The 2022 NHL draft class in New England runs deep, but there isn’t a Matty Beniers (Hingham, Mass.), Matt Boldy (Millis, Mass.), Spencer Knight (Darien, Conn.) or Oliver Wahlstrom (Yarmouth, Maine) projected to go in the top half of the first round.
The top New England prospect for the 2022 NHL draft is Northeastern freshman Jack Hughes, the son of Kent Hughes, recently named general manager of the Montreal Canadiens. Hughes, from Westwood, Mass., often is referred to as the “other Jack Hughes,” in reference to the 2001 birth-year forward selected first overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2019. The Huskies’ Hughes is a skilled, smart center who can make plays and finish.
In these rankings, you’ll see that I prioritize players who have moved on to the USHL. While prep school hockey is a terrific route for the vast majority of players, I value prospects with a desire to challenge themselves at the highest level. There are still some very talented players in the prep school circuit, and a handful of them will hear their names called this July. Obviously, more than a few of the players in these rankings won’t be drafted. However, each player to make this list, even at the bottom, has at least one skill set worth monitoring.
More rankings from this series:
Nos. 1-5 | Nos. 6-10 | Nos. 11-15 | Nos. 16-20
20. Brendan Holahan (New Canaan, Conn.)
Brunswick/Mid Fairfield U-18, 6/15/04, G, catches left, 6-3/180
Holahan is the best goaltending prospect from the New England region. His size is intriguing. He has his weaknesses, but he looks the part and shows potential in a number of outings. The other top local goaltending prospect in this draft class is Colin Winn of the Junior Bruins, but his average size keeps him off this list for now.
19. Brendan Gorman (Arlington, Mass.)
St. Sebastian’s/Junior Eagles U-18, 2/17/03, C, right shot, 6-0/175
NCAA commit: Princeton
Gorman has been the best player for St. Sebastian’s this winter. His skating, playmaking and finishing ability have stood out. He’d be ranked higher if he had shown a willingness to play junior hockey before going to college. Don’t be surprised if a team takes a flier on him, given his strong play in front of a number of NHL scouts watching Callow.
18. Connor Welsh (Greenwich, Conn.)
Sioux City, 1/2/04, C, right shot, 5-11/166
NCAA commit: Boston College
Welsh is a player who probably will take a step in his second season in the USHL. The former Brunswick and Mid Fairfield star has the skating ability and potential to be a middle-six, 200-foot center. Getting drafted this year is a long shot, but credit goes to him for not taking the easy route and going to the USHL and playing in the heavy Western Conference.
17. Jordin Palmer (Auburn, N.H.)
Avon Old Farms/River Rats U-18, 1/6/04, D, left shot, 6-0/173
Palmer had a strong fall season, and that has continued into prep games this winter. His stick and offensive production won’t blow anyone away, but his skating, specifically his edges, are elite. He projects as a shutdown defender who can play hard and bring it physically. One of the few uncommitted prospects in this top 20, he has interest from a handful of schools throughout the three college conferences that play in New England.
16. Kaz Sobieski (Deerfield, Mass.)
Shattuck-St. Mary’s, 4/12/04, D, right shot, 6-0/181
NCAA commit: UMass
Sobieski is a good player who does a lot of things well. He doesn’t have that one elite attribute that will catch a scout’s eye. However, his skating, stick, gaps and defensive play are all above average. He’ll make a good junior and college player. His play at national camp was enough to push a few top Hockey East programs to offer.
