With just a couple of weeks left in prep school hockey's regular season, the intensity has ratcheted up and uncommitted prospects are looking to make one final impression on college coaches during the 2019-20 season.
A few players have stepped up to play key roles in placing their respective teams in position to earn a spot in the Elite 8. A couple of those players are doing so for teams that didn’t have such lofty expectations heading into the season.
Below are six uncommitted players who have been hot lately and generating college interest:
Conor Lovett
Lawrence Academy, 4/7/01, C, right shot, 6-0/200
The senior from Franklin, Mass., has 15 goals in 19 games for Rob Barker’s Spartans. However, it’s not just his goal scoring talent that is catching the eye of college recruiters. While Lovett still has plenty to learn in terms of how to play away from the puck, his skating, compete and stick are reasons several Hockey East schools are offering him a spot on their roster for next season. Suitors include Providence, New Hampshire, UConn and Merrimack.
Andon Cerbone
Brunswick, 4/13/04, C, left shot, 5-8/150
Cerbone, a sophomore from Stamford, Conn., has eight goals and 30 assists in 24 games. No 2004-born player in prep has more points than Cerbone, who spent the fall season playing for Mid Fairfield Rangers. Cerbone is on the smaller side and is somewhat one-dimensional, but his skill and offensive instincts are second to none. He’s almost assured of earning a spot in next month’s USA Hockey NTDP Evaluation Camp.
David Jacobs
Nobles, 9/26/01, LW, right shot, 5-9/150
Jacobs has been an instrumental part of the top line for Brian Day’s club. Nobles has been one of the pleasant surprises during this prep season, and it’s largely been due to the play of Jacobs, Casey Severo, and Princeton commit Jack Cronin. Jacobs is on the smaller side, but he’s added strength and kept his high hockey sense. Jacobs, a junior from Needham, Mass., has scored 13 points over his last five times out.
Matt Copponi
Dexter Southfield, 6/4/03, C, right shot, 5-11/160
The Mansfield, Mass., native has 17 goals in 23 games in his first year of prep hockey after coming over from the MIAA. Centering the top line for Danny Donato’s team, Copponi has received plenty of attention from college programs. He has three two-goal games over the last eight contests.
Karsen Dorwart
Hotchkiss, 9/17/02, C, left shot, 6-0/178
From Sherwood, Oregon, Dorwart is starting to heat up during his first season of prep hockey with Mike Traggio’s Bearcats. Dorwart had a solid showing at the Flood Marr Tournament, but his play has become more consistent of late. He has five goals and five assists during the last eight games. Hotchkiss is 7-0-1 over that stretch, lifting the team into an Elite 8 spot as of now.
CJ Foley
Thayer, 2/11/04, D, right shot, 5-9/155
Foley, a freshman from Hanover, Mass., has seen his ice time skyrocket, and it’s well-deserved. Last season, Foley played forward to get in the lineup. This year, he’s on Thayer’s top defensive pairing with Declan Loughnane. Foley is a steady, reliable defender who skates extremely well. He has four two-point games over the last six games, but he’s equally strong in his own zone. He makes sharp breakouts and has a good stick.
