It is the final week of the prep hockey regular season, so it is time to take a good look at some key players who will be instrumental in the remaining schedule before the NEPSAC tournament field is announced in the coming weekend.
This list focuses more on teams in contention for Elite 8 status and takes consistent performances throughout the 2021-22 prep hockey season into account. New Hampshire native Joe Connor has been one of the most effective forwards at top-ranked Avon Old Farms this season, with the Muskegon Lumberjacks USHL prospect bringing an impressive blend of skill, grit and production to the mix for John Gardner’s 20-2-0 club.
In addition to Connor, this list breaks down 14 other players across all positions worth following this week, as the first prep hockey champion since 2020 will be crowned in a little under 14 days.
Forwards
Joe Connor (Nottingham, N.H.)
Avon, 3/31/05, LW, left shot, 5-10/170
Although Avon saw its 12-game winning streak dating back to Dec. 19 end Saturday against Salisbury, Connor has been a top forward for the Winged Beavers all season long. He plays with pace and an attacking mindset, getting to the net consistently with tenacity and effort. He’s an abrasive presence who isn’t afraid to get to the dirty areas and plays bigger than his size.
Brendan Gorman (Arlington, Mass.)
St. Sebastian’s, 2/17/03, C, right shot, 6-0/160
NCAA commit: Princeton
Passed up in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, the top-scoring Arrows pivot is worth taking a second look at. He’s been consistently dangerous this season, using his speed and offensive hockey sense to generate scoring chances, one of the few players averaging 2 points per game. Even if the pro teams don’t see it this summer, his game will translate to NCAA hockey.
Dylan Hryckowian
Salisbury, 5/19/04, RW, right shot, 5-9/155
NCAA commit: Northeastern
The Montreal native has been on fire since committing to the Huskies early in the fall schedule and helped the Scarlet Knights rebound after some December losses dropped them in the power rankings. Smallish, but extremely skilled, slick and dangerous, he brings the same kind of creative scoring upside to that of older brother Justin, an impact freshman at Northeastern.
Ben MacDonald (Weston, Mass.)
Nobles, 2/24/04, C, left shot, 6-1/175
NCAA commit: Harvard
The 2022 NHL draft hopeful has shown why he’s one of the best prospects in the region this season with his size, skills, intelligence and ability to score at the right times. After Belmont Hill struck Friday on the power play and with a major in their favor, MacDonald took the puck and ripped a shot home to tie the game, giving Nobles a major lift in an eventual 2-2 tie. Watch for him to make plays in bigger moments this week as his team faces a crucial three-game season closeout against Tabor, Governor’s and Milton.
Ronan O’Donnell (Fairfield, Conn.)
Belmont Hill, 2/26/04, RW, right shot, 6-2/180
NCAA commit: Yale
With the Sextants down 2-1 late against Nobles and their undefeated record in jeopardy, O’Donnell jumped on a rebound and found the back of the net. Although he’s not the most gifted of skaters, O’Donnell has a ferocious shot and plays hard, getting to the net and excelling in the possession game. He’s proven himself repeatedly in key moments going back to the fall season with the EC Wizards, and Yale has the right kind of fit for their system when he’s ready to make the jump.
Landan Resendes (Marlborough, Mass.)
Cushing, 12/10/05, RW, right shot, 5-9/150
First-year winger has made an impact with the Penguins, and should only get better as he keeps growing and maturing. The speedy forward creates offense with skill and a natural knack for the net, Resendes parlayed strong summer play with the New England Crows and Neponset Valley River Rats into a strong prep campaign. He will eventually play high-level juniors and land an NCAA commitment, and entering this critical week, could help Cushing secure a spot in the Elite 8.
Tyler Wishart
KUA, 4/1/04, LW, left shot, 5-9/175
NCAA commit: Cornell
Whatever the New York native lacks in size and physical attributes, he more than makes up with through his speed, nimble hands and craftiness. His details and play away from the puck have improved, and he’s been one of prep hockey’s most productive players this season. He will be a key focus player in this week’s Lakes Region Playoffs.
Defensemen
Kareem Al-Azem
KUA, 4/30/04, right shot, 6-1/210
NCAA commit: RPI
Rugged and motivated, the physical Maryland product is tough to play against with his throwback style and range. While he’s a reliable defense-first presence, Al-Azem is underrated offensively, providing solid secondary scoring contributions by moving pucks efficiently and using a hard point shot to generate rebounds and deflection opportunities in front of the opposition net. RPI saw his potential early, and while not a flashy two-way presence, he’ll bring the ability to play a lot of minutes right away once he gets some time in juniors.
David Brandes
Holderness, 1/24/04, left shot, 5-10/175
A hot riser at the right times, the Canadian import has been instrumental in the Bulls’ 18-2-3 run this season, keeping them in contention for Elite 8 status going into the final week. He’s a prototypical smaller defender who gets back on pucks quickly and moves them either with fast outlets or with his feet, using his speed/agility combination to elude forechecking pressure. He’s the top scorer from the Holderness blue line and is getting more assertive at making plays on both sides of the puck.
Michael Fisher (Westborough, Mass.)
St. Mark’s, 5/2/04, right shot, 6-3/195
NCAA commit: Princeton
No player has built a bigger NHL draft buzz in the last half of the season than prep hockey’s leading scorer from the back end. With multiple hat tricks and a game that continues to grow along with his tall frame and rangy mobility, his nearly 2 points per game scoring pace is not a typo. Always a strong defender, he plays a ton for Carl Corazzini, activating with frequency, and making the most of his chances. The 16-5-2 Lions will need Fisher to keep it going this week: an upset loss to Rivers has put their Elite 8 chances in jeopardy.
Nolan Joyce (Westwood, Mass.)
St. Sebastian’s, 9/25/03, right shot, 6-0/181
NCAA commit: Boston College
Right behind Fisher on the prep scoring circuit from the blue line, Joyce has played his way into the NHL draft discussion in his first year of eligibility. He’s especially dangerous with the man advantage, opening up his hips to unleash one-timers to great effect, as he leads all defensemen in goals. He plays a lot of minutes in all situations and has backed it up with fine two-way play. After overcoming a three-goal deficit to Tabor last week, the Arrows coughed up a third period lead on Saturday, losing to Governor’s in a 5-2 upset.
Lucas St. Louis (Old Greenwich, Conn.)
Brunswick, 3/30/05, left shot, 5-10/165
NCAA commit: Harvard
Another point-per-game defender who transports pucks effectively, the son of the newest NHL coach in Montreal overcomes his lack of size with the quickness and vision required of modern defenders. An early futures draft pick of Dubuque in the USHL, he’s already played a few junior games and should be an impact player in that league before he heads to Cambridge. For now, he should be able to help lead the Bruins against Trinity-Pawling and Deerfield to close out the regular schedule.
Goaltenders
Jackson Irving (Newbury, Mass.)
Cushing, 2/3/04, catches left, 6-0/175
Stood tall in the net in a crucial home win against KUA Saturday, keeping his team’s heartbeat going for playoff contention. The Cedar Rapids (USHL) prospect has a structured approach, with sound fundamentals, ability to focus on pucks and the mental toughness to make saves in high-pressure situations.
Austin McNicholas
Salisbury, 5/25/04, catches left, 6-1/175
Green Bay (USHL) draft pick has trended way up in 2022, helping Salisbury go on a hot streak with poised play between the pipe for Andrew Will’s club. Playing for Team USA in the August Hlinka Gretzky Cup (1 game, 1 shutout), the Western New Yorker is under the radar a bit but is playing the kind of hockey that makes his team the hottest entering the playoffs.
Sam Scopa (Lexington, Mass.)
Belmont Hill, 1/10/05, catches left, 6-0/170
Playing the bulk of minutes for prep hockey’s only undefeated team naturally turns up the spotlight on one of the younger goalies in the circuit. He came up huge Friday in the third period, trailing Nobles 2-1 and making a penalty shot save on Austin Tasca. His focus, ability to read the play and competitiveness are all top-notch. The undefeated run will be tested with three games this week, highlighted by the Friday road game at Dexter.
