Prep previews: Key players, storylines to watch for at St. Sebastian’s

Considering the nature of the season, St. Sebastian’s had it pretty good during last year's Covid-stricken campaign.

Practicing from late November through early March, the Arrows played 10 games — about one-third of their normal schedule — against fellow Independent School League foes.

Although it wasn’t a picture-perfect season, the Sean McCann-led group made the most of its opportunities during the winter and carried their efforts into summer and fall play, skating for local Midget clubs across New England.

Now, after more than a year of development, the team is hungry to put its work to the test as it sets out on the first full ISL season since 2019-20.

“Last year was actually really good," said McCann, a former Harvard All-American who's entering his 13th season as head coach of the Needham, Mass., prep school. 

"I wish we had a full season because I thought we had a very good team, but we played 10 games, so that was decent. We just tried to make the best of it. We did a lot of different things that we had never done before just to keep it fresh." 

An all-boys day school, St. Seb's returns much of its roster from 2020-21 and will be built around a heavy senior class. Two of those seniors, Brendan Gorman and Will Elias, will serve as the captains.

Gorman, a Princeton commit from Arlington, Mass., is primed to be one of the top prep schoolers in his birth year after tallying 26 points in 28 games two seasons ago.

Other senior forwards, Michael Callow (South Boston, Mass./Harvard) and Michael Cataldo (Norfolk, Mass.) will look to bolster Gorman's production up front.

Uncommitted forward Jayden Grier is another senior who will look to be a key driver for the Arrows’ offense.

According to McCann, the son of 14-year NHL veteran, Mike Grier, made big strides during last year's campaign. His play was notable in the split season as he (along with Callow and Cataldo on the Boston Junior Eagles) were tabbed as 18-U forwards who showed pro upside in fall league play.

“He’s really developed physically,” McCann said. “He’s become bigger, much stronger, and much more willing to go to the net. I think last year was really good for him, so I’m really excited to see what he does this year."

Elias, a 2003-born defenseman, is one of the top uncommitted prospects in New England.

The Weston, Mass., native is coming off a Massachusetts Hockey 18-U State Championship with the Junior Eagles, which earned them a bid to USA Hockey Youth Tier 1 Nationals in March. 

Junior blueliner and Boston College commit Nolan Joyce (Dedham, Mass.) will aid Elias' efforts in the 'D' zone.

Senior goalies Ryan Kazmouz (Livonia, Mich.) and Matthew Choi (Boston, Mass.) will share the load in net.

While the seniors will do the bulk of the heavy lifting at the start, the Arrows also boast a sizable sophomore class that is on the rise.

Most notably, Isaac Mitchell. The Harvard, Mass., native was one of two freshmen that made the team last year, McCann said, along with BC commit Will Smith (Lexington, Mass.), who now plays for the NTDP. 

Mitchell's rising play was notable throughout the fall season, which culminated in a recent state championship for the Junior Eagles 16-U. 

“Isaac is a kid that learned a lot last season,” McCann said. “He got better and better as the year went along and his compete level is really high. I think he’s going to take a big step this year.”

Other sophomores include ’05 defensemen Jack Harney (Needham, Mass.) and Aidan Connors (Westboro, Mass.)

With those sophomores bolstering the seniors, the Arrows looked poised for a successful season in the ISL’s Keller Division -- one they hope will carry them back to the NEPSAC tournaments for the seventh straight year.

In the ISL, however, it's never easy. 

“I don’t count anybody out," McCann said. "You just never know. We’re talking about two years now, with what the change-over is going to be, and that’s such a drastic change.

“Even our guys, where we were two seasons ago, we were a whole different team than we will be this year. I expect a really difficult ISL schedule and every team to be a challenge.”