For a team to win the Stuart/Corkery Elite 8 Tournament, it goes without saying (but I'm going to say it anyway) that someone usually steps up and leads his squad to the championship.
It's a gauntlet of the best teams in the region, which means the best players must rise to the top.
Cushing and Avon Old Farms were top teams throughout the season, but Milton Academy and Nobles have proven they're formidable No. 3 and 4 seeds. The other four — Brunswick, Belmont Hill, Westminster and Kimball Union — have legitimate cases to pull off upsets.
Here are eight players who, if their team makes a run, will be strong candidates for MVP. And, because all of these teams have multiple top players, we'll pick a second choice as well.
Cushing: Landan Resendes
Cushing is the No. 1 seed. It's the Penguins' tournament to lose. If Cushing lives up to being No. 1, it's a safe bet that Resendes will be Elite 8 MVP. Resendes is arguably the best player in the region and his ability to be a dynamic presence is impressive. He ranked third in New England with 51 points for a reason. Scoring goals and producing offense becomes harder this time of year, but Resendes' skating, skill and compete cut right through that.
Or maybe it'll be: Ethan Gardula
Gardula had 48 points and is exquisite at doing the little things right. He's shown more assertiveness in shooting the puck, and that will come in handy if the Penguins make a run.
Avon Old Farms: Joe Connor
The Northeastern commit has consistently been a driving force for head coach John Gardner's team all season long. His consistent production on the top line alongside Charlie Gollob and Joe Odyniec (Ridgefield, Conn.) is one of many reasons the Winged Beavers rose to the top this year. His ability to score goals (20) and produce (39 points) has been very strong. Opposing teams will game-plan to shut Connor down, but he's too talented to let that stop him.
Or maybe it'll be: Stephen PeckÂ
Peck has some of the strongest numbers for a goalie in the region (1.25 goals-against average, .945 save percentage). While he hasn't faced the volume of shots that goalies from lower-ranked teams have faced, he's steady and reliable.
Milton Academy: Sam Caulfield
Speaking of goalies, Caulfield has been the backbone for a really good Milton team. His .955 save percentage is the best in prep hockey and his 1.65 GAA is sixth. He's stolen games for them multiple times this season. Caulfield's athleticism and ability to make huge saves will be the main reason if Milton wins the Elite 8. It's been a memorable season for the former Belmont Hill junior varsity goalie — winning Elite 8 MVP would be quite a way to cap it off.
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Or maybe it'll be: Mason ChenÂ
I almost went with Jacob Pohl here, but Chen's outstanding two-way play on defense this year will be vital if Milton wins. He'll need to be a shutdown defender in his own end and impactful in the offensive zone, but he's proved time and time again this year that he can do it.
Nobles: Thatcher Bernstein
Even though Bernstein faltered down the stretch, he has all the tools to carry Nobles to an Elite 8 championship win. It's hard to find a more technically sound goalie in prep hockey and the way in which he stays composed in the net could spell trouble for the opposition. If he gets back on track, he can carry Nobles all the way to a championship.
Or maybe it'll be: Dennis DavidsonÂ
Davidson has seen a large jump in production this year. While Nobles' strength is on defense and in net, someone will have to score goals, right? Davidson has proven he can do it with his team-leading 15 and 29 points.
Brunswick: Drew DellaSalla
DellaSalla, a Harvard commit, has a ton of talent. He can set up teammates for goals just as easily as he can score them. He's consistently been a catalyst for offense along with teammates senior Eli Friedman and junior Sean Gibbons (Fairfield, Conn.). Those two will have been massive if the Bruins come away with the title. Hey, Salisbury was a No. 5 seed last year so anything can happen.
Or maybe it'll be: Brendan HolahanÂ
While Brunswick's strength is up front filling the opposing net, the Bruins will need to keep pucks out of their own if they're going to slide through to the championship. If Brunswick wins, Holahan will have been the backbone.
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Belmont Hill: Ronan O'DonnellÂ
The Yale commit has been the offensive catalyst for the Sextants. He leads the team in both goals (22) and points (41). He's a veteran and knows what it takes to make a deep run in the Elite 8. His ability to play at both ends of the ice and provide a spark when his team needs it will be huge if Belmont Hill wins the whole thing.
Or maybe it'll be: Matt BiottiÂ
The senior defenseman is a force at both ends of the ice. If Belmont Hill goes the distance, Biotti's shutdown abilities in his own zone will have been massive. The Harvard commit can also contribute offensively as well, especially in getting shots through from the point. Fellow defenseman Lenny Greenberg would also be a strong pick here.
Westminster: Ryan Shaw
Shaw has been head coach Tim Joncas' big gun up front. He leads the team in both goals (18) and points (45). The RPI commit is the biggest reason why Westminster has a spot in the Elite 8 and if the Martlets were to win, it would surprise no one to see Shaw score the MVP award. Shaw continuing his top-notch production could help make up for Westminster having a tough road to the championship game.
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Or maybe it'll be: Matteo De LucaÂ
For Westminster to win the championship, the junior netminder will likely need to steal at least one game. His numbers were solid with a 2.96 GAA and .911 save percentage, so it's not out of the question.
Kimball Union: Jackson Kyrkostas
This is a pretty easy one to pick. Kyrkostas finished the regular season with the region lead in points at 57. He's dynamic and drives play as well as anyone in prep hockey. As the No. 8 seed, Kimball Union has a brutal road to St. Anselm with No. 1 Cushing first and then, if they were to win, the winner of Nobles and Brunswick. Teams will have a difficult time neutralizing Kyrkostas.
Or maybe it'll be: Jack SadowskiÂ
This was a tough one because I could've gone with '06 standout defenseman Andrew O'Sullivan or goalie Dan Heroux. But Sadowski has been such a consistent scorer for Kimball Union this year that it wouldn't surprise anyone to see Sadowski right there with Kyrkostas in terms of production if the Wildcats were to win the Elite 8.
