Out of all the 2001-born players in prep school hockey this season, Gunnery right wing Alex Jefferies (Lunenburg, Mass.) stands above the rest.
The Merrimack commit headlines a solid group of ‘01s who will be leaders and key contributors this winter. Jefferies is rated as a ‘C’ player by NHL Central Scouting and will hear his name called next June in Montreal at the 2020 NHL Draft.
While many of the top players in this birth year are already committed, there are a handful of uncommitted players that college coaches are already recruiting or should be soon.
On Sunday, I unveiled my list of the top 25 prep players born in 2000. Now, it’s time to look at the top 61 prep players born in 2001.
Forwards
1. Alex Jefferies
Gunnery, 11/8/01, RW, right shot, 5-11.75/195
NCAA commit: Merrimack
Jefferies is the top returning scorer in prep school hockey after putting up 27 goals and 30 assists in 2018-19 as a junior. While his feet are a question, his compete and ability to hung pucks and make plays are both outstanding attributes. He should once again be a huge force on the score sheet for Craig Badger’s club. Jefferies was terrific all fall for the Rochester Selects 18-U.
2. Casey Severo
Nobles, 2/1/01, C, right shot, 5-11/175
Severo is one of the top uncommitted players in prep school hockey after de-committing from Merrimack. A 200-foot forward, he sees the ice well and is responsible in all three zones. The Pittsford, N.Y., native is on the right side of the puck, kills penalties, and backchecks. He’ll be a key figure in Nobles’ bid to make a run in the Martin/Earl Large School Tournament. He was with the Boston Jr. Eagles 18-U all fall.
3. Tabor Heaslip
Avon Old Farms, 12/17/01, LW, left shot, 5-9/160
NCAA commit: UConn
Heaslip, a Dallas Stars Elite product, is one of the fiercest competitors in prep hockey. He’ll block shots, hunt pucks, and sacrifice his body in even the meaningless of games. Even in early fall hockey with the River Rats 18-U, he was laying down to block shots. His stride isn’t the prettiest, but he gets the job done, and has more skill than given credit for. Heaslip will be a key to success for the Winged Beavers.
4. David Jacobs
Nobles, 9/26/01, RW, right shot, 5-9/150
Jacobs is one the most improved players in the region, regardless of birth year. The Needham, Mass., native is a smart forward who seems to be in the right place at the right time a lot. He also has some skill and is willing to the drive the net and go to the greasy areas. He was terrific in the Mass State playoffs as his Boston Jr. Eagles 18-U captured the title.
5. Morgan Winters
Tabor, 12/8/01, C, left shot, 5-10/150
NCAA commit: New Hampshire
Winters, from Osprey, Fla., is a speedy, smart center. His offensive skill set is an area that could use some improvement, but he was a solid contributor for the River Rats 18-U this fall.
6. Cody Hoban
Loomis Chaffee, 4/26/01, RW, right shot, 5-9/172
NCAA commit: Dartmouth
Hoban was another pleasant surprise this fall season with the Yale Jr. Bulldogs 18-U. It appears the Guilford, Conn., native is ready to take the next step in his development. Expect the quick, skilled winger to make a big impact on the score sheet this winter for the Pelicans.
7. Jack Seymour
Tilton, 4/6/01, C, right shot, 5-10/150
Seymour, from Quebec, missed significant time this fall with a knee injury. However, if he’s healthy, expect the speedy center to be the pivot on the Rams’ top line. He scored 18 goals and 26 points a year as Tilton won the Piatelli/Simmons Small School Championship.
8. Briggs Gammill
Berkshire, 5/9/01, C, left shot, 5-10/162
NCAA commit: Yale
Gammill played in just seven games last winter as he was bothered by an injury. If he’s fully healthy, he should be able to put up good numbers in his final season of prep hockey. The New Canaan, Conn., native and Mid Fairfield product is a good skater.
9. Liam Connors
St. Sebastian’s, 1/2/01, RW, right shot, 5-9/170
NCAA commit: Boston University
Connors is a small winger who is quick and can make plays. He’ll be counted on heavily this winter as he is the only returner of the Arrows’ top eight scorers from 2018-19. Connors was with the Boston Jr. Eagles 18-U this fall.
10. Jacob Banks
Cushing, 3/27/01, C, left shot, 5-10/185
Banks won’t always make an impact on the score sheet, but his compete level is off the charts. He’ll kill penalties, block shots, and hunt pucks. He’s heavy on pucks and is starting to show more of an offensive touch. He deserves a commitment. Banks played split season for Eastern Mass Senators 18-U.
11. Jack Cronin
Nobles, 1/4/01, RW, right shot, 5-11/175
NCAA commit: Princeton
Cronin, from Hamilton, Mass., had 26 goals in 28 games played last winter. He’s a finisher who has a good shot and he has straight line speed to get up and down the wing. He was a key player for the Boston Jr. Eagles this fall.
12. Aidan Connolly
Dexter, 5/10/01, C, left shot, 5-11/165
NCAA commit: Sacred Heart
Connolly, from Marshfield, Mass., has put up over a point per game in two consecutive prep seasons. He’ll be counted on to take his game to the next level this winter with John Farinacci and Chase McInnis moving on to college and junior hockey.
13. Ben Raymond
Dexter, 8/22/01, C/LW, left shot, 5-11/172
NCAA commit: Colgate
Raymond increased his production from 12 points in 2017-18 to 30 points in 2018-19. He has great speed, which is a huge factor in his success. The Newton, Mass., native was solid this fall with the River Rats 18-U, earning a commit from Colgate.
14. Danny Ciccarello
St. Mark’s, 3/23/01, C, right shot, 6-0/201
Ciccarello led the Lions in scoring last winter with 30 goals and 21 assists in 30 games. He’s uncommitted, but he’ll have lots of eyeballs on him this winter as Carl Corazzini’s team should be much improved, plus NHL scouts will be keeping close tabs on junior defenseman Ian Moore. Ciccarello, from Kirland, Quebec, has good hands and was solid for the Little Bruins 18-U.
15. Danny Colon
Phillips Exeter, 2/13/01, RW, right shot, 5-8/170
After scoring just 11 points in 2017-18, his first in prep, Colon put up 31 points last season. The Mendham, N.J., native is a competitor who hunts pucks and goes to the dirty areas. He’s not overly skilled, but all NESCAC programs should do whatever it takes to get him on campus. He played fall hockey for the River Rats 18-U.
16. Marcus Joughin
New Hampton, 7/5/01, C, left shot, 5-10/160
Joughin is a good skater who sees the ice well and can make plays. He had 11 goals and 28 assists in 35 games last season. A cerebral center, he’d be a fit for some Atlantic Hockey programs. He’ll likely play in the OJHL or BCHL next season. He was solid for the Northern Cyclones Prep 18-U at the New England District Tournament.
17. Tyler Gaulin
Berwick, 11/9/01, C, left shot, 6-1/165
Gaulin scored 14 goals and 22 assists in 29 games last winter. The Kingston, N.H., native is a big, physical forward who impressed in some showcases this summer and fall.
18. Matty Cormier
Rivers, 2/20/01, RW, right shot, 5-10/160
Cormier, from Waltham, Mass., is a small, quick winger who can score goals. He had 42 points in 31 games last winter on Rivers’ top line. Cormier, who played NEFPHL, should be heavily scouted by top Division III programs looking for a skilled winger.
19. Gavin Puskar
Hotchkiss, 6/21/01, LW, left shot, 6-1/175
Puskar has the physical tools to be a bottom six winger. He’s big and can get in on pucks on the forecheck. Puskar who played for Mid Fairfield 18-U this fall will get some looks next winter in the BCHL.
20. Mark D’Agostino
Gunnery, 5/6/01, LW, right shot, 6-0/175
NCAA commit: UConn
D’Agostino had eight goals and 20 assists in 31 games played last winter. The North Branford, Conn., native played fall hockey for Yale Jr. Bulldogs 18-U.
21. Alex Krause
Loomis Chaffee, 1/1/01, LW, left shot, 5-10/165
NCAA commit: Dartmouth
Krause, from Calabasas, Calif., had seven goals and 18 assists for the Pelicans last winter. He’s played fall hockey for the Yale Jr. Bulldogs 18-U.
22. Tristan Fasig
Taft, 11/9/01, C, left shot, 6-0/185
Fasig had seven goals and 10 assists for the Rhinos last winter. He has good size and could blossom into a power forward on a middle six line at the right Division III or Atlantic Hockey school after a year or two of junior hockey.
23. Tyler Crist
Milton, 8/29/01, RW, right shot, 5-11/175
Crist should be watched closely by Division III schools. He had a strong fall season for the Boston Bulldogs 18-U after scoring a point per game as a junior last winter.
24. Zach Whitehead
Kimball Union, 6/16/01, LW, left shot, 5-11/180
Whitehead had nine goals and 22 assists last winter, almost tripling his production from the previous year. He played fall hockey for the GBL Bruins 18-U.
25. Drew Malatesta
Phillips Andover, 6/14/01, C, left shot, 5-11/180
Malatesta was the top forward with Arlington High School last winter before opting to head to Phillips Andover. He’s played fall hockey for the Boston Bulldogs and Top Gun/NEFPHL.
26. Reese Ramirez
Phillips Exeter, 6/10/01, RW, right shot, 5-10/160
Ramirez, who played youth hockey for Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, will get more ice time this winter than he did in his first two seasons with the Big Red. He’s quick and hunts pucks.
27. Luke Khozozian
Belmont Hill, 4/26/01, RW, right shot, 5-11/180
Khozozian is the most skilled forward on Belmont Hill and will be a key part of the team’s top line with center and Colgate commit Ryan McGuire. Khozozian stood out a few times this fall with East Coast Wizards 18-U.
28. Stephen Willey
Trinity-Pawling, 3/26/01, RW, right shot, 6-1/195
Willey, who played fall hockey for Mid Fairfield 18-U, has always been close to turning the corner in his development. He has good size and can be an effective north-south winger. He should be on the top line this winter for Bobby Ferraris’ team.Â
29. Connor Joyce
St. Sebastian’s, 6/7/01, RW, right shot, 6-0/165
NCAA commit: Boston College
Joyce, from Dedham, Mass., went from 12 points as a sophomore to 30 points last season as a junior. He’s played fall hockey for the Boston Jr. Eagles 18-U.
30. Michael Fairfax
Salisbury, 3/4/01, LW, left shot, 6-2/195
Fairfax is a big bottom six forward who could be more of an impact player if he used his size and strength to his advantage.
31. Jeremy Abraham
Hotchkiss, 11/10/01, LW, left shot, 6-1/180
Abraham could take a step in his game this winter. The New Rochelle, N.Y., native is a big-bodied winger who can shoot the puck hard.
32. Reese Farrell
Northfield Mount Hermon, 2/21/01, RW, right shot, 6-0/200
Farrell is a hard-working winger who is tenacious on the forecheck. He’ll have to take on more of a scoring role this winter with some key departures. The Auburn, Maine, native and former star at North Yarmouth Academy had 25 points in 28 games last winter.
33. Robert Lapsley
Nobles, 1/31/01, RW, right shot, 6-3/195
Lapsley, a big power forward, has improved quite a bit in his time at Nobles. After scoring just seven points in his first two seasons, he had 19 last year. The Needham, Mass., native should take another step in 2019-20. He’s a player some NESCAC programs should be watching, if not for next year, after a year in the NCDC.
34. Max Bogdanovich
Cushing, 3/31/01, C, left shot, 6-3/236
NCAA commit: Maine
The Scarborough, Maine, native is a big, strong forward. He’s been an intimidating presence for a while, going back to when he was one of the more physically mature players at the ’01 World Selects Invite.
35. Michael McEachern
Rivers, 4/2/01, LW, left shot, 5-7/137
NCAA commit: Colby
McEachern has slipped a little under the radar playing in the NEFPHL. He’s on the smaller side, but he’s gotten bigger and a little more explosive. He moves the puck and can facilitate the offense.
36. Jake Cady
Tabor, 7/4/01, RW, right shot, 5-9/185
Cady is a hard-working winger who stood out for his work ethic each shift with the River Rats 18-U this fall.
37. Tim Heinke
Avon Old Farms, 10/2/01, LW, left shot, 6-1/185
Heinke is a big power forward who can play an effective north-south game. He wins a lot of battles along the wall. After putting up five points in 2017-18, he increased that to 14 last season.
Defensemen
1. Eamon Doheny
Deerfield, 1/6/01, D, left shot, 6-1/190
Doheny was one of the biggest surprises of the fall with the Boston Jr. Eagles 18-U. He’s a physical, two-way defenseman who makes some good looks with the puck on his stick while also playing hard. He’s improved quite a bit and should get a Division I college commit soon.
2. John Fusco
Dexter, 6/13/01, D, right shot, 5-11/185
NCAA commit: Harvard
Fusco has improved quite a bit and should see even more ice time this season after the team lost Ben Meehan and Bobby Pearl to graduation. The Westwood, Mass., native had five goals and 11 assists in 2018-19. He’s played fall hockey for East Coast Wizards 18-U.
3. Kennedy O’Connor
Loomis Chaffee, 5/10/01, D, left shot, 6-1/185
NCAA commit: UMass
O’Connor missed a lot of the fall with an injury, but if he’s healthy, the Springfield, Mass., native will have a great senior season for Loomis. He’s steady and reliable while also being able to chip in offensively.
4. Mikey Adamson
Dexter, 8/16/01, D, left shot, 5-10/160
NCAA commit: UMass
Adamson is a smaller, puck-moving defenseman. He’s offensive minded and can jump start the rush with his feet or passing it out of his own zone. He’s done a good job of limiting turnovers and has improved after first jumping on the scene at BC High. Adamson also can play physically for an undersized defender.
5. Teddy Griffin
Kimball Union, 2/25/01, D, left shot, 5-11/180
The Duxbury, Mass., native had a great first year of prep hockey last winter. In 37 games, Griffin had three goals and 14 assists. After a solid fall with GBL Bruins 18-U, he should be on the radar of some Atlantic Hockey schools if he’s willing to play junior, and all Division III programs.
6. Ryan Pineault
Westminster, 2/10/01, D, right shot, 5-9/160
NCAA commit: Holy Cross
Pineault was a highly touted bantam player, but fell off the radar some over the last year or two. However, he persevered and had a terrific fall for the Yale Jr. Bulldogs 18-U. It helped him earn a college commit from Holy Cross.
7. Jake Higgins
Deerfield, 6/9/01, D, right shot, 6-1/185
NCAA commit: Holy Cross
Higgins is a PG at Deerfield after being a four year standout for the Hingham Harbormen, a perennial power in MIAA. A mobile, offensive defenseman, he’s an athlete. Higgins, who played for Cape Cod Whalers 18-U this fall, is also a solid lacrosse player.
8. Matt Connor
Lawrence, 5/31/01, D, right shot, 6-2/220
Connor is a big, physical defenseman who had a solid fall with the Cape Cod Whalers 18-U. He's a sturdy player who can shoot it hard and has gotten better. He'll reportedly play the 2020-21 season with Surrey in the BCHL.
9. Patrick Lawn
Rivers, 3/26/01, D, right shot, 5-11/160
NCAA commit: Bentley
Lawn is a solid, reliable defenseman who will be in his fourth prep season this winter. The Waltham, Mass., native is committed to Bentley so won’t be going far for college. He played Top Gun/NEFPHL 18-U this fall.
10. Noah Jankowski
Phillips Exeter, 6/13/01, D, right shot, 6-4/185
Jankowski is in his second season with the Big Red and is making the move to defense, if the preseason is any indication. He has good size and brings it physically. He also likes to jump into the rush. Jankowski played at Central Catholic before going up to Exeter.
11. Colby Bailey
Nobles, 3/19/01, D, right shot, 5-11/177
Bailey, from Mendon, Mass., should be watched closely by NESCAC schools looking for a mobile, puck-moving defender. He’s in his third season with Nobles after playing previously at St. Mark’s. Bailey was with the Boston Jr. Eagles 18-U this fall.
12. Nick Traggio
Hotchkiss, 8/1/01, D, left shot, 6-1/175
NCAA commit: Brown
Traggio is a multi-sport athlete who also excels on the lacrosse field. He’s gotten better and, if he healthy, will be a key contributor on the Bearcats’ blue line.
13. Tim Kippenberger
Cushing, 4/27/01, D, right shot, 6-0/180
Kippenberger, from Wilmington, Mass., has a little bit of ability at both ends. He can play physically and bring a mean streak. He’s shown some offensive ability in the past with the Boston Jr. Bruins youth organization. He had a strong fall with Eastern Mass Senators 18-U and should get more ice time this winter.
14. Ryan Bell
Rivers, 11/22/01, D, right shot, 6-1/180
Bell, from Waltham, Mass., had four goals and 14 assists for the Red Wings last season. He spent the fall with Top Gun/NEFPHL 18-U.
15. Ryan Rahbany
Rivers, 8/15/01, D, right shot, 6-3/195
Rahbany is a three-year veteran of prep hockey. In 31 games last season, the Sudbury, Mass., native had a goal and seven assists.
16. Will Van Der Veen
Milton, 12/15/01, D, right shot, 6-5/210
Van Der Veen had four assists in 21 games played last winter. The Duxbury, Mass., native had a solid fall with the Boston Bulldogs 18-U. With good size, he could be on the radar of some NESCAC schools.
Goaltenders
1. Henry Wilder
Hotchkiss, 3/19/01, G, catches left, 6-0/165
NCAA commit: Boston College
Wilder had a terrific junior season and captivated scouts by his start that included a noteworthy upset win over Salisbury and three shutouts in his first four games. The Boston College commit has good size, fundamentals and will be the key to success for the Bearcats.
2. Kyle Chauvette
Loomis Chaffee, 10/5/01, G, catches left, 5-11/140
NCAA commit: Holy Cross
Chauvette played on the Yale Jr. Bulldogs 18-U team with Wilder this fall and had some really good performances. At times, he was better. Chauvette is on the smaller side, but he’s quick, tracks pucks well, and competes.
3. Connor Hasley
Northfield Mount Hermon, 2/27/01, G, catches left, 6-2/195
NCAA commit: Bentley
Hasley, a big goaltender, had good numbers last season and earned a commit to Bentley. He’ll have to be really good to keep NMH in games this winter. NAHL, BCHL and OJHL teams should be watching him this winter. Hasley played the fall season for the GBL Bruins 18-U.
4. Brandon Milberg
Lawrence Academy, 7/16/01, G, catches left, 6-0/165
Milberg split time in his first prep season with the Spartans, but now he’s the man between the pipes. He was terrific all fall with the River Rats 18-U and should be on the radar for USPHL NCDC, BCHL, CCHL and OJHL teams looking for a goaltender for next fall.
5. Veeti Kohvakka
Kimball Union, 6/11/01, G, catches left, 5-11/170
Kohvakka, from Muurame, Finland, got better as last season went along. He’s on the smaller side for a modern era goaltender, but he should be more than adequate to keep the Wildcats in contention to win a fourth straight prep championship.
6. Nick Haas
Salisbury, 11/11/01, G, catches left, 6-1/145
Haas has good size and will likely be the starter for Salisbury, looking to be a top team in prep hockey once again. He played for Rochester Selects 18-U during the fall season.
7. Charlie Archer
Phillips Andover, 8/30/01, G, catches left, 6-0/175
Archer made a big leap in his game from 2017-18 to 2018-19. If he can continue that upward trajectory, he should have the Big Blue in a lot of games this winter.
8. Robbie Farrell
New Hampton, 3/20/01, G, catches left, 6-0/190
Farrell comes to the Huskies after backstopping Austin Prep at the MIAA level the past few years. He’s not overly big, but he’s a solid goaltender who should be watched closely by USPHL and EHL scouts as well as Division III coaches.
