While the recent external coronavirus postponements and cancellations have had an impact on the 2021-22 prep hockey season in recent weeks, New England Hockey Journal has taken note of some players who are enjoying breakout performances.
Bigger things could be in store for these players in 2022, given the kind of starts they’ve had for their respective prep teams. St. Sebastian’s forward Isaac Mitchell (Harvard, Mass.) was impressive in fall season play for the Boston Jr. Eagles 16-U squad, helping them to win the Mass. Tier 1 championship in November. He’s carried over his forward momentum with the Arrows and is finding ways to impact the game in multiple areas. Precocious ’06 goaltender Thatcher Bernstein (Brookline, Mass.) was named MVP of the 56th Flood-Marr Holiday Tournament in Dec., helping to lead Nobles to the championship.
While Mitchell and Bernstein are just two players who have stood out in the early going, there are others who have found ways to establish themselves as trusted options for their coaches and should put themselves in a position to take their production to the next level as the season progresses.
Forwards
Isaac Mitchell
St. Sebastian’s, 2/28/05, left shot, 5-9/170
Speedy, skilled and engaged are three things that come to mind watching him in the early portion of the prep season. He’s currently producing at a point-per-game clip, but shows awareness, is taking good routes away from the puck. As he gets more comfortable, he should be able to keep making plays. He may not have ideal size, but he’s checking the key boxes and could use that as a springboard for bigger impact in the second half.
Mason Kesselring (Center Barnstead, N.H.)
Cushing, 3/15/04, left shot, 6-3/180
NCAA commit: UConn
Although always big and powerful, the younger brother of Edmonton Oilers prospect Michael Kesselring has been a prolific goal scorer for the Penguins this season. He tallied a pair against Governor’s at the E.G. Watkins invitational, and the puck seems to follow him around the ice. A strong north-south skater, he’ll need to add some agility and quickness to his mobility, but has the size, hands and smarts to be an intriguing pro project. He’s a project, but has generated some NHL buzz thus far and should be able to take his game to the next level with the big role and added confidence.
Richard Gallant (Concord, Mass.)
St. Mark’s, 4/6/07, left shot, 5-7/140
The only ’07 on the list has exploded onto the scene as a freshman and has been dynamic as they come. Putting up more than 2 points per game will be tough to sustain, but he has the speed and scoring knack to give it a shot. He’s a game-breaker, who will be fun to watch this year and next, when he’ll make his run at the U.S. National Team Development Program.
Jim Lyver (Grafton, Mass.)
St. Mark’s, 2/12/05, left shot, 5-11/170
Another impressive forward who grabbed attention as a member of the Cape Cod Whalers 16 team in the fall and has carried over his blossoming offensive game in prep. He’s smart and versatile, but the assertiveness with which he handles pucks and goes to the net should have him on Division 1 radars, as a player who projects to be able to play up or down in a lineup and do a lot of little things.
Nate Porter (Hingham, Mass.)
Dexter Southfield, 3/10/06, right shot, 5-10/170
It hasn’t been an easy time for the younger players at Dexter, but Porter embodies the old adage of being ready when your number gets called. With multiple upperclassmen felled by illness during the Watkins tournament last week, Porter stepped up from junior varsity and showed why he’s one of the better ‘06s in the region. The imaginative forward saw time on Dexter’s top power play and rewarded that opportunity with some creative plays and production. He buzzes the net and has an aggressive mindset to work pucks to the greasy areas of the rink. He’s still figuring it out, but making a case to be in the lineup more as the season goes on.
Teddy Stiga (Sudbury, Mass.)
Belmont Hill, 4/5/06, left shot, 5-9/160
Enjoy him while you can, because with the way he’s looked in fall play and in prep, he’s a sure bet for the NTDP in 2022-23. He’s a dynamic, dangerous forward who plays with advanced refinement and poise for one so young. His patience and ability to make quick decisions in small windows really stands out. He’s shown a penchant for making plays at crunch time, helping his Belmont Hill team rise in the standings.
Tyler Wishart
KUA, 4/1/04, left shot, 5-9/175
NCAA commit: Cornell
Wishart has put up big numbers for the high-flying Wildcats, but his improved play away from the puck is what makes him stand out. On the winning goal against Salisbury in the third-place game at the Flood-Marr, he took the right route on a late rush, getting to the puck after teammate Jackson Kyrkostas (Windham, N.H.) chipped it past the defender. Wishart won the footrace, then fed the puck to the middle, where a streaking Revy Mack put it home with less than 20 ticks on the scoreboard. While not what you would call a “typical” Big Red recruit, the Westchester Express product’s speed, pace and smarts will translate to juniors and the ECAC as the details continue to come along this season.
Charlie Gollob
Avon, 2/10/04, left shot, 6-2/190
New Hampshire native Joe Connor has been terrific and is leading the Winged Beavers in scoring, but Gollob’s game is rounding into form. The Canada import isn’t a top-shelf skater, but he makes up for it with his size/length, vision/creativity and competitive nature. As good as he’s looked, the gut feeling here is that we haven’t seen his best hockey yet, but it’s coming. If he can clean up his first few steps and add some explosiveness to his small area game, he'll more D-1 attention and could eventually put himself in position to be a pro.
Defensemen
Joe Mense
Nobles,7/21/06, right shot, 6-1/190
Brian Day has not hesitated to roll with younger players on his roster this season, and the Empire State native has helped the team get off to a good start. He’s a strong defender, but his skating is powerful and he’s showing off a pretty good puck game. With the ability to log big minutes in a lot of different situations, plus the upside to be an effective two-way presence, Mense will be in demand with junior and college teams.
Mick Frechette (Weston, Mass.)
Dexter Southfield, 10/27/03, left shot, 6-0/200
The oldest player (first time eligible for NHL draft) in the top-15 breakouts deserves to be here because he’s establishing himself as a key cog on a fine team. A throwback defender who is tough to play against, Frechette has a cannon shot and is getting more involved offensively. He earned Dexter’s player of the game award in a win against Brunswick at the Watkins tourney for an all-around performance that included the winning goal and some big hits. With his mobility and jam, opponents have to keep their heads on a swivel when No. 14 is on the ice.
Jacob Ingstrup
Kent School, 11/9/06, left shot, 5-11/185
Another young ’06 on the blue line who is making some positive headway. An impressive package of skating, two-way play and jam, the late birthdate left the Windy City for New England prep and was a top player for the Conn. Jr. Bulldogs 15 team. While he’s had some ups and downs adjusting to playing against older players for the first time in his young career, he’s the kind of player who is capable of breaking out quickly. He’ll be considered for the Program, and if not, will be a sure draft selection in the USHL and OHL.
Goaltenders
Thatcher Bernstein
Nobles, 7/17/06, catches left, 6-3/200
The freshman has carried the bulk of the workload in helping his team get off to a 7-0-1 start. Tall, athletic and agile, he tracks, reads and reacts effectively. However, it’s his poise and grace under pressure that has been the biggest surprise thus far. He doesn’t seem to get rattled and plays with control and good economy of motion in the crease. He’s put himself in a position to grow and develop with the kind of ice time goaltenders his age don’t typically receive and should parlay that into a run for a spot on Team USA.
Daniel Heroux
KUA, 1/14/05, catches left, 6-1/205
NCAA commit: Vermont
The Catamounts were smart to get the Quebec product into the fold, as Heroux has been Tim Whitehead’s go-to in net for the No. 1 prep team in our power rankings. In the most recent viewing, he looked unbalanced and was fighting the puck in the first period, falling behind 0-2 to Salisbury, but then reset himself and shut the door the rest of the way to pull out a 3-2 victory under the wire. With his size and mental toughness, playing behind a balanced and well-coached team means bigger things ahead. He could play junior hockey right now and will be a draft option for NHL clubs in 2023.
