With the high school hockey season in Massachusetts concluding on Sunday, here is a look at the top eight 2003-born prospects in the MIAA:
1. JP Turner
#24 Falmouth, Fr., F, Right Shot
Turner had a very good freshman season for the Clippers, averaging nearly two points per game. The Jr. Terrier product is a big, power forward with the ability to make plays and use his size to his advantage. His feet need work, but there is a lot of upside.
2. Davis Kinne
#91 St. Mary’s, Gr. 8, D, Right Shot
When watching the Spartans this season, it wouldn’t have been far fetched to think you were watching a senior when seeing Kinne on the ice. He’s a rugged, physically mature defender. He’s poised and makes smart decisions with the puck on his stick. He sees the ice well and can add offense from the backend. His skating isn't great, but his hockey sense with the puck on his stick makes up for it.
3. Matty Copponi
#6 Mansfield, Fr., F, Right Shot
Copponi had a very good first season for the Hornets. He also played split season with the Neponset Valley River Rats. He has average size, skates well, competes hard and has a slightly above average skill set.
4. Jaiden Moriello
#44 St. Mary’s, Fr., F, Right Shot
Another product of the Jr. Terriers, Moriello projects as more of an energy guy moving forward. He’s always moving his feet, creating buzz on the forecheck, and he’s not afraid to go into the dirty areas. He finds the score sheet through hard. He’ll need to improve his skating and work on his skill set to continue moving up the ladder.
5. C.J. Monturio
#14 Xaverian, Fr., F, Right Shot
Monturiou skates well and has a good skill set, but tended to stay more on the perimeter against older competition in high school hockey. He can beat defenders wide and wasn’t afraid to rip shots from anywhere in the offensive zone.
6. Caiden Hess
#16 Archbishop Williams, Gr. 8, F, Left Shot
Hess is another player who first caught this observer’s eye on the Neponset Valley River Rats this fall. He can make plays and he was clearly the standout on his high school team despite being an eighth grader.
7. Brendan Fitzgerald
#7 Malden Catholic, Fr., D, Left Shot
Fitzgerald comes from a well-known hockey family. He’s the younger brother of former and current BC Eagle stars Ryan and Casey and the son of Devils Assistant GM Tom Fitzgerald. He had just an average season for the Lancers, who underperformed considering the high expectations put upon the program. He’ll be a player to continue to keep an eye on considering the lineage.
8. Anthony Cafarelli
#17 Austin Prep, Fr., F, Right Shot
Cafarelli has good vision and does a good job finding teammates. His skating is above average. He’s the younger brother of ’01 Nick Cafarelli, a teammate with the Cougars.
