Despite the best efforts from academies and prep schools, there are still a number of good players taking to the ice in the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association hockey circuit each night during the season.
Three players who played Massachusetts high school hockey in 2021-22 have committed to Division 1 colleges since August. Former Malden Catholic defenseman Owen Keefe (Saugus, Mass.) has moved on to the Muskegon Lumberjacks, but he committed to Boston University before playing a game in the USHL. After two seasons of scoring an abundance of goals at Arlington High School, Jack Sadowski (Arlington, Mass.) pledged to New Hampshire and is now at Kimball Union. Finally, former BC High two-way center Ryan Flaherty (Milton, Mass.) went to Avon Old Farms as a Holy Cross commit.
“It’s been going on for a lot of years where they commit before leaving high school hockey. With social media, (the academies and prep schools) are winning the narrative. A lot of people don’t realize how underrated a lot of players are in the MIAA,” said Arlington head coach John Messuri (Arlington, Mass.).
“MIAA hockey is still very much alive and well,” concurred longtime BC High coach John Flaherty (South Boston, Mass.). “Do we have the depth and dominance of years past? No, but there are still very good players on rosters all across the top Catholic and public teams, as evidenced by the three commits.
“There are more options than ever before, but what can’t be denied is that MIAA hockey is still a great level for young players to play top minutes, key situations and gain exposure to college programs as well as junior and prep.”
Defending MIAA Division 1 state champion St. John’s Prep won last year with a talented and deep roster, full of multisport athletes. Kristian Hanson’s team might have lacked that true superstar or sure-fire Division 1 prospect, but it made up for it by being able to roll three lines and three defensive pairings each night.
While there might not be high-end prospects in 2022-23 like in 2021-22, there certainly are players remaining on MIAA teams who college coaches are looking at or will be looking at in the future. These 10 look to be top players for the usual contenders in Massachusetts high school hockey.
Tyler Hamilton
Catholic Memorial, 12/7/06, C, right shot, 5-11/160
It’s not often a freshman plays first-line center in the Catholic Conference. That’s exactly what Hamilton did as a rookie last season. The late ’06 is a late bloomer who began to gain notoriety last winter, but his strong play this fall with the Junior Eagles has put him on the radar of more college coaches. He’s got good size, competes and plays a smart game down the middle. The Framingham, Mass., native will be utilized in all situations again for Larry Rooney’s Knights, a young team that also boasts a skilled winger in ’07 Joe Marchi of Foxboro, Mass.
Nick Evans
Malden Catholic, 3/13/07, D, right shot, 5-10/141
Evans always has been one of the top ’07 defensemen in the region. He stepped onto the MIAA scene as a freshman last winter, often paired with Keefe in the top blue-line duo in the state. He skates well and has composure with the puck. After playing Bantam with Islanders Hockey Club, he was a top defenseman for the Junior Eagles this fall. He’ll be the top prospect on Chris Kuchar’s Lancers this winter.
“Nick has a high hockey IQ at his age. He understands and can read his (zone) exits. He does a good job at trusting gaps with his size and skating,” Kuchar said.
Mike Federico
BC High, 7/1/08, LW, left shot, 5-9/155
Federico showed his goal-scoring abilities this fall with the River Rats, finishing at nearly a goal-per-game clip. The Hanover, Mass., native likely will play top-six minutes for BC High right off the bat with the Eagles looking to fill the voids of Flaherty and James Marshall, who both left for Connecticut prep schools. Federico has good size, skates well, and should have no problem going up against older competition. BC High also will look for a significant offensive contribution from Joe Feinberg in his second season.
CJ Watroba
Pope Francis, 2/2/07, LW, left shot, 5-11/168
Watroba is a winger who always has been well-regarded, but he’s taken another step in his game over the past several months. From West Springfield, Mass., he was one of the top two forwards on the Junior Eagles this fall. He’s strong on pucks and has an above-average stick and offensive vision.
“We’re looking for CJ to make a big jump this year. It is tough for a freshman to play a regular shift in the MIAA. He was in our top nine all last season. I think he will be a much more confident player this season as a result of his experience and ice time as a freshman,” said Pope Francis coach Brian Foley.
“CJ has a good skill set and good size. He will play in all situations for us this year. I’m looking for him to continue his growth and maturity as a hockey player this year. We have a good group and everyone is working hard and excited to get started soon,” added Foley, who has been the bench boss of one of the most consistently strong teams in the MIAA over the past decade.
Cole Blaeser
St. John’s Prep, 4/6/05, LW, left shot, 5-11/175
Blaeser enjoyed a monster junior season in 2021-22 and was a major part of the Eagles winning the state championship. He’ll be relied upon even more this winter with a few key seniors from last year’s team gone. He can skate and he sees the ice extremely well for this level. He’s enjoyed success outside the MIAA over the past year, advancing to the Massachusetts Hockey CCM Final 40 in May and being a top player on the North Suburban Wings this fall. St. John’s Prep will have a deep roster again, led by Blaeser, Jake Vana, Christian Rosa and Will Van Sicklin.
“Cole has matured a lot. He’s bigger, stronger, faster and more of a force than he was a year ago. The skill level was there, but the year of maturity and learning systems has made a big difference,” Hanson told New England Hockey Journal in January.
Anthony Palmer
St. Mary’s, 10/28/07, G, catches left, 5-9/145
Palmer is the top ’07 goaltender in Massachusetts and in the top 10 of the birth year nationally. From Winthrop, Mass., he sat behind a senior in 2021-22, but don’t expect him to be on the bench as much this winter. Palmer won’t be the biggest goaltender in the MIAA, but he’ll likely be one of the most athletic. After a solid showing at USA Hockey Select 15 Player Development Camp in July, he enjoyed a great fall, being the top goaltender for the River Rats.
Jake Russell
Arlington, 2/11/04, C, right shot, 5-9/160
Russell is the offensive catalyst for the Spy Ponders. He’s on the smaller side, but he buzzes all over the ice. Despite being behind Sadowski in terms of future potential, he was the best player on the ice in many games. The senior makes his linemates better and uses his speed and skill to his advantage. He was one of the top forwards on the Springfield Jr. Thunderbirds this fall.
“Jake’s an outstanding player. He could be playing anywhere. He’s a 200-foot player. He can make plays. He was one of our two-to-three best players last year. He plays bigger than he is. He’s going to be a good college hockey player,” said Messuri.
Arlington lost a couple of key forwards, so there will be more pressure on Russell than ever. Along with Killian Wright, Liam Gore and Evan Jones, Russell will be a player to take note of when watching Arlington this winter.
Laz Giardina
Reading, 6/29/06, C/LW, left shot, 6-4/185
Giardina was somewhat of a depth player for Mark Doherty’s Rockets in 2021-22, but he’ll take on a bigger role this winter as a sophomore. He’s a tall, lanky goal scorer who burst onto the scene this fall with the River Rats, scoring 13 goals and catching the eye of a few college coaches. Giardina has a booming shot and is most effective when he’s playing in straight lines, protecting pucks and taking advantage of his size. His skating is very efficient and he can get to loose pucks and separate from opposing defenders. The Rockets always seem to have one or two marquee players, and this year will be no different.
Aidan Brazel
Hingham, 11/20/03, RW, right shot, 6-3/170
Brazel seemingly has been wearing a Harbormen sweater forever. The late ’03 is the oldest player among those on this watch list. Finally a senior, he’s a goal scorer with a knack for the puck and finding rebounds to deposit into the net from in tight. The puck follows him around, as head coach Tony Messina put it. He has good size and can skate well once he gets going. If he can work on his first two steps and shot from farther away, his stock will improve. He’s a player who prep schools and New England junior teams should be pursuing for 2023-24. Along with senior defenseman Chase McKenna, Brazel will provide leadership and experience to an always deep and veteran-laden Hingham squad.
Joe DiMartino
Xaverian, 5/16/05, RW, right shot, 5-10/195
DiMartino will serve as one of the senior captains for Dave Spinale’s Hawks. The rugged winger with a hard shot and willingness to play in the dirty areas is expected to be a big contributor now that he’s healthy. The longtime Cape Cod Whaler is a hard-nosed player who makes up for his skating by being heavy on pucks. DiMartino will have big skates to fill with a number of top-scoring threats from last year’s team gone. Along with fellow senior Gavin Moynihan, the Hawks are poised to have another strong showing in the Catholic Conference, boosted by the arrival of Franklin transfer Cole Pouliot-Porter in net.
Cam Fici
Belmont, 4/2/04, RW, right shot, 5-9/160
In an age where not too many talented players make it to their senior year of MIAA, Fici is a true exception. The high-flying winger potted almost two goals per game as a junior and is back for one final go-around with the Marauders. He’ll again be one of the most lethal threats with the puck in the always-competitive Middlesex League.
