19 candidates to win MVP in the NEPSAC boys Elite 8

In last year's Elite 8 tournament, Cushing senior forward Max Dineen (Brentwood, N.H.) posted six points across three wins en route to a title. Most importantly, he scored twice in the championship, including the late game-winner.

He was undoubtedly the MVP of the Elite 8. But he had company.

Dexter Southfield junior forward Rian Chudzinski (Needham, Mass.) was dominant, too, scoring five goals across the three games. He also had two in the final.

Both players were in last season's story. Who will live up to the hype this season?

The bottom line is that when teams win the Elite 8, it's usually because of their best players. That will likely be true again this season.

While this is a relatively top-heavy field, there are candidates on lower-seeded teams primed to make the higher seeds uncomfortable.

Let's dive in.

Dexter: Myles Brosnan

In last year's story, Brosnan was my pick for "Or maybe it'll be." That aged like a fine wine. Brosnan was why Dexter escaped past Salisbury (a goal, two assists), had two more assists against Rivers and tallied another helper in the final. This season, he's been the best defenseman in prep and the straw that stirs the drink in kickstarting Dexter's offense with 50 points. To get Dexter back to the Elite 8 final, head coach Danny Donato will need Brosnan to keep up that production and play huge, tough minutes. That shouldn't be an issue.

Or maybe it'll be: Owen McHale 

The ice shrinks in the Elite 8, and the game gets even more physical. That style is perfectly tailored to McHale, who will be looking to land hits and get under opponents' skin early. His goal-scoring touch and work on the cycle will be necessary for Dexter, too. He's also a potential 2026 NHL Draft prospect in scouts' eyes. A great Elite 8 would help his stock.

St. Mark's: Caiden Pellegrino, Evan Nee and Will Manchuso

I'm not picking one. All three have been dominant this season, but will need to be at their very best for St. Mark's to go deep. Pellegrino is a favorite for boys prep Player of the Year, as he sits at a region-best 69 points. A strong Elite 8 would bolster his case. Nee's compete and relentlessness should thrive this time of year. Manchuso has been a prolific, speedy goal scorer. Along with Pellegrino going for POTY, Nee is still uncommitted and Manchuso is a 2026 NHL Draft prospect. A great week would do a lot for Nee and Manchuso.

This group was also bounced as the No. 2 seed in last year's Elite 8. They haven't forgotten that.

Or maybe it'll be: Aaron Alves-Thomas or Julian Herrera 

Both have split time and been stout for the Lions. But as much as the offense is key to St. Mark's going deep, so, too, is strong goaltending from Alves-Thomas or Herrera in the big moments.

Salisbury: Greyson Espenshade

Here's a stat: Espenshade has scored in every game since Feb. 8. That's a nine-game goal-scoring streak. He has 15 goals in that span. His ability to find the back of the net on Salisbury's top line will be vital this week. The 5-foot-9 junior is also still uncommitted, so a week of generating high levels of offense against the best competition would help the '09. Senior Luke Walkauskas is another candidate for this.

Or maybe it'll be: Jordan Rittenberg 

When you look at Salisbury's path to the title, the Crimson Knights could be going up against some big offenses in Kimball Union, St. Mark's and Belmont Hill. And if Dexter lives up to its No. 1 seed and makes the final, and Salisbury is there, Rittenberg will need to be at his best.

BOYS BRACKETS: Elite 8 field | Large School field | Small School field

St. Sebastian's: Tommy Saulnier

Saulnier has been the backbone of St. Sebastian's. Among goalies with more than 1,000 minutes played, his .944 save percentage is second in the region, while his 1.78 GAA ranks third. The Medfield, Mass., native played like a prep veteran after playing behind a six-win, young team last winter. He's far exceeded the hype that was already around him. He will go head-to-head with another top goalie in prep in the quarterfinals. More on him in a bit. And if Seb's gets past Hotchkiss, Saulnier will have his hands full.

Or maybe it'll be: Jack Queally 

While Saulnier will need to be at his best, head coach Sean McCann needs his No. 1 center to continue what he's done all season — play a strong, 200-foot game. Queally has proven that he can. produce a whole lot of offense (37 points in 26 games) while shutting down opposing top guys and winning draws. If St. Sebastian's wins, he will be a huge reason why.

Hotchkiss: Neilan Johnson

So yeah — Johnson has to go up against Saulnier in the first round at St. Sebastian's, which is a hard place to play. But the recent Northeastern commit has shown he's more than up to the task. The 6-foot-3, 174-pound netminder is athletic and terrific at tracking pucks. He has Saulnier beat in GAA with a 1.72, but is right behind him with a .942 save percentage. If Hotchkiss goes on a run, Johnson will undoubtedly be the biggest reason why.

Or maybe it'll be: Evan Seow 

Hotchkiss will need a reliable defenseman to lead clean breakouts and get the rush going the other way, and that's where Seow comes in. The senior had 14 points this season and is a shifty, elusive skater.

Kimball Union: Josh Phillips

Phillips has been dominant all season, ranking third in the region in points with 61. The 6-foot-3 has been a force down the middle. In the quarterfinals, Phillips will be tasked with going up against Salisbury's top two lines, which are speedy and physical. Phillips should be able to match that. Don't forget — Phillips is uncommitted. A good showing this week would help his stock.

Or maybe it'll be: Cam Ingram 

Ingram has been strong this season with a 2.02 GAA and a .921 save percentage. The senior will need to make some huge saves against Salisbury. If the Wildcats make it to the semifinals, Ingram will be tasked with facing top offenses in St. Mark's or Belmont Hill.

Belmont Hill: Evan Jones

Jones' puck-moving and ability to create offense will be massive in matching what St. Mark's can do up front. The Dartmouth commit scored 13 times and posted 36 points in 29 games this season. His good skating should boost the Sextants' chances at an upset. Another thing: Jones is a very good defender, which should come through against St. Mark's top dogs. If Belmont Hill wins the whole thing as a No. 7 seed, Jones will have been a huge contributor.

Or maybe it'll be: Sam Lee 

When Belmont Hill got big wins this season, Lee was usually scoring or creating offense. The '10 broke out with 15 goals and 32 points this season. Senior forward Patrick Woods (Charlestown, Mass.) is another option here.

PREVIEWS: Elite 8 | Large School | Small School

Avon Old Farms: Anthony Palmer

No doubt the odds are stacked against Avon as a No. 8 seed. But if Palmer is at his best, the Winged Beavers have a chance. Palmer has been one of the top goalies in prep for three seasons, boasting a 2.04 GAA and a .933 save percentage this season. What a story an Elite 8 run would be for the senior.

Or maybe it'll be: Nico Ciardiello 

If Avon is to go on a run as the No. 8 seed, someone has to score some huge goals. Ciardiello, who leads Avon in goals (12) and points (26), is the top candidate for that.

WATCH: Reacting to the NEPSAC boys brackets