If you find yourself at a boys prep hockey game over the next month, the on-ice intensity is at a season high. Every check is finished. Players are diving to block shots. Anything to gain a winning advantage in hopes of a higher playoff seed.
But if you turn your head just a bit and focus on the people around you, you'll find college coaches, junior teams represented and the occasional NHL scout.
Championships are on the mind. But so, too, are commitments.
As the final month of the prep season continues, various seniors are looking to play their best in hopes of a college commitment, as well as a place to play junior hockey next season.
Here are a handful of senior forwards to keep an eye on down the stretch. No postgraduate players were included in this story.
A separate story will be done on defensemen and goalies.
Jake Boulanger
Holderness, 10/18/2005, F, right shot, 6-1/170Â
Boulanger carries a lot of skill and has been vital for No. 5-ranked Holderness, scoring 13 goals and 29 points in 21 games this season. The Barre, Vt., native has patience with the puck and isn't afraid of the dirty areas.
Cullen Emery
Dexter Southfield, 8/2/2005, F, right shot, 5-10/180Â
Emery began the school year in the BCHL. When that didn't work out, he went back to Dexter Southfield for the start of the hockey season. The move has paid off, as he leads head coach Dan Donato's team in goals (12) and points (28). The Reading, Mass., native plays with a high compete and drives play.
Antoine Gauthier
Berkshire, 2/8/2006, F, right shot, 6-0/170Â
In January, I highlighted Gauthier as one of the uncommitted breakout players after one month. That's continued, as the senior '06 leads Berkshire in points with 32. As Berkshire fights for a higher seed in the Large School Tournament, Gauthier should become even more noticeable.
Brendan Giles
Brunswick, 2/18/2005, F, right shot, 5-10/170Â
Giles has been a sensation this season. He ranks second in the region in goals (31) and fifth in points (51). The Ridgefield, Conn., native plays off of linemate Sean Gibbons (Fairfield, Conn.), a West Point commit, really well. Giles knows how to get open, especially in high-danger areas. He can drive play, too.
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Seamus Latta
Salisbury, 4/8/2005, F, left shot, 5-11/185Â
Latta is one of head coach Andrew Will's most trusted players. He's tied for the team lead in goals (12) and ranks second in points (21). Latta can play a gritty game with an ability to produce. As Salisbury continues to climb in Elite 8 seeding, he will be one of the most intriguing prospects to watch in the premier postseason tournament.
Owen Leahy
Lawrence Academy, 2/11/2005, F, left shot, 5-9/152Â
I've always been a fan of Leahy's game. He will do anything to help his team win, and this season it's gone a long way. The Providence, R.I., native has 12 goals and ranks first on his team in points with 39. He mixes it up physically, consistently wins puck battles and always finds ways to produce. Is he the flashiest? No. But he's the kind of player you want in the lineup every night.
Two other Lawrence Academy senior forwards who should also be on radars are Brendan Hirsch (Arlington, Mass.) and Spencer Hirsch. Brendan leads the Spartans in goals (20) while Spencer plays a complete game with 14 goals and 24 points.
Emerson Marshall
Cushing, 10/8/2005, F, left shot, 5-10/175Â
With all the high-end recruits head coach Paul Pearl brought in this offseason, it's trusty Marshall leading Cushing in points with 36. The Gloucester, Mass., native was an underrated piece of the Penguins last season, averaging over a point per game. He plays with an edge and has no trouble getting the puck to scoring areas.
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Isaac Mitchell
St. Sebastian's, 2/28/2005, F, left shot, 5-9/170Â
In a forward group full of high ceilings and Division 1 commits, Mitchell has proven himself to be potent. The Harvard, Mass., product is tied for third on the Arrows in points (29). He plays with pace and has a lot of skill. True, he's not the biggest player. But it will be interesting to see where he goes for junior hockey.
Kyle Murray-Smith
Kimball Union, 1/18/2005, F, left shot, 6-5/255Â
While Murray-Smith's size is the first thing to stand out about him, he has skill with pucks in tight and a good shot. Through 25 games, the South Stafford, Vt., native has 12 goals and 21 points and is one of the rawest prospects in the region. What he could be, however, is what makes him so intriguing.
Tate Pecknold
St. George's, 5/18/2005, F, left shot, 6-0/174Â
Pecknold's prep career began at Avon Old Farms, but the Fairfield, Conn., native moved to St. George's prior to last season and the production has sky-rocketed ever since. After posting 27 points in 28 games last season, Pecknold has 22 in 21 this season. St. George's has a very real shot at the Elite 8. Pecknold will look to use that as a platform to stand out.
Ethan Skowronek
Phillips Andover, 2/15/2005, F, left shot, 5-10/174Â
Grayden Robertson-Palmer gets a lot of the press from Andover, and rightfully so. But Skowronek shouldn't be forgotten. He leads Andover in goals (17) and points (33). He uses his size well to get to scoring areas and, like many of the players on this list, just always finds ways to produce.
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Ryan Stratton
Canterbury, 4/19/2005, F, left shot, 5-9/165Â
Canterbury has been one of the surprise teams this season. If the playoffs began Friday, Canterbury would be the No. 1 seed in the Small School Tournament. What isn't so much of a surprise is the success Stratton has had. He's tied for the team-lead in goals (17) and outright leads in points (36). He's slated to head to the NAHL's Rochester Americans next season.
Bryan Tang
Middlesex, 10/27/2004, F, right shot, 5-10/170Â
Tang has been a force for Middlesex this season, leading the team with 36 points in 21 games. The Hong Kong native has a lot of skill, which allows him to be as dominant as he has been. This season has also been a breakout one for him. He only posted six goals and 15 points in 26 games last season.
