It’s hard to find a consensus opinion among the coaches of the New England prep school hockey teams on almost any topic. But we tried anyway.
And if there’s one dominant theme that emerged from New England Hockey Journal’s survey of NEPSAC head coaches this spring, it’s that Richard Gallant of St. Mark’s is a stud.
That’s the first takeaway from our survey, which sought to gauge coaches’ feelings on the past season and the state of hockey in the NEPSAC overall.
About the poll: Coaches from all conferences and from independent schools are represented in the survey, which granted anonymity to the coaches to allow them to speak freely.
We’ve broken the survey results into two parts: This first version, which reveals coaches’ reactions to on-ice performances, and a second part that explores coaches’ feelings on the state of NEPSAC hockey now and its future.
Who was the best newcomer last season?
Gallant, the St Mark's true freshman from Concord, Mass., is a speedy, highly skilled left wing. He played on the top line, power play and made a lot of contributions in all zones. He played a scrappy style, going hard to the net and willing to take hits to make the play.
“For a freshman to get 43 points is impressive from my perspective,” said one coach.
“Just a complete, 200-foot player,” said another.
Gallant is one of the best 2007 prospects in the country. As he continues to grow and gain experience, he should only get better. He’ll be in play for the U.S. National Team Development Program next March.
Other players who received consideration were a trio of 2006-born prospects: Nobles goaltender Thatcher Bernstein (Brookline, Mass.), Belmont Hill’s Teddy Stiga (Sudbury, Mass.), and Milton Academy defenseman Dylan Hunt (Marlboro, Mass.).
One coach mentioned Kent's standout '06 defensive duo of Alex Bales and Jacob Ingstrup for poise and significant roles with the large school champions in their first year of prep.
Who was the best overall NEPSAC player last season?
There was no clear-cut winner in this category. Brendan Gorman (Arlington, Mass.), Michael Callow (South Boston, Mass.), Nolan Joyce (Dedham, Mass.), Billy Norcross (Lynn, Mass.), Michael Fisher (Westboro, Mass.) and James Fisher (Wilmington, Mass.) were among those earning votes.
Of the group, Gorman had a slight if not decisive edge in recognition.
“He controlled the game, made players around him better,” one coach, whose team played St. Sebastian’s, said of Gorman. “He was hard to handle.”
Another coach talked about the multiple threats on the Arrows that gave his team all it could handle: “St. Seb’s first group was very impressive. Callow and Gorman played with high pace while executing extremely well. Joyce was impressive as well — they played two or three steps ahead of people.”
New England Hockey Journal MVP Dylan Hryckowian, Ryan Walsh, Brennan Ali and Loomis Chaffee leading scorer Oliver Flynn (Wolcott, Conn.) were notable players singled out by coaches in the Housatonic/Founder’s conference.
In the Lakes Region, the KUA trio of Revelin Mack, Jaiden Moriello (Saugus, Mass.) and Tyler Wishart received votes as consistent performers.
Who will be the best player next season?
Many coaches who responded qualified their vote with the acknowledgment that we’re too far out to know who will be on the 2022-23 prep rosters. But Gavin Conforth, the Thayer Academy standout from Milton, Mass., who was a USHL first-round pick by the Dubuque Fighting Saints, was a name that came up from several respondents.
Belmont Hill goaltender Sam Scopa (Lexington, Mass.), Cushing forward Ethan Gardula (Princeton, Mass.) and KUA winger Jackson Kyrkostas (Windham, N.H.) were also mentioned as possibilities in the ISL and Lakes Region. Brunswick forward and Yale recruit Eli Friedman was mentioned by several Housatonic coaches as having a strong chance to break out.
Who was the best goaltender last season?
Kellen Beauton of Pomfret received the most responses. The ’03-born team captain from Colchester, Conn., posted a .942 save percentage and stole some games for the Griffins. Pomfret won its last four games, including the small school championship over Frederick Gunn, 4-2, as Beauton surrendered just five goals with two shutouts. He will play Division 3 hockey for Connecticut College next season.
After Beauton, Evan Plunkett, who led Holderness to its first Elite 8 tournament appearance, got recognition.
“He was very good against us and one of the reasons Holderness was as good as they were this season,” said one in-state coach.
Avon postgrad Conor Callaghan, an '03, and KUA’s Dan Heroux (Vermont recruit) were the next tier of choices. Others getting votes: Scopa, Exeter’s Michael Salvatore (Newburyport, Mass.) and both Governor’s goalies Max Lacroix and David Palandjian (Concord, Mass.).
What player surprised you the most last season?
Every coach offered a different answer to this question. So there were surprises all over the conference. A few of the players who jumped out:
Brooks School got outstanding play all season from Jake Inzirillo, who saw a lot of shots as the workhorse in net.
St. George’s Matt Kursonis (West Boylston, Mass.), a Holy Cross recruit, is a natural scorer (21 goals in 23 games) who was a consistent threat for the Dragons and in fall play with the South Shore Kings 18 (prep) team.
“We had played him in the past, but this year he was dominant against us,” said one coach.
Phillips Andover postgrad forward Jonathan Surrette, formerly of Woburn (Mass.) High, also received praise from several coaches, including. Said one coach: “I knew he was a good player, but didn’t know he was that good…he will help a college team at some point in his career.”
Westminster senior defenseman Dan Lurie (Lexington, Mass.), Brewster Bobcats ’04 Dalton Kane, and Governor’s captain Ian Olenik (Windham, N.H.). Lawrenceville (N.J.) forward Justin Solovey earned recognition on another non-region New England Prep affiliate team.
One under-the-radar surprise: Canterbury’s Jed Brazo. “Scored a ton without a huge supporting cast,” said one coach of the New York product.
What team could be a surprise next season?
Let’s start with the caveat that rosters aren’t finalized for next season and it’s hard to project exactly what each team will look like. Several coaches responded with something just like that when we asked them if there’s a team that could turn heads next season.
Still, we asked them to project a squad that might unexpectedly contend.
Brunswick was the only team to receive multiple votes. “Brunswick is a team that tends to lose kids early, but if that group is back they could be scary good,” one coach said.
Another coach suggested Governors Academy. “(Coach) Brian (McGuirk) did a great job with his team this year," he said. "I think they will get better.”
Vermont Academy and Hebron got a split vote from one coach. “They always compete hard and could punch you in the mouth if you’re not ready,” he said.
PART 2 OF THE SURVEY: What's next for NEPSAC hockey?
