Trinity-Pawling is all that stands in the way of Salisbury entering the final month of the prep school hockey regular season with an undefeated record. The Crimson Knights continue to roll along with the most talented and deepest team prep hockey has seen in more than a few years.
Northfield Mount Hermon is the big winner this week, jumping up into the top five after entering the rankings at No. 9 last week. The Hoggers have a huge opportunity to further solidify their ranking with a trip to KUA on Wednesday.
Tip of the Hat: Credit this week goes to Winchendon's trio of Matthew Fawcett, Ryan Black and Cameron Gendron, who rank first, second, and fourth in prep school hockey's scoring race. Fawcett, a Quinnipiac recruit, is the only committed prospect of the three. The offensive catalysts for the Wapitis have Jarrett Sampson's team on the verge of the top 10 with a potential bid in the Elite 8 Tournament.
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NEHJ Prep Hockey Top 10 Rankings – January 31, 2018
1. Salisbury (16-0-1)
The Crimson Knights will get everyone's best challenge as opponents look to knock them off from the perch of the undefeated. Last week Salisbury was forced to overtime twice, but Chris Brown kept the winning ways going in both games.
Last Week: W 4-3 (OT) Gunnery, W 5-2 Berkshire, W 3-2 (OT) Brunswick
This Week: vs. Trinity-Pawling (1/31), at Kent (2/1)
2. Kimball Union (17-4-1)
Jordan Harris wowed the numerous NHL scouts that made the trek to New Hampshire to watch KUA slip past Exeter in a top 10 matchup last Wednesday. The Northeastern commit was absolutely terrific all game. He had the puck on his stick at what seemed like all times. It culminated in him scoring the game-winning goal with under five minutes to play. A huge home game against upstart NMH looms this week.
Last Week: W 4-3 Exeter, W 6-1 Tilton
This Week: vs. Northfield Mount Hermon (1/31), at Holderness (2/2), at New Hampton (2/3)
3. Rivers (18-1-2)
Princeton commit Aidan Porter collected his sixth and seventh shutouts of the season over the past week. The senior is the main reason the Red Wings pose a threat to Salisbury or Kimball Union come March. Rivers is a well-coached, balanced team that plays a team-first game and executes systems.
Last Week: W 6-3 Roxbury Latin, W 4-0 Nobles, W 2-0 Middlesex
This Week: vs. Groton (1/31), vs. Belmont Hill (2/3)
4. Milton (11-2-1)
The Mustangs will return from a week off to face St. Sebastian's in what should be a tough matchup. Paul Cannata's team has the right blend of experience and talent to hang with any team in prep hockey. '02 Matt Beniers, still uncommitted, remains one of the most highly coveted prospects in the U.S.
Last Week: Off
This Week: vs. St. Sebastian's (1/31), vs. Roxbury Latin (2/3)
5. Northfield Mount Hermon (16-2-3)
Senior goaltender Eric Green continues to be the talk of prep school hockey. The big 6-foot-5 backstop made a ton of huge saves in the team's shutout win over Cushing. Kevin Czepiel has done a great job bringing the Hoggers back into the realm of succes in two short years.
Last Week: W 1-0 Cushing, W 2-1 Tilton
This Week: at Kimball Union (1/31), vs. Vermont Academy (2/3)
6. Dexter (13-4-2)
Dan Donato's team was extremely shorthanded on the blue line last week, but it survived thanks to senior Jack Rathbone logging a ton of minutes. The Vancouver Canucks pick and Harvard commit had seven points. Fellow Crimson commit, center John Farinacci, has 10 goals in his last five games. Future home dates against New Hampton and Winchendon are really the only serious threats left for a Dexter team that is getting hot at the right time.
Last Week: W 7-2 St. George's, W 5-4 St. Mark's, W 7-2 Brooks
This Week: vs. Pomfret (1/31), at Andover (2/3)
7. Cushing (15-6-1)
The Penguins peppered NMH in a hard-fought 1-0 loss before bouncing back with a big win over Exeter. Steve Jacobs' team goes on the road this week to face two Lake Conference schools. Recent Union commit Joe Sharib is one of the more underrated goaltenders in the region.
Last Week: L 0-1 Northfield Mount Hermon, W 5-2 Exeter
This Week: at Tilton (1/31), at Vermont Academy (2/2)
8. Exeter (17-3-1)
The Big Red took two on the chin last week, losing to KUA and Cushing. Dana Barbin's team has an older team, which will be a benefit on most nights, but its not quite up to the same level as the top teams in prep hockey. The slate gets a lot easier this week for a team looking to get back on track.
Last Week: L 3-4 Kimball Union, L 2-5 Cushing, W 7-3 BB&N
This Week: vs. Holderness (1/31), vs. Berwick (2/2), at Tilton (2/3)
9. Gunnery (14-6-2)
There is no shame in an overtime loss on the road against Salisbury. Craig Badger's team is a heavy team that could pose a significant threat for certain teams come the post-season. Goaltender J.P. Mella has been very good in close games.
Last Week: L 3-4 (OT) Salisbury, W 7-0 Vermont Academy, W 2-1 Hill School
This Week: vs. Millbrook (1/31)
10. Westminster (11-5-0)
A lot of people seem to be writing off the Martlets, but that is a bad idea. Tim Joncas' team has faced a much tougher schedule than many others around the same spot in prep hockey. '99 senior Cam Scott, a Nova Scotian, has been an offensive sparkplug lately. He's potted three goals and added four assists over the past five games. A win at AOF Wednesday could go a long way in maintaining momentum as Westy pushes for an Elite 8 bid.
Last Week: W 5-3 Deerfield, W 4-2 Kent, W 4-1 Williston
This Week: at Avon Old Farms (1/31)
