With each new prep school season comes a dawn of a new era. Players come and go — whether it’s moving on to junior hockey or graduating and playing in college.
As the 2018-19 prep school hockey season approaches, it’s time to look at the next group of players who will impact the circuit. While most of this year’s newcomers will be ‘02s and ‘03s, there are some ‘04s that could break into their teams’ playing rotations this winter.
While it’s tough for ‘04s to have much of an effect on the 2018-19 season, due to competing against players that could be four or five years older, these 12 players are names to remember.
Last year, there were a few ‘03s who had positive seasons for their respective teams. Before moving on to Dexter for this season, defenseman Patrick Morrissey had a great year at Roxbury Latin. Jackson Cuotu played big minutes and put up solid offensive numbers at St. Mark’s. Forwards Paul Davey, a BC commit, Matt McGroarty, and Ryan St. Louis, a Northeastern commit, all played for NEPSAC Large School Champion Brunswick.
2004s
1. William Hughes
Phillips Andover, Fr., RW, Right Shot, 6-2/185
An Andover, Mass., native, Hughes has great size, especially considering his age. He’s a winger who can get up and down the sheet and get off a hard, heavy shot. He’ll have the physical maturity to step right in and contribute for a prep team that isn’t as deep as some others.
2. Jackson Dorrington
Cushing, Fr., D, Left Shot, 5-11/150
The North Andover, Mass., native played for the Middlesex Islanders last year, and will be joining the Penguins this winter. He’s a good-sized, swift-skating defenseman with skill. He likes to join the rush and jump into the offense. When he’s keeping things simple, he’s one of the more talented defensemen in the country in this age group. He was invited to the prestigious STX 68 Combine this past summer.
3. Michael Stenberg
Thayer, Fr., RW, Right Shot, 5-11/175
Stenberg is a big, power forward who has played for the South Shore Kings youth organization. He has the physical maturity to play prep hockey, but his skating is a part of his game that will have to continue evolving in order to be as much of a force at this level. He’s solid below the dots, wins puck battles, can finish, and facilitate offense at the Bantam level. He’ll likely land on the third line for Tony Amonte’s Tigers.
4. Andon Cerbone
Brunswick, Fr, LW, Left Shot, 5-6/130
Cerbone is small in stature, but he’ll be a nice addition for Brunswick. He’ll spend most of this season on the third or fourth line, but he’s quick and has some skill.
5. Ryan Buckley
St. George’s, Fr., D, Right Shot, 5-11/150
Buckley, who spent the fall season with the Boston Jr. Eagles 15 Only team, is a solid, two-way defenseman. Ryan’s father, Jerry Buckley, is a well-known NHLPA agent who played at Boston College from 1991-1995, and his uncle is former Eagle and pro player Brendan Buckley, now an assistant coach with BC.
6. Shane Taddia
BB&N, Fr., F, Right Shot, 5-9/140
Taddia plays with pace and keeps his feet moving. He hunts pucks and can chip in offensively. He spent the fall with the Neponset Valley River Rats 14-U.
7. C.J. Beals
BB&N, Fr., D, Right Shot, 5-0/105
Beals is a puck-moving, offensive defenseman who played the fall season for the Neponset Valley River Rats 14-U. He’s on the smaller side and might take some time to adjust to the prep level, but he should get a solid amount of ice time eventually.
8. JoJo Dable
Roxbury Latin, Fr., F, Right Shot, 5-7/140
Dable has good speed and buzzes all over the ice with energy. He had a strong showing at the ’04 Crimson Combine this past summer and played well during the fall for Neponset Valley River Rats 14-U.
9. Michael Murtagh
Albany Academy, Fr., F, Left Shot, 5-8/145
Murtagh played with the fall season with Neponset Valley River Rats 14-U and will get into some game action with Steve Needham’s Cadets.
10. Mike Fisher
St. Mark’s, Fr., D, Left Shot, 5-9/145
Another player who competed with Mike Busconi’s River Rats 14-U club this fall, Fisher could see some ice time for Carl Corazzini’s team. The Lions never shy away from playing their young players.
11. Kurt Gurkan
Phillips Exeter, Fr., LW, Left Shot, 5-6/140
The Darien, Conn., native played the split season with the Neponset Valley Rivets 14-U squad and was one of their better offensive players. He’ll be eased slowly into prep action by Big Red head coach Dana Barbin, who always has a deep and veteran-laden roster.
12. Matt Kursonis
St. George’s, Fr., LW, Left Shot, 5-8/145
