The ISL Keller doesn't just have talented players. The eight-team division has some of the top players in New England boys prep hockey.
There are players on the first team who have legitimate shots at winning our MVP award at the end of the season. There are uncommitted prospects who should make a real name for themselves this winter.
A legit NHL Draft prospect is in the ISL Keller, as well as the '10 with arguably the best case for the U.S. National Team Development Program.
Here are our First and Second ISL Keller teams.
First team
Billy MacAusland | Nobles | F
This one is easy. MacAusland was one of the best players in New England last winter, ranking fourth in points (61), which helped Nobles get the final seed in the Elite 8. The Brown commit opted to come back for his senior year and should be one of the top players again.
Ethan Travis | Tabor | F
Travis quietly had a phenomenal winter for Tabor, leading his team in goals (19) and points (39). He made USA Hockey’s Select 17 Camp and committed to Sacred Heart since last season ended. His improvements have been noticeable throughout the fall, which should set him up for a massive season.
Jack Queally | St. Sebastian’s | F
Queally posted 11 points in 22 games as a 2010-born freshman on an extremely young and inexperienced St. Sebastian’s team. With last season under his belt, as well as showing well at Select 15 Camp, Queally looks poised to be the No. 1 center on a still-young St. Sebastian’s team. The U.S. National Team Development Program will be watching closely, too.
Evan Jones | Belmont Hill | D
In his first prep season last winter, Jones led all defensemen in goals (12) and points (42). The Dartmouth commit is as dynamic an offensive threat as anyone in the region and should shine on a Belmont Hill squad that lost quite a bit of talent up front.
READ MORE: A team-by-team breakdown of the ISL KellerÂ
Brian McFadden | Thayer | D
McFadden missed a lot of last prep season, his first at Thayer, due to injury, but still notched nine points in 14 games. The 6-foot-5, 181-pound defender committed to Northeastern when he became eligible over the summer and is arguably the top NHL Draft prospect in the region this winter.
Vinnie D’Urso | Tabor | G
D’Urso was one of the best goalies last winter, putting up a 2.63 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage in his first prep season. The ’08 should have no trouble putting Tabor in playoff contention this winter.
Second team
Tommy Wilkinson | Thayer | F
Wilkinson was one of the top breakout forwards last winter, scoring 12 goals and posting 26 points in 29 games. The ’08 should have college eyes on him this season.
Robbie Daley | Governor’s Academy | F
As a sophomore last winter, Daley led Governor’s Academy in points with 37. Governor’s Academy lost some of its top scorers from last season, so Daley will be relied upon even more.
Patrick Woods | Belmont Hill | F
Belmont Hill lost David Bosco (Winchester, Mass.) and Jake Tavares (Belmont, Mass.) to juniors before graduation, leaving Woods as the Sextants’ go-to scorer up front. Woods had 15 goals and 32 points in 32 games last season.
Justin Garvey | Milton Academy | D
Garvey was a breakout defenseman for Milton last season, which was his first as a full-time defenseman. He had 17 points last season and should be running Milton’s power play.
David O’Brien | Thayer | D
O’Brien arrives at Thayer after spending last winter with the Long Island Gulls’ 16-U team. O’Brien, at 5-foot-7, is a terrific puck-mover and should produce quite a bit of offense for Thayer. He’s been at Select 16 and 17 Camps the past two summers.
READ MORE: Our preseason top 10 | Ranking the next 15 teamsÂ
JJ Thibodeau | Belmont Hill | G
Thibodeau has been a steady presence in Belmont Hill’s net over the past three seasons, sharing with Keagin Wilson. With Wilson’s graduation, Thibodeau should be ready to assume the majority share and be one of the better goalies in New England.
