What a season it should be in terms of talent among NEPSAC Independents.
There are NHL Draft prospects. There are a slew of Division 1 commits. There are even more players who will have Division 1 eyes on them throughout the season.
Truthfully, I could've done Third and Fourth teams for the Independents. And, given the number of teams, maybe it would've been worth it. But it made for a fun exercise to shrink the talent down to two teams.
Let's dive into our First and Second All-Independent teams.
First team
F: Grayden Robertson-Palmer, Andover
Robertson-Palmer is one of the best two-way centers in all of prep. Even with a strong two-way game, he still scored 17 goals and posted 37 points in 30 games last season. He now steps into an even bigger role with Andover that should lead to more production. He also entered the year on NHL Central Scouting’s preliminary watch list.
F: Rian Chudzinski, Dexter Southfield
Chudzinski transferred to Dexter from St. Sebastian’s in the offseason and entered as one of the best players in prep. Even in a limited role with the Arrows last season, he had 13 goals and 22 points. His mix of high-end skill, IQ and grit should propel him to be one of the top point-getters in New England.
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F: Ryan Lucarelli, Canterbury
Canterbury broke out last season, winning the Small School championship. Lucarelli also broke out, turning into a star. He posted 12 goals and 43 points in 33 games. His team lost a lot of scoring to graduation, so Lucarelli, who is committed to Sacred Heart, should take another big step forward.
D: Ryland Randle, Cushing
Last season was Randle’s first at Cushing and he was vital offensively. The Arizona State commit was outstanding, scoring 10 goals and posting 34 points in 32 games. Randle just might be the most dynamic defenseman in prep and on a team that is lacking forward firepower, Randle will be given the chance to be a top scorer.
D: Tommy Bleyl, Cushing
Bleyl enters Cushing after a season at Albany Academy. The Schenectady, N.Y., native committed to Michigan State over the summer and is a two-way force. He has a hard, accurate shot that he can score on from the point. He knows how to get deeper in the offensive zone to score. He also can shut down opposing forwards.
G: Maksim Corovic, Cushing
Corovic enters Cushing with some big expectations. An ‘08 from Stony Creek, Ontario, Corovic is 6-foot-2 and 181 pounds. He stood out with the Niagara North Stars’ 16U team last season. He’s been strong for the Central Mass. Penguins in the fall and was a fifth-round pick in the OHL Priority Selection earlier this year.
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Second team
F: Joseph Salandra, Brunswick
Brunswick will be in a retooling mode this winter and Salandra will be at the center of that. He played for Mid Fairfield’s 15O team last season, scoring 57 goals and 104 points. Salandra committed to Harvard over the summer and plays a style of game that can drive an offense, put up a lot of points against older players and make those around him better.
F: Noah Survilas, Dexter Southfield
Survilas broke out as a freshman last season, scoring 12 goals and posting 30 points in 31 games. He showed a tendency to be able to control the game whenever he wanted to and has skill that puts him in the upper echelon of forwards in prep. His big challenge will be standing out among an array of high-end players at Dexter.
F: Duncan Thompson, Berkshire
This will be a big season for Thompson. The uncommitted senior will be Berkshire’s go-to guy offensively just one year after scoring 25 goals and notching 44 points in 32 games. The Bears also should be better around him, which should help Thompson produce even more.
D: Tyler Russo, Cushing
Russo enters the season as one of the best shutdown defensemen in prep hockey. His stick, IQ and physicality make him so hard to beat. I’m also curious to see just how much offense he produces from the back end, too. He has underrated vision and will captain the Penguins. He’s also committed to Minnesota State.
D: Myles Brosnan, Dexter Southfield
Brosnan burst on the scene for Dexter last season. The then-freshman ‘07 played in all situations and thrived, scoring three goals and posting 21 minutes. After a strong summer that included a trip to USA Hockey’s Select 17 Camp, he looks poised to take the next step, becoming a premier No. 1 defender in prep.
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G: Maxim Pitts, Canterbury
Pitts saw the most time in the Canterbury net last season en route to a Small School title win. He posted a 2.94 GAA and a .901 save percentage. He’s a steady presence who, as a senior, should be ready to help bring the Saints back into the postseason.
