There are plenty of junior hockey options, near and far, for promising Division 1 prospects.
New England Hockey Journal already covered some of the top New England natives playing in the USHL and BCHL, and, of course, extensively covered the vast prep school ranks, but our latest junior watch list gives a look at a group of North American Hockey League players coming from the region.
Unlike the aforementioned leagues, the NAHL’s footprint extends through our borders with the Northeast Generals. Two of the players listed here come from the Attleboro, Mass.-based program, which continues its season through April.
Here is a look at a half-dozen New England natives who have stood out in the NAHL this season:
Patrick Dawson
Odessa Jackalopes / D / Medway, Mass.
NCAA Commitment: Sacred Heart
Dawson has spent the majority of his season with Odessa but also played in a pair of games with the Lone Star Brahmas. The Westminster School alum and former captain scored his latest of four goals during a March 23 loss to Topeka and has presently recorded two of his 12 points in back-to-back games. Dawson also played parts of two seasons with the Neponset Valley River Rats before moving onto the NAHL.
Brady Gaudette
Northeast Generals / F / Braintree, Mass.
NCAA Commitment: Maine
The brother of former Hobey Baker Award winner and current Vancouver Canuck forward Adam Gaudette has logged 13 goals and 28 total points during 53 games as a second-year member of the Generals, who are based out of Attleboro, Mass. The younger Gaudette has added two assists since last scoring a goal during the team’s March 16 overtime win over Johnstown and has scored two of his goals on the power play this season, but he also plays a physical game as evidenced by his 111 penalty minutes.
Cam Gendron
New Jersey Titans / F / Wilmington, Mass.
NCAA Commitment: Uncommitted
The Central Catholic High School and Winchendon School product has joined New Jersey this season and has scored seven goals and 13 assists over a 52-game rookie season to date. Though Gendron ranks fourth among the team’s rookie scorers and 11th overall, he has scored goals in key situations with two coming on the power play, one shorthanded, and a trio standing as game-winners.
Mike Higgins
Northeast Generals / D / Needham, Mass.
NCAA Commitment: Holy Cross
Higgins became the 10th player from the Generals to commit to a Division 1 program this season as he chose Holy Cross after appearing in the NAHL Top Prospects Showcase held last month in Attleboro. Higgins has ranked fourth on the Generals in scoring and second among defensemen during his second NAHL season with 31 points. Five of them have been goals, while his 26 assists are good for second on the team.
Caleb Price
Jamestown Rebels / D / Hooksett, N.H.
NCAA Commitment: Arizona State
Price moved into the NAHL circuit this season after playing for the Northern Cyclones in his home state of New Hampshire. The Arizona State commit has been a reliable blueliner in Jamestown as he ranks third among that unit with a plus-20 rating in addition to posting three goals and 15 assists. His 18 points sit second among rookies for Jamestown. Price was the subject of a NEHJ Commitment Q&A in January.
Jonathan Young
Maryland Black Bears / F / Pelham, N.H.
NCAA Commitment: Merrimack
Young has been one of the top offensive contributors for Maryland this winter after spending the last several years playing with the Islanders Hockey Club at both the 16U and 18U levels. Before returning to his home region to play college hockey at Merrimack, Young has logged an 8-24-32 line along with a plus-2 rating in 44 games this season. He has put together several multi-point games of late and totaled 15 points since the beginning of February.
