This season is an important year for 2002-born prospects across the country. It’s the age where players are selected for USA Hockey’s NTDP and the USHL, QMJHL and OHL drafts.
Massachusetts’ high school hockey had several strong ‘02s who will likely work their way onto college rosters down the road. Central Catholic freshman Owen Fowler and Malden Catholic sophomore Riley Duran set themselves apart from the rest of the age group in the MIAA.
Top 2002-Born MIAA Prospects
1. Owen Fowler
#16 Central Catholic, Fr., F, Shoots Left
Fowler had a big season for Kim Brandvold’s Raiders as they stormed through the regular season before a few tough losses in the Super 8. He’s fast, can make plays offensively, and he plays a heavy, 200-foot game. His compete level is off the charts.
2. Riley Duran
#4 Malden Catholic, Soph., F, Shoots Right
Duran moved over to Malden Catholic after playing his freshman season for his father, a former player at Division III powerhouse Plattsburgh State, at Woburn. Duran can really skate, has a good frame, and plays with no fear. He’ll battle for loose pucks and he plays with an edge. He’s a player who could really pop over the next year or two.
3. James Tepper
#16 Shrewsbury, Soph., F, Shoots Right
Tepper is the son of Maine alum and former Chicago Blackhawk draft pick Stephen Tepper. He has the physical tools and plays a strong power forward game. His hockey sense needs a little work, but he still can make some plays with his vision in the attacking zone. He scored the game-winning goal on a nifty backhand breakaway move in the Division 3 State Championship Game. His Colonials repeated as state champions and he was a huge reason why.
4. Joseph Kramer
#19 BC High, Fr., F, Shoots Right
Kramer, one of three brothers on the Super 8-winning BC High squad, played wing on the top line. He’s a smart player, like his two older brothers, and can compliment linemates well. He skates well, but can slow things down, find seams and wait for the right play.
5. Peter Kramer
#14 BC High, Fr., F, Shoots Left
Peter, the twin brother of Joseph, plays a slightly different game. He’s more of a gritty forward who’s tenacious on the forecheck, plays with pace and excels in a north-south type game. He wasn’t afraid to throw his weight around.
6. David Sacco
#16 St. John's Prep, Soph., F, Shoots Right
Sacco is a complete, 200-foot player who plays physically and smart. He won't wow observers with his blazing speed or his hands, but he makes plays because of his hockey sense and above average athleticism. He can kill penalties, win face-offs, and do a lot of the other little things that it takes to win hockey games.
7. Patrick Somerville
#15 Arlington Catholic, Fr., F, Shoots Right
Somerville was the playmaker for Dan Shine’s top line. He skates well and plays with pace. He still needs to round out his all-around game, but he has a lot of physical tools that should intrigue college coaches down the line. His older brother, ’97 Andy Somerville, plays in the EHL with the East Coast Wizards.
8. Dhillon Wilde
#10 St. John’s Shrewsbury, Soph., F, Shoots Right
Wilde was the best prospect on a rejuvenated Pioneers’ team that made the Super 8 for the first time in several years. He’s a hard-working, gritty forward who can chase down loose pucks, forecheck tenaciously, and make plays with pace.
9. Ryan O’Halloran
#21 Burlington, Soph., F, Shoots Left
O’Halloran was a standout on a senior-laden Red Devils squad that advanced to the Super 8 after a dominant regular season in the Middlesex League. He’s a forward with some skill and hockey sense who can play in any situation.
10. Kyle Furey
#25 Malden Catholic, Soph., D, Shoots Right
Furey was buried a little bit by the disappointing season the Lancers had. He’s a smaller defenseman with good mobility. He gaps well, has a pretty good stick, and can join in the rush.
11. Will Cohen
#24 Austin Prep, Soph., D, Shoots Right
Cohen transferred into Austin Prep after playing his freshman season at Billerica. He’s not a flashy defender, but he’s steady and reliable. He has a good stick, keeps things simple, and was on the right side of the puck. He wins one-on-one battles and can transition quickly.
12. Matthew Gallagher
#10 Reading, Soph., D, Shoots Left
Gallagher has a lot of athleticism and skates well. He moves pucks up ice, can quarterback a power play and logged a ton of ice time for a younger player on the blue line in high school hockey.
13. Jack Gray
#9 Central Catholic, Soph., F, Shoots Left
Gray was overshadowed some by Fowler, but he was a nice complimentary piece when playing alongside the top ’02 in MIAA hockey. He skates well and finished the season strong with two goals and two assists in four Super 8 games.
14. Robbie Barletta
#17 Xaverian, Fr., F, Shoots Left
Barletta is a smaller forward who skates well, plays with energy, and found his way onto the score sheet through his nose for the puck and compete level. His hockey sense and offensive skill set are just average.
15. Coleman Nee
#16 Arlington Catholic, Soph., F, Shoots Left
Nee centered the top line for Arlington Catholic with the aforementioned Somerville on the right wing. He’s a center who can skate well enough to handle all 200 feet of the sheet. He’s more of a set-up guy who will need to learn to play more in the dirty areas to continue climbing the ladder.
16. Brendan Fennell
#7 Melrose, Fr., F, Shoots Left
Fennell isn’t the best skater, but he was able to skate around defenders and create offense with good vision and instincts at the Middlesex League level.
17. Hazen Pike
#3 Pentucket, Fr., F, Shoots Right
Pike was one of three freshmen to put up huge numbers for the Sachems. He centered the line that also included Cam Martin and Richy Hardy. In a Division 2 North Tournament viewing, Pike made a few plays and displayed decent skating ability.
Honorable Mention
Sean Barbera (Soph., F, Reading), Cam Marks (Soph., F, Melrose), Matt Myers (Soph., F, St. John’s Shrewsbury), Kory Ouellette (Fr., D, St. Mary’s)
