The holiday tournaments are upon us in the prep hockey world.
But before they begin, it's a good time to take a look back at the previous week, which was full of interesting storylines. Kent joined the top 10 and St. Sebastian's lost, falling a bit in our rankings.
Now just imagine how much will happen this weekend, which features several highly anticipated holiday tournaments.
What was this past week also full of? Top performers.
Some of these names haven't been featured in these weekly stories before, so it's exciting to showcase some newer, younger talent around the region.
Let's dive in.
Holt
Top skater:Â Felix-Antoine Parenteau, Kents Hill
Kents Hill had a great week, earning wins over North Yarmouth Academy and Hebron, while falling to Worcester Academy. Parenteau, a junior '06, was at the heart of those efforts. He registered two goals in the 9-1 win over NYA, notched two assists in the 4-3 loss to Worcester Academy and lit the lamp two more times in the 4-1 victory over Hebron.
Honorable mentions: Andy Blais, Hebron (4-3—7); Connor Dozois, Worcester Academy (3-2—5); Chris Hughes, Worcester Academy (1-4—5); Tanner Cole, Kents Hill (3-2—5); Anthony Dimmopoulous, Kents Hill (2-3—5); Matthew Ionta, Kents Hill (1-4—5)
Top goalie:Â Matthew Pimentel and Hunter Marshall, Berwick
Berwick registered two strong wins, taking down Pingree, 3-2, and Middlesex, 2-1. Both Pimentel and Marshall were big reasons why Berwick escaped victorious. Pimentel stopped 39 shots to beat Pingree, while Marshall went 31-for-32 against Middlesex.
Honorable mentions:Â None
Housatonic
Top skater:Â Ryan Flaherty, Avon Old Farms
Avon Old Farms has been rolling, earning three wins against Taft, Trinity-Pawling and Deerfield. Flaherty was a big part, posting two goals and an assist against Trinity-Pawling and three helpers against Deerfield. The Milton, Mass., native ranks fourth on the team in points with eight through five games.
Honorable mentions: Gio DiGiulian, Kent (5-1—6); Stefano Pietrantonio, Kent (0-6—6); Ethan Woolcott, Loomis Chaffee (1-5—6); Blake Jones, Avon Old Farms (1-4—5); Cory Alissi, Loomis Chaffee (1-4—5); Tom Molson, Deerfield (2-2—4); Jakub Kohn, Deerfield (2-2—4)
Top goalie:Â Aidan Hopewell, Kent
Kent vaulted into our latest top 10 and Hopewell is a big reason for that. Despite making 19 stops and losing to Brunswick, 5-4, on Wednesday, he rebounded well on Saturday, turning aside 35 shots to beat then-No. 4 Salisbury, 4-2, sending Kent into the top 10.
Honorable mention: Michael Heinke, Avon Old Farms (43 saves on 48 shots over two games)
ISL Eberhart
Top skater:Â Max Donatelli, St. George's
It was tough to leave Jonathan Balzarini out of this spot, but I gave extra props to Donatelli for a strong performance against Rivers — a team right outside the top 10. The sophomore '07 scored one goal and added two assists against Rivers. Then, against Northfield Mount Hermon, he potted two goals and added an assist. He's tied with teammate Troy Hayes for the team lead in points (7).
HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT PREVIEWS: Flood-Marr | Avon Old Farms Christmas Classic | Kevin Mutch | Groton/LawrenceÂ
Honorable mentions: Jonathan Balzarini, St. Mark's (5-3—8); Andrew Gibbons, St. Mark's (2-8—10); Austin Borggaard, St. Mark's (4-3—7); Calvin Beard, St. Mark's (2-5—7); Cam MacPherson, St. Mark's (2-4—6); Sam Pandolfo, Rivers (1-4—5); Owen Mulhern, St. George's (1-4—5)
Top goalie:Â Brendan Nee, Rivers
It was a rough first week for Nee, but he got right over the last seven days. After coming in for mop-up duty against Rivers and stopping five of six shots, he made 29 saves in a 2-2 tie with Groton. His best performance came against Thayer, as he made 34 saves to beat the Tigers, 3-2.
Honorable mentions:Â Ethan Ramonetti, Groton (91 saves on 98 shots over three games); Ryder Shea, St. George's (35 saves on 36 shots over two games)
ISL Keller
Top skater: Jake Tavares, Belmont Hill
Belmont Hill notched two wins over Governor's Academy and Lawrence Academy. Tavares, a sophomore '07, had a massive week, scoring two goals in both wins. He has five goals in three games this season, which is already more than he had last season. He's also well on his way to surpassing his point total (7) from last season.
Honorable mentions: Brady Kudrick, Thayer (3-1—4); Michael Federico, Thayer (2-2—4); Kyle O'Leary, Nobles (1-3—4); Dennis Davidson, Nobles (1-3—4)
FRESH RANKINGS: There's a new No. 1 team in the region
Top goalie:Â Zach Ericson, Governor's Academy
Governor's Academy lost twice, but it wasn't because of bad goaltending. Ericson made 34 stops against Belmont Hill in a 3-2 loss and followed it up by going 36-for-39 with saves against Milton Academy. Through four games, Ericson boasts a 2.25 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage.
Honorable mentions:Â None
Lakes
Top skater:Â Aaron VanWie, Holderness
Holderness continued to steamroll opponents and VanWie was a huge part of that. VanWie posted two goals and two assists against Brewster Academy, a hat trick against Tilton and one goal and one helper in a win over Vermont Academy. The Lindenwood commit has eight goals and 14 points through five games.
Honorable mentions: Andrew O'Sullivan, Kimball Union (1-6—7); Pavit Mehra, Holderness (2-5—7); Caeden Herrington, Holderness (1-6—7); CJ Watroba, Kimball Union (4-2—6); Jack Sadowski, Kimball Union (2-4—6); Jacob Duval, Holderness (3-3—6); Kevin Delaney, Proctor (2-3—5)
Top goalie:Â Caden Pasqualone, Proctor
Pasqualone had a very strong week. He kept Proctor in the game against Kimball Union, making 36 saves in a 3-1 loss. He helped guide Proctor to a win, making 48 saves on 50 shots.
Honorable mentions:Â Ryan Nolan, Holderness (64 saves on 68 shots over three games); Blake McMeniman, Kimball Union (43 saves on 44 shots over two games)
Independents
Top skater:Â Grayden Robertson-Palmer, Phillips Andover
Andover posted four wins and Robertson-Palmer played a role in all of them. The Dartmouth commit posted one goal against Thayer, one goal and three helpers in a win over Brewster, another goal and an assist against New Hampton and added an assist in Tuesday's win over Groton. Robertson-Palmer is tied for the team lead in points with 11. Teammates Ethan Skowronek, who has the second-most goals in the region (10), and Jake LeDoux are also at 11 points.
Honorable mentions: Ethan Skowronek, Phillips Andover (7-0—7); Luke Calabria, Frederick Gunn (2-4—6); Cal Fielder, Winchendon (1-6—7); Josh Iby, Cushing (1-4—5); Emerson Marshall, Cushing (3-2—5); David Ambuhl, Millbrook (1-4—5); Stephen Campbell, Berkshire (2-2—4)
HOLIDAY SEASON: Click or tap here for full schedules and results to all boys prep holiday tournaments
Top goalie:Â Brady Quackenbush, Phillips Exeter
For the second straight week, Quackenbush gets the nod. Last week, he strung together a number of strong performances. The Marshfield High alum took down St. Sebastian's, our No. 1 team, on Saturday, making 33 stops in a 4-1 victory. His week started with a 35-save showing in a 3-2 OT loss against Dexter. Quackenbush has been a tremendous addition for Exeter with his 2.16 GAA and .930 save percentage through seven games.
Honorable mentions:Â Marko Bilic, Cushing (42 saves on 43 shots over two games); Ben Skowronek, Phillips Andover (62 saves on 68 shots over two games); Will Baker, Brunswick (66 saves on 72 shots over two games)
