As is often the case early in the season, there were plenty of results from last week that left longtime viewers of prep hockey scratching their head.
10 of the 15 teams New England Hockey Journal’s Preseason Top 15 Rankings suffered at least one loss, including the top two teams in prep hockey. Many of these early season losses can be chalked up to teams still coming together. There is always a lot of turnover in prep hockey with players leaving for junior hockey or graduation.
Tip of the Hat: Each week this season in this space, we’ll honor a deserving team from the week before. This week, an old tip of the hat goes to Vermont Academy, a team that might not always earn the recognition throughout the region. The Wildcats went 3-0, including a shocking upset of defending champion and Lakes Region rival Kimball Union. VA has come a long way since Chris Davidson took over, and last week’s results warrant some kudos.
A few teams were bounced from the rankings, but there’s still plenty of hockey to be played. Questions? Comments? Complaints? Email jcox@hockeyjournal.com.
NEHJ Prep Hockey Top 10 Rankings – Dec. 5, 2017
1. Kimball Union (3-1)
Despite a shocking upset loss, the Wildcats move up to the top position. KUA has a deep, talented roster that will continue to mold together. The biggest takeaway from the first week was the steps returnees Logan Cash and Kyle Penney took from last year’s team.
Last Week: L 2-3 Vermont Academy, W 6-0 Brunswick
This Week: vs. Proctor (12/6), vs. Brewster (12/8), at Tilton (12/9)
2. Thayer (2-1)
The Tigers ran into a hot goaltender and a feisty team playing with a chip on its shoulder against Rivers. However, Tony Amonte’s group showed it can ride the explosive top line to success in its other two games last week.
Last Week: W 5-0 St. George's, L 2-5 Rivers, W 7-2 Governor's
This Week: vs. Andover (12/6), vs. Proctor (12/9)
3. Dexter Southfield (1-0)
Dan Donato’s team rallied from a 2-0 deficit to beat Cushing in its only game last week. If Dexter plays to its capabilities, there are few teams in the region that can keep up with its talent. Harvard recruit John Farinacci had three assists in his first NEPSIHA regular season game.
Last Week: W 6-3 Cushing
This Week: vs. Exeter (12/6), at Noble & Greenough (12/8)
4. Salisbury (3-0)
The Crimson Knights were one of the few top teams to run through the first week unscathed. The reason to be optimistic extends beyond that though. Unlike last season, many of Salisbury’s top players are older for prep. Quinnipiac commit Peter Diliberatore led the way with a stellar week on the blue line. Forward Brett Willits was terrific as well, and is starting to garner interest from Hockey East and ECAC Hockey schools.
Last Week: W 4-0 Taft, W 4-2 Williston-Northampton, W 7-4 Millbrook
This Week: vs. Hotchkiss (12/6), vs. Kent (12/9)
5. Lawrence Academy (1-0)
Two Spartan newcomers, forwards Tyler Young and Gunnar Fontaine, led the way in the team’s easy victory over BB&N. Robbie Barker’s squad will be hard to beat, as long as it receives strong goaltending.
Last Week: W 5-1 BB&N
This Week: at Milton (12/6), vs. Belmont Hill (12/9)
6. Exeter (5-0)
Dana Barbin’s team lacks the high-end talent of some of the other teams in the top 10, but the Big Red are a veteran squad that will be tough to beat. Michael Pitts and Garrett Foster showed promise during the Exeter Showcase.
Last Week: W 2-1 Gunnery, W 6-0 Kent
This Week: at Dexter (12/6), at St. Sebastian's (12/9)
7. Rivers (2-0)
Playing without its top two defenders, Cade Webber (BU) and Antonio Andreozzi (Brown), Shawn McEachern’s team clamped down and stood tall in wins over St. Sebastian’s and Thayer. Princeton commit Aidan Porter was the star in net while Teddy Wooding led the way up front.
Last Week: W 3-0 St. Sebastian's, W 5-2 Thayer
This Week: vs. St. George's (12/6), at Groton (12/9)
8. Avon Old Farms (1-1)
After a 3-2 opening night loss to Williston Northampton, the Winged Beavers bounced back with a 5-3 triumph over Albany Academy in a rematch of last year’s Large School Final. AOF has too much talent to not win a lot of hockey games.
Last Week: L 2-3 Williston-Northampton, W 5-3 Albany Academy
This Week: vs. Taft (12/6), at Trinity-Pawling (12/9), vs. Deerfield (12/10)
9. Pomfret (3-0)
The Griffins make their debut in the rankings thanks to three wins, outscoring their opponents 15-6. Newcomer Kyle Tomaso led the offensive attack while junior goaltender Peyton Durand continued to keep the rubber away from the twine.
Last Week: W 3-1 Noble & Greenough, W 5-3 Andover, W 7-2 Berwick
Last Week: vs. Loomis Chaffee (12/6), at Worcester Academy (12/8), at Pingree (12/9)
10. Gunnery (2-1)
Outside of a close loss to Exeter, Craig Badger’s team was strong in its opening week. Albert Washco led the way offensively, but Gunnery looks to be a team that can roll three lines.
Last Week: W 3-2 Hotchkiss, L 1-2 Exeter, W 6-2 New Hampton
This Week: at Berkshire (12/6), vs. Williston-Northampton (12/9)
On the Cusp: Loomis Chaffee, Trinity-Pawling, Milton
