The upper echelon of prep hockey continues to separate itself from the rest of the field as less than a month remains in the 2021-22 season.
Avon Old Farms remains atop the New England Hockey Journal Prep Hockey Power Rankings as the calendar flips to February. While the top three are the same as last week, some teams have moved around and a new team has entered the top 10.
A couple of marquee games dot the schedule this Saturday as Salisbury travels to Cushing and St. Sebastian’s hosts St. Mark’s. Both matchups will have a significant impact on next week’s power rankings.
For now, here are this week’s NEHJ Prep Hockey Power Rankings:
1. Avon Old Farms
League: Founders | Record: 16-1-0 (6-0-0) | Previous: 1
Next game: Feb. 9 vs. Frederick Gunn (2:30 p.m.)
The Winged Beavers ran their winning streak to eight games with wins over Loomis Chaffee, Choate and Westminster. John Gardner’s team has a myriad of depth and it is shining through as the season moves along. Penn State recruit Matt DiMarsico, a newcomer to prep, was coming off an injury when the season started. The winger, on a five-game point streak, scored a goal and two assists in each of the last two outings.
2. Kimball Union
League: Lakes Region | Record: 19-1-1 (7-0-0) | Previous: 2
Next game: Feb. 4 vs. Holderness (5 p.m.)
After a patch of games where the defense and goaltending were deemed suspect, the Wildcats appear to have all systems in motion. Wins over Exeter, Tilton and Northfield Mount Hermon helped Tim Whitehead’s squad continue its momentum. KUA has four players averaging over 1.5 points per game, led by Tyler Wishart, a Cornell commit.
3. Belmont Hill
League: ISL Keller | Record: 12-0-2 (7-0-2) | Previous: 3
Next game: Feb. 4 vs. Andover (5 p.m.)
With wins over Brooks and Lawrence Academy, the Sextants hold on to their title of the only undefeated team left in prep hockey. The team plays solid defense and has an older team for the most part. One veteran who doesn’t get the credit he deserves is '03 defenseman Will Killoran, whose lack of offensive production is made up for by his stellar defensive game. The youngest player on Belmont Hill, star '06 Teddy Stiga, had two assists against Lawrence in his first game back in over two weeks.
4. Salisbury
League: Housatonic | Record: 13-4-0 (5-1-0) | Previous: 7
Next game: Feb. 7 vs. Kent (4:30 p.m.)
Here come the Crimson Knights. Those are five words that should send chills through the prep hockey circuit. Andrew Will’s team has won eight in a row and is doing it with relative ease. In his five-game scoring streak, junior Dylan Hryckowian has six goals and six assists. The Northeastern commit is heating up and proving he is one of prep hockey’s top skilled players. After grinding through a rough patch of his own, goaltender Austin McNicholas seems to be back on track.
5. Brunswick
League: Independent | Record: 12-4-0 (4-1-0) | Previous: 4
Next game: Feb. 8 vs. Elite Hockey Academy (5 p.m.)
After a tough loss to Salisbury, the Bruins bounced back with convincing wins over Lawrenceville and Williston. One player who is heating up is Dartmouth commit Hank Cleaves (Riverside, Conn.), as he’s scored two goals and one assist in each of the last two games. Oftentimes when discussing young players in prep, consistency is an issue. That hasn’t been the case for '06 Drew Dellasalla who has registered a point or more in eight straight games. He has five goals and seven assists during that time.
6. Cushing
League: Independent | Record: 10-2-3 (4-2-1) | Previous: 5
Next game: Feb. 4 vs. Vermont Academy (3 p.m.)
The Penguins had a busy week, playing four games. Sophomore winger Landan Resendes (Marlborough, Mass.) has been busy scoring goals of late. He has a goal or more in five straight games. The next three weekends will go a long way in Paul Pearl’s team proving its worth. After hosting Salisbury Saturday, Cushing has a solo game against St. Mark’s and a pair with Kimball Union among its upcoming schedule.
7. Nobles
League: ISL Keller | Record: 11-5-1 (4-3-1) | Previous: 9
Next game: Feb. 4 vs. Tabor (5 p.m.)
The Bulldogs are showing signs of getting their bite back. Winners of two in a row, Nobles is on the right track, especially after getting its first line center line back. Harvard commit Ben MacDonald (Weston, Mass.) has four goals and two assists in his five games back. He’ll be a huge factor in Nobles’ success down the stretch. Also on a hot streak is Austin Tasca (Hope, R.I.) who has four goals and seven assists in his last seven games.
8. St. Sebastian’s
League: ISL Keller | Record: 12-3-1 (6-1-1) | Previous: 8
Next game: Feb. 5 vs. St. Mark's (3 p.m.)
The Arrows bounced back from a loss to Nobles by beating Thayer and Milton. There are a few highly regarded '07s playing prep hockey this winter. One is occupying the home team’s locker room at Lane Rink. Teddy Mutryn (Norwell, Mass.) has a goal and six assists during his current five-game point streak. Senior center Brendan Gorman (Arlington, Mass.) continues his solid play, scoring two goals and three assists in the last two games.
9. Dexter Southfield
League: Independent | Record: 11-3-3 (2-1-2) | Previous: 6
Next game: Feb. 5 vs. Andover (3:15 p.m.)
Dexter Southfield is 5-0-1 in its last six games, overcoming such adversity as playing with its third-string goaltender. Harvard commit Will Hughes (Andover, Mass.)Â has a point or more in six straight games. Goaltending and a lack of depth compared to recent Danny Donato teams will be what trips up this group.
10. Holderness
League: Lakes Region | Record: 15-1-1 (6-1-1) | Previous: Unranked
Next game: Feb. 4 vs. Kimball Union (5 p.m.)
I got my first in-person look at the Bulls on Wednesday when Alan Thompson’s team traveled to Exeter. The Bulls overcame giving up a goal with their goaltender pulled for the extra attacker on a delayed penalty in what is certainly one of the more rare plays in hockey. In the end, Holderness defeated a solid Exeter squad. Senior Sean Senier (Melrose, Mass.) had an assist on the overtime game-winner. The former Melrose High standout has three goals and six assists in the last seven games.
In the hunt: St. George’s, Kent, St. Mark’s, Westminster, Exeter, Northfield Mount Hermon
