The ISL Keller division is always one of the better ones in New England boys prep hockey. In recent seasons, at least one or two typically open the winter in the top 10.
That's not the case this year.
In my preseason top 10, there were no ISL Keller teams. Obviously, my top 10 is meant for debate and is subjective, but I don't see a clear favorite among the bunch.
Instead, I see a field with a lot of teams who have a shot to contend — but all have major question marks.
Here's a team-by-team breakdown of the eight teams in the ISL Keller.
Let's dive in.
Belmont Hill
Coach: Brian Phinney
2024-25 record: 22-7-3; lost to Westminster in semifinals of Martin/Earl Large School tournament
Players to watch: Patrick Woods, F; Matthew Carorlan, F; Harry Lavoie, F; Liam Boyle, F; Sam Lee, F; Landon Roe, F; Robert Dekleine, F; Evan Jones, D; Alex Guo, D; Lance Toland, D; JJ Thibodeau, G
Outlook: The Sextants were hit hard by players leaving early for junior hockey, with David Bosco, Jake Tavares and Brady Sloper gone. Fortunately for Belmont Hill, Woods, Jones and Thibodeau provide a fantastic foundation. Belmont Hill will go as far as its young and less experienced players take it this season.
Governor's Academy
Coach: Brian McGuirkÂ
2024-25 record: 16-12-2; lost to Westminster in quarterfinals of Martin/Earl Large School tournament
Players to watch: Robbie Daley, F; Brodie Donovan, F; Andrew Giguere, F; Cooper Schuhwerk, D; Nolan Nassar, DÂ
Outlook: Governor's Academy lost UConn commit Jack Torr and Maine commit Spencer Thornborough before graduating, as both left for the junior hockey ranks. There's still a team good enough to challenge the best teams in the ISL. What Gov's will need most is some younger, more inexperienced players down in the lineup to step up.
Lawrence Academy
Coach: Robbie Barker
2024-25 record: 11-13-1
Players to watch: Luke Allen, F; Chase Field, F; Karolis Janulis, F; Gavin Holland, D; John Mara, D; Colby Mara, D; Mata Janulis, D; Aiden Emerick, G
Outlook: Defense. Defense, defense and more defense. At first glance, the Spartans’ road back to the playoffs runs through their strong defensive core. Allen and Field are both promising potential first-line forwards, too. The ISL Keller is wide-open, which should play to Barker’s team’s advantage.
PREP PREVIEWS: Belmont Hill |  Milton | Tilton | Berkshire | Deerfield | St. George’s | Brunswick | Winchendon | Salisbury | Choate | Nobles | Kent | Holderness | Dexter Southfield
Milton Academy
Coach: Jim Gaudet
2024-25 record: 10-17-1
Players to watch: Brody Sharp, F; Joe Feinberg, F; Cooper Hosmer, F; Max Colosimo, F; Cam Doull, F; Noah Keeler, F; Chase Collins, F; TJ Petropoulos, F; Blake Wilichoski, F; Justin Garvey, D; Josh Levy, D; Chance Bolton, D; Brayden Robinson, D; Michael Shaw, D; Logan Smith, D; Eli Zucker, G; Carter Backus, G
Outlook: It’s been two straight down years for Milton since being the No. 3 seed in the Elite 8 in 2023. That should change this winter, as this Mustang lineup is deep, old and experienced. Don’t sleep on young guns like Petropoulos and Wilichoski making an impact either. Milton has Elite 8 potential.
Nobles
Coach: Dan McGoff
2024-25 record: 18-8-1; lost to Deerfield in quarterfinals of Stuart/Corkery Elite 8 tournament
Players to watch: Billy MacAusland, F; Zach Mohamed, F; Tuck Gilbane, D; Jack Hartwell, D; Kris Soja, D; Alex Munoz, D; Kasen Walsh, D; Eben Alden, D; Justin Lee, G; Tucker Monroe, G
Outlook: McGoff takes over a team that lost five of its top six scorers from last season. The good news, however, is that MacAusland is back after posting a whopping 61 points last season. The blue line is stacked with experienced vets, and Lee proved he can handle being a great starting goalie as an ‘09 in prep. If they keep games low-scoring, they should be in the Elite 8 hunt.
St. Sebastian's
Coach: Sean McCannÂ
2024-25 record: 6-18-3
Players to watch: Jack Queally, F; Brendan Matthews, F; Charlie Delay, F; Cade Noonan, F; Gavin Wainwright, D; Sam Fishbone, D; Ollie Manning, D; Jack Kelleher, D; Brian Burke, D; Tommy Saulnier, GÂ
Outlook: This was one of the youngest teams in the region last winter. The Arrows should be better this season, although losing Brendan Keaveney to graduation and Austin Wu to Dexter Southfield won't help. Queally should take a huge step up front, Saulnier proved he could handle a lot of shots last winter and there should be some unlisted '10s and '11s who make their impact felt.
Tabor
Coach: Gerald Dineen
2024-25 record: 13-13-1
Players to watch: Ethan Travis, F; Chase Watts, F; Colvin Callahan, F; Heyden Hildebrandt, F; Oliver Benoit, D; Alec Dzavik, D; Owen Carter, D; Marchello Martinelli, D; Vinnie D'Urso, G
Outlook:Â Tabor should be much better this season after not making the postseason last winter. There's a mix of high-end talent with depth. Travis, a Sacred Heart commit, should be one of the top forwards in this division this winter, and Benoit has the size to be a No. 1 defenseman. The big difference-maker is D'Urso in net, who was outstanding in his first prep season last year. The Seawolves should be in the hunt for the playoffs this year.
READ MORE: Our preseason boys prep power rankings
Thayer
Coach: David Hymovitz
2024-25 record: 15-13-1; lost to Avon Old Farms in quarterfinals of Martin/Earl Large School tournament
Players to watch: Michael Federico, F; Ty Hymovitz, F; Tommy Wilkinson, F; Jack Funk, F; Nick Sumner, F; Sean Sweeney, F; Brian McFadden, D; Cooper Shea, D; David O’Brien, D; Nate Rooney, D; Quinn Devin, G; Tyler Moschella, G
Outlook: Thayer should be much improved over last season. The Tigers are deep up front, have a nice mix of physicality and puck-moving skills in back, and two dependable netminders. It’s not crazy to think Thayer could (and should) contend for the Elite 8. Don’t sleep on them being an older team, either.
