With just over a week left in the New England Prep School Ice Hockey Association season, it’s time to start thinking about what players are deserving of post-season awards.
The issue regarding what constitutes a most valuable player is often brought up in professional sports. The baseball media always argues over whether or not the MVP has to come from a team making the playoffs. The other big talking point is differentiating the best player from the player who is most valuable.
With that said, New England Hockey Journal’s definition of ‘Most Valuable Player’ is a player whose absence would be felt the hardest. For that reason, there won’t be any Salisbury players in this group of five candidates for NEPSIHA MVP. There are plenty of great players on Andrew Will’s team, but not one that is as important to the Crimson Knights as players on other teams without so much depth.
Below is a list of the five players who should be up for consideration as the most valuable player in New England prep school hockey this winter:
Sam Colangelo
Lawrence, 12/26/01, Jr., RW, Right Shot, 6-1/185
NCAA Commit: Northeastern
The Stoneham, Mass., native has an elite shot and sees the ice, especially in the attacking zone, extremely well. He’s carried his team on his back multiple times this winter. One example was at Cushing’s Watkins Tournament when he scored a goal with less than a minute to go in regulation before ending it in overtime against Northfield Mount Hermon. As is the case with most young players, Colangelo’s game isn’t perfect. He has a tendency to float away from the puck, but that aspect of his game has gotten much better. So has his skating as he’s put more time in the weight room to be stronger. He’s a player who will only get better as he looks to be a top two round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.
Alex Jefferies
Gunnery, 11/8/01, Jr., RW, Right Shot, 6-0/190
NCAA Commit: Merrimack
Craig Badger’s team has a lot of depth when it comes to good prep school forwards, but Jefferies is the right wing on the team’s top line that can throw that knockout punch. The Lunenburg, Mass., native has a lethal shot that he can unleash from anywhere in the attacking zone. He’s heavy on pucks and is able to dominate below the dots. He’s been helped by center Robert Cronin, who just committed to UNH, but Jefferies is the line’s true playmaker. As a late ’01, he has scouts already interested for the 2020 NHL Draft.
Alex Laferriere
Kent, 10/28/01, Jr., RW, Right Shot, 5-11/165
NCAA Commit: Army
Laferriere’s game has taken a major step over the past year. He’s always been a good player, but he’s developed into a top player in the region who has been added by a USHL team, playing five games already this season with the Des Moines Buccaneers. He’s a great skater and flies all over the ice. He plays in all situations, scoring at even strength, on the power play, and even while killing penalties. He’s had great chemistry with his former North Jersey Avalanche teammate Michael Posma, an Air Force commit. Laferriere is the spark plug for a Kent team that enters Wednesday’s action as the sixth seed in the Martin/Earl Large School Tournament.
Jayden Struble
St. Sebastian’s, 8/9/01, Jr., D, Left Shot, 6-0/194
NCAA Commit: Northeastern
Struble’s one of the hot button topics in the scouting world right now. His athleticism and physical tools are off the charts. He’s able to move pucks up ice, quarterback a power play, and play physically in his own end. The Cumberland, R.I., native has his drawbacks as his emotions and physical play sometimes cross the line. However, the intensity and production he brings to the lineup are unmatched. Despite losing an elite goaltender to the NTDP and two more underclassmen to junior hockey, the Arrows are the projected third seed in the Stuart/Corkery Elite 8 Tournament. Struble is a major reason why.
Henry Wilder
Hotchkiss, 3/19/01, Jr., G, Catches Left, 6-1/181
NCAA Commit: Uncommitted
The Needham, Mass., native is the only uncommitted player in this group of five candidates for MVP of prep school hockey. Simply put, he’s the best goaltender in prep school hockey and on the worst team of any that have a chance to make the playoffs. Heading into Wednesday’s action, the Bearcats were the eighth seed in the Martin/Earl Large School Tournament. Wilder is drawing interest from Hockey East, ECAC Hockey and Big Ten schools.
