With the 2018-19 hockey season in the rearview and junior camps in full swing, now is a good time to look at the top uncommitted, 2003-born prospects in New England.
As most readers know, college hockey recruiting is its own unique beast. Players can play college hockey as true freshmen or as 20-21 year old freshmen after a few years of junior hockey. Some ‘03s could be just two years away from college while many are more likely to be three to four years away.
Some of the top ‘03s in New England are already committed to a Division I college hockey program, but there are plenty of uncommitted players who are highly regarded. Stating the obvious, there are players on the radar who will almost certainly play Division I while others might end up in Division III, club hockey, or out of the sport all together.
Without further ado, here’s a look at the top 45 uncommitted, 2003-born college hockey prospects in New England:
1. Culin Wilson
Dexter, 3/12/03, LW, Left Shot, 5-11/181
It was a tremendous freshman season for Wilson, who potted 10 goals and added 19 assists while earning more and more ice time as the season progressed. The Hingham, Mass., native is heavy on pucks and has good hockey sense. He sees the ice well and made numerous good passes from the wall to setup scoring chances. He has a hard shot. If his skating and puck skills can improve just a little, he could be a hugely coveted prospect.
2. Will Elias
St. Sebastian’s, 1/28/03, D, Right Shot, 5-10/154
Elias had two goals and 11 assists in 29 prep school games this past winter. He earned more and more ice time as the season went along. The Weston, Mass., native is smooth and steady. He rarely makes mistakes, skates well, retrieves pucks, and makes smart outlet passes. He has a good stick and will surely find a home in Hockey East or at one of the Ivy schools.
3. Brendan Fitzgerald
Islanders HC 16U, 6/3/03, D, Left Shot, 5-10/146
Fitzgerald worked his way back from a couple of injuries suffered over the past two seasons. While his skating needs some work, it will come as his lower body strengthens and as he further heals from injury. He has very good vision with the puck on his stick and he is able to facilitate the transition as well as make nice dishes in the attacking zone. Another positive is he plays with an edge and isn’t afraid to throw his weight around. He’s the younger brother of former BC stars and current minor pros Ryan Fitzgerald and Casey Fitzgerald as well as the son of former Providence and NHL star Tom Fitzgerald, currently the assistant general manager of the New Jersey Devils.
4. Matt Copponi
Mansfield HS, 6/4/03, C, Right Shot, 5-10/150
Copponi put up huge numbers for Mansfield High School and Neponset Valley River Rats 15 Pure before being the top forward at Mass. Final 40. He had eight goals and 28 assists in 21 games for the Hornets. Copponi is a good skater who is efficient at hunting pucks and making plays. He has good hands, as evidenced by some goals he scores from around the net. He’s also good on the penalty kill and scored several shorthanded goals in viewings.
5. Oliver Flynn
Yale 15O, 6/13/03, LW, Left Shot, 6-1/172
Flynn was largely unknown prior to his stellar performance at the New England District Festival back in March. He has good size, drives the net with authority, and can finish. He’s not afraid to go to the dirty areas and he’s able to drop his shoulder to protect pucks and fend off opposing defenders. He’s reportedly heading to Loomis Chaffee in the fall. There’s a ton of upside here.
6. CJ Monturio
Thayer, 2/21/03, RW, Right Shot, 5-9/160
In his first season of prep hockey, Monturio had four goals and four assists while bouncing between the second and third line for Tony Amonte’s Tigers. He’s a good all-around athlete who also excels on the lacrosse field. While his hockey sense needs some work, his skating and compete level are both very good. He flies around the ice and plays hard. He projects as a really good bottom six winger for a Hockey East club.
7. Declan Loughnane
BC High, 11/22/03, D, Right Shot, 5-11/190
Loughnane scored the game-winning goal in quadruple overtime of the MIAA Super 8 to lift the Eagles to their second consecutive title. A tall defender who is still growing into his body, he has a good first step for his size. His instincts and puck skills are both good which allowed him to be the power play quarterback for a veteran BC High team.
8. Conner Chalmers
Kimball Union, 8/30/03, D, Right Shot, 5-10/165
Chalmers is somewhat under the radar after getting virtually no ice time for a loaded Kimball Union team that won the NEPSAC Elite 8 once again. He was impressive at the Beantown Spring Classic and had some strong outings last summer and fall. His feet are elite and he projects as a puck-moving defenseman. His hockey sense does need some work, but the tools are there to play Division I.
9. Aidan Lyons
Nobles, 2/26/03, D, Left Shot, 5-9/161
Lyons had five goals and 14 assists during his freshman campaign for Nobles. He has very good feet and puck skills. He’s able to move pucks up ice and be an efficient puck-mover. His play on the defensive side of the puck and learning when to pick his spots will be two areas of his game that he can improve upon going forward.
10. Patrick Morrissey
Dexter, 1/7/03, D, Right Shot, 5-11/161
Morrissey had a solid first year with Dexter after transferring over from Roxbury Latin. His top attributes are his vision with the puck on his stick and pushing the pace in transition. He’s also able to distribute the puck and quarterback a power play. If he can improve his foot speed and get stronger, he’ll continue to improve his already impressive stock.
11. Tyler Rubin
Belmont Hill, 1/10/03, D, Left Shot, 5-9/150
Rubin had a really strong showing at Mass. Final 40. His feet are really good and he’s able to make plays with the puck on his stick. His size and play away from the puck are areas of concern for college coaches, but look for him to have a breakout year in his second season playing for Jeremiah McCarthy at Belmont Hill.
12. Charles Andriole
Notre Dame West Haven HS, 4/19/03, D, Left Shot, 5-8/135
Andriole is mobile and moves well laterally as well as straight line. He is shifty, allowing him to sidestep opposing forwards and get shots on net from the point. He escapes trouble on retrievals and looks to have an above average stick.
13. Drew Blackwell
Belmont Hill, 1/2/03, C/LW, Left Shot, 5-10/170
Blackwell earned top two line minutes for a young Belmont Hill forward grouping. He’s solid with and without the puck and could blossom over the next few years. He had two goals and six assists in 26 games.
14. Billy Norcross
Cushing, 3/16/03, C, Right Shot, 6-1/170
Norcross was buried on a talented depth chart at Cushing, centering the fourth line in most games. He had five goals and two assists. He’s a big power forward who could mature into a solid player over the next few years.
15. Greyson Pane
Westminster, 8/2/03, G, Catches Left, 6-3/165
Pane has good size and is the best goalie from New England in this age group. He stole more than a few games for Yale this fall during split season. The Boxford, Mass., native didn’t see any ice time for Westminster, but will prove to be a solid goaltender with college potential.
16. Jackson Coutu
St. Mark’s, 1/9/03, C, Right Shot, 5-11/175
Coutu uses his agility and craftiness to hunt pucks and make plays in small areas. He scores a lot of garbage goals just by being in the right place at the right time. For a smaller player, he’s not afraid to get into the greasy areas.
17. Alex Mickanin
Selects Academy 15U, 8/11/03, G, Catches Left, 6-0/180
Mickanin is another goaltender with good size and some potential upside. He’s athletic and fundamentally sound. The Hopkinton, Mass., native had an impressive showing at last summer’s USA Hockey Select 15 Player Development Camp.
18. Brendan Gorman
St. Sebastian’s, 2/17/03, RW, Right Shot, 5-10/150
Gorman had just three goals and five assists in his first season of prep hockey. He was the team’s third line right wing, but can also play center. He’s heavy on pucks and has a good shot when he gets the chance. He’ll drive the net and do what it takes to win puck battles, when going up against his own age group. The Arlington, Mass., native is the younger brother of Princeton commit and Pittsburgh Penguins draft pick Liam Gorman, as well as the son of former Bruins draft pick and Princeton alum Sean Gorman.
19. Connor Sullivan
Rivers, 10/1/03, G, Catches Left, 6-3/170
A late ’03, Sullivan had his ups and downs for Rivers this season. He has good size and is able to take up a lot of the net. He moves fairly well. If he can eliminate some of the soft goals he gives up, there’s the potential for him to play college hockey.
20. Michael Cataldo
South Shore Kings 16U, 5/4/03, C, Right Shot, 5-11/161
Cataldo is a hard-nosed, two-way forward who plays with grit in all three zones. He hits hard and wins a lot of battles by being scrappy and relentless, especially on the forecheck. He has a hard shot and can finish, which is an underrated part of his game. The Norfolk, Mass., native had over a point per game for the South Shore Kings 16U in USPHL action this past winter.
21. Jake Bongo
Selects Academy 15O, 2/4/03, RW, Right Shot, 5-7/135
Bongo is quick and skilled. The Ridgefield, Conn., native saw his stock rise as the season moved along. He finished the year with 27 goals and 44 assists in 57 games. He’s not overly big, but he plays with energy and will go to the net. He seems to always be around the puck.
22. Vincent Gould
Dexter, 2/11/03, RW, Right Shot, 6-2/201
The Wellesley, Mass., native had six goals and four assists in 30 games during his first prep school season. Gould has good size and can finish when he has the puck in the slot. His skating and footwork need improvement, but he has the size to be able to control possession below the dot.
23. PJ Neal
Avon Old Farms, 2/12/03, C, Left Shot, 5-8/175
After moving over from Brunswick, Neal had a goal and five assists while centering the third line in most games this season at Avon Old Farms. In the past, Neal has shown the ability to be gritty, go to the greasy areas, and score some goals.
24. Matt Fusco
Dexter, 3/7/03, D, Right Shot, 5-9/155
Fusco missed some time during the prep season due to injury. He had a goal and four assists during his second season for Danny Donato’s Dexter club. An athletic, two-way defenseman, the Westwood, Mass., native has good lineage. His father, Mark Fusco, and his uncle, Scott Fusco, both won the Hobey Baker Memorial Award while playing at Harvard.
25. Will Killoran
Belmont Hill, 1/30/03, D, Right Shot, 6-2/185
Killoran is a big, throwback defender who should see more ice time at Belmont Hill next season with the departure of two key seniors. If his skating can improve some, his athleticism should carry him a long way.
26. Silas Van Vranken
Cardigan Mountain, 9/19/03, D, Left Shot, 6-3/178
Van Vranken is a tall, lanky defender who plays hard and has some upside. He has good reach and looks to play the role of a pro style defenseman. A Vermont native, he’s reportedly heading to Berkshire next fall.
27. Cooper Flinton
St. Paul’s, 4/16/03, LW, Left Shot, 6-2/175
Flinton saw some ice time for St. Paul’s, but jumped out during the New England District. He has length and made a couple of plays while being around the puck a lot.
28. Shane Lachance
Andover, 8/30/03, LW, Left Shot, 6-2/180
Lachance will transfer to prep school following a successful second season at Andover High under Chris Kuchar, who is the new head coach at Malden Catholic. Lachance has good size and length and made some plays in the team’s state tournament run. He’s the son of New Jersey Devils scout Scott Lachance, a former NHL draft pick and Boston University star. His grandfather is legendary Terrier head coach Jack Parker.
29. Chase LeClerc
Seacoast 16U, 11/1/03, LW, Left Shot, 5-10/165
LeClerc needs to become more consistent, but he usually shows flashes of high skill. He can use his speed to separate from defenders while he has hands and vision to make some nifty passes. His brother, ’02 Cy LeClerc, is committed to UNH.
30. Nolan Joyce
St. Sebastian’s JV, 9/25/03, D, Right Shot, 5-9/140
Joyce is a smooth skater and can move pucks well. When he keeps things simple and doesn’t try to force plays, he can be very efficient. His dad, John Joyce, enjoyed a successful career at BC, including serving as captain of the Eagles during the 1993-94 season. His older brother, ’01 Connor Joyce, is committed to BC.
31. Casey Raffone
Selects Academy 15O, 5/21/03, LW, Left Shot, 5-10/165
Raffone had 14 goals and 22 assists in 57 games at the midget level, but didn’t see much power play time, so most of his production came five-on-five. The Guilford, Conn., native is a winger who can get to pucks with his compete and skating. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and has an above average skill set for this level.
32. Zachary Glass
Thayer, 2/1/03, RW, Right Shot, 5-10/155
Glass has two seasons of prep school hockey under his belt. The Weymouth, Mass., native had two goals and seven assists this winter while splitting time between the second and third lines at Thayer.
33. Will Conway
Rivers, 2/10/03, LW, Left Shot, 5-10/175
Conway had eight goals and seven assists in 31 games during his second season playing for Shawn McEachern at Rivers. He has some skill and can produce, but his skating will need to improve in order to get to the Division I level.
34. Anthony Cafarelli
Cushing, 4/16/03, C/RW, Right Shot, 5-8/165
Cafarelli had four goals and four assists in 33 games for the Penguins while playing bottom six minutes. The Middleton, Mass., native has some skill which shines through more when going up against his own age group. His older brother, ’01 Nick Cafarelli, is committed to UNH.
35. Cam Sullivan
Westborough, 2/22/03, C/RW, Right Shot, 5-11/140
Sullivan first caught the attention of several observers at last summer’s Mass. Final 40 before shining at the Mass HS Hockey Showcase. He skates well, sees the ice and has some good puck skills. He’s a player that will make the jump to prep hockey and could contribute as a top six forward down the road.
36. Jaiden Moriello
Junior Bruins 16U, 5/4/03, RW, Right Shot, 6-1/175
Moriello had a good season with the Junior Bruins, posting 18 goals and 19 assists in 32 games for Topher Bevis’ squad. He has decent size and competes hard.
37. Luke Sullivan
Westborough, 2/22/03, D, Left Shot, 6-0/140
Sullivan, the twin brother of Cam Sullivan, is a smooth, puck-moving defenseman who can make plays in transition. He quarterbacked the power play and did a good job walking the blue line at the high school level.
38. Nick Donaldson
Berkshire, 1/3/03, D, Right Shot, 5-11/190
Donaldson’s footwork and skating need some work, but he does a lot of things well. He has good size and is strong on his skates and hard to knock off pucks. He’s rugged and has good vision
39. Dom Murphy
St. Mark’s, 11/4/03, RW, Right Shot, 5-11/161
Murphy bounced around the lineup, depending on which night you saw St. Mark’s play this winter. He has decent size and is heavy on pucks. He wins a lot of battles, protects pucks, and can distribute it to open teammates.
40. John Logan
BC High, 5/30/03, D, Right Shot, 5-9/167
Logan gained the trust of BC High coach John Flaherty as the season went along. A smaller, puck-moving defenseman, he saw a lot of minutes in the Super 8. He’s an above average skater and a player to watch when it comes to MIAA underclassmen.
41. Joseph Fleming
Wellesley, 6/19/03, D, Right Shot, 5-11/190
Fleming has good size and is a rugged, two-way defender. He has a good stick, makes good passes on the breakout, and has some potential. It will be interesting to see where he goes from Wellesley High.
42. Drew Haxton
Bishop Hendricken, 1/12/03, RW, Right Shot, 5-8/144
Haxton is a good skater who can make some plays on the rush. He’s quick, but tends to stay to the outside. If he can improve his hockey sense some and play more inside the circles, there’s potential.
43. Cooper Boulanger
Holderness, 7/8/03, LW, Left Shot, 5-9/140
Boulanger’s speed and overall skating ability shine through during most viewings. He played second and third line minutes for Holderness as the team fell just short in the NEPSAC Small School Championship.
44. Jayden Grier
St. Sebastian’s JV, 12/12/03, LW, Left Shot, 5-10/161
Grier played for the Neponset Valley River Rats 15 Pure team during the split season. He’s an athletic, gritty forward with some upside. He’s the son of former Boston University and NHL star Mike Grier, who is currently an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils.
45. Nick Bevilacqua
Boston Advantage 16U, 8/6/03, G, Catches Left, 5-10/141
Bevilacqua isn’t the biggest goaltender, but he seems to always be making saves when it counts. He has quick, catlike reflexes and has solid fundamentals.
Author's Note: Two players who were meant to be included were inadvertently omitted.
Cameron Miranda
Selects Academy 15O, 3/13/03, D, Right Shot, 6-0/161
Miranda had a very good year for Jon Hutcheon's Selects Academy team. The Mendon, Mass., native had five goals and 41 assists in 57 games played. Miranda is an efficient puck-moving defenseman. He does a nice job with simple, yet smart outlet passes while skating with his head up. He should be on the radar of college coaches over the coming years.
Colin Norton
BC High, 5/27/03, LW, Left Shot, 5-8/154
Norton had a strong split season with the Cape Cod Whalers before seeing limited ice time for a very good BC High squad. Norton competes hard and seems to rise to the occasion. He's had a strong spring, including a solid showing at a USHL Futures Camp.
