December is over. So it's now the perfect time to take stock of the top individual performances from the past month in New England boys prep hockey.
The first month is always interesting. There's a lot of hype at the beginning as teams kick off their seasons, and then most teams have holiday tournaments. There's always some extra juice for that, too.
In terms of rankings, there's been more parity than in past years. That's reflected in Top Performers, as it felt like more teams had players in here than in previous seasons.
Before the dog days kick in with January, let's dive into the top performers from December.
Holt
Top skater:Â Mason McGovern, Austin Prep
What a start to a prep career for McGovern. The '11, who is an eighth grader, had eight goals and 14 points in the first month. He got off to a crazy start with two goals and an assist against North Yarmouth Academy on Nov. 25 before potting a hat trick against Kents Hill on Dec. 3.
Honorable mentions: Jack Goodrich, Berwick (6-5—11); Ryan Mogielnicki, Austin Prep (8-3—11); AJ Oliveri, Worcester Academy (7-3—10); Danny Patch, Pingree (3-7—10); Thomas Egan, Austin Prep (5-5—10)
Top goalie:Â Warren DuBois, Austin Prep
Austin Prep is off to a fantastic start in large part due to DuBois. The '08 carries a 1.82 goals-against average and a .944 save percentage. One of his best games came against Pingree on Dec. 17 when he made 45 saves in a 1-1 tie.
Honorable mentions: Max Levine-Stein, Pingree (1.70 GAA, .950 save percentage); Von Larson, Pingree (1.87 GAA, .924 save percentage); Brody Levering (1.68 GAA, .959 save percentage); Ethan Addazio, Berwick (2.92 GAA, .918 save percentage); Andreas Sawoniak, Hebron (3.51 GAA, .921 save percentage);Â Easton Theberge, Portsmouth Abbey (3.70 GAA, .907 save percentage)
Housatonic
Top skater:Â Will Schlechtweg, Kent
Schlechtweg was already showing signs of a huge prep season during the fall with the Yale Junior Bulldogs. But he reached even higher throughout December, tallying an incredible eight goals and 21 points in 10 games. He's known for his shot, and that's been on display, but he's been a quality playmaker as well. His strong play helped him earn a commitment to Maine, and he signed with the USHL's Muskegon Lumberjacks for the rest of the season.
Honorable mentions: Jack Broderick, Kent (7-11—18); Luke Walkauskas, Salisbury (7-9—16); Logan Ferrara, Loomis Chaffee (6-9—15); Andrew Migliore, Trinity-Pawling (6-9—15); Ethan Gingeleskie, Avon Old Farms (8-5—13); Nico Ciardiello, Avon Old Farms (5-7—12); Lucas Husted-Edwards, Kent (6-6—12); Elliott Bibeau-Rivard, Salisbury (6-5—11); Luca Desjardins, Salisbury (5-6—11); Liam Donnelly, Avon Old Farms (4-6—10); Cal Gustafson, Kent (0-10—10); Landon Klein, Salisbury (3-7—10); Greg Najda, Choate (3-5—8); Easton Kinsler, Choate (5-3—8)
Top goalie:Â Anthony Palmer, Avon Old Farms
Palmer was already having a fantastic prep career entering his senior season, but he's found another level. The '07 boasts a 1.53 GAA and a .945 save percentage. His steadiness and consistency are big reasons why Avon Old Farms is the No. 3 team in the region.
Honorable mentions: Neilan Johnson, Hotchkiss (1.30 GAA, .961 save percentage); Jordan Rittenberg, Salisbury (1.56 GAA, .943 save percentage); Elliot Lennon, Deerfield (2.68 GAA, .918 save percentage); Markus Weber, Loomis Chaffee (2.93 GAA, .916 save percentage); Cooper Ranawat, Kent (2.96 GAA, .921 save percentage); Donovan Dunlay, Kent (2.87 GAA, .919 save percentage)
PREP RANKINGS: Top 10 goes into chaos after holiday tournaments |  Who are the best teams outside of the boys prep top 10?Â
ISL Eberhart
Top skater:Â Caiden Pellegrino, St. Mark's
A whopping 11 St. Mark's skaters are honorable mentions, which has to be some kind of record. But Pellegrino has been a different breed. The Providence College commit has 11 goals and 29 points in nine games — good for 3.22 points per game. The St. Mark's schedule beefs up in January, but Pellegrino is on pace for an incredible 90 points. He's playing like someone who should've at least been invited to the U.S. National Team Development Program Evaluation Camp last spring.
Honorable mentions: Evan Nee, St. Mark's (14-9—23); Will Manchuso, St. Mark's (10-12—22); Keith Olympia, St. Mark's (4-14—18); Cam MacPherson, St. Mark's (5-13—18); Carter Felt, Rivers (7-7—14); Grady Bishop, St. Mark's (6-8—14); Owen Cronan, Groton (5-8—13); Teddy Drury, St. Mark's (5-8—13); Charlie Braind, Middlesex (6-7—13); Jonathan Rivard, Rivers (4-8—12); Max Donatelli, St. George's (5-7—12); Nate Moons, Groton (4-8—12); Bruce Zhong, St. Mark's (6-6—12); Stephen Rousell, Rivers (6-6—12); Ben Romer, BB&N (3-8—11); Anthony Brunetti, St. Mark's (5-6—11); Aiden Ferreira, St. George's (5-5—10); Nick Dias, Brooks (6-4—10); Phin Howard, St. Mark's (0-9—9); Leo Packard, Middlesex (5-4—9); Blake Grislis, St. Mark's (1-8—9); Max Santos, St. Mark's (3-6—9); Luke Sardone, Middlesex (2-6—8); Jack D'Alelio, BB&N (1-6—7); Hunter Barone, BB&N (2-5—7); Cameron Roof, BB&N (2-5—7); John Williams, BB&N (4-3—7)
Top goalie:Â Derrick Huang, Rivers
Huang has been fantastic for the Red Wings. The senior sports a 1.64 GAA and a .960 save percentage. He's had some impressive showings, like his 41 saves to beat Exeter (3-1), his 44 stops to beat Groton (6-2) and his 39 saves to beat Northwood (4-1) at the Kevin Mutch Tournament. It makes it all the more impressive that he's doing this with Will Torres, a high-end '10, pushing for time in net, too.
Honorable mentions:Â Matt Cloutier, Middlesex (1.32 GAA, .956 save percentage); Aaron Alves-Thomas, St. Mark's (1.80 GAA, .939 save percentage); Wes DiModica, Groton (2.26 GAA, .925 save percentage); Julian Herrara, St. Mark's (1.00 GAA, .945 save percentage); Will Torres, Rivers (2.45 GAA, .930 save percentage); Alex Wang, St. George's (3.82 GAA, .916 save percentage); Lachlan Fletcher, Brooks (3.01 GAA, .902 save percentage); Lucas Dolan, Roxbury Latin (2.93 GAA, .891 save percentage)
ISL Keller
Top skater:Â Billy MacAusland, Nobles
Ole reliable. The Brown commit has proven to be a leader on a young, inexperienced Nobles team. MacAusland has four goals and 14 points in eight games. It's no surprise that in Nobles' three wins, MacAusland has three goals and four assists.
Honorable mentions: Billy MacAusland, Nobles (4-10—14); Cade Noonan, St. Sebastian's (5-7—12); Sam Lee, Belmont Hill (4-7—11); Jack Queally, St. Sebastian's (7-4—11); Patrick Woods, Belmont Hill (6-5—11); Matthew Carolan, Belmont Hill (5-5—10); Michael Federico, Thayer (6-3—9); Brendan Matthews, St. Sebastian's (2-7—9); Ryan MacCurtain, Nobles (6-3—9); Evan Jones, Belmont Hill (5-4—9); Colvin Callahan, Tabor (3-5—8); Gavin Wainwright, St. Sebastian's (1-7—8); Ethan Travis, Tabor (5-3—8); Tommy Wilkinson, Thayer (5-3—8); Jack Funk, Thayer (6-1—7); Nick Sumner, Thayer (1-6—7); Robbie Daley, Governor's Academy (4-2—6); Ty Hymovitz, Thayer (0-6—6); Jamie Calla, Governor's Academy (1-5—6)
Top goalie:Â Vinnie D'Urso, Tabor
This was neck-and-neck between D'Urso and Saulnier, but the edge goes to D'Urso. The Tabor netminder has built off his great season last winter and has been even better, sporting a 1.57 GAA and a .946 save percentage. He's the main reason why Tabor ranked No. 11 in my Next 15 rankings earlier this week.
Honorable mentions: Tommy Saulnier, St. Sebastian's (1.64 GAA, .947 save percentage); Tyler Moschella, Thayer (1.97 GAA, .948 save percentage); Timmy Heaslip, Governor's Academy (2.11 GAA, .920 save percentage); JJ Thibodeau, Belmont Hill (2.44 GAA, .919 save percentage); Aiden Emerick, Lawrence Academy (2.53 GAA, .918 save percentage); Justin Lee, Nobles (2.99 GAA, .915 save percentage); Eli Zucker, Milton (3.10 GAA, .907 save percentage)
BEST OF THE BEST:Â Top Performers from holiday tournaments
Lakes Region
Top skater:Â Josh Phillips, Kimball Union
Phillips has been the offensive leader Kimball Union needs him to be, especially with Xander Boutillier out due to injury. Phillips has four goals and 16 assists in 13 games, proving he can overpower defenders around the net, draw attention and set up scoring chances. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound forward remains uncommitted.
Honorable mentions: Conal Mulkerrin, Kimball Union (11-5—16); Luke Long, Proctor (9-6—15); Jackson Kimelman, Kimball Union (6-8—14); Garrett Aceto, Proctor (5-8—13); Nasean Faria, Kimball Union (5-7—12); Viktor Samal, Holderness (6-6—12); Max Gagnon, Tilton (4-8—12); Johnny Niemela, New Hampton (4-7—11); Matthew Homer, New Hampton (6-5—11); Sawyer Graubins, Holderness (2-8—10); Axel Black, Proctor (4-5—9); Michael Delaney, Holderness (4-5—9); Dylan Podergois, New Hampton (3-5—8)
Top goalie:Â Hunter Marshall, Tilton
Marshall is near the top of the region in shots faced (297). Even with that, Marshall has a 2.45 GAA and a .936 save percentage. Although Tilton is 4-5-1, the losses have all been low-scoring and close, which is a testament to Marshall in net.
Honorable mentions: Mark Bierwirth, Holderness (1.50 GAA, .935 save percentage); Cam Ingram, Kimball Union (1.76 GAA, .931 save percentage); Sam Zygulski, New Hampton (2.25 GAA, .917 save percentage); Blake Truchon, St. Paul's (2.08 GAA, .930 save percentage); Matteo Vessella, St. Paul's (2.05 GAA, .905 save percentage); Jake Hedman, Vermont Academy (3.44 GAA, .925 save percentage); Ethan Tucker, Proctor (3.72 GAA, .916 save percentage); JR Bonia, Brewster (3.54 GAA, .939 save percentage)
Independents
Top skater:Â James McMurray, Berkshire
McMurray had a nice junior year last season with 32 points in 33 games. Through just 11 games this year, he's close to surpassing that total with 10 goals and 23 points. He's been a consistent producer for a Berkshire team that should contend for the Elite 8.
Honorable mentions: Matt Lacombe, Berkshire (7-15—22); Myles Brosnan, Dexter (2-13—15); Sam Gero, Millbrook (4-11—15); Jonah Rainisch, Berkshire (10-5—15); Rich Cavanagh, Pomfret (5-9—14); Seamus McMakin, Canterbury (4-10—14); Noah Poinsett-Yoshida, Exeter (4-10—14); CJ List, Millbrook (7-7—14); Nick D'Olympio, Dexter (3-10—13); Nate Kreppner, Andover (5-7—12); Jack McEleney, Canterbury (4-7—11); Jack Fitzpatrick, Dexter (8-3—11); Axel Favreau, Cushing (1-10—11); Joseph Covelluzzi, Cushing (5-6—11); Giacomo Caliri, Pomfret (4-6—10); Owen McHale, Dexter (8-2—10); Gaines Clonts, Canterbury (2-8—10); Nathan Dono, Pomfret (4-6—10); Hampus Vandenberg, Brunswick (2-7—9); Tommy Browne, Canterbury (2-7—9); JP Messuri, Dexter (2-7—9); Blake Cash, Cushing (6-3—9); Jack Lee, Canterbury (6-3—9); Dylan Hall, Frederick Gunn (3-3—6)
COLLEGE HOCKEY RECRUITING: 30 forwards to watch for Jan. 1 | 18 defenders to watch for Jan. 1
Top goalie:Â Kamden Jackson, Williston Northampton
Dominant — that's been the word to describe Jackson so far. The sophomore '09 boasts an absurd 1.33 GAA and a .964 save percentage, which is the highest among starting goalies in prep. He's done this in playing all eight of Williston's games so far. He's made north of 40 saves in three of those outings.
Honorable mentions: Alex Kim, Berkshire (1.59 GAA, .925 save percentage); Edouard Lord, Andover (2.77 GAA, .930 save percentage); Zai Ferraro, Brunswick (1.67 GAA, .927 save percentage); Andrew Mowad, Millbrook (2.17 GAA, .927 save percentage); Drew Karlovits, Dexter (1.81 GAA, .924 save percentage); Brady Knode, Winchendon (2.55 GAA, .916 save percentage); Cody Hew, Canterbury (2.71 GAA, .912 save percentage); Evan Akerman, Brunswick (1.36 GAA, .925 save percentage); Alex Schnarr, Frederick Gunn (2.55 GAA, .918 save percentage); Mason Raycroft, Cushing (2.61 GAA, .916 save percentage); Harper Hubbard, Cushing (1.68 GAA, .917 save percentage); Kyle Ready, Dexter (2.44 GAA, .904 save percentage); Dean Repaci, Millbrook (2.93 GAA, .893 save percentage); Joey Mitchell, Pomfret (3.01 GAA, .912 save percentage)
