The 2021-22 Massachusetts high school hockey season offered up plenty of highlights, top performances, and players to watch for the future.
That was evident throughout the MIAA circuit with the number of talented freshmen dotting lineups across the state. In an era when more players are choosing to play prep or full-season midget hockey, it’s imperative to remember that there are still elite underclassmen that college coaches, USA Hockey and USHL scouts, and agents are looking for throughout the MIAA.
Standing out to me when choosing the New England Hockey Journal MIAA All-Rookie Teams was that not all of these players came from top schools or the most well-known youth organizations. Some were known from their bantam or midget play, but a few freshmen emerged as the high school season moved along.
Presented below are the NEHJ MIAA All-Rookie first-, second- and third-team selections.
MORE: MIAA All-Star teams | MIAA players of the year awards | MIAA championship day standouts
MIAA All-Freshman First Team
Mikey Munroe
Hanover, 7/6/07, LW, left shot, 5-7/135
Munroe’s freshman season was electric. NEHJ’s MIAA Freshman of the Year scored 19 goals and 20 assists in 25 games as the Hawks won the Division 3 state championship. Munroe stole the show at the TD Garden in the finale, scoring two goals and two assists in the clinching win over Marlboro. Munroe’s skating, skill and offensive hockey sense set himself apart from the rest of the field when it came to top freshmen in the high school hockey circuit. He is off to Avon Old Farms in September.
Tyler Hamilton
Catholic Memorial, 12/7/06, C, right shot, 6-0/145
Hamilton, from Framingham, was the top-line center for the Knights. He played in all situations, which is unusual for a freshman on a Catholic Conference team. His skating, skill and compete stood out in all viewings of the Assabet Patriots forward. In a handful of viewings of CM, Hamilton was clearly the top player.
CJ Watroba
Pope Francis, 2/1/07, LW, left shot, 5-8/150
Watroba was a bright spot in the only two viewings I had of the Cardinals. He brought a strong, low center of gravity to his top-six role. Despite his smaller stature and youth, he did a good job of being heavy on pucks and making plays in traffic. From West Springfield, Mass., Watroba was productive for a Pope Francis team that stayed inside the top 10 of the MIAA rankings for the entire season.
Colin Rowe
Andover, 4/1/07, D, right shot
Rowe wasn’t a defenseman who would pop right out at you when watching the Warriors. However, that’s a good thing. He played a mature game, beyond his years. Rowe did a good job retrieving pucks and making simple, yet effective, decisions on first touch. His outlet passes were smart, quick and showed poise. He also defends well in front of his own net. He’ll be heading to Pingree in the fall.
Conor Griffin
Austin Prep, 6/7/06, D, right shot, 5-8/160
Griffin, from North Reading, led all Austin Prep blue liners in scoring with three goals and seven assists. The mobile, puck-moving defenseman played on the power play and showed off his stick and footwork while walking the blue line. He also had a solid fall season with the Valley Junior Warriors.
Colin Davis
Canton, 9/8/06, G, catches left, 6-1/154
Davis came off the bench and stole the starting job for Brian Shuman’s Bulldogs. A goaltender with good size, he is strong technically and does a good job of staying quiet in the crease. He had quite a few solid starts and came up clutch in big games in the Ed Burns Classic, then again in the state tournament. While the result wasn’t what the team wanted, his play led Canton to an appearance at the TD Garden for the Division 2 state championship game against Tewksbury.
MIAA All-Rookie Second Team
Jacob Duval
Austin Prep, 1/19/06, RW, right shot, 5-10/160
Duval is a goal scorer. He’s heavy on pucks and shoots with authority. He finished with 14 goals in 23 games for the Cougars. What I liked, in addition to his goal-scoring exploits, was the way he played away from the puck. Duval, from Andover, was physical and blocked shots.
Colvin Callahan
Lexington, 2/9/07, right shot, 5-10/150
Callahan didn’t get a lot of views during the MIAA season, but he was impressive in one Middlesex League clash I watched. A power forward, he has good size, is strong on pucks, and can shoot it. He’ll likely be moving on to a prep school for 2022-23.
Joe Feinberg
BC High, 1/10/07, RW, right shot, 5-7/135
Feinberg, originally from Colorado, moved to New England a little over a year ago. He enjoyed more and more ice time as the season moved along. He was on the second line and brought skill and hockey sense to a good secondary scoring unit for the Eagles. Feinberg has also played for the Middlesex Islanders.
Nick Evans
Malden Catholic, 3/13/07, D, right shot, 5-8/135
Evans played a ton of minutes as a freshman, being paired with sophomore Owen Keefe. Evans, from Malden, skates well and plays a solid game at both ends of the ice. He scored his first goal in a game against Arlington in the postseason. The longtime Middlesex Islander blue liner will likely be back at MC for his sophomore season.
Pete Luecke
BC High, 1/10/06, D, right shot, 5-8/135
Luecke got much better as the season moved along. Early on, he showed some nerves when the pace picked up. What impressed me was the improvement he made from December to February. The South Boston native showed more poise and was more confident in his puck touches.
Keagin Wilson
Hingham, 10/12/06, G, catches left, 5-8/130
Wilson split time with junior Luke Meriam. While he’s significantly smaller in stature than his counterpart in the Harbormen crease, he was up to the task in most outings. Wilson is quick and athletic.
MIAA All-Rookie Third Team
Luke Pazzia
Austin Prep, 10/30/06, LW, left shot, 5-9/160
Pazzia is a late birthday who had a very good freshman season for the Cougars. His stick is good, which allows him to finish and make some nifty passes. The Burlington native skates well and should keep getting better. He had seven goals and 10 assists in 23 games.
Liam Gore
Arlington, 6/22/07, LW, left shot, 5-9/145
Gore, a longtime Junior Eagles standout, brought a physical element to the Arlington lineup. He’s a strong skater who likes to throw his weight around on the forecheck. On a very deep public school team, he didn’t get as much ice time as he probably would have on many other teams. He’ll likely take a big jump as a sophomore in 2022-23.
Cam Caron
Dracut/Tyngsboro, 6/21/07, LW, left shot, 5-11/161
Caron, a big power forward, had a monster year for the Middies. In 22 games, he scored 16 goals and added 15 assists. He’s able to protect pucks and drive the net with authority. Caron, who also is a standout on the South Shore Kings, has upside with his size, especially if he can keep getting quicker out of the gates.
Max Gagnon
Central Catholic, 4/14/07, LW, right shot
Gagnon, from Byfield, played his off wing in my two viewings of Central Catholic. The Middlesex Islanders winger plays a gritty game. He skates well and is around the puck a lot, especially on the forecheck. He finished with seven points.
Nate Brissette
Wakefield, 9/1/06, LW, left shot, 5-7/146
Brissette missed significant time to start the season, but he made the Warriors better when he was in the lineup. The quick, skilled winger had the vision to make plays, especially when on a line with star senior Joe O’Brien.
Zack Miller
Plymouth South, 4/14/07, D, left shot, 5-10/155
Miller has good size, skates well, and has the physical tools to intrigue scouts. He was one of just two freshmen to make the Panthers roster.
Nic Brandano
St. John’s Prep, 4/24/06, D, right shot, 5-7/160
Brandano didn’t see a lot of time this season with the Division 1 champions, but it was a feat in itself to be the only freshman on varsity. Brandano likes to jump into the rush when he gets the opportunity. The Lynnfield native finished with five assists.
