The following is a list of the top 1999-born players in the New England Prep School Ice Hockey Association (NEPSIHA) for the 2017-18 season.
1. Jay O’Brien
Sr., Center, Thayer, Shoots Right, 5-11/185 (Providence)
O’Brien is without question the top player in prep hockey this winter. As a late ‘99 he’s in his first year of eligibility for the NHL Draft. In a few quick years, his stock has soared to the point where the late second or third round is no longer out of the question. The Hingham, Mass., native is a good skater who can protect pucks and make plays. His compete level and willingness to retrieve pucks in all three zones make him an even bigger threat each shift. He’s at his best when he’s playing a strong north-south game and not trying to be too fancy with the puck. His lethal shot and ability to find soft spots in opposing defenses afford him plenty of high quality scoring chances. The only knock on him as far as the NHL Draft goes is his height.
Already this fall, he’s proven himself at the CCM USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game and USHL Fall Classic. He was the top player for his split season team, the Cape Cod Whalers, that just recently won the Massachusetts District Championship at the 18U level. Simply put, O’Brien makes players around him better, and he should put up a ton of points for Tony Amonte’s Tigers.
2. Jack Rathbone
Sr., Defense, Dexter, Shoots Left, 5-10/180 (Harvard)
The 2017 fourth round pick of the Vancouver Canucks is a puck-moving, offensive defenseman who will lead the charge for Dan Donato’s Dexter squad. Rathbone has great feet and vision, which allow him to easily transition from defense to offense. He can make outlet passes that lead to quick scoring chances and he can also skate the puck up ice. His shot from the point is dangerous for opposing teams. With Rathbone, especially at this level, the puck is on his stick so often he rarely has to defend. The key this year will be keeping the West Roxbury, Mass., native motivated playing against inferior opponents.
3. Aidan McDonough
Sr., Left Wing, Thayer, Shoots Left, 6-2/180 (Northeastern)
McDonough has been the left wing on O’Brien’s line for the better part of two seasons now. His size, strength and net drive makes him a perfect complementary player in that role. McDonough does a nice job of using his size and strength below the dots, but he could be more physical at times. His skating has improved significantly, but his first step is still a work in progress.
4. Andrew Lucas
Sr., Defense, Loomis Chaffee, Shoots Right, 5-11/160 (Vermont)
The Alexandria, Va. native enters his fourth season with the Pelicans. He’s always had the ability to make good outlet passes and keep pucks moving north with his feet and stick. He walks the blue line well, sidestepping oncoming forwards to get shots through to the net. As he’s matured physically, his game has taken a step or two in the right direction, especially on the defensive side of the puck. He was one of the pleasant surprises of the fall split season, helping Yale Youth Hockey win the 18U Division at the New England District.
5. Neil Shea
Sr., Left Wing, Lawrence Academy, Shoots Left, 6-1/183 (Northeastern)
The Marshfield, Mass., native returned from the USHL at the Thanksgiving break to make another run at the Elite 8 Championship. Shea isn’t the fastest or most skilled player in prep hockey, but he has very good hockey IQ. He makes good passes off the wall, in zone and in transition. He chips pucks up off the boards and makes other smart, but subtle plays. He’s the younger brother of Maine sophomore forward Patrick Shea and the son of Colorado Avalanche scout Neil Shea.
6. Jerry Harding
Sr., Right Wing, Nobles, Shoots Right, 6-1/190 (Providence)
Harding is a big, strong physical winger who elicits fear in opposing players. His ability to disrupt the breakout and defensemen on their toes are his top attributes. Critics would like to see him shoot more and be more of an impact player in the attacking zone. Nobles coach Brian Day will rely on the Canton, Mass., native to be more productive after losing several key pieces during the off-season.
7. Jayson Dobay
Sr., Defense, Thayer, Shoots Right, 6-0/180 (UMass)
Dobay transitioned well to prep hockey from BC High, and will log a ton of minutes for Thayer this winter. He’s not quite as flashy of a player as he once was, but he’s certainly more steady than he was previously. The UMass commit has a heavy one-timer when he gets it off and he can retrieve pucks in his own zone. The Weymouth, Mass., native makes good outlet passes and isn’t afraid to join the rush. He has some length and a decent stick in his own end.
8. Jack Cameron
Sr., Defense, Lawrence Academy, Shoots Left, 6-2/155 (Dartmouth)
The Nova Scotian is a steady defender who has good skating ability. When he’s playing well, he does a good job of closing and being on the right side of the puck. He has a good stick defensively and can activate into the rush as a fourth forward. His shot is good from the point. He’s not quite as dynamic as the defenders listed above him, but he’s smart and reliable.
9. Aidan Porter
Sr., Goaltender, Rivers, Catches Left, 6-2/180 (Princeton)
Porter is going to be relied upon heavily this season as the top goaltender for Shawn McEachern’s Red Wings. He has good size and moves fairly well in the crease. He was a shutout machine a season ago, and should be able to steal a few games for his team this year.
10. Matt Fawcett
Sr., Left Wing, Winchendon, Shoots Left, 5-6/152 (Quinnipiac)
The Lincoln, R.I., native is another player who came back to prep hockey after leaving the USHL during the season. He’s a quick, speedy forward who can attack the puck and score at will at this level. The question will be whether or not he can do it on his own after his two linemates, Johnny Mulera and Ben Thomas, left for junior hockey.
11. Bryce Dolan
Sr., Defense, Kimball Union, Shoots Right, 5-11/194 (Holy Cross)
Dolan has always been a steady, puck-moving defender. While he’s not dynamic in terms of skating or stick skills, he does a good job on breakout passes and getting pucks into the attacking zone. He really came on during the Wildcats’ postseason run. His strong play in all three zones earned him a scholarship offer from the Crusaders.
12. Brett Willits
Sr., Center, Salisbury, Shoots Left, 5-11/165
The London, Ontario, native had a really good summer and should be poised for a breakout season. He’s a good skater with agility to make cuts in and out of traffic. He can slow the game down and think it with the puck on his stick. He makes plays with his speed.
13. Christian LeSueur
Sr., Center, Brunswick, Shoots Right, 5-11/175 (Dartmouth)
The knock on the Greenwich, Conn., native is his skating, but no matter where you see him play, he finds a way to score. He has a good shot and a knack for being around the puck and the net. He will be a key component for a Brunswick team that could surprise some people.
14. Teddy Wooding
Sr., Center, Rivers, Shoots Right, 6-0/165
The Wrentham, Mass., native does a good job of finding seams to exploit defenses and take advantage of his slightly above average skill set. He landed a spot on NHL Central Scouting’s November Watch List, and has some offers from Division I schools.
15. Nick Hale
Sr., Defense, Salisbury, Shoots Left, 5-9/160 (Holy Cross)
The Raleigh, N.C., native is a small defender, but he can move the puck up ice. He has the feet to side-step forecheckers and get shots on net from the point. He’s smooth and getting better in his own zone.
