After featuring the 18-U goaltenders who have been on top of their game in fall hockey, New England Hockey Journal turns the spotlight to defensemen in the late 2003 and 2004 birth years. The players on this list represent New England natives and non-natives playing in the region.
This ranking is based on live viewings and we’ve prioritized players who are tracking as potential NHL draft picks in 2022. The league’s annual player lottery will happen in Montreal July 6-7.  The event will be the first in-person/live draft since 2019, with 2020 and 2021 NHL Entry Draft’s happening virtually.
While the players here are ranked with an eye to pro hockey and longer-term projection, we will continue to watch, as many teams and players as the fall schedule wraps up and we transition to winter.
1. Duncan Ramsay- Vermont
GBL Bruins/Kimball Union; 2/8/04, left shot, 6-4/201
Novia Scotia native has been outstanding in the early going, showing some big-time NHL tools in terms of his height, length, fluid footwork and offensive upside. A surprising omission from the Central Scouting preliminary watch list, Ramsay is getting NHL attention nonetheless, with numerous scouts in Marlboro to watch him over Halloween weekend. He’s an athlete who effortlessly moves around the sheet and is able to skate pucks out of danger on the breakout or gap up and keep opponents from getting around him when playing defense. His hands/skills aren’t elite, but he makes a good first pass, and he thinks it well and will be a threat to score at the next level as he adds power and accuracy to his point drive. Watch for him to key KUA’s attack this season from the back end on a strong and talented squad. His USHL rights are owned by the Sioux City Musketeers.
2. Michael Fisher (Westboro, Mass.)- Princeton
EC Wizards/St. Mark’s; 5/2/04, right shot, 6-2/185
Expectations were high coming into the season, and he’s lived up to them thus far. The tall and rangy skater is powerful on his skates, able to make rapid cuts and direction change with the grace and agility of a big cat. He uses his long reach and quick closing ability to strip opponents of the puck and turn plays the other way. His offensive puck game is starting to come on after being more of a defensive player previously, making him the kind of raw, but projectable 2-way defender that intrigues NHL teams.
3. Chris Romaine (Braintree, Mass.)- Providence College
South Shore Kings Prep/Milton; 2/21/04, right shot, 6-0/195
The prep standout who secured a top college commitment early in the fall season has grown physically, and his game is on track as well. Always a top skater, he shows dynamic speed, agility and edgework. He gets back quickly to retrieve pucks and can break them out of the defensive zone with his feet or hit teammates in full stride with hard, accurate passes. In the offensive zone, he’s not afraid to pinch down and generate quality scoring chances. As he refines the defensive game, he’s headed in the right direction.
4. Jordin Palmer (Auburn, N.H.)
River Rats/Avon Old Farms, 1/6/04, left shot, 6-1/175
Keeps getting better this season and has the raw tools to be in the NHL draft discussion as a late-round project player who could pay nice dividends in the long term. He’s a superb skater who can change direction to handle the counterattack, or accelerate quickly when the puck is on his stick to kickstart the transition game. He lacks the offensive dimension that would put him up near the top of the class, but his defensive play and ability to provide secondary scoring for his team will be of value at AOF this winter and beyond. He’s uncommitted, but probably not for long. He made the NHL’s Central Scouting watch list released last month.
5. Nolan Joyce (Dedham, Mass.)- Boston College
Jr. Eagles/St. Sebastian’s, 9/25/03, right shot, 6-0/180
Fresh off his commitment to BC over the summer, Joyce has looked good in fall play, most recently over Halloween weekend, where he was moving well for his Eagles fall squad and making an impact at both ends of the ice. His mobility is very good, as he shows quick acceleration and burst to win footraces to pucks. He skates with his head up and advances the play decisively. Like many of his peers on this list, he brings an all-around skills package that should be enticing to NHL clubs looking for solid value and upside in the mid-to-late rounds of the draft.
6. Declan Loughnane (Milton, Mass.)- Providence College
CC Whalers/Thayer, 11/22/03, right shot, 6-0/200
Smooth skating puck mover is working back into form from injury but has looked better with each viewing as he builds up his strength and confidence. With advanced offensive instincts, he exploits skating and passing lanes with his mobility and puck skills. He walks the offensive blue line with agility and poise, changing shooting angles and working shots through from the point. Pro teams want players who can do everything, so as Loughnane continues to refine his defensive acumen, he will bring some draft appeal as a player who made the Central Scouting list.
 7. Owen Paskowski (Plymouth, Mass.)- Colorado College
CM Penguins/Cushing, 2/4/04, left shot, 6-3/185
Noticeable for his size, reach and 2-way game. He’s a powerful skater who is improving his transitions and direction change. Big and strong, he can end plays along the walls and has been steady in his development. Time will tell whether that’s enough to translate to a draft selection in July, but he made it onto the Central watch list and is going to be a top minute-munching defender at Cushing under Paul Pearl this season.
8. Marian Mosko
South Kent Selects; 5/11/04, left shot, 5-11/175
First saw the Slovakia import several years ago when he was playing for the Des Moines Jr. Buccaneers. Although he’s not the biggest defender on the ice, nor the most skilled, he’s extremely smart and instinctive. His mobility and vision allow him to beat forechecking pressure and effectively support the rush. He employs a good stick and doesn’t take himself out of position by trying to do too much. He didn’t make the Central Scouting list, but we wouldn’t be at all surprised if he’s racked up some solid grades from NHL scout viewings this fall for his intelligence and poise. His USHL rights are held by the Lincoln Stars.
 9. Matthew Biotti (Cambridge, Mass.)
EC Wizards/Belmont Hill, 8/27/04, right shot, 6-4/187
With his size and skating ability, he’s the other defenseman on that Wizards team (Fisher) who jumps out at you. He can accelerate rapidly with the puck on his stick and activates at the right times. He’s more of a defense-minded presence, keeping things simple and not trying to overhandle pucks. He’s tough to get around with his length and might be one of the more sneaky, under-the-radar players pro scouts are keying on this season. With the EC Wizards and Belmont Hill sure to get volume viewings going forward, he should be able to make his draft case.
10. Sam Court- UNH
River Rats/Avon Old Farms, 1/7/04, right shot, 5-10/180
Skating and puck skills are above average, and the Manitoba native leveraged that into a Hockey East commitment this fall. With his junior experience in the Manitoba league, he’s shown some flash in the fall hockey schedule as a defender who can grab the puck and go. A Fargo Force (USHL) prospect, he’ll join an impressive group at Avon this winter, and as he develops, will have room to make faster decisions and hit the right man in the offensive zone, while honing his positional play in his own end.
11. Mick Frechette (Weston, Mass.)
Jr. Eagles/Dexter Southfield, 10/27/03, left shot, 6-1/200
After leaving St. Paul’s for Dexter, this big-hitter has stood out in fall hockey for his rangy, fluid skating stride and nasty physical game. A throwback defender, he closes quickly and likes to pop opposing puck carriers with relish. A converted forward to defense from early playing days, he’s got some puck poise and willingness to jump up into the play. He appeals to NHL teams because of his size, effort and physicality, but will have to work on making faster decisions under pressure and not taking himself out of position to make the big hit. Intriguing project type.
12. CJ Foley (Hanover, Mass.)- Holy Cross
South Shore Kings Prep/Thayer, 2/11/04, right shot, 5-10/160
A standout in summer prep league hockey, Holy Cross landed the swift-moving, offensively gifted defender this fall, and although he didn’t make it onto Central Scouting’s watch list, is one of the better players from the region. He aggressively attacks with the puck and is a work in progress with his defensive awareness and decisions. He will be one of the key impact players at Thayer in the coming prep season and represents a solid add for the Crusaders.
13. Tim Busconi- Boston University (Milton, Mass.)
Boston Advantage, 1/3/04, right shot, 6-1/180
Has the tools to develop into a good D-1 player with a pro-style game. He’s mobile and athletic, liking to jump up into play and able to keep pucks in at the offensive blue line, working them back to the front of the net. He secured a commitment to BU over the summer, is trending up and has been impressive this fall among a group of deep, accomplished blue line prospects in the region.
Honorable Mention
Liam Bard, Little Bruins/Berkshire; 5-10/172 (Southboro, Mass.)
Ryan Buckley, South Shore Kings/St. George’s- Holy Cross; 1/6/04, 6-1/190 (Warwick, R.I.)
Conner Chalmers, GBL Bruins/KUA; 8/30/03, 6-0/175Â Â (Arlington, Mass.)
Ollie Chessler, Jr. Eagles/Rivers- Union; 7/9/04, 5-11/165 (Watertown, Mass.)
Kiernan Gately, Buffalo Regals/Frederick Gunn- St. Lawrence; 2/25/04, 6-2/170
Brian Grant, South Shore Kings/Nobles; 3/18/04, 6-1/180 (Mansfield, Mass.)
Jack Henry, BK Selects; 2/25/04, 6-0/190
Bryceon Lago, LI Gulls- Brown; 3/04, 5-9/155
Patrick Reilly, NJ Rockets; 9/27/04, 6-0/175
Charlie Robinson, Nichols; 2/19/04, 5-11/155
Saxen Robertson, South Kent Selects; 5/27/04, 6-0/188
