As we continue to look ahead to the 2021-22 prep hockey season, there is a group of 2004 birth year players who are poised to take the next step to be prime contributors to the fortunes of their various schools.
Throughout the late spring and summer months, we have had a chance to watch them in various leagues, events and showcases, and are making the evaluations based on as many live viewings as possible and few video looks as well.
This is not a comprehensive list or ranking of every 2004 player slated to play prep, but is an initial watch list of student-athletes in alphabetical order who have performed well over the past several months and look like they are poised to do big things in New England this year.
Forwards
RW Grayson Badger, Dexter Southfield (Hyde Park, Mass.)
5/9/04, shoots right, 6-0/170
You always notice him for his hustle and all-around game. He plays with high energy and effort but has the hands to make offensive plays around the net. A wide-base track skater, there is room for him to get quicker off the mark, but no one will ever question his desire and he hounds pucks constantly.  Not yet committed, but it won’t be long now.
RW James Fisher, Belmont Hill (Wilmington, Mass.)
4/28/04, shoots right, 6-2/180
Had impressive showings in multiple summer prep league games in Foxboro last month. A complete package of size, skating, skill and hockey sense. He goes hard to the net and can make plays at speed or slow things down and force defenses to scramble. On one play, he pulled an opponent to him, then accelerated past and wired a shot to the far side of the net for a goal. Like Badger, he doesn’t have a commitment yet, but no doubt has many options going forward.
C Drew Garzone, Deerfield (Dover, Mass.)
5/30/04, shoots right, 5-10/150
Plays the game the right way as a valuable three-zone forward who hustles on the backcheck but showed some intriguing offense in one summer viewing. Good skater who is light on his edges and gets up the ice on rushes, but brings good awareness and anticipation. Unselfish; leads by example. While he doesn’t possess the high upside of other players in his birth year, Garzone is a winning hockey player.
LW Donovan Frias, St. George’s School (Hudson, Mass.)
11/9/04, shoots left, 6-3/195
Well ahead of his peers physically, Frias is already on pro watch lists, even though he’s not eligible for the NHL draft until 2023. With his height and strength, he’s also got some skill to score at the prep level and can impact the game all over the ice, especially when he goes to the front of the net and uses his massive size and reach to maintain possession.
C/RW Jackson Kyrkostas, Kimball Union Academy (Windham, N.H.)
8/19/04, shoots right, 5-9/150
Though not big, the fast and slippery forward who has played well in the summer prep league in Foxboro. He’s a good passer and does a nice job of disrupting breakouts on the forecheck. While he’s not a player who was at the top of watch lists this summer, Kyrkostas is getting better and should have a productive season at KUA.
C Bobby Landry, Dexter Southfield (Hingham, Mass.) NCAA commitment: Harvard
3/22/04, shoots right,6-0/161
Heavy forward has good size and physical tools that jump out at you right away. He can fire the puck and has a real nose for the net, boxing out down low and maintaining possession. He can see the flow of play and anticipates well. When he turns the wheel and gets to the dirty areas, it becomes clear why he secured an early commitment from Harvard. This will be a big year for him and his development.
C Ben MacDonald, Nobles (Weston, Mass.) NCAA commitment: Harvard
2/24/04, shoots left, 6-0/165
Major breakthrough season with EC Wizards led to his being drafted in the USHL by Des Moines and he’s had a superb summer. He recently announced his commitment to Harvard and is on a major upward trajectory as a forward who has speed, scoring skill, vision/intelligence and intangibles- the puck seems to follow him around the ice. Consistent performer from shift to shift. As a responsible all-around forward, his versatility and ceiling is quite impressive.
Defensemen
Ryan Buckley, St. George’s School (Warwick, R.I.)
1/6/04, shoots right, 6-1/160
Not flashy, just effective. Defense-first approach doesn’t jump out at you, but he skates well with good range, keeps it simple and despite the no-checking rule in summer prep league, uses his body effectively to end plays without being penalized. Smart and detail-oriented. D-1 programs always have room for defenders like that.
Ollie Chessler, Rivers School (Watertown, Mass.)
7/9/04, shoots left, 5-11/170
Very good skater and puck mover with the offensive skills to put up numbers at every level. He’s noticeable for how well he can get up and down the ice, and he’s highly capable on the point when the puck is in the offensive zone. Defensive awareness is an area to address, but as he develops, he will be more of a priority watch for NCAA coaches.
CJ Foley, Thayer Academy (Hanover, Mass.)
2/11/04, shoots right, 5-10/155
Fun to watch because the versatile, athletic defender always has the puck and can make any number of plays. He brings an aggressive, attacking mindset and is confident in his mobility and puck skills to carry it out himself. Walks the offensive blue line effortlessly and has made some highly athletic keep-ins. Can defend and manages his gaps, but there’s room for growth and more dedication to doing the little things. One of the best two-way defenders in his peer group.
Brian Grant, Nobles (Mansfield, Mass.)
3/18/04, shoots right, 6-0/161
While his game doesn’t always grab your attention, there’s a confidence here that is undeniable. He closes quickly on puck carriers, employs good stick-on-puck ability, and can get back on retrievals and kickstart his team’s transition the other way. He will push the envelope at times, forcing pucks into dangerous areas when you’d like to see him be a little more patient or use the wall to make a higher percentage play.
Sean Keohane, Dexter Southfield (Milton, Mass.)
11/4/04, shoots left, 6-3/165
As one of the youngest ’04s on this list, Keohane’s height and body are ahead of the curve. Plays with real length and is an excellent defensive player who takes pride in taking care of his own end. Condor-like wingspan- players have a tough time getting around him and he has a great stick. Not just a defensive presence, however- in one summer prep league game, he grabbed the puck in his own end, put on a burst of speed through the neutral zone to gain a clean zone entry, split the ‘D’ and finished off the play.
Chris Romaine, Milton Academy (Braintree, Mass.)
2/21/04, Shoots right, 5-10/150
Automatic breakout machine has some real wheels and plays with swagger. Very good passer, one of the best seen this summer at making any range of passes that are hard and on the tape. He’s definitely risk-reward at this stage of his development, but with his skill set, he’ll have plenty of eyes on him this season.
Goaltenders
Jackson Irving, Cushing Academy (Newbury, Mass.)
2/3/04, catches left, 6-0/160
Competitive, athletic goaltender does not have ideal size, but plays big in net. Superb lateral movement and tracks pucks well. The lack of a meaningful prep season resulted in his seeing time in the NCDC, where he was solid for the Islanders Hockey Club. His USHL rights are owned by Cedar Rapids, but he will make the Penguins a tough draw any time he’s in net this season.
David Mallio, BB&N (Waltham, Mass.)
3/17/04, catches left, 6-2/180
Showed some flashes of intriguing prep potential in summer league play. With his size, he takes up a lot of net and has shown patience, but also an ability to make the athletic save when called upon. He hasn’t played much since the pandemic hit, so there’s a lot for him to prove in 2021-22.
