Continuing our broader look around the rinks at prep hockey in 2021-22, we focus on six players who have caught our attention in recent live viewings spanning several conferences. They are not typically names you hear a lot but are playing well and appear poised for bigger things in the season’s second half.
Of the group, Kimball Union Academy winger Jackson Kyrkostas (Windham, N.H.) is probably one player who could be argued is not “under the radar” given the Granite State native’s offensive explosion in his first year with the Wildcats. However, given he’s surrounded by higher-profile committed forwards like Saugus, Mass., product Jaiden Moriello (UMass Lowell) and Tyler Wishart (Cornell), he’s still undervalued in our view and primed to produce even more. He committed to RPI last week, which shows the kind of year he's having. The others on the list could be positioned for similar success.
In addition to Kyrkostas, we have put together a full forward and defense combo, plus a goaltender, to represent the underrated, uncommitted status of a lot of prep players who will be looking to get their teams into contention this month or keep them there.
Connor Sutherland (West Roxbury, Mass.)
Dexter Southfield, 1/19/04, LW, left shot, 6-0/170
It seems like every time we watch Dexter play, Sutherland scores. He plays with good pace, hunts pucks and brings energy to his line. He was right where he needed to be against Pomfret, picking up a hot rebound and burying it in the first period of their 3-3 tie Wednesday. While the junior is surrounded by a strong supporting cast and others with bigger numbers, he plays with effort and is an effective forward who gets through traffic on the way to the net. You win with guys like him.
Lefty Markonidis (Hudson, Mass.)
BB&N, 4/29/05, C, left shot, 5-9/145
The Knights are having a tough season, but a bright spot has been the play of the sophomore pivot, who is fast, skilled and always around the puck. He’s got a quick stick to win draws, locates pucks in skates and isn’t afraid to take his shot on net. He’s also a deft passer with a crafty, creative touch. He’s not all that strong yet and has room to address his three-zone effort and habits away from the puck, but he’s got some natural upside.
Jackson Kyrkostas (Windham, N.H.)
KUA, 8/19/04, RW, right shot, 5-9/165
NCAA commit: RPI
Quick, fast and shifty, this slick, skilled playmaking wing just finds the puck and makes things happen. Kyrkostas started one of our favorite scoring plays of the season during the consolation game of the Flood-Marr tournament, when he chipped the puck past a Salisbury defender at the offensive blue line, allowing Wishart to get there and feed it directly in the slot to Revy Mack for the winning score with less than 20 seconds left in regulation. What is commendable about it is that so many young forwards with skill often want to make the riskier play to try and stickhandle past a defender, so that particular play showed awareness and good smarts to make a high percentage decision that led to a critical goal. It’s just one example of his impact but speaks well to the kind of season he’s having for the 19-2-2 Wildcats.
Calvin Beard (Southborough, Mass.)
St. Mark’s, 10/4/05, D, right shot, 6-0/185
On the younger side for an ’05, the sophomore defender plays an efficient, steady game, but his confidence is growing and the offense starting to blossom. Beard is on a good team, with solid depth at the position, but what has caught our attention is the way he’s managed to keep improving and showing more poise and impact as the season goes along. He’s always been one with a sound defensive style, but these days, colleges and pro teams are looking for players who can activate and impact the game over the entire 200 feet of ice. Beard is a prospect who has answered the challenge and is growing on us, with a strong chance of continuing the positive trend.
@CalvinBeard19 first prep goal from @damonmyers22 and @jlyver508 pic.twitter.com/vnwGaARrzt
— Carl Corazzini (@CarlCorazzini) January 29, 2022
Zach Rizzo
Cushing, 8/7/04, D, right shot, 5-11/160
Noticeable in a weekend loss to Exeter, Rizzo has quietly elevated his play with the puck as we’ve watched Cushing’s season progress. Though not all that big, he’s a nifty skater who handles pucks with confidence and takes charge on the Penguins power play from the blue line, showing off the vision and nimble agility to distribute pucks around with the added time and space. His upside might not be as high as other defenders on his team like Ryan Philbrick (Concord, N.H.) for example, but he deserves recognition for his skills as a puck transporter and someone who is making the most of his role and ice time. He leads all Cushing blueliners in scoring.
Kellen Beauton (Colchester, Conn.)
Pomfret, 1/29/03, G, catches left, 6-0/175
The oldest player in this group is also backing up the recent buzz on him with strong play. We had a chance to watch him against a potent offense at Dexter Southfield in his most recent start, and he did not disappoint. Down 3-1 in the second frame, he shut the door, making myriad athletic and instinctive saves to keep the buzzing Dexter squad at bay for the rest of the contest. He flashed the glove to snatch pucks out of the air after locating the shots through traffic and made several point-blank stops on quick shots or deflections. His team rallied behind his play, coming back to even the score and playing Dexter to a draw. Up near the top of the prep goalies this season statistically, Beauton showed that the hype is real.
