With each prep school season comes a new group of players who will excite fans across campus rinks throughout New England. The 2022-23 NEPSAC season won’t be any different as a slew of newcomers are expected to have significant impacts on their respective teams.
The usual top programs have all brought in big-time recruits, but coaches from some of the lesser-known schools also came through with some prized additions to the prep school landscape.
Kudos to Lakes Region schools Holderness, New Hampton and Tilton for going out and bringing in solid recruiting classes. Phillips Andover was another school outside of the usual suspects to outperform expectations on the recruiting trail.
Below is my Preseason NEPSAC All-Rookie Team made up of uncommitted players who are new to prep school hockey in 2022-23:
Liam Kilfoil
Salisbury, 3/21/07, C, left shot, 5-11/170
Kilfoil joins Andrew Will’s program after skating for Mount Saint Charles 14U in 2021-22. In 62 games with Mount, he scored 49 goals and had 84 assists. The Quispamsis, New Brunswick, native is a two-way center who sees the ice extremely well. He’s a playmaking center who stood out this fall for the Buffalo Regals 16U. Kilfoil is one of the top prospects in his birth year across all of Canada.
Michael Munroe
Avon Old Farms, 7/6/07, LW, left shot, 5-7/154
Munroe is an electric offensive player who is slated to play in the top six for John Gardner’s Winged Beavers. His skating, stick and willingness to hunt pucks will all serve him well at the prep level as he transitions from dominating the MIAA circuit with Division 3 champion Hanover in 2021-22. He had a monster fall, scoring 27 goals in 33 games for the River Rats, winners of the Massachusetts Hockey 15 Only State Championship. Look for him on his off wing on the power play where his one-timer can be lethal.
Grayden Robertson-Palmer
Phillips Andover, 8/29/07, C, left shot, 5-10/180
Robertson-Palmer, from Kanata, Ontario, comes to Phillips Andover with plenty of fanfare. He had strong showings this summer at the Crimson Combine and throughout the fall with the Northern Cyclones Prep. He’s heavy on pucks, has good vision, and competes on the forecheck. He plays older than he is and should be able to contribute immediately for Paul Tortorella’s team.
Andrew O’Sullivan
Kimball Union, 8/15/06, D, right shot, 5-11/165
O’Sullivan makes the jump to Tim Whitehead’s Wildcats after a couple of seasons with the Boston Advantage. The '06 isn’t the flashiest of players, but he’s smart, smooth and reliable. The Norwell, Mass., resident has a good shot, makes smart decisions on puck touches, and defends well. His game should continue to take off under the strong coaching of Whitehead and his staff. He had a strong fall with Top Gun 16U.
Tyler Russo
Cushing, 3/19/07, D, left shot, 5-11/165
Russo has always been one of the better '07 defensemen in the region, skating for the Islanders Hockey Club. This fall he showed his ability to play up and against older competition, showing well with the Central Mass. Penguins 18U. Russo’s skating, poise and two-way ability were all noteworthy throughout the split season. His defensive positioning, stick in lanes, and gaps all helped him on the other side of the puck. He’s smooth and can move pucks with tape-to-tape passes on the breakout. He’ll be a top-four blue liner for Paul Pearl’s Penguins.
Paul Dalessio
Dexter Southfield, 4/4/05, G, catches left, 5-10/165
Dalessio, from Burlington, Mass., comes to Dexter Southfield after two seasons playing for Bishop Kearney Selects. Last year, he helped the Rochester, N.Y., school to a USA Hockey 16U National Championship. Dalessio isn’t the biggest goaltender in prep hockey, but he’s athletic, has quick reflexes, and competes in the crease. He’ll likely help Danny Donato’s team improve in the goaltending department from last year. Dalessio had a strong fall, helping the Junior Eagles win a Massachusetts Hockey 18U State Championship.
