The 2021-22 Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association high school hockey campaign was one to cherish after the state was robbed of completed seasons for two consecutive years.
While many of the usual teams made the most noise, there were plenty of individual performances worth noting from players who aren’t always recognized among the best in their peer group.
St. John’s Prep, Tewksbury, Hanover and Sandwich won state championships at their respective divisions on March 20 at the TD Garden. All four teams had great seasons that were capped off by impressive performances on the hallowed ice of Causeway Street.
Below are the New England Hockey Journal’s individual award winners for Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Goaltender of the Year and Defenseman of the Year. Following the overall award winners is a nod to each of the top performers in Divisions 2, 3 and 4.
Player of the Year
Cam Fici
Belmont, 4/2/04, RW, right shot, 5-8/160
Fici finished with 35 goals in 22 games while playing a tough schedule in the Middlesex League. There might have been a few better prospects sprinkled across the MIAA in 2021-22, but no one had the impact he did for his team. The junior led the Marauders to the second round of the MIAA Division 1 Tournament before bowing out to eventual finalist Xaverian. Fici has a great shot and can separate from opposing defenders.
Freshman of the Year
Michael Munroe
Hanover, 7/6/07, LW, left shot, 5-7/134
Munroe capped off his MIAA career with a dazzling performance at the TD Garden as the Hawks won the Division 3 state championship over Marlboro. What he lacked in size and experience, he more than made up for in skating, skill and hockey sense. His edges, stick handling and ability to be in the right places made him a dynamic offensive player. In 25 games, he scored 19 goals and added 20 assists. Next up for Munroe is playing for the legendary John Gardner at Avon Old Farms.
Coach of the Year
Kristian Hanson
St. John’s Prep
Hanson’s Eagles went 22-3 en route to their first state championship since the 2015 Super 8 crown. It’s certainly true that on most nights, St. John’s Prep got off the bus or left the home locker room with the more talented players. However, Hanson and his coaching staff had their team buying in, executing the game plan, and paying attention to the finer details that make a team successful. A former player at SJP, the Salem, Mass., native is a great coach who got the most out of his team from start to finish. The 6-2 drubbing of Catholic Conference rival Xaverian in the final at TD Garden was the cherry on top.
Defenseman of the Year
Bobby Falvey
Hingham, 6/30/03, right shot, 6-0/154
NCAA commit: Colby
There were a handful of underclassmen destined for Division 1 commits down the road, but Falvey was the only player in the MIAA with a college logo next to his name in 2021-22. The senior who will do a postgraduate year at Phillips Andover in the fall is committed to Division 3 Colby College, the NESCAC regular-season champion. Falvey has good size, defended well, and also showed an ability to jump into the rush. A good student, he was a leader for the Harbormen, a team that was easily within the top eight for the entire season.
Best Goaltender
Brady Quackenbush
Marshfield, 11/5/04, catches left, 5-10/152
Quackenbush was the starting goaltender for a Marshfield team that allowed just 1.6 goals per game. He was instrumental in the Rams winning the Ed Burns Coffee Pot, a new in-season tournament this winter that featured eight of the top public school teams in the state. On the smaller side, he has quick reflexes, covered up or kicked rebounds to the side, and did a good job of not allowing second chances. He was one of a handful of very good high school hockey players on Dan Connolly’s team.
Division 2 Player of the Year
Emerson Marshall
Gloucester, 10/8/05, LW, left shot, 5-9/170
Marshall put up huge numbers on the top line for the Fishermen. The late `05 has the skill and offensive instincts to take over a game at this level. He logged a ton of minutes, along with senior linemate Jack Costanzo. The Fishermen’s luck ran out against Canton in the semifinals at the Tsongas Center, but it was a memorable sophomore campaign for Marshall, who is heading to Cushing for the 2022-23 season.
Division 3 Player of the Year
Marcus Chrisafideis
Marlboro, 6/9/04, LW, left shot, 5-8/145
Chrisafideis put up a ton of points for the Panthers. A senior who had options to play prep school or full season midget hockey, he stayed loyal to his teammates and was rewarded with a trip to the TD Garden. While he’s diminutive in stature, Chrisafideis can rip a puck and has a good stick. He was the offensive catalyst for his team that only lost one game in regulation all season. Being the runner-up wasn’t the fairytale ending he and his teammates were hoping for, but he has a lot to be proud of for the season Marlboro had in 2021-22.
Division 4 Player of the Year
Danny Storella
Stoneham, 5/18/05, LW, right shot, 6-0/165
Everytime I went to watch the Spartans, Storella seemed to produce. The big, strong junior who plays his off wing uses his size, compete and hard shot to score goals and to make an impact with and without the puck. There were few players in the MIAA with his cache who played as hard, whether it be blocking shots or being heavy on pucks.
