When a new boys prep hockey season begins, one of the biggest storylines is always — who are the top performers?
A lot of the highest point-getters from the previous season graduated or moved on to junior hockey early, leaving room for a new crop of talent to set up shop at the top of the leaderboard.
That's exactly what's happened this season.
Through one-plus month, many new players are producing at high levels, as well as familiar faces from last season getting even better.
Let's dive into the top performers from the first month of the season (Nov. 18-Jan. 2).
Holt
Top skater:Â Parker Murch, Berwick
Murch was phenomenal as a freshman last season, posting 15 goals and 34 points in 28 games. The '07 is one point away from topping that total in his first month as a sophomore. The York, Maine native flourished in his first 13 games, scoring 14 goals and totaling 33 points — video game numbers. He's on a 71-point pace, as Berwick is a terrific 9-3-1 to start the season.
Honorable mentions: Michael Delage, Berwick (11-18—29); Justin Massa, Berwick (14-10—24); Adrian Mendoza, North Yarmouth Academy (6-14—20); Hugo Daniel, NYA (9-9—18); Noah Jimbo, Portsmouth Abbey (5-11—16)
Top goalie:Â Matthew Pimentel, Berwick
Pimentel, who has more reps in net over teammate Hunter Marshall, was dynamite through the first month. The '05 posted a 2.60 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage, backstopping Berwick to be the best team in the Holt. Marshall's numbers are pretty darn good, too, as the '07 sports a 1.33 GAA and a .963 save percentage.
Honorable mentions:Â Patrick McDevitt, Portsmouth Abbey (3.03 GAA, .910 save percentage); Vincent Ouellet, NYA (2.88 GAA, .915 save percentage)
Housatonic
Top skater:Â Alex Pelletier, Avon Old Farms
While there were a number of candidates considered for this, there's no denying the postgrad cooked in the first month. Pelletier, who opted for one more year at Avon Old Farms instead of heading to juniors, leads his squad in goals (10) and points (17). His most impressive stretch came when he notched four goals and six points at the Avon Old Farms Christmas Classic.
Honorable mentions: Tom Molson, Deerfield (6-10—16); Justin Tavares, Deerfield (7-9—16); Indiana Grossbard, Loomis Chaffee (7-8—15); Gio DiGiulian, Kent (10-5—15); Brendan Tighe, Avon Old Farms (6-9—15); Michael Fiedorczuk, Kent (9-5—14)
Top goalie:Â Connor Towle, Hotchkiss
Hotchkiss only won one game in the first month. It certainly wasn't for lack of goaltending. While other goalies play behind better teams, Towle ranks top 10 in save percentage (.937) and boasts an impressive 2.33 GAA. His best performances were two 40-plus save outings against Canterbury and Salisbury, as well as a 31-save shutout of Nobles at the Flood-Marr.
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Honorable mentions:Â Brady Morris, Taft (2.23 GAA, .931 save percentage); Anthony Palmer, Avon Old Farms (1.04 GAA, .957 save percentage); Michael Heinke, Avon Old Farms (2.54 GAA, .902 save percentage); Matteo De Luca, Westminster (2.54 GAA, .919 save percentage); John Tolve, Deerfield (2.88 GAA, .908 save percentage)
ISL Eberhart
Top skater:Â Calvin Beard, St. Mark's
Hold onto your seats, ladies and gentlemen — a defensemen has been named the top ISL Eberhart skater for the first month of the season. Beard was one of the best offensive defenders last year and that's continued this season. The Southboro, Mass., native has six goals and 16 points in nine games for head coach Carl Corazzini's team. For those keeping score, Beard is on pace to end this season with nearly 50 points.
Honorable mentions: Owen Mulhern, St. George's (5-11—16); Andrew Gibbons, St. Mark's (3-13—16); Max Donatelli, St. George's (5-10—15); Colin Walsh, St. George's (5-10—15); Ryan Staples, St. George's (4-11—15); Nathan Walsh, St. George's (7-7—14); Austin Borggaard, St. Mark's (7-7—14); Griffin Bucci, Brooks (8-5—13)
Top goalie:Â Ryder Shea, St. George's
This was supposed to be a get-back-on-track season for Shea and St. George's and so far, that's what it's been. The Framingham, Mass., native ranks top five in save percentage (.943) and top 10 in GAA (1.55). The Maine commit will be tested mightily in the second half, as St. George's looks to establish itself in the top 10.
Honorable mentions:Â Ethan Ramonetti, Groton (2.78 GAA, .919 save percentage); Evan Zhang, Roxbury Latin (2.88 GAA, .923 save percentage)
ISL Keller
Top skater:Â Owen Leahy, Lawrence Academy
Leahy is known for his heart and hustle, but the Lawrence Academy senior has been a point-producing machine so far, posting five goals and 14 assists. His ability to create chances has Lawrence Academy sitting at 7-3-0 with big wins against Milton Academy and Cushing. In the gauntlet that is the ISL Keller, Leahy will be an X-factor for the Spartans.
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Honorable mentions: Casey Mutryn, St. Sebastian's (5-11—16); Matt Cataldo, St. Sebastian's (6-10—16); Isaac Mitchell, St. Sebastian's (6-10—16); Brendan Hirsch, Lawrence Academy (11-5—16); Cam Russo, Governor's Academy (8-7—15); Dennis Davidson, Nobles (3-12—15); Teddy MacAusland, Nobles (10-5—15); Jake McManus, Nobles (7-8—15); Brady Kudrick, Thayer (7-8—15); Dylan Hunt, Milton (3-11—14)
Top goalie:Â Tyler Moschella, Thayer
The ISL Keller is full of elite netminders, which makes it all the more impressive that Moschella seems to have budged his way into that conversation. Moschella boasts a 2.13 GAA and a .933 save percentage. At the end of the month, he brought his best for the Edward G. Watkins Tournament, guiding Thayer to a championship.
Honorable mentions:Â Tyler Bloomfield, Nobles (2.74 GAA, .918 save percentage); Sam Caulfield, Milton (2.89 GAA, .930 save percentage); Keagin Wilson, Belmont Hill (2.00 GAA, .925 save percentage); Owen Byers, Tabor (2.48 GAA, .905 save percentage); Kolin Belliveau, Lawrence Academy (2.86 GAA, .906 save percentage)
Lakes
Top skater:Â Jack Sadowski, Kimball Union
Sadowski is no stranger to Top Performers stories, as he had 42 points as a junior last season. The New Hampshire commit has taken the next step in his development, producing at an even higher rate this season with 15 goals and 26 points in 12 games. He was outstanding at the Flood-Marr Tournament, posting four goals and nine points en route to a championship. The Arlington, Mass., native is on pace for roughly 70 points.
Honorable mentions: Sam LeDrew, Kimball Union (12-13—25); Cam Caron, New Hampton (9-15—24); Corwith Simmers, Kimball Union (6-15—21); Andrew O'Sullivan, Kimball Union (3-17—20); Pavit Mehra, Holderness (6-14—20); Aaron VanWie, Holderness (12-6—18); Mason Meltzer, Brewster (12-5—17); Caeden Herrington, Holderness (2-14—16)
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Top goalie:Â Blake McMeniman, Kimball Union
So far, it's a two-goalie race between McMeniman and Holderness' Ryan Nolan. I gave the edge to McMeniman here, as his 1.40 GAA ranks fourth in the region, while his .943 save percentage is tied for fifth. The Revere, Mass., native has burst onto the scene in his first prep season, leading KUA to a Flood-Marr title.
Honorable mentions:Â Ryan Nolan, Holderness (2.24 GAA, .902 save percentage)
Independents
Top skater:Â Brendan Giles, Brunswick
Standing out among the Independents is extremely difficult because there are a bunch of teams, which means there are even more great players. Giles was outstanding for Brunswick in the first month, scoring 12 goals and adding nine assists. The Ridgefield, Conn., native's 21 points came during his team's impressive 9-1-2 start. Giles brought his best for the Kevin Mutch Tournament at St. Sebastian's, notching four goals and six points.
Honorable mentions: Sean Gibbons, Brunswick (6-13—19); Emerson Marshall, Cushing (6-12—18); Ryan Stratton, Canterbury (10-8—18); Ethan Skowonek, Phillips Andover (12-4—16); Louie Marcellino, Pomfret (8-7—15)
Top goalie:Â Marko Bilic, Cushing
Yes, Bilic plays behind one of the best teams in the region. But the Arizona State commit impressed in the first month, sporting a 1.71 GAA, which ranks top 10 in the region, while also posting a .931 save percentage. It took until Bilic's fourth start for the netminder to allow his first goal. Cushing will go as far as Bilic takes them.
Honorable mentions:Â Brady Quackenbush, Phillips Exeter (2.17 GAA, .927 save percentage); Maxim Pitts, Canterbury (2.22 GAA, .928 save percentage); Kyle Bolduc, Berkshire (2.22 GAA, .927 save percentage); Ben Skowronek, Phillips Andover (2.29 GAA, .933 save percentage); Chase Anderson, Phillips Andover (1.94 GAA, .936 save percentage); Mitchell McCusker, Frederick Gunn (2.32 GAA, .921 save percentage); Will Baker, Brunswick (2.94 GAA, .907 save percentage)
