The 2021-22 youth hockey season is well underway in New England. There is a talented group of players competing in the Bantam (14-U) division across the region.
Mount Saint Charles is the undisputed top team in the region. Frank O’Connor and John O’Connor (no relation) have done a great job of getting elite players to come to the Woonsocket, R.I., program over the past three seasons.
After the Mounties, there are a slew of other programs vying for the title of the second-best 14-U team in New England. Early season results indicate great parity among the teams ranked second through sixth. An argument could be made for quite a few teams. It will be interesting to see it all play out on the ice over the coming months.
Below is my early season look at the top six Bantam major (14-U) teams in New England.
1. Mount Saint Charles (5-0-0)
As mentioned above, there is little doubt as to the supremacy of Mount Saint Charles. The team has an embarrassment of riches. The forwards of note are Liam Kilfoil, Conrad Fondrk, Nic Whitehead, Egan Beveridge, Simon Wang and Dallas Potter. On defense, Matthew Grimes leads the way. This team represents the region’s best chance at winning a national championship in 2021-22.
2. Neponset Valley River Rats (9-3-0)
The River Rats faced some adversity over the first few games of the season, but reeled off six straight wins and won the first major title of the season at the Eastern Alliance Kickoff. Dan Panciocco’s team is a deep group, led offensively by Tommy Anderson, Anderson Kilbourne and Colvin Callahan. The defense is headed up by Evan Handler, Gavin Wainwright and Cam Berry. Anthony Palmer already has two shutouts to his credit.
3. Boston Junior Eagles (7-4-1)
The Junior Eagles are a talented team with many of the players who have been together for a few years now. Coached by John Joyce and Freddy Meyer, the strength of the Junior Eagles is at the forward position. Michael Monroe, Jake Tavares and Liam Gore lead the way offensively. JJ Thibodeau is a solid goaltender worth watching over the coming years. He’ll have to step up in big games.
4. Mid Fairfield Rangers (6-1-0)
Mid Fairfield is off to a good start, which included a win against the Middlesex Islanders, the perennial top '07 team in the region, last month in Michigan. This team has a good amount of talent but could have been even better if not for a couple of defections to Mount. Anthony Bongo leads a strong defensive group that also includes Rocco Marinucci and Tommy Bleyl. Some forwards who are seeing increased playing time and greater roles have answered the bell.
5. Middlesex Islanders (5-4-0)
The Islanders have also lost some key pieces heading into the 2021-22 season, but Richard Gallant and John McLean’s team still has plenty of firepower to be there in the end. Richard Gallant, Jr., Tyler Greene and Mate Tardi are the big guns offensively. On defense, Tyler Russo and Nick Evans lead the way. Blake McMeniman is a solid goaltender
6. South Shore Kings (6-2-1)
I admittedly don’t know as much about the South Shore Kings but have been impressed by the team’s strong start to the season. Cam Caron, a former Minuteman Flame, and Ryan Magaletta have been leading the way offensively. The team, coached by Chris Caron, is one for me and prep school coaches and other hockey professionals to check out before not too long.
