Last week, we unveiled our preseason top 10 teams in boys prep hockey. It's a wide-open field. I wouldn't be surprised by any of those teams being in the Elite 8 come March.
But what about the next 15 teams?
These teams are the biggest threats to our preseason top 10. Some are on the cusp of being in the top 10, while others are distant. More than likely, most of these teams listed will be major players in the Large and Small School tournaments.
Here are the next 15 teams after the top 10 — and they're ranked. I'm sure I won't be proven wrong on any of this...
PRESEASON TOP 10:Â Check out the 10 best teams in boys prep
11. Brunswick
Head coach: Mike Kennedy
Last season's record: 26-6-2; lost to Salisbury in quarterfinals of Elite 8 tournamentÂ
The Bruins have been Elite 8 regulars over the last two seasons. This season will be one of rebuilding. The centerpiece of that will be Harvard commit Joseph Salandra, who should provide a fair amount of the offense as an '08. They play a tough schedule, so don't be surprised if it takes some time to get going. The Bruins opened with a 3-3 tie against No. 9 St. George's, getting goals from Mason St. Louis (Old Greenwich, Conn.), Keegan Kazan (Wilton, Conn.) and Salandra, as well as 38 saves from Dylan Lee-Stack. Not a bad start at all.
12. Rivers
Head coach: Freddy Meyer
Last season's record: 19-10-1; lost to Canterbury in championship of Small School tournamentÂ
Have fun defending this offense: Carter Meyer (Winchester, Mass.), Finn Sears (Medford, Mass.), Justin Graf (Lincoln, Mass.), Sam Pandolfo (Winchester, Mass.), Will Hatten (Wayland, Mass.) and Stephen Rousell (Roslindale, Mass.). The Red Wings are solid on defense, too, with Freddy Meyer (Winchester, Mass.), Evan Handler (Walpole, Mass.) and Darren Iversen (Framingham, Mass.). The big question will be how Derrick Huang (Carlisle, Mass.) does in net. If the junior '07 provides his team with stable play, Rivers will contend for the Elite 8.
13. Phillips Andover
Head coach: Paul Tortorella
Last season's record: 17-11-2; lost to Dexter Southfield in semifinals of Large School tournamentÂ
Andover is already off to a roaring start, scoring a big, 4-1 win over Cushing on Nov. 20. There's a lot to like about this roster. Whether it's Dartmouth commit and NHL Draft prospects Grayden Robertson-Palmer up front, defenseman Zachary Skowronek or goalie Chase Anderson (Marblehead, Mass.), this team should be in the mix all season. Peyton Militello, an '05, will be a key piece up front. So, too, will Alex Theodore and Kieran McIntosh — two '08s.
14. Frederick Gunn
Head coach: Craig Badger
Last season's record: 18-12-5; lost to Rivers in semifinals of Small School tournamentÂ
Yes, Frederick Gunn lost a whole lot from last year's roster. And while Badger's team might not have that same firepower at the top of the lineup, they project to be much deeper. Seniors Will Jackson and Billy Collins should be the leading scorers, helping to bring along a promising young crop that should compete for the Elite 8 in future seasons.
15. St. Mark's
Head coach: Carl Corazzini
Last season's record: 18-11-0; lost to Pomfret in quarterfinals of Small School tournamentÂ
This will be a young team. It's also one with legitimate potential. Forwards like Cam MacPherson (Hopkinton, Mass.), Evan Nee (Arlington, Mass.), Max Santos, Drew Carr (Medway, Mass.) and Teddy Drury will be counted on to take steps to up production. MacPherson had 30 points last season as a freshman, but all five of them are due for breakouts. On defense, Phin Howard (Newton, Mass.) looks due for a big jump in play. An x-factor for this team will be in net — can one of Cassidy Kittredge or Justin BriseBois take hold of the net?
16. Berkshire
Head coach: Kevin Czepiel
Last season's record: 20-12-0; lost to Kent in semifinals of Large School tournamentÂ
Czepiel's first season at Berkshire was a success, as the Bears underwent a nine-win increase. Duncan Thompson, who is a Division 1 prospect, will lead the offense after posting 44 points last year. Evan Regan (Acton, Mass.), another '06, had 40 points last season. Josh Williams (Boxford, Mass.) is a legitimate, No. 1 defenseman in prep. As Czepiel made clear, it's up to Kyle Bolduc (Bolton, Conn.) to own the crease. If all goes right, Berkshire will be a high seed in the Large School tournament.
17. Taft
Head coach: Ryan Shannon
Last season's record: 10-11-4Â
Sure, last year wasn't the follow-up act the Rhinos wanted after winning the Large School in 2023. But there are reasons for optimism. Brady Morris turned in a strong junior year with a 2.42 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage and should be one of the best goalies in prep as a senior. JT Rothstein's game has grown a lot in the last year, as he committed to Harvard and is one of prep's primary playdrivers. On defense, Holy Cross commit Noah Jettelson should be a two-way force.
18. Deerfield
Head coach: Timothy McVaugh
Last season's record: 14-8-3; lost to Kent in quarterfinals of Large School tournamentÂ
The loss of Yale commit Tom Molson and fellow forward Jakub Kohn will hurt, but the Big Green still have a nice core of returning scorers. Justin Tavares had 40 points last season, while Lance Roberts (Weare, N.H.) had 24. Zachary Chehade and Nate Watson are back to anchor the blue line. Both had 20 or more points last winter. Elliot Lennon, now a junior, looks ready to takeover the net.
19. Tilton
Head coach: Brooks McQuade
Last season's record: 14-14-1; lost to Canterbury in quarterfinals of Small School tournamentÂ
Tilton has a nice core of forwards returning in Kayden Yeaman, Jeremy D'Souza, Max Gagnon (Byfield, Mass.) and Noah Pineo (North Reading, Mass.). All were legitimate producers last season. Andrew Asconi-Feldman will be a top dog on defense. But the big upside of this team will be the two MIAA players it brought in — Winthrop's Pete Silverman and Reading's Cam Fahey. Both are older with high offensive upside, which should keep Tilton afloat near the top of the Lakes Region. Silverman tallied two goals in Tilton's season-opening 2-1 win against Phillips Exeter. How's that for a debut?
PREP PREVIEWS: Avon Old Farms | Belmont Hill | Berkshire | Brunswick | Frederick Gunn | Holderness | Kent | Kimball Union | Phillips Andover | Salisbury
20. Lawrence Academy
Head coach: Robbie Barker
Last season's record: 16-10-2; lost to Phillips Andover in quarterfinals of Large School tournamentÂ
The Spartans lost a good amount of offense. Still, they should have more than enough to compete in the ISL Keller and fight for a Large School tournament spot. One (or both) of Aiden Emerick (Winchester, Mass.) and Kolin Beliveau should give the Spartans a chance to win every game. The defense will be led by Aiden MacIsaac (Andover, Mass.), one of the premier shutdown defenders in prep, along with '08s Matas Janulis (Lincoln, Mass.) and Gavin Holland (Topsfield, Mass.).
21. Milton Academy
Head coach: Jim Gaudet
Last season's record: 11-13-4
The Mustangs took a step back last season after finishing as the No. 3 seed in the Elite 8 in 2023. While the early departures of defenseman Dylan Hunt (Marlboro, Mass.) and goalie Sam Caulfield (Needham, Mass.) to juniors will hurt, Milton is quietly deep. Up front, it will be all about Anthony Sergeyev (Dover, Mass.), Luis Valencia and Joe Feinberg (Needham, Mass.). Nick Brandano (Lynnfield, Mass.) should be a major factor on defense. In net, there should be a healthy battle between Eli Zucker and Carter Backus (Cohasset, Mass.). Both are '08s.
22. Thayer
Head coach: David Hymovitz
Last season's record: 11-12-5Â
Even with the early loss of Brady Kudrick (Norwell, Mass.) to juniors, Thayer should compete for the postseason. Tyler Moschella (Braintree, Mass.) and Quinn Devin (Norwell, Mass.), both '07s, are back in the net. Senior forwards Teddy Lally, Tommy Anderson (Braintree, Mass.) and Mason Shea (Braintree, Mass.) will be vital. Peter Luecke projects to lead the defense. A breakout '08 to watch this season will be forward Michael Federico (Hanover, Mass.). Add '08 defenseman Brian McFadden (Holbrook, Mass.) as a breakout, too.
23. Winchendon
Head coach: Mike Busconi
Last season's record: 11-20-1Â
It's the second year of Busconi's reign, as Winchendon works its way back into being a postseason contender. The Wapitis will be a different-looking squad this season. Four of the forwards in the top six played elsewhere last season — Kaden Kern (South Kent 16U), Cooper Ludwar (Islanders Hockey Club 16U), Charlie Puglisi (Long Island Gulls 15O) and Kaiden Sahajpal (New Hampshire Mountain Kings). All six defensemen played elsewhere last season as well. The possibilities are endless with this team.
24. Tabor
Head coach: Gerry Dineen
Last season's record: 10-16-2Â
The Seawolves brought in some intriguing talent in forwards Ethan Travis (Narragansett, R.I.) and Colvin Callahan (Lexington, Mass.). Travis tallied 33 goals and 52 points for Narragansett/Chariho in Rhode Island high school hockey and has been at Select 15 and 16 Camp the last two summers. Callahan was a breakout star for Xaverian in the MIAA last winter and has been a standout for the Neponset Valley River Rats. Those two should provide good support for a nice returning cast.
PREP HOCKEY:Â 32 breakout forward candidates | 18 breakout defensemen candidates
25. Groton
Head coach: Bill Riley
Last season's record: 12-8-6; lost to Frederick Gunn in quarterfinals of Small School tournamentÂ
Groton lost star goalie Ethan Ramonetti to graduation after last season, but the Zebras should still be contenders. They have a very strong blue line with Kaiden Donia (Townsend, Mass.), Elliot Wood (Newton, Mass.), Connor Wig (Holliston, Mass.) and Alejandro Hassan. Up front, Zach Baker (Williston, Vt.) is a good candidate to lead the offense.
