With Dexter Southfield junior center Matt Copponi announcing his commitment to Merrimack earlier this month, it’s a good time to update the list of top uncommitted ’03s in New England.
Copponi, from Mansfield, Mass., certainly was one of the top five uncommitted players in his age group. While he joins a large list of New England ’03s with a college commit, there are still several very enticing players on the market.
A few players have really come on strong, including a couple who dazzled in their first year of prep school hockey. The top 10 looks a lot different than the last time we published such a list in October 2019. I believe every player on this list is capable of playing Division 1 college hockey.
New England’s top uncommitted ’03s
1. Shane Lachance
Tabor, 8/30/03, LW, left shot, 6-3/180
During his rookie season in prep, Lachance showed flashes of why I believe he’s a top two-round draft pick in 2021. He’s starting to come into his own as he grows into his body. The Andover, Mass., native scored 13 goals this winter for the Seawolves. Notably, 10 of those tallies came over the last 16 games of the season. He has the length to protect pucks and get off quality chances while driving the net and penetrating the middle of the ice. His skating continues to get more fluid at each viewing. He might not be the most productive ’03 in prep next season, but in two or three years, I believe he’ll be at the top of this class.
2. Declan Loughnane
Thayer, 11/22/03, D, right shot, 5-11.25/194
Loughnane was another first-year prep player who I liked at the Massachusetts high school level, but I wasn’t convinced he’d be this good this quickly. He was terrific this past winter for the Tigers while averaging nearly a point per game from the back end. The Milton, Mass., native exudes poises and confidence with the puck on his stick. He’s a breakout machine and also has a very good shot.
3. Cully Wilson
Dexter Southfield, 3/12/03, LW, left shot, 5-11/180
Wilson, from Hingham, Mass., played left wing on the top line and played in all situations for Dexter Southfield this winter. He’s a cerebral player who knows where to go to find pucks and is smart in all three zones. He’s heavy on pucks, has a good shot, and sees the ice well. His skating is smooth and will translate to the college level. He’ll get even better once he’s pushed further as he goes up the development ladder.
4. Brendan Fitzgerald
Governor’s, 3/6/03, D, left shot, 5-10.5/147
Fitzgerald is another first-year prep player who excelled this past winter. The North Reading, Mass., native had seven goals and 25 assists for 32 points in 32 games. He sees the ice well, breaks pucks out and can quarterback a power play. He has to reel it in at times, but overall, he was impressive in all my viewings. I also like the jam he plays with and his ability to defend the rush with good gaps and stick.
5. Cooper Flinton
St. Paul’s, 8/16/03, C/LW, left shot, 6-2/205
Flinton played some center, especially during the second half to the prep season, after previously being a left wing. He’s a big power forward who can shoot it hard. I don’t think he’s quite as high end as Lachance, but he’s similar in some regard. Flinton should continue to get better over the next couple of seasons as he learns to use his size and strength to his advantage on a more consistent basis. From Auburn, N.H., he had 11 goals and 14 assists in 27 prep games. It marked a seven-goal and 18-point uptick from his first year with the Pelicans.
6. Nolan Joyce
St. Sebastian’s, 9/25/03, D, right shot, 5-11/153
Joyce always was regarded as one of the better ’03 defensemen in the region, but his game has taken a step over the past 12 months. He’s a late ’03 and just a freshman, so he has plenty of time. The Dedham, Mass., native led all Arrows defensemen in scoring with seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points in 28 games. He has average size, shoots it well and moves pucks north. He even plays a little harder than you might expect at first glance. He’s a player who is rising and should be watched closely over the next year or two.
7. Patrick Morrissey
Dexter Southfield, 1/7/03, D, right shot, 5-10/158
Morrissey, from Canton, Mass., slipped a little under the radar this past winter at Dexter Southfield with John Fusco and Mikey Adamson attracting more of the buzz on the blue line. Still, he had a goal and 14 assists in 30 games. I’ve always liked Morrissey for his vision. That is still his best asset as he makes good breakout passes and can distribute the puck from the top of the point on the power play. He’s a Division 1 player without a doubt, but he’ll be an even better prospect if he can improve his foot speed and strength a little bit.
8. Coleman Jenkins
Tabor, 3/11/03, RW, right shot, 6-2/170
Jenkins is another player who has taken a major step forward over the past year. I think the next time this list is published, he might find himself significantly higher. The Mansfield, Mass., native had nine goals and 16 assists, which was second on his prep team in scoring. He’s a north-south power forward who has a nose for the net. He hunts pucks, is heavy on pucks and has a bulldog mentality. He might not be as skilled as some above him on this list, but he’ll be productive as a middle-six forward at the Hockey East level.
9. Will Killoran
Belmont Hill, 1/30/03, D, right shot, 6-2/180
Killoran is a big, physical defenseman who plays with a mean streak. He rarely gets beaten defensively. His skating has improved, but his best asset always will be his toughness. He just gets the job done while defending, even if it’s not always pretty. While the Charlestown, Mass., native projects as a shutdown defender, he’s gotten a little better with the puck on his stick, and he earned more power-play time this past winter.
10. Aidan Lyons
Nobles, 2/26/03, D, left shot, 5-9/163
Lyons’ skill is undeniable. His skating ability and puck skills allow him to make plays and change the tone of a game. He did just that in a couple-minute span in a comeback victory at Belmont Hill that I watched. In total, he had two goals and 18 assists in 27 games for the Bulldogs. He needs to pick his spots more wisely and become less of a high-risk, high-reward type of offensive defenseman.
11. Will Elias
St. Sebastian’s, 1/28/03, D, right shot, 5-11/165
Elias had five goals and seven assists this winter for the Arrows. The Weston, Mass., native doesn’t really have a high-end skill-set, but he does everything well. For the most part, he keeps it simple, makes smart, efficient breakout passes, and has a good stick defensively. While his ceiling might not be as high as some of the guys listed above him, I think he’s dependable as a bottom-pairing defender for the right ECAC Hockey or Hockey East program.
12. Brendan Gorman
St. Sebastian’s, 2/17/03, RW, right shot, 5-10/140
Gorman had 10 goals and 16 assists for the Arrows as he saw an increase in ice time in his second year at the prep level. The Arlington, Mass., native is a good skater who plays a simple game. He has a little more skill than he’s given credit for, but he’s a power forward who will get better as he fills out his frame. I think he’ll end up at an Ivy League school, like his older brother and father.
13. CJ Monturio
Thayer, 2/21/03, RW, right shot, 5-10/166
I went a little off the board with this pick, but I’m a big believer in Monturio’s athleticism. He’s currently committed to play college lacrosse at Army. However, he’s certainly good enough to play hockey there as well. I think he’s more than capable of being an effective bottom-six guy and penalty-kill specialist at a Hockey East school. He skates well, hunts pucks, forechecks hard, and competes every shift. The one thing he’s lacking right now is the high-end hockey sense.
14. Conner Chalmers
Kimball Union, 8/30/03, D, right shot, 5-10/165
Chalmers had two goals and eight assists in 35 games for the Wildcats. The Windham, N.H., native has very good feet and can skate very well. He’s getting a little more consistent and defending with more jam. However, he still needs to improve his hockey sense and play away from the puck, in order to make the most of his ability.
