Even with just a few weeks left in the New England boys prep hockey season, the top 10 is ever-changing.
The top team seems rather clear. Even teams 2-4 seem solidified. After that, however, is where things get interesting.
Teams are still rotating through the bottom half of our top 10, which also means the back half of the Elite 8 seeding.
Rivers, who made the Small School championship last season, is one of those teams making a legitimate case to be in the Elite 8 in the final month. Kimball Union, the reigning Elite 8 champs, is also trying to get into the 'Definite' category for this year's Elite 8.
Let's dive into the latest rankings.
1. Dexter Southfield (17-2-0)
Previous ranking: 1
Head coach: Danny Donato
Next game: vs. New Hampton, Feb. 12, 4:45 p.m.Â
This isn't even a debate anymore. Dexter is clearly the No. 1 team in the region after beating Pomfret, 6-2, and Andover, 7-1, over the past week. Sophomore forward Owen McHale (Charlestown, Mass.) had a big game against Pomfret, notching a goal and three assists, while both Ian Burke (Newton, Mass.) and Rian Chudzinski (Needham, Mass.) notched two goals and a helper against Andover. It's no surprise that Dexter is fourth in the region in goals for with 109.
2. St. Mark's (16-2-2)
Previous ranking: 3
Head coach: Carl Corazzini
Next game: at Brooks, Feb. 12, 4:45 p.m.Â
After losing to Governor's Academy on Feb. 1, the Lions responded with three big wins, taking down Roxbury Latin (3-2), Groton (5-0) and St. Sebastian's (5-2). Saturday's win over St. Sebastian's was a close call, as the Arrows scored two goals in the first period to jump to an early lead. But St. Mark's responded with five unanswered goals. The first two came from defenseman Moussa Seydi, who is one of the top breakout players in prep this season.
CHL RULING: How it will impact preps and academies | How it will impact college, recruiting and juniorsÂ
3. Deerfield (14-4-0)
Previous ranking: 4
Head coach: Tim McVaugh
Next game: at Loomis Chaffee, Feb. 12, 4 p.m.Â
Deerfield only played once over the last week, but it was a sizeable win. The Big Green took down Phillips Andover, who was in the Elite 8 picture, 3-2 on Wednesday. Sophomore forward Kellar Kelusky scored twice and senior forward Drew Keiver notched a shorthanded goal. Deerfield has won eight of nine and looks to be hitting its stride at the perfect time.
4. Brunswick (19-6-2)
Previous ranking: 5
Head coach: Mike Kennedy
Next game: vs. Cushing, Feb. 12, 3 p.m. (at Sacred Heart)Â
The Bruins scored two wins over the last week, beating Lawrenceville, 5-0, on Wednesday and taking down Hoosac, 5-2, on Friday. The big story out of Brunswick was Harvard commit Joe Salandra scoring a ridiculous goal by way of The Michigan. I rip on The Michigan from time to time because it's done so often, but Salandra's was as he was skating behind the net and all in one motion, which made it that much more impressive. With 55 points in 27 games, he's one of the top candidates to be Player of the Year.
What an absurd goal from Brunswick’s Joe Salandra last night. Harvard commit with the most points in prep at 52.
Best part of this clip? The reactions. pic.twitter.com/xJPHgX28QX
— Evan Marinofsky (@EvanMarinofsky) February 6, 2025
5. Salisbury (15-5-3)
Previous ranking: 6
Head coach: Andrew Will
Next game: at Taft, Feb. 12, 4:30 p.m.Â
The Crimson Knights won all three of their games last week, beating Trinity-Pawling, 7-4, before sweeping a series with Upper Canada College, taking them down with scores of 4-3 (OT) and 4-1. Salisbury has struggled with scoring all season, so posting 15 goals in three games is a great development. Junior forward Joey Banas had a pair of two-goal performances.
FORECASTING:Â How will the Elite 8 race shake out?Â
6. Kimball Union (21-5-2)
Previous ranking: 7
Head coach: Tim Whitehead
Next game: at Phillips Andover, Feb. 12, 4 p.m.
Kimball Union safely established itself as the best team in the Lakes Region, beating then-No. 10 Holderness, 5-2. That win came between victories against Northfield Mount Hermon and New Hampton. Senior forward and Merrimack commit CJ Watroba (West Springfield, Mass.) continued his strong senior season with two goals against Holderness and another against New Hampton.
7. Berkshire (18-4-3)
Previous ranking: 9
Head coach: Kevin Czepiel
Next game: at Kent, Feb. 12, 2:30 p.m.Â
Berkshire jumped two spots after beating then-No. 2 Avon Old Farms, 3-2, in overtime and following it up with a 6-3 victory over Canterbury. Senior forward Duncan Thompson has been the heartbeat of Berkshire's offense this season, and that was the case last week. He scored a goal and assisted on the OT-winner against Avon while notching three helpers against Canterbury. He leads his team in points (39) and is on pace to top his total of 44 from last year.
8. Rivers (15-5-1)
Previous ranking: NR
Head coach: Freddy Meyer
Next game: vs. St. George's, Feb. 12, 4:30 p.m.Â
The Red Wings had a torrid week, beating Groton (6-2), Brooks (6-3) and Belmont Hill (6-3), bringing their win streak to seven. Rivers leads the region in goals-for with 112, which isn't a huge surprise given head coach Freddy Meyer's electrifying top line. Carter Meyer (Winchester, Mass.) leads the region in points (57), Finn Sears (Medford, Mass.) ranks fifth with 45 and Sam Pandolfo (Winchester, Mass.) has 30. They also have Merrimack commit Justin Graf (Lincoln, Mass.), who has 39 points.
ISL SHOWDOWN: 13 standouts, takeaways from Rivers' win over Belmont Hill
9. Avon Old Farms (12-5-0)
Previous ranking: 2
Interim head coach: Mark Naclerio
Next game: at Frederick Gunn, Feb. 12, 4 p.m.Â
The Winged Beavers lost both of their matchups, falling to Berkshire in overtime and Westminster, 4-1. Avon Old Farms has lost three of its last four games. According to USHR's Elite 8 Tournament as of today and their projected Elite 8 for the end of the season, Avon is the No. 2 seed in the Large School Tournament in both.
10. Belmont Hill (16-4-3)
Previous ranking: 8
Head coach: Brian Phinney
Next game: vs. St. Sebastian's, Feb. 12, 5 p.m.Â
While the Sextants fell to Rivers on Saturday, they took down Lawrence Academy, 6-3, and Phillips Andover, 2-1. Belmont Hill forward and Dartmouth commit Jake Tavares (Belmont, Mass.) had a great week, putting up a goal and an assist against Lawrence and Rivers while also scoring against Andover. He has 16 goals and 26 points so far. While the Sextants wouldn't be in the Elite 8 right now, USHR projects them as the No. 6 seed come the end of the season.
DROPPED OUT:Â Holderness (15-4-1; 10)
IN THE HUNT:Â Nobles, Cushing, Governor's Academy, Tilton, Phillips Andover, Pomfret, Thayer
