Our girls prep coaches survey rolls on.
In Part 1, we looked back on the 2025-26 season. Coaches shared their opinions on who the best players were, the best goalies, the best newcomers, the toughest teams and other topics.
Part 2 is all about looking ahead to the upcoming winter.
It may still feel far away, but before we know it, Labor Day tournaments will be here to kick off the fall season. Soon enough, we'll have the New England District and Massachusetts tournaments leading us into another prep season.
We asked coaches to look into their crystal balls and serve up their takes on who the best players and teams will be next season, who the most underrated returners are and which teams will be the biggest surprises.
All coaches were granted anonymity in their answers, and we thank those who participated.
Parts 3 and 4 will tackle some big-picture questions around girls prep hockey and beyond, but we'll save those for later.
Let's dive into Part 2.
Who will be the best player next season?
Several players were named here, but only two, both defenders, were mentioned multiple times by the coaches: Nobles rising senior Ava Decourcey and Phillips Andover rising senior Maggie Averill.
Decourcey (Rockland, Mass.), a Yale commit, took off as a junior for the Bulldogs, finishing as one of prep's highest-scoring defenders with 32 points (13 goals) in 26 games. The Yale commit's breakout followed 11 points (four goals) in 30 games as a sophomore at Nobles after a productive run at Tilton.
"The most talented defender who keeps getting better every year," one coach said. "Nobles will lose some production up front, so she'll have to take on more. She'll do that seamlessly."
Another added, "She can dominate in all three zones, and her skating and hands are the best in the league."
Averill (Wayland, Mass.), meanwhile, is coming off a career season with 30 points (14 goals) in 19 games. The 5-foot-11 Princeton commit had back-to-back 20-plus point seasons as a freshman and sophomore.
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"She's been dominant the past three years, and she will be as a senior," one coach put simply.
Another wrote, "She can play most of the game and dominates everywhere.
Both Averill and Decourcey helped Team USA to gold in the IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship in January, too.
Nobles rising junior Francie Ames (Brookline, Mass.) got attention, too. The recent Princeton commit became the first prep player in four seasons to hit the 60-point mark, finishing with a NEPSAC-leading 65 points and 39 assists in 30 games.
Governor's defender Megan Carlson (North Andover, Mass.) was mentioned. The rising junior was a standout in all three zones on the back end, posting 15 points (four goals) as a sophomore, following 10 points (two goals) as a freshman.
"Impact defender with incredible speed," that coach wrote.
Others mentioned were forwards Maja Wielgos (Norwalk, Conn.) and Courtney Shifrin (Southboro, Mass.). Shifrin was a key play-driver and 200-foot presence at Lawrence Academy the last two seasons, even if the stats didn't match the eye test, finishing with 15 points in 46 games. The Assumption commit will skate at Millbrook this season. Wielgos could be in line for a breakout as a junior at Millbrook after posting 19 points in 50 games over the previous two seasons.
Two coaches felt it was too early to tell, considering the depth of the prep prospect pool.
"TBD, lots of good young talent in the league," one wrote.
Which returning NEPSAC player is most underrated?
There weren't any consensus answers here as several players were named.
Among them was St. Paul's rising senior Erin Flaherty (Boston, Mass.). The Boston University commit took a big leap offensively, finishing 12th in scoring with 39 points and tied for second with 26 goals in 30 games. It followed 23 and 17 points in her sophomore and freshman years, respectively.
"Wins almost every puck battle," one coach wrote. "Relentlessly hunts pucks. She's physical. She can score. She's unselfish. She may not put up the points others do, but she might be the best all-around player."
Tabor's Grace Hildebrandt (Norwood, Mass.) was mentioned as well. The speedy, competitive center had a career season with 13 points (eight goals) as a sophomore.
Most players mentioned were defenders. One coach even went so far as to shout out the position as a whole across prep.
"Where are the good 'D' — they were probably underrated," that coach wrote.
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Phillips Andover rising senior defender Kimee Duplessis (Framingham, Mass.) was mentioned as well. The Delaware commit has gotten better each year, culminating in a career-high 24 points (eight goals) from the blue line as a junior. She had 21 points (six goals) in 51 games over her first two seasons.
"She should have gotten more love in the college recruiting process," one coach wrote. "Definitely an Ivy League or Hockey East player. She is a steal for Delaware."
Nobles rising sophomore Liz Levering (Westwood, Mass.) got some love, too. After standing out in the MIAA with Westwood, Levering got ample minutes with the Bulldogs as a freshman, putting up 11 points in 30 games and getting better as the year went on.
"She is not flashy, but very technically sound and plays at a consistently high level," one coach wrote.
Another blue-liner mentioned was Groton's Tatum Friedholm (Sudbury, Mass.). The rising senior had 13 points (two goals) in 26 games after 12 points (two goals) in 24 as a sophomore. Friedholm, who is uncommitted, played an outstanding game in the Small School final as the Zebras won their first title.
"She's one of the best defenders in the league and doesn't get the recognition she deserves," one coach wrote.
Who will be the best team?
Several teams garnered multiple mentions, including Nobles, Loomis Chaffee and St. Paul's.
Nobles was mentioned the most.
"Always a tough team, and they didn't lose that much compared to many other teams," one coach wrote.
The Bulldogs were the top seed in the Elite 8 last season and finished 28-2-0. They graduated several key forwards, including Gretta Hulbig (Foxboro, Mass.; Yale) and Rachel Zhao (Westwood, Mass.), but plenty of firepower remains. Up front, Ames, Lily Bromley (Carlisle, Mass.; Princeton) and Catherine McCool (West Roxbury, Mass.) are set to lead the way. The blue line will feature Decourcey, Levering and Parker Kathan (Medfield, Mass.), while Annika Jonas (Weston, Mass.; Yale) is a top option in net.
"They are returning their best players, who are elite," one coach wrote.
Another said the Bulldogs have "the best player and a strong supporting cast."
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Loomis, meanwhile, is fresh off back-to-back Elite 8 titles.
"Proven to be the best in New England," one coach wrote.
The Pelicans finished 24-4-0 and graduated several of the very best players in the NEPSAC, be they Lindsey Stepnowski (South Glastonbury, Conn.; Harvard), Annie Schwarz (Fairfield, Conn.; Yale) or Megan Hosman (Penn State), among others.
Nevertheless, there is plenty of talent returning. Seniors Easton Pramuka (Amherst College) and Brooke Murphy will lead the forwards alongside rising sophomores Sophie DiGioia (Milford, Conn.) and Lexi Buco (North Providence, R.I.), while Mia Lynch and Amaya McNeil (Fairfield, Conn.) are two exciting rising juniors on the blue line. Goalie Emily Hosman has shown well, too.
"Loomis will continue their success," another coach said.
As for St. Paul's, the Pelicans were one of the top offenses in prep last season, finishing second with 128 total goals en route to a 21-6-3 record and an Elite 8 appearance. Among the plethora of returning firepower is Flaherty, Kelsey MacPherson (Hopkinton, Mass.), Maddy Allen, Maddy Humber (Concord, Mass.), Maelie Glanzer and Cadence Crowley (North Reading, Mass.). Starting goalie Paige MacPhee is expected back as well.
"Flaherty is probably the best all-around forward in prep next year, and they have so much depth and talent at every position," one coach wrote.
Tabor was also mentioned. The Seawolves reached the Elite 8 semis, finishing 18-7-2. Many of their top contributors are expected back, though, including a key sophomore class. Among the returners is Hildebrandt, Giuliana Polcari (Marshfield, Mass.; Northeastern), Sofia Nardelli (Cranston, R.I.), Dawson Styles (South Hamilton, Mass.), Evelyn Lacey (Braintree, Mass.; Brown), Mirella Martinelli (North Providence, R.I.) and Riley Pike (Topsfield, Mass.).
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"They have a lot of returning talent," one coach said of both Tabor and St. Paul's.
Phillips Andover was also mentioned.
"VERY skilled," one coach wrote.
The Big Blue were the No. 2 seed in the Elite 8 and went 21-3-1. They graduated two of the NEPSAC's best in Caroline Averill (Wayland, Mass.; Princeton) and Sarah Powers (Lynnfield, Mass.; Boston College), along with other critical forwards. However, many of their top contributors are also expected back, from Maggie Averill to Duplessis, Sienna Glass (Andover, Mass.; Providence), Sienna DeAngelis and Marie Lee (Southboro, Mass.). Young players like Vanessa Hall (Saugus, Mass.), Katherine Cooke (Wenham, Mass.) and Al Hartmann (Castine, Maine) will be crucial.
Which team could be a surprise contender?
There was some overlap with answers from the previous question, as Tabor and St. Paul's were both mentioned.
"St. Paul's has been knocking on the door," one coach wrote. "Or Tabor. They also didn't graduate a lot."
"Best goalie in the league can carry them," another coach said of Tabor, highlighting Lacey.
Otherwise, only one team, Rivers, was mentioned multiple times.
"The young talent has been there, and now they'll come of age," one coach wrote.
The Red Wings were in the Elite 8 hunt last season, but finished as the No. 2 seed in the Small School field with a 14-7-4 regular season. Top forwards Simone Burns (Winchester, Mass.), Nora Swaim (Concord, Mass.), Brooke Bartlett (Wayland, Mass.; Harvard) and Nora McLean (Canton, Mass.) are all expected back, in addition to promising young forwards in Kendra Snell (Southboro, Mass.) and Maggie Grant (Belmont, Mass.). Star defender Mia MacDonald (Walpole, Mass.) will be back in the mix, too. She missed some time with injury in 2025-26.
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"They will have MacDonald for the whole season to go with a good nucleus," another coach wrote.
Cushing was mentioned, too. The Penguins were the No. 3 seed in the Small School field after a 13-9-4 regular season. They fell to New Hampton in the semis. Cushing graduated several key forwards as well as goalie Sadie Bellissimo (RPI), but a sizable crop returns in the class of 2027, including goalie Ines Khamis and forwards Brooke Fallon (Bedford, N.H.) and Violet Dittman. The class of 2028 is strong for Cushing, too, with recent Yale commit Bella Freitas (Everett, Mass.) leading the pack alongside Molly Bardol (Walpole, Mass.) and Caroline Harrington.
Millbrook got some love as well, thanks to its culture and strong team mentality, coming off a 10-13-4 record.
Groton got a shoutout as well. The reigning Small School champs are a season removed from an Elite 8 appearance. After going 19-6-2 overall last season, the Zebras graduated one of prep's most impactful skaters in Tina Scalese (West Boylston, Mass.; Princeton) as well as several other key defenders and forwards. Groton, however, returns standout rising seniors in goalie Nora Wilson (Weybridge, Vt.; Dartmouth) and defender Tatum Friedholm (Sudbury, Mass.). They'll lead the way alongside a large sophomore class, which includes Zoe Smith (Bolton, Mass.), Charlotte Matusovich (New Gloucester, Maine) and Caroline Maturosovich (New Gloucester, Maine). Forward Ava Barbour was a key piece as a freshman, too.
"Lost a lot but returning depth," one coach said. "Strong, young blue line and depth in net."
