SALEM, N.H. — On Sunday, I traveled to the Icenter to catch a slew of New England Fall Prep Hockey League games. Various prep players and teams play in the league, which takes place on Saturdays and Sundays.
Schools like Kimball Union, New Hampton, St. Paul's, Phillips Exeter, Proctor and Governor's Academy have teams in the league.
Unfortunately, I couldn't see everyone. But on Sunday afternoon, I did get to see a variety of skill levels. Here are the teams I watched.
- North
- Central
- Boston Knights 18U
- East
- Fall Prep Wildcats
- Seacoast Performance Academy 18U
- Fall Prep Hornets
- 95 Giants
It was an interesting batch of players. In some games, it was high-level prep guys, while in others it was MIAA players hoping to make an impact during their senior year. I got to see some players I'd never seen before, which is always an exciting thing.
Here are 10 uncommitted forwards who stood out. A separate story will be done on defenders.
Zach Baker
North/Groton, 4/3/2006, F, left shot, 5-9/165
Hometown: Williston, Vt.Â
Baker was one of the top players for Groton last season, posting 21 points in 26 games, and it was easy to see why on Sunday. He showcased great vision and an ability to drive play. He scored off a nice play by Keija Ni in the second half, using his good hockey sense to find a good spot in front of the net. Like Ni, he was able to protect pucks along the walls and knew when to make the move to high-danger ice. He was also vital in the cycle game.
Axel Black
Hornets/Proctor, 3/28/2007, F, right shot, 5-10/181
Hometown: San Diego, Calif.Â
Black had a beautiful goal in his team's matchup with the 95 Giants on Sunday. He gathered the puck in the neutral zone, skated through the Giants' defense and dangled the goalie for a goal. He consistently pushed the pace throughout the game and was all around the puck. Black comes to Proctor after the last bunch of seasons with Rochester Coalition and Fairport High (N.Y.).
Caiden Brady
Boston Knights/Winchester High, 10/27/2007, F, left shot
Hometown: Winchester, Mass.Â
Yes, the Knights demoralized the East, but Brady's play was a big reason why. He had great hands, getting around opposing players and using his body to shield pucks as he went by. He had a nice rush in the first half, generating a bunch of speed in the neutral zone, forcing the East on their heels. As he bared down on a defenseman, he stopped quick, sending the defender backward and giving Brady enough space to get a nice shot off. Brady was an impactful player for Winchester High last season.
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Brendan Doyle
Central/Melrose High, 2007, F, left shot
Hometown: Melrose, Mass.Â
Doyle finished his game against North with two goals. The first was off a 2-on-1 when he got a nice pass from Josh Tranchina (Stoneham, Mass.) and deposited a nice shot for a goal. His second came after he hustled for a loose puck deep in the offensive zone and made a nice pass to the front of the net. Doyle stayed by the far post so his teammate dished it to him for another goal. Doyle was also one of Central's primary play-drivers.
Ashton Farrell
95 Giants, 1/11/2007, F, right shot, 5-11/170
Hometown: Paradise, NewfoundlandÂ
Farrell showcased a lot of skill down the middle for the 95 Giants. He's a great skater who was able to navigate through the opposing defense well. Deep in the offensive zone, his shiftiness and skill allowed him to make an impact in the cycle and protect pucks. Farrell was extremely productive with the New Hampshire Mountain Kings 16U team last season, posting 26 goals and 61 points in 39 games.
Jonathan Garmey
Boston Knights/Winchester High, 2007, F, right shot
Hometown: Winchester, Mass.Â
Garmey's speed was his best attribute. His first three steps and his ability to separate was impressive. Late in the first half, he used his speed to zip past a defender and tip in a goal off the rush. His edgework helped him protect pucks and pivot from danger in the corners. He was also able to cut through East's defense, finding soft spots to shoot the puck or make another pass. Garmey was with Winchester High last season.
Keija Ni
North/Groton, 7/4/2007, F, right shot, 5-9/146
Hometown: San Diego, Calif.Â
Ni showcased great hands, especially in tight areas. No matter where he was on the ice, he was able to get away and around pressure successfully. He scored a beautiful goal late in the first half on the power play. Matt Bencivengo (New Haven, Conn.) passed it to him and he went around a defender and took it hard to the net, dangling the goalie. Ni had an effective zone entry in the second half and maintained possession for most of the sequence. He ended up at the point and threw a shot on net that created a rebound for Baker to put in. Ni almost scored late in the half after dangling a handful of Central players, but shot the puck wide. Ni posted seven goals and nine points for Groton last season.
Iain Olsen
Wildcats/Kimball Union, 3/7/2006, F, left shot, 6-1/181
Hometown: Vergennes, Vt.Â
Olsen showcased good straight-ahead speed. He had a great sequence at the end of the first half when he stick-handled around a defender, drove the net and got a shot on net. He took shots with purpose, often looking to generate rebounds for linemates driving the net. Olsen posted nine goals and 23 points in 21 games last season and looks poised for a breakout senior year.
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Noah Sampson
95 Giants, 1/28/2006, F, left shot, 6-5/201
Hometown: Woodstock, Conn.Â
In my viewing of Sampson on Sunday, it's hard not to be intrigued by his combination of size and skating. He skates well for a 6-foot-5 player. His speed helped him earn a breakaway in the first half. He had a rush in the second half where he powered past the Proctor defense and got in tight for a chance. He scored in the second half by knocking in a rebound in front of the net on a power play. Sampson has been a standout with The Woodstock Academy for the last three seasons.
Corwith Simmers
Wildcats/Kimball Union, 4/13/2006, F, right shot, 5-10/179
Hometown: Hanover, N.H.Â
It's no secret that Simmers will be vital for Kimball Union down the middle this winter — that was the case last season when he notched 54 points between Jack Sadowski (Arlington, Mass.) and Sam LeDrew. On Sunday, he played between Merrimack commit CJ Watroba (West Springfield, Mass.) and Olsen. He impacted the game quite a bit at both ends of the ice. His skating and high compete helped him push the pace and create long offensive zone possessions for his line. His best play was on the power play late in the second half when he got the puck at the top of the circle and instead of one-timing it, passed it to Max Kimelman streaking towards the net for a goal. Simmers should be someone Division 1 coaches watch this winter.
