It didn’t take long for chaos to reign supreme in prep school hockey. Thanks to Salisbury’s two losses, Kimball Union has assumed the top spot in this week’s edition of the New England Hockey Journal Prep Hockey Power Rankings.
It isn’t unprecedented for top prep teams to lose games to lesser programs early in the season, but it always sends shockwaves across the landscape. It’s a long season with most teams playing 25-30 games. Losing one or two games early sometimes serves as a wake-up call for teams with lofty expectations.
Unsurprisingly, a few teams with older rosters have emerged as being better than expected. Westminster and Tilton, two teams with numerous '03s and '04s and a smattering of '02s, are off to undefeated starts. Experience is certainly a recipe for success in prep hockey.
The next six days are always some of the most exciting in the prep hockey calendar with the annual Christmas tournaments. College coaches and scouts looking for talent will be aplenty and the pending results will certainly have an impact on the rest of the season.
Without further ado, here are the top-10 teams in New England Hockey Journal's Week 2 Prep Hockey Power Rankings:
1. Kimball Union
League: Lakes Region | Record: 7-0-0 (3-0-0) | Previous: 2
Next game: Friday vs. Westminster (11 a.m.)
The Wildcats have outscored opponents by a combined score of 50-6 through the team’s first seven games. Seniors Jaiden Moriello (Saugus, Mass.) and Revy Mack are the co-leaders for goals scored in prep hockey. Moriello has been mentioned a lot in this space, but Mack is a little bit of a lesser-known. The Anchorage, Alaska, native is the younger brother of former KUA star and current Cornell freshman, Sullivan Mack. A potential championship game clash against previous No. 1 ranked Salisbury awaits at the 56th Annual Flood-Marr Tournament.
2. Avon Old Farms
League: Founders | Record: 5-0-0 (2-0-0) | Previous: 4
Next game: Thursday vs. St. Paul's (5 p.m.)
The Winged Beavers will head into the 38th Annual Avon Old Farms Christmas Classic with an undefeated record. Sophomore Joe Connor (Amherst, N.H.) has scored two points in each of the last three games while senior goaltender Conor Callaghan has allowed just six goals in five starts.
3. Cushing
League: Independent | Record: 4-0-1 (3-0-0) | Previous: 5
Next game: Thursday vs. Lawrence Academy (7:30 p.m.)
Under first-year head coach Paul Pearl, the Penguins have started off strong. That’s in large part due to the efforts of senior goaltender Jackson Irving, who is gaining traction among Hockey East recruiters. One school is reportedly close to offering the Newbury, Mass., native. Senior and Boston College commit Billy Norcross (Lynn, Mass.) and sophomore Ethan Gardula (Princeton, Mass.) continue to pace the offensive attack. Cushing stays close to home at this weekend’s Groton/Lawrence Tournament.
4. Belmont Hill
League: ISL (Keller) | Record: 2-0-1 (2-0-1) | Previous: 7
Next game: Friday vs. Choate (1 p.m.)
Goals have been tough to come by for the Sextants, but sophomore goaltender Sam Scopa (Lexington, Mass.) has allowed just one goal in each of the first three games. Northeastern commit and junior right wing James Fisher (Wilmington, Mass.) has shown why he’s a well-regarded 2022 NHL draft prospect by scoring two goals and bringing a physical element. Belmont Hill leaves New England for this weekend’s Lawrenceville Invitational Tournament.
5. Nobles
League: ISL (Keller) | Record: 3-0-1 (1-0-1) | Previous: 8
Next game: Friday vs. Deerfield (1 p.m.)
The Bulldogs are in the mix for stingiest defense in the ISL, as well. Through four games, freshman goaltender Thatcher Bernstein (Brookline, Mass.) has allowed just four goals. He was terrific in a big win over Dexter Southfield this past Friday night. Classmate Ben Nakata (West Barnstable, Mass.) had two goals in that win and has points in two consecutive games. Senior defenseman Aidan Lyons (Brookline, Mass.) and junior center and Harvard commit Ben MacDonald (Weston, Mass.) are leading the team in scoring. Brian Day’s team co-hosts the Flood-Marr this weekend with ISL rival Milton Academy.
6. St. Sebastian’s
League: ISL (Keller) | Record: 4-0-0 (1-0-0) | Previous: 9
Next game: Wednesday vs. Brooks (3:30 p.m.)
There hasn’t been any shortage of offensive fireworks coming from Lane Rink as the Arrows have scored 22 goals in their first four games, all wins. Senior right wing and Harvard commit Michael Callow (South Boston, Mass.) has two hat tricks and posted a two-goal effort in another game. Fellow senior and Princeton commit Brendan Gorman (Arlington, Mass.) is the leading scorer thanks to his 11 assists. Sean McCann’s team hosts the Kevin Mutch Christmas Tournament this weekend.
7. Salisbury
League: Housatonic | Record: 3-2-0 (1-1-0) | Previous: 1
Next game: Friday vs. Andover (3 p.m.)
It was a tough week for Andrew Will’s Crimson Knights, who lost consecutive games against Kent and Berkshire. After posting shutouts in each of the first two games, Salisbury has given up 10 goals in its last three games. A pair of Northeastern commits, Dylan Hryckowian and Ben Poitras are the offensive catalysts who will look to get the team back on track this week at the Flood-Marr Tournament.
8. Brunswick
League: Independent | Record: 3-2-0 (1-0-0) | Previous: 3
Next game: Wednesday vs. Portledge (4 p.m.)
I’m beginning to think there’s truth to the NEHJ Power Rankings jinx as Brunswick climbed to the third spot last week before losing both games. The Bruins are still a very good team, but Mike Kennedy’s roster is fairly young for prep standards. There will likely be some ups and downs this winter. 2022 NHL draft prospect and recent Dartmouth commit Hank Cleaves (Riverside, Conn.) has posted two points in each of the last four games. Brunswick heads to the Kevin Mutch Christmas Tournament this week.
9. Frederick Gunn
League: Independent | Record: 5-1-0 (2-1-0) | Previous: HM
Next game: Friday vs. Kent (9 a.m.)
Outside of a surprising loss to Exeter, Craig Badger’s team has taken care of business to date. The schedule hasn’t been overly daunting, but a big road win at Kent is the headline of the team’s resume. Seniors Julian Facchinelli and Aiden Lindley share the team lead in scoring while Ryan Crowshaw and Joey Lovullo have split the goaltending duties. Frederick Gunn heads to the Avon Old Farms Christmas Classic.
10. Kent
League: Founders | Record: 3-3-0 (0-0-0) | Previous: HM
Next game: Thursday vs. Loomis Chaffee (3 p.m.)
Despite a .500 record, the Lions deserve to be in this week’s rankings. Kudos to Dale Reinhardt’s team for playing a challenging schedule and knocking off some of the heavyweights of prep hockey in Salisbury and Brunswick. Five '03 seniors are the scoring leaders for Kent. Geno McEnery leads the way with five goals and seven assists. The Geneva, Ill., native has size and plays hard. Kent will also be at the Avon Old Farms Christmas Classic.
Honorable mention: Holderness, St. Mark’s, Westminster, Tilton
