There are a lot of talented freshmen playing high school hockey in Massachusetts this winter.
While the season will be cut short and the state tournament has been scrubbed due to the coronavirus, several freshmen will be vying to take the spots of upperclassmen at the top of the lineup. As has become the norm over the past decade, many of the best players in high school hockey will be underclassmen.
Last year, the most talented player in high school hockey, Ryan Leonard, was a freshman. Other top freshmen included Cam Russo, Ryan Flaherty, Michael Nigro, Jackson Powers, Brady Bullock, Pavit Mehra and Jonathan Lanza. Some are back for sophomore seasons while others have moved on to prep school hockey at places such as Dexter Southfield and Governor’s.
Below is a look at the top freshmen in Massachusetts high school, broken down by division. Note that a few young players come from under the radar each winter. A player could be omitted now but could find his way onto the postseason version of this list.
Division 1
1. Owen Keefe
Malden Catholic, 3/26/06, D, left shot, 5-10/150
Keefe is an elite two-way defenseman in the ’06 age group. The Saugus, Mass., native is a rink rat who sees the ice well and makes a positive impact on the game at both ends of the ice. Keefe’s first touch is usually solid, either moving it up ice with his feet or sending it up to an open forward. He does a good job of keeping his head up on the breakout and in the attacking zone. Keefe gets shots through from the point and can contribute offensively. On the defensive side of the puck, his gaps and stick control are strong, allowing him to break up plays. Finally, he has jam in his game, protecting his own crease and being difficult to play against. Growing up, Keefe played for the Junior Eagles, including this fall where he was on the 14-U team.
2. James Marshall
BC High, 4/5/06, LW, left shot, 5-8/134
Marshall, from Weymouth, Mass., is an incredibly gifted player. His stick is elite, which allows him to finish and make precision passes right on the tape of open linemates. Marshall is able to control pucks for long stretches of time. Every time he hops over the boards for a shift, he possesses the ability to make a play offensively. In his high school debut over the weekend against Catholic Memorial, he scored two goals and dished out three helpers. Marshall played for the River Rats 14-U team during the fall, posting 22 goals and 22 assists in 31 games.
3. Jack Sadowski
Arlington, 7/29/06, C, left shot, 5-8/135
Sadowski is a smart, cerebral center who will occupy a spot in the top six of the Spy Ponders’ line chart this winter. He sees the ice well and can play in all situations — even strength, power play and penalty kill. The Junior Eagles product is a Division 1 college prospect who will keep getting better as his lower-body strength improves, which will help his foot speed.
4. Cullen Emery
Reading, 8/2/05, C/RW, right shot, 5-9/185
Emery is physically mature, two-way forward who is around the puck a lot. While this is his first year in the Rockets’ program, he played at Austin Prep as an eighth grader in 2019-20. I’ve said this a few times, but the way he plays, you’d have no idea he was an ’05. He doesn’t have blazing speed, but he knows where to be on the ice and puts himself in positions to score. Emery has played for the Junior Eagles for a few years now and kept earning a greater role this fall with the organization's 16-U team.
5. Ty Wood
Austin Prep, 11/3/05, C, left shot, 6-0/175
Wood, from Gloucester, Mass., is in his second season with the varsity team at Austin Prep. He had seven goals and six assists while playing as an eighth-grader last year. Wood is a rugged power forward who can bull his way through opposing defenses as he drives the net. His ability to be heavy on pucks, win battles and remain strong on his skates are all factors in why he’ll be moving on to the prep school circuit next season. Wood flew a little under the radar this fall, playing split-season hockey for the Valley Junior Warriors 15-U.
6. Christian Rosa
St. John’s Prep, 12/1/05, C, right shot, 5-8/140
Rosa, from Lynnfield, Mass., is a good skater who should be one of the more skilled and speedy forwards taking the ice for the Eagles this fall. He’s able to make plays and create offense on the rush. Rosa played for the North Shore Wings 15-U during the fall.
7. Cam McGettrick
Marshfield, 1/4/06, RW, right shot, 5-10/155
McGettrick is a strong, physically mature winger who combines good hands and an ability to be more of a power forward when he wants to be. He scored a goal in his high school debut against Scituate a couple of weeks ago. McGettrick scored 10 goals and added 11 helpers this fall playing for the River Rats 14-U.
8. Harrison Kinne
St. Mary’s, 6/12/05, D, right shot, 5-11/160
Kinne is in his second season playing for the Spartans. As an eighth-grader in 2019-20, he posted a goal and four assists in 22 games. The Swampscott, Mass., native is an offensive defenseman with an above-average stick, similar to his older brother, Davis, who is now at Berkshire. This fall, Kinne played for the Junior Eagles 15-U.
9. Fischer Niehaus
Austin Prep, 7/30/06, D, left shot, 5-7/130
Niehaus, a West Newbury, Mass., native, is a mobile, puck-moving defenseman. He’s a little undersized, but he should help the Cougars break pucks up ice and eventually might get some power-play time.
10. Michael Hussey
Duxbury, 1/16/06, D, left shot, 5-7/152
Hussey is a solid two-way defenseman who played for the East Coast Militia during the fall. He has impressed in a couple summer showcases over the past two years with his ability to make plays and get shots through. His defensive ability also has been notable.
11. James Lawhorne
Reading, 9/2/05, D, left shot, 5-11/160
Lawhorne is an athletic two-way defenseman who can step into the offense and bring it physically in his own end. He’ll have an opportunity to earn ice time right away for a Rockets team that lost quite a few defensemen, including his older brother, to graduation. Lawhorne has played for the Valley Junior Warriors the past two seasons.
Division 2 and Division 3
1. Josh Itri
Sandwich, 1/4/06, RW, right shot, 5-5/134
Itri is a high-energy forward with skill. He hunts pucks and doesn’t shy away from physical contact. He’ll dish it out and take it to make a play. Itri has good speed and skill. He played the fall season on the River Rats 14-U top line on Marshall’s right side.
2. Emerson Marshall
Gloucester, 10/8/05, C/LW, left shot, 5-9/155
Marshall is a strong forward who plays hard, is heavy on pucks, and can cycle well down low. His offensive instincts are above average, he’s willing to go to the tough areas, and he can shoot the puck with some zip. Marshall has moved around some during youth hockey between Islanders Hockey Club and Providence Hockey Club. He spent this fall with the Junior Eagles 15-U.
3. Blake Stuzynski
Bedford, 3/30/06, D, left shot, 5-4/134
Stuzynski is still growing into his frame, but he’s a smart, steady defenseman who doesn’t try to do too much. He keeps it simple and is coachable. Stuzynski played for the Valley Junior Warriors prior to this season when he stepped up with the River Rats 14-U. He’ll see significant ice time and play in all situations for the Bucs.
