The group of incoming defensemen for the 2017-18 prep school hockey season is stronger than the past few years. Five newcomers on the blue line are already committed to play Division I hockey, and a slew of others have varying degrees of interest and offers on the table.
Another interesting aspect of this year’s group of defensive recruits is the family pedigree many of them possess.
The following is a ranking of the top 15 defensive newcomers to prep school hockey:
1. Malik Alishlalov
Westminster, 1/7/01, Sophomore, Shoots Left, 6-1/190
College Commit: UConn
The Russian is a little inconsistent, but can be dynamic at times. His hockey career has taken him all over the map, including stops in Colorado previously. With his mobility, he likes to push the pace and keep pucks moving north. He needs to reel it in at times, but he’ll be fun to watch in prep hockey.
2. Christian Felton
Kimball Union, 2/4/00, Junior, Shoots Right, 5-11/165
Felton is a converted forward, but skates well and plays a physical game out there. The Skipjacks and Cleveland Barons product played well enough this summer to make Madison (USHL), but decided on the prep route. His athleticism has always stood out, but he needs to learn the game. He’ll have that chance this season, playing for his uncle, former Maine and UMass Lowell coach, Tim Whitehead, at KUA.
3. Gabriel Blanchard
Trinity-Pawling, 9/15/00, Junior, Shoots Left, 5-10/175
The East Aurora, N.Y., native created a good amount of buzz following his performance at USA Hockey Select 17 Player Development Camp. He’s an athlete who competes out there. He’s a decent enough skater and he can retrieve pucks.
4. Cade Alami
Berkshire, 3/13/01, Junior, Shoots Right, 6-6/170
College Commit: Providence
A big, towering blue liner, Alami comes to Berkshire from the Connecticut Junior Rangers. The Bedford, N.Y., native obviously is a good defender with closing ability and reach. He should get a decent amount of minutes for Dan Driscoll’s club.
5. Luke Krys
Salisbury, 9/27/00, Junior, Shoots Right, 6-1/173
Krys is the younger brother of BU sophomore defenseman and Blackhawks prospect Chad Krys and son of former BU standout Mark Krys. The Ridgefield, Conn., native doesn’t have the offensive instincts or skill set that his older brother has, but he grinds and competes going back for pucks. He does a good job retrieving pucks and moving them up ice. He has length and a decent stick.
6. Ian Pierce
Kent, 1/24/01, Junior, Shoots Left, 5-10/175
Hailing from Edgewater, N.J., Pierce comes to the Lions after playing with the North Jersey Avalanche program. Pierce is already receiving quite a bit of interest from a few ECAC Hockey schools. He’s on the smaller side, but he comes from an athletic family. He skates well, has poise and makes smart decisions with the puck. He could be a nice puck-moving threat for Kent.
7. Owen Nolan
Milbrook, 3/10/00, Junior, Shoots Left, 6-1/165
He’s not related to former NHL great Owen Nolan. The younger Nolan has really progressed over the past year after playing for the Westchester Express. The Mahopac, N.Y., native has size and can skate.
8. Christian Jimenez
Taft, 3/15/02, Sophomore, Shoots Left, 5-10/185
College Commit: Harvard
The Yorktown Heights, N.Y., native loves to jump into the offense. He’s a rugged, physically mature defender for his age. He’ll rush the puck up ice, try homerun passes, and activate deep into the attacking zone. He’s strong and skates well enough to get back to defend in his own zone. He’s part of a nice first recruiting class for new Taft coach Ryan Shannon.
9. Devan Newhook
Kimball Union, 2/5/00, Junior, Shoots Right, 5-8/146
The St. John’s, Newfoundland, native is a small defender who can wheel and deal with the puck on his stick. He’s an offensive-minded defender who should be able to step right in and contribute for the Wildcats. He’s property of the Saint John Sea Dogs, via the 2016 QMJHL Entry Draft.
10. Moe Acee
Avon Old Farms, 5/3/01, Junior, Shoots Left, 6-0/185
College Commit: St. Lawrence
The CP Dynamo product from Ballston Spa, N.Y. comes to Avon Old Farms as a possible steadying presence on the blue line. He doesn’t have a lot of flash to his game, but he has good size, positions himself well defensively and can play with a mean streak.
11. David Paluch
Loomis Chaffee, 6/22/01, Sophomore, Shoots Left, 5-10/155
College Commit: Vermont
Paluch was a 12th round selection of the Saginaw Spirit in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection. The Toronto, Ont., native is a smooth skater and has above average stick skills, poise and hockey sense. He could be a nice piece, especially on the second power play unit in back of fellow Catamount recruit Andrew Lucas.
12. Cody Sealey
Cushing, 11/2/02, Freshman, Shoots Right, 5-11/160
Sealey played fall hockey with the Cape Cod Whalers, standing out on the blue line for during the Peter Russo’s club. The Worcester, Mass., native is a poised, puck-moving defender who makes simple, yet effective breakout passes. He consistently makes good plays to lead pucks north.
13. Matt Connor
Lawrence Academy, 5/31/01, Sophomore, Shoots Right, 5-11/190
Connor comes to the Spartans from Cardigan Mountain School. The Amherst, N.H., native is a strong blue liner with athleticism. He has good agility to sidestep forecheckers and make a good outlet pass. His ceiling is higher than the level he’s playing at currently.
14. Javi Ubarri
Kent, 5/4/01, Sophomore, Shoots Right, 5-10/180
The Chicago, Ill., native played for Team Illinois last season before transferring to prep school. Ubarri skates well and can jump into the rush. His speed is an asset and he does a nice job of breaking pucks out.
15. Matt Fusco
Dexter, 3/7/03, Grade 8, Shoots Right, 5-8/150
The Westwood, Mass., native is the youngest son of former Harvard star and Hobey Baker Award winner Mark Fusco. His older brother, John, is a ’01 sophomore. The younger Fusco is small, but he’s an athletic and poised defender who should get a slow indoctrination to prep hockey with a veteran, star-studded lineup.
