The Holt Conference isn't known for being the strongest in New England boys prep hockey. However, it typically features standout talent.
Last year, among names like Joe Salandra, Carter Meyer (Winchester, Mass.) and Billy MacAusland (Westwood, Mass.) was North Yarmouth Academy's Adrian Mendoza, who dominated with 68 points.
In 2023-24, Parker Murch (York, Maine), now at Cushing, notched 31 goals and 61 points for Berwick, ranking fifth among all players in New England.
Who could that be this season? Time will tell.
For now, here are our First and Second Holt Conference teams.
First team
F: Connor Nolan, Portsmouth Abbey
Nolan enters the season coming off a fantastic sophomore year with 18 goals and 35 points. He will be the offensive leader for a Portsmouth Abbey team looking to build off of last season’s success. In 10 games for the Peak Performance Prep League this fall, he had a staggering 11 goals and 23 points.
F: Danny Patch, Pingree
Patch was one of the better and most effective ‘09s in prep last season with 31 points, which ranked second for Pingree. Patch had a strong fall with the Boston Junior Eagles’ 16U team and looks poised to bump those numbers even higher.
F: Kellan Kissane, Worcester Academy
Kissane led Worcester Academy in goals (19) and points (33) last season. He more than doubled his point totals from his freshman year, when he had 12 points. He’s due for another bump this winter. The Ashland, Mass., native steps into even more of a leading role with Chris Hughes and Jack Copponi graduating.
D: Graham Luskin, Pingree
As an ‘09 last season, Luskin was dynamite with three goals and 15 points in 28 games. The Newburyport, Mass., native looks poised to take another step this winter. He also has nice size at 6-foot-1 and 174 pounds.
D: Jack Rapagna, Portsmouth Abbey
Rapagna had a nice season last winter with two goals and 11 points in 31 games. With Callum Coyle and Luca Mestrandrea gone to graduation, Rapagna will need to take a big step as a senior. His fall was legit with eight points in seven Peak Performance Prep League games.
G: Easton Theberge, Portsmouth Abbey
As a sophomore ‘08 starting for the first time in prep last winter, Theberge had a 3.55 GAA and a .885 save percentage. He’s a year older and has shown improvements since last season. He projects to be even better this winter for a Portsmouth Abbey team that should contend to repeat.
READ MORE: Our preseason boys top 10 | Ranking the next 15 teams
Second team
F: Drew Borggaard, Portsmouth Abbey
While Borggaard only had seven points last season as a sophomore '08, he's improved mightily over the offseason. He had a very strong fall with the Peak Performance Prep League and should be a top-six stalwart for Portsmouth Abbey. The West Boylston, Mass., native is shifty with an ability to get to scoring areas.
F: Jacob Colaluca, North Yarmouth Academy
North Yarmouth Academy lost its top four scorers from last season, which paves the way for Colaluca to jump into a primary role. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound forward had 11 goals and 20 points in 32 games last season. He's from Brunswick, Maine.
F: Jake Pandolfo, Austin Prep
As a sophomore '08 last season, Pandolfo was highly impactful for Austin Prep, posting 10 goals and 28 points in 31 games. Austin Prep graduated the scorers around Pandolfo in the lineup last season, but now, as an upperclassman, the Burlington, Mass., native is ready to step in as AP's top guy.
D: Liam Conley, Austin Prep
Conley, like Pandolfo, played a big role for Austin Prep last winter, scoring eight goals and tallying 19 points in 31 games, which is fantastic production for a sophomore '08. He's 6 feet, 181 pounds and from Lowell, Mass.
D: Cam Clark, Berwick
Clark posted a strong six goals and 15 points in 25 games as a junior last season. Berwick struggled last winter as a young team, so Clark, who is now a senior, should be in a leading role. The Kingston, N.H., native posted 12 points in 17 Peak Performance Prep games this fall, and is 5-foot-8 and 146 pounds.
READ MORE: 32 breakout forward candidates | 24 breakout defensemen candidates |13 breakout goalie candidates
G: Ethan Addazio and DJ Patriss, Berwick
Yup, I went with both. Addazio played a bit more than Patriss last season, but both had strong numbers. Addazio posted a 2.85 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage, while Patriss had a 3.54 GAA and a .903 save percentage. If Berwick has a strong winter, it'll be in large part because of these two seniors.
