It’s been a hectic few weeks trying to keep up with the cancellations and postponements in prep school hockey since the Christmas break.
With so many games scrapped for now, this week’s New England Hockey Journal Prep School Power Rankings sees some changes, but not much has been learned since the Christmas tournaments. Hopefully, more schools will follow the example set by Paul Pearl at Cushing and Danny Donato at Dexter Southfield, continuing to power through and play games.
With less than two months remaining in the prep school season, the time is now for teams that got off to slow starts to make a charge. Obviously, Salisbury is a top-five team on paper. The Crimson Knights haven’t played up to that yet. This Wednesday’s marquee game at Cushing is now off.
The premier game on the schedule now is a matinee on Monday. St. Sebastian’s will travel about five minutes down the road to face Nobles in a big clash of ISL rivals. Let’s hope that both teams will have a full lineup when the Arrows and Bulldogs drop the puck to end the holiday weekend.
Editor's note: All dates and times listed below are subject to change amid the ongoing wave of disruptions due to the coronavirus.
1. Avon Old Farms
League: Founders | Record: 9-1-0 (2-0-0) | Previous: 2
Next game: Jan. 15 vs. Kent (2:30 p.m.)
The Winged Beavers didn’t show any signs of rust coming off a prolonged holiday break, downing Taft in their only game since the calendar turned to 2022. John Gardner’s group has talent, depth, age, and size on their side. Defenseman Jordin Palmer (Auburn, N.H.) and forwards Joe Connor (Amherst, N.H.) and Charlie Gollob are among the best-uncommitted players (of recruiting age) in prep hockey.
2. Nobles
League: ISL Keller | Record: 7-0-1 (1-0-1) | Previous: 3
Next game: Jan. 12 vs. Lawrence Academy (5 p.m.)
The Bulldogs haven’t played since winning the Flood-Marr Tournament. I’ve bumped Nobles ahead of the Wildcats, due to their solid goaltending and mix of experience and youth. There will be plenty of eyes on Brian Day’s team over the next two months of the prep season, whether it be NHL guys watching Ben MacDonald (Weston, Mass.) or college, junior and USA Hockey personnel keeping tabs on the '06s.
3. Kimball Union
League: Lakes Region | Record: 11-1-1 (3-0-0) | Previous: 1
Next game: Jan. 12 vs. Vermont Academy (3 p.m.)
It’s tough to knock the Wildcats too far down since none of the results at the True Cup will factor into the NEPSAC equation. However, recency bias precluded KUA from being ahead of AOF or Nobles. There’s still a lot to like with Tim Whitehead’s group, but I don’t think they’ve met expectations, as of yet.
4. Kent
League: Founders | Record: 8-3-0 | Previous: 4
Next game: Jan. 12 vs. Trinity-Pawling (4 p.m.)
The Lions have rattled off six wins in a row after Monday’s 4-2 win over Millbrook. The Avon Old Farms Christmas Classic champion has a deep team, led by veteran forwards Jacob Kraft, Geno McEnery and Dante Palombo. This is a fun team to watch with a lot of uncommitted talent. The only concern is the youth on the blue line and in goal.
5. Belmont Hill
League: ISL Keller | Record: 5-0-2 (2-0-2) | Previous: 5
Next game: Jan. 12 vs. Thayer (5 p.m.)
With Covid protocols causing disturbances all around, it’s tough to get too down on teams or individual players. However, Saturday’s 3-3 tie was less than a stellar viewing for a couple of Belmont Hill’s top players. When Brian Phinney’s team is firing on all cylinders, the Sextants are among the top-three teams in the ISL.
6. Cushing
League: Independent | Record: 7-1-2 (3-1-0) | Previous: 6
Next game: Jan. 19 vs. Thayer (4:30 p.m.)
The last time out, the Penguins were short a few of their top players, including goaltender Jackson Irving (Newbury, Mass.) and forwards Ethan Gardula (Princeton, Mass.) and Landan Resendes (Marlboro, Mass.). Paul Pearl’s team found a way to power through, going 1-0-1 at the shortened Watkins Tournament. Recent UConn commit Mason Kesselring (Center Barnstead, N.H.) and BC recruit Billy Norcross (Lynn, Mass.) stepped up to lead the way in their absence.
7. Brunswick
League: Independent | Record: 6-3-0 (1-1-0) | Previous: 7
Next game: Jan. 12 vs. Millbrook (4 p.m.)
After a 3-0 start, there have been some bumps in the road for Mike Kennedy’s team. That included a loss to Dexter Southfield and a huge win over New Hampton in the Watkins Tournament. The Bruins have a bevy of talent, but they are a young team that will likely continue to have ups and downs. With a solid goaltender and skilled players that can produce, Brunswick should be a tough out come tournament time.
8. Dexter Southfield
League: Independent | Record: 7-3-2 (2-1-1) | Previous: HM
Next game: Jan. 12 vs. Culver Academy (4:30 p.m.)
Danny Donato’s team has been particularly hard hit by key players being out of the lineup. In a recent game, freshman goaltender Luca Ciccolo (Duxbury, Mass.) was called into action with both of the first two goalies down. Grayson Badger (Hyde Park, Mass.) has also missed time. A few players, including junior left wing Connor Sutherland, have stepped up to hold down the fort for now.
9. Salisbury
League: Housatonic | Record: 5-4-0 (1-1-0) | Previous: 8
Next game: Jan. 12 vs. Hoosac (6 p.m.)
The Knights’ 2-4 record over their last six is one of the more inexplicable outcomes of the prep season to date. Andrew Will’s team is loaded with talent. In early preseason action, the team looked cohesive and well-coached. I fully expect the Knights to bounce back in the second half and soar in these rankings.
10. St. Mark’s
League: ISL Eberhart | Record: 6-1-1 (2-0-0) | Previous: 9
Next game: Jan. 12 vs Roxbury Latin (4:30 p.m.)
Of all the teams in the top 10, the Lions have played the weakest schedule to date. However, there is something to be said for winning games. Freshman forward Richard Gallant (Concord, Mass.) is proving to be a legitimate force, despite being an '07 in prep. He leads the team in scoring and will be on the radar of USA Hockey’s NTDP for the 2023-24 season. Carl Corazzini’s team lacks the depth of the top contenders. That and goaltending will be the issues that could keep St. Mark’s from climbing too far in these rankings.
In the hunt: St. Sebastian’s, Holderness, Westminster, St. George’s, Frederick Gunn, Loomis Chaffee
