We've looked at the forwards. Now it's time to shift focus to defensemen and goalies.
Beginning Jan. 1, Division 1 college hockey programs can contact high school sophomores to show interest. They can't make formal offers until Aug. 1.
College coaches are all about projections — and that can be tough when it comes to 15- and 16-year-olds. These players likely won't arrive at the college they commit to for three to five years. So, when they're evaluating defensemen, size and skating are big factors.
Goalies are the most difficult. For a Division 1 program to commit a goalie as a rising junior in high school, they've got to be really good.
Let's dive in.
Defensemen
Jake Boguniecki, Mid Fairfield 15O
An '09, Boguniecki is a legitimate candidate for the USNTDP next season. At 6-foot-2 and 161 pounds, he's a reliable, two-way force on defense. He's a pain to play against for opposing forwards and contributes at the other end of the ice, too. Given his size and the two-way abilities, he's somewhat projectable (as much as you can project a 15-year-old). His skillset should translate well to higher levels.
Myles Brosnan, Dexter Southfield
Brosnan is the lone '07 in this story but is a sophomore. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound defender is a great, two-way defenseman who has proven to be a No. 1 guy on a top team in prep. Through seven games this season, he has a goal and eight points, which comes after last year when he had 21 points in 31 games. Brosnan would make a lot of sense for an Ivy League school.
Matas Janulis, Lawrence Academy
At 6-foot-1 and 179 pounds, Janulis certainly has the size to make an impact as he moves up levels. He's been a hit in his first season at Lawrence Academy with one goal and six points in seven games. He has a great stick and knows when to support the rush. Like Boguniecki and Brosnan, Janulis is a two-way defender.
Matthew Koch, Avon Old Farms
Koch has been on my radar since he stood out playing up with the Northern Conn. Nor'Easters' 16U team in the fall. So far, he has four assists in nine games for Avon Old Farms this season. The 6-foot-1, 183-pound defender is a phenomenal puck-mover who never shies away from rushing the puck himself. He can quarterback a power play, and I'm interested to see how his game grows over the rest of this prep season and into the spring.
Maksim Yakub, Mount St. Charles 15O
At 5-foot-10 and 181 pounds, Yakub plays much bigger than he is. He's physical and knows how to break up opposing rushes. He makes simple plays to move pucks and has an offensive side to his game. He scored 13 goals and tallied 73 points in 63 games for the Mount 14s last season. Through 34 games this winter, he has seven goals and 28 points.
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Tyler Roccas, Hotchkiss
Roccas is out for the season with an injury, but at 6-foot-2 and 181 pounds, the right-shot defender should get attention. He was at Select 16 Camp this past summer and played with the Yale Junior Bulldogs the past two falls.
Connor Wright, Middlesex
Wright is off to a fantastic start to his sophomore season, scoring four goals and totaling six points in seven games. The Lynnfield, Mass., native was with the East Coast Wizards' 16U team in the fall and posted one goal and one assist at Select 15 Camp this past summer. He's 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds.
Easton Anello, Williston Northampton
Anello is in his first season with Williston Northampton after playing with the Boston Advantage's 14U team last season. At 6-foot-1 and 161 pounds, Anello has speed and nice hands. Through nine games, he has a goal and four points for Williston and notched two assists at Select 15 Camp this past summer.
Brady Sloper, Belmont Hill
At 6-foot-2 and 198 pounds, Sloper certainly has the size to excite Division 1 college coaches. He's a hard defender to play against and can be extremely physical. At future levels, he will likely become more and more of a shutdown defenseman.
Kurt Beck, Arlington High (MIAA)
Beck is another one with size. At 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds, he defends his own end with ease, using his long stick and physicality to make going to the front of his net as difficult as possible. He's responsible with the puck and makes smart decisions, as well as knowing when to join the offense.
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Goalies
Parker Stockseth, Seacoast Performance Academy 16U
Stockseth has all the traits of a Division 1 goalie. He's 6-foot-3 and 174 pounds. In 35 games for Seacoast Performance Academy's 15O team last season, he had a 2.00 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage. With the 16U team this season, he has a 2.16 GAA and a .918 save percentage. The Blandford, Mass., native has been at Select 15 and 16 Camp the past two summers.
Teams are often hesitant to commit goalies early, but I wouldn't be shocked if Stockseth bucked that trend.
Nathaniel Chizik, Mount St. Charles 15O
Chizik was outstanding for Mount St. Charles' 14U team last season, sporting a 1.48 GAA and a .930 save percentage. The 6-foot-3, 201-pound netminder has a 2.17 GAA and a .900 save percentage for the 15O team this year, which came after making Select 15 Camp last summer. Chizik is an '09 from Warrington, Penn., and it wouldn't be a shock if he at least got invited to USNTDP Evaluation Camp in the spring.
Alex Wang, Groton
It's been a tough start to Wang's sophomore season in prep. He has a 5.40 GAA and an .839 save percentage. Those numbers aren't going to get college attention. What will get him college attention is his performance at Select 15 Camp last summer. He was the best goalie at camp, leading all netminders with his 0.50 GAA and .979 save percentage. Doing that among the best players in his age group will be what makes up for his rocky prep start.
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Tommy Saulnier, St. Sebastian's
According to Boston University goalie coach Brian Daccord, the most important stat for a goalie is games played. Saulnier will have that covered this season, as he's already started all nine games for St. Sebastian's. The other thing Saulnier has going for him: he's a starter for a relatively young, inexperienced team, so he's also getting loads of shots. His numbers are solid with a 2.84 GAA and a .906 save percentage. The 6-foot, 165-pound goalie has been a longtime member of the Boston Junior Eagles.
