With the end of the calendar year comes the review of what we saw over the previous 12 months. We took our own look back at the big events of 2019, with a story about stories you might have missed.
But now it's 2020, a new year. Big things will happen in the prep hockey space, as well as in college hockey, high schools and pros. So, what will they be?
We took a look into our crystal ball to make some bold predictions that are based in reality.
Without further delay, here's what we're looking forward to seeing in 2020:
Team USA wins the World Juniors
The IIHF World Junior Championship, as it is more formally known, is being held in the Czech Republic this time around. And few teams came in with bigger expectations than Team USA, which burst out of the gate with a sharp 2-0 first period lead over co-favorites Canada, only to falter late and lose, 6-4.
But since then, the Americans have been a team on a mission, led by Boston University forward Trevor Zegras (more on him later) and Boston College goalie Spencer Knight (Darien, Conn.). With a win over the defending champion Finns, the Americans will be on to the semifinals, and there's no reason they can't continue their newfound charge into the finals, where anything can happen and where they've been successful before. If their power play and penalty-killing units get better, there is no question the Americans will win it all come Jan. 5.
Somebody else wins the Elite 8
Prep hockey's championship has been dominated by Salisbury or Kimball Union the last few years, with Kimball Union winning the last three. But this year, chances are good one of those teams will not win the NEPSAC Elite 8 Stuart/Corkery Tournament. Although both of those teams are again challenging for bragging rights, we've got a hunch that it won't be as easy this year to win it all.
Dexter Southfield, which led our last coaches poll before the holiday break, has been on a tear so far this season. Salisbury and Kimball Union are right up there again, but upstarts Kent, Avon Old Farms, Lawrence and Berkshire have all impressed and all have star players to lead the way. And you can't count out St. Sebastian's, Gunnery or Loomis Chaffee, either.
It all adds up to being a mighty compelling run for teams going for it as we come back from the break.
Recruiting has a new wrinkle
As Jeff Cox previously wrote, we've got a good collection of uncommitted 2003s who will be looking for a college home this year. But the new NCAA rule stating some players can't commit until Aug. 1, 2020, ahead of their junior year season, will introduce a new wrinkle to the process. And that also means we'll see an increased flurry of activity around that time of the year. Culin Wilson of Dexter Southfield remains one of the top uncommitted players in New England prep hockey.
Trevor Zegras will get a call
Count on seeing Anaheim Ducks 2019 first-rounder (ninth overall) Zegras considering a call-up after the college season is over. With his clutch performance on the world stage in the Czech Republic, and his all-world passing skills that dazzled and helped him lead the scoring race at the World Juniors, Zegras, who turns 19 in March, seems ready for the next step on the career ladder.
He has said in the past that he will honor his commitment to BU, where he is in his first season. But with the Ducks aging down the middle with Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler, you know the Ducks are eager to get an infusion of youth and start their rebuilding mode. You have to think Zegras will give serious thought to sticking with the Terriers, but moving to the pro game after such a stellar World Juniors tournament is not as outlandish as it seems.
Paul Grant is an editor and a writer for HockeyJournal.com and Seamans Media. He previously oversaw hockey content at ESPN.com and Sporting News. You can connect with him at pgrant@hockeyjournal.com.
