undrafted in the USHL, but at some point, junior teams in that league will circle back to him as he continues to grow and develop.
Landan Resendes, RW, Cushing Academy (Hudson, Mass.)
12/10/05, shoots right, 5-8/145
Electric forward has been one of the most impressive forwards we have seen all summer in the Foxboro prep league and recent Jr. Chowder Cup. Although undersized, Resendes checks the boxes for a scoring forward, with explosive skating, dynamic pace and the ability to score off the rush with a pinpoint release and shot. His all-around game looks sound and his developmental curve appears to be headed straight up. The USHL’s Chicago Steel drafted him late in the phase 2 draft in May.
Cam Russo, RW, Governor’s Academy (Middleton, Mass.)
1/3/05, shoots right, 6-1/180
Size, skills, scoring — that is what Russo brings to the table. After playing at St. John’s Prep in 2019-20 and the Neponset Valley River Rats last year, he should make a seamless transition to his first prep season. He shows some real jump in his stride and can separate from defenders, while excelling in possession with his ability to protect the puck and handle it at speed. He was taken in the USHL futures draft by the Dubuque Fighting Saints.
Defensemen
Jake Freelove, Winchendon (Tyngsboro, Mass.)
1/4/05, shoots right, 6-1/170
Instinctive defender brings a less is more approach, but don’t sleep on his athleticism and talent, either. Keeps things simple and doesn’t try to play outside of himself. Shows 360-degree awareness, poise and makes good decisions with and without the puck. Surprisingly went undrafted in the USHL, perhaps because he’s not as flashy or dynamic as some of his peers, but that will likely change as scouts from those teams see him more going forward. The QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads selected him in the second round of that league’s American draft.
Jonathan Lanza, Dexter Southfield (Winthrop, Mass.)
3/10/05, shoots right, 6-0/175
All-around defenseman with a higher-end junior and NCAA skill set is only getting better and will give Dexter a dual threat from the back end this season. He sees the ice well and activates at the right times, sometimes a bit too aggressive at jumping up into the play, but that can be reined in. He shoots the puck hard and is able to get it through traffic and on net for tips, deflections or rebounds. His defensive game, especially when he uses his strength and leverage, continues to improve. The Waterloo Black Hawks hold his USHL rights.
Shawn Leary, Lawrence Academy (Dorchester, Mass.)
3/10/05, shoots right, 6-0/175
Athletic defender is more style over substance at this point, but he’s getting there. Converted forward has a natural tendency to want to take the puck and go, but as he develops his situational awareness and experience from the back end, he’ll be much more impactful. Good size, strength and stick will set him up to log a lot of minutes at LA. Like Freelove, he went undrafted in the USHL, but was a second-round pick of Charlottetown in the QMJHL American draft and is a viable Tier 1 junior prospect as he improves his all-around game.
Lucas St. Louis, Brunswick School (Riverside, Conn.)
3/30/05, shoots right, 5-10/154
The offensively gifted defender will not be following his older brother Ryan to the U.S. NTDP, but will be a real play driver from the blue line for Brunswick. He’s quick, agile and gets pucks up the ice effortlessly — a human breakout machine. He can run the PP, and has a lot of skill with an attacking mindset. His defensive game is not as polished, but he’ll improve as he gains more experience. Dubuque secured him in the second round of the USHL futures draft.
Goaltenders
Thomas Kiesewetter, Thayer Academy (Plymouth, Mass.)
1/2/05, catches left, 6-5/190
Huge, nimble and very good at stopping pucks. After a strong Select 16 Development Camp in Amherst, N.Y., Kiesewetter was named to Team USA’s Five Nations under-17 team competing in Switzerland this month. His play is not as refined or polished as Scopa’s, but the Muskegon Lumberjacks prospect has pro size and potential. The QMJHL’s Rimouski Oceanic drafted him fourth overall in their American draft and he’s going to be a highly coveted NCAA prospect.
Sam Scopa, Belmont Hill (Lexington, Mass.)
1/10/05, catches left, 6-0/172
Tremendous performance in net this summer, between summer prep league and Chowder Cup play where he was dominant, giving up two goals in three games, culminating in a 2-1 OT loss in the semifinal. Scopa is athletic, tracks pucks, competes/battles hard, and his hockey sense is off the charts. So many times, you think he’s going to give up a goal, but he makes the save because he not only because moves so well laterally, but anticipates where that shot is coming from. He has as good a foundation as anyone, and his upside is sky-high. How he went undrafted in the USHL is beyond us, but the QMJHL’s Cape Breton Eagles grabbed him in the American draft.
