This past season in girls prep hockey was not short on elite players or teams in contention.
Five skaters eclipsed the 50-point threshold, including one who reached 60 points. Six others reached the 40-point mark, while 13 skaters scored 20 or more goals.
That's compared to one player reaching at least 50 points in 2024-25, seven 40-point scorers, nine 20-goal seasons, and one 30-goal scorer.
With the dog days of the offseason upon us, it's a perfect time to take stock of the NEPSAC landscape.
We surveyed coaches across the NEPSAC to get their thoughts on everything prep hockey. From the best players this season to who they think the best teams will be next season to college hockey and more.Â
We hurled plenty of questions toward the coaches, and we greatly appreciate all who participated.
All coaches were granted anonymity in their answers, too.
This story will be focused specifically on these topics from this season:
- Best overall player
- Best goalie
- Best newcomer this season
- Hardest team to play against
- Which team was the most surprising
There will be future stories on different topics we asked the coaches about. This is Part 1.
Who was the best player this past season?
Three players were mentioned among these answers. One, Lindsey Stepnowski, was nearly unanimous.
Stepnowski earned a second straight NEPSAC Player of the Year nod, as voted by the coaches, and a second Elite 8 MVP after leading Loomis Chaffee to a repeat title.
"She was the best player on the best team," one coach wrote.
The Harvard-bound forward posted 41 points (20 goals) in 22 games as a senior, including 15 multi-point outings. She also posted over a point per game at the IIHF Under-18 Women's Worlds, helping Team USA to a gold medal with nine points (six goals) in six games and scoring in the gold medal game.
"Fast, explosive skater who could create offense at any moment and has a rocket of a shot," another coach wrote.
Stepnowski (South Glastonbury, Conn.) found another level in the postseason. After posting seven points (six goals) in three games during 2025's title run, she followed it up with 10 points (six goals) in three games in the 2026 postseason.
"Her play in the playoffs was next-level," one coach wrote. "Unstoppable. Difference-maker on the ice."
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She scored twice in the final against Deerfield, and she led a wild comeback over top-seeded Nobles, posting a goal and two assists in the third period to force overtime before scoring the game-winner.
"The Nobles game was all we needed to see," one coach wrote. "She raised her game to another level that exceeded everyone else on the ice, and there was a lot of talent in that game."
The other players that earned mentions were Nobles' Francie Ames (Brookline, Mass.) and Phillips Andover's Sarah Powers (Lynnfield, Mass.).
Ames, a rising junior who recently committed to Princeton, was the NEPSAC's scoring and assist leader with 65 and 39 in 30 games, while her 26 goals were tied for second. She was the first player to crack 60 points in four seasons. The ISL co-MVP found the scoresheet in every game she played.
Powers, meanwhile, is bound for Boston College after a monster senior season at Andover, finishing tied for fourth in prep scoring with 52 points (18 goals) in 25 games. Her 34 assists were the second-most in the NEPSAC.
"What a motor to go along with the talent," one coach wrote of Powers.
Who was the best goalie?
A handful of goalies earned nods here, although one was decidedly the favorite among the coaches.
Tabor rising senior Evelyn Lacey was mentioned several times.
"She had an excellent season, and despite some tough games, she gave her team a chance to win," one coach said.
After standing out at Tilton, Lacey, a Brown commit, posted a .954 save percentage in her first season at Tabor, facing the eighth-highest shot total in prep (631).
"She has been the best in prep for two years," another coach wrote. "Single-handedly stole games for Tabor."
Lacey (Braintree, Mass.) was fantastic in the postseason, posting a .938 save percentage across two games as the No. 7 Seawolves reached the Elite 8 semis. Her signature performance was 40 saves in a 2-1 upset of No. 2 Andover in the quarterfinals. One of her other highlights from the season was a 51-save shutout of Dexter Southfield.
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"She took a young Tabor team to the Elite 8 semifinal," another coach wrote.
Andover's Marie Lee (Southboro, Mass.) earned a nod. The recent Princeton commit has posted back-to-back quality seasons for the Big Blue, including a .921 save percentage as a sophomore this past season.
"She is the most consistent and most athletic goalie in prep," one coach wrote. "She's unflappable mentally."
There was also Groton's Nora Wilson (Weybridge, Vt.), who recently committed to Dartmouth. The rising senior finished with a .944 save percentage, and she was practically unbeatable in the postseason. She posted a .982 save percentage en route to a Small School title, allowing one goal across three games and finishing with back-to-back shutouts.
"She stood on top of her head all year," one coach wrote. "Won big games. Best goalie in the playoffs."
Millbrook's Kate Rubinstein got some love as well. The rising senior, committed to Connecticut College, posted a.933 save percentage.
"She was an impact player who made game-changing saves in key moments," one coach said.
Who was the best newcomer?
A handful of players were mentioned here, although like the previous two categories, there was one who rose above the pack.
St. Paul's rising sophomore forward Kelsey MacPherson was mentioned quite a bit.
"She made a big impact even though she missed some time with an injury," one coach said.
The Hopkinton, Mass., native had 26 points (11 goals) in 20 games, even after missing 10 games with injury. It was a year removed from a stellar eighth-grade season in the MIAA.
"Dynamic, strong difference-maker," another coach wrote.
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Brooks' Cassie Ling (Needham, Mass.) earned a nod, too. The rising sophomore center put up 17 points (eight goals) in 26 games, playing big minutes against some of the toughest matchups in prep.
"So much was put on her plate, and she didn't blink," one coach wrote. "It was a lot for a freshman, yet she still held her own in all three zones and was very productive."
Georgia Macinnis was also mentioned. The forward wasn't necessarily new to prep after spending time at Worcester Academy, but in her first season at Millbrook, she had 19 points (seven goals) in 26 contests. One coach noted her "energy, confidence and skill."
Which team was the hardest to play against?
Answers were very split here, although many of the usual suspects were mentioned.
Phillips Andover was noted the most.
"They were the deepest and most talented team and moved the puck exceptionally," one coach wrote.
The Big Blue went 21-2-1 in the regular season under former coach Martha Fenton, who announced her exit in the spring after over 30 years at the helm. Their 115 total goals were tied for the third-most in prep, and they allowed the second-fewest goals (29).
Depth and talent were at the heart of the answers that included Andover. The Big Blue had two 52-point getters in Powers and Caroline Averill (Wayland, Mass.), who is off to Princeton. Rising senior defender Maggie Averill (Wayland, Mass.), a Princeton commit, had 30 points (14 goals), and three other skaters eclipsed 20 points. Two others had over 15 points.
One coach named Andover and Nobles together.
"So much speed and talent," that coach wrote. "Wave after wave."
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Another coach mentioned Nobles' size and strength. The Bulldogs suffocated opponents all season, earning the top seed in the Elite 8 with a 27-1-0 regular season. Behind Ames, senior Rachel Zhao (Westwood, Mass.) had 42 points, while rising seniors Lily Bromley (Carlisle, Mass.; Princeton) and Ava Decourcey (Rockland, Mass.; Yale) each had over 30 points. Three others reached the 20-point mark. Rising senior goalie Annika Jonas (Weston, Mass.; Yale) had a .950 save percentage.
Loomis Chaffee got a mention, as they were "big and skilled," one coach said.
Alongside Stepnowski, senior Annie Schwarz (Fairfield, Conn.; Yale) led the Pelicans with 47 points, while seniors Carly Dann (Hanover, N.H.; Cornell) and Megan Hosman (Penn State) each scored over a point per game. Junior Easton Pramuka (Amherst) broke out as well, while senior Adeline Roper (Kennebunkport, Maine; Williams) was strong in net.
Williston, which went 19-3-0 in the regular season en route to the No. 3 seed in the Elite 8, was mentioned. The Wildcats had eight skaters put up 15 or more points, including three with at least 20 points and another, junior Mia Daley (Lynnfield, Mass.; Yale), with 30 points.
"They were relentless and very well-coached," one coach wrote.
St. Mark's got a nod as well. The Lions' young core, led by Allie Sauls and Jocelyn Gray (Hanover, Mass.), broke out en route to an 11-8-4 regular season and the No. 5 seed in the Small School field. Freshmen goalies Melanie Allen (Norwood, Mass.) and Erin Drew (Methuen, Mass.) were both strong in net.
"Good systems, good goalies," that coach wrote.
Which team surprised you the most?
St. Mark's got another mention in this category, thanks again to their structure under coach Kerstin Matthews.
"Well-coached," that coach said.
Aside from the Lions, a wide array of teams were mentioned.
Among the answers was St. Paul's. The Big Red earned the No. 8 seed in the Elite 8 after going 21-5-3 in the regular season.
"They were deeper and better offensively than I expected," one coach wrote.
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They were among the highest-scoring teams in prep, finishing second in total offense with 128 goals. There was no shortage of scoring options either, whether it was MacPherson, rising senior Erin Flaherty (Boston, Mass.; Boston University), who had 39 points (26 goals), or senior Chelsea Bell (Barre, Vt.; Middlebury), who had 33 points. Three other skaters posted 24 points apiece, and four more eclipsed 15 points. Rising senior goalie Paige McPhee had a .925 save percentage.
Another coach mentioned Taft, which "put together a strong season, overall." The Rhinos were the No. 3 seed in the Large School field after going 13-9-1 in the regular season with a well-balanced array of producers, including rising junior Lindsey Kunzelmann (Avon, Conn.) and rising sophomore Sophie Um.
Vermont Academy got a shoutout. The Wildcats played harder than their 7-20-4 record indicated, reaching the Lakes Region tournament. Senior Carley Guarino (Fairfield, Conn.) and junior Talia Engel (Searsburg, Vt.) led the way with 19 points apiece.
"Gritty and hardworking team," one coach said. "They were relentless and tough to play against."
Phillips Exeter, which won the Large School title as the No. 1 seed, was mentioned. The Big Red (19-7-2) had two 50-point getters in junior Paisley Meyer (Greenland, N.H.; Yale) and senior Maria Gray (Vermont). Two others, junior Erin Sears (Cornwall, Vt.; Northeastern) and senior Grace Riley (UConn), reached 30 points.
"I didn't see that coming," one coach said.
Deerfield got a nod as well. A year removed from a Large School title, the Big Green (21-5-2) reached the Elite 8 final with a run that included upsetting No. 3 Williston in the quarterfinals. Five Deerfield skaters posted 20 or more points.
"They took a big step forward from last year," one coach said.
