The ISL Keller Division is regularly one of the best in boys prep hockey. Most of these teams have a legitimate case for the NEPSAC postseason. Belmont Hill and Nobles are in our preseason top 10. Lawrence Academy is right outside of those rankings. Milton Academy, Tabor and Thayer are sleeper teams that should do...
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The ISL Keller Division is regularly one of the best in boys prep hockey.
Most of these teams have a legitimate case for the NEPSAC postseason. Belmont Hill and Nobles are in our preseason top 10. Lawrence Academy is right outside of those rankings. Milton Academy, Tabor and Thayer are sleeper teams that should do a whole lot of damage this winter.
Governor's Academy has intriguing, young players and St. Sebastian's will be almost all younger players.
It should be a contentious year in the ISL Keller. Here's our breakdown of every team in the division.
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Belmont Hill
Coach: Brian Phinney 2023-24 record: 18-11-2, lost to Dexter Southfield in quarterfinals of Martin/Earl Large School tournament Players to watch: David Bosco, F; Jake Tavares, F; Andrew Waugh, F; Patrick Woods, F; Jin Lee, F; Evan Jones, D; Grayson Cohen, D; Stephen Fabiano, D; JJ Thibodeau, G; Keagin Wilson, G Outlook: The Sextants were a relatively young group last season and, aside from Jake McManus graduating, don’t have many notable losses. Bosco is fresh off an invitation to the U.S. National Team Development Program’s Evaluation Camp. Tavares and Jones, a newcomer from Arlington High, committed to Dartmouth over the summer. Cohen showed that he could be a legitimate No. 1 defenseman last year. In net, Phinney can turn to either part of the tandem. A year after being the No. 6 seed in the Large School tournament, they should be in the Elite 8 hunt this winter.
Coach: Brian McGuirk 2023-24 record: 8-17-2 Players to watch: Spencer Thornborough, F; Eli Heinze, F; Robbie Daley, F; Kye Smyrnios, F; Brodie Donovan, F; Nolan Nassar, D; Ian Crowley, D; Fischer Niehaus, D; Zach Ericson, G Outlook: Governor's Academy had a down year last winter, only amassing eight wins. Even after losing its top three scorers, there is a legitimate reason for hope. The forward core, which is led by Thornborough, is exciting and has prospects with potential. On defense, Crowley and Nassar should lead the charge. Crowley had 19 points last season and Nassar is an '08 with a sizeable ceiling. Ericson is back in net for his senior year.
Lawrence Academy
Coach: Robbie Barker 2023-24 record: 16-10-2; lost to Phillips Andover in quarterfinals of Martin/Earl Large School tournament Players to watch: Ty Wood, F; Luke Allen, F; Chase Field, F; Brady Matheson, F; Karolis Janulis, F; Aiden MacIsaac, D; Gavin Holland, D; Matas Janulis, D; Aiden Emerick, G; Kolin Beliveau, G Outlook: It’s no secret that the Spartans lost a lot of offense to graduation and juniors. But their strength might just keep them afloat in a difficult ISL Keller. While most teams are stocked to the brim with offense, Lawrence has a strong defensive core, and Emerick and Beliveau project to be a terrific tandem. Keeping games low-scoring will be what keeps Lawrence Academy in the playoff hunt all season. A breakout forward candidate for this season could be Allen.
Coach: Jim Gaudet 2023-24 record: 11-13-4 Players to watch: Anthony Sergeyev, F; Luis Valencia, F; Joe Feinberg, F; Reed Enders, F; Ewan Cleary, F; Jeremy Polzer, F; Nick Brandano, D; Justin Garvey, D; Danny Li, D; Carter Backus, G Outlook: Milton failed to make the postseason last year and lost star defenseman Dylan Hunt and goalie Sam Caulfield to junior hockey. This season, however, the Mustangs are deeper on paper. Sergeyev, Valencia and Feinberg should lead the forwards. The core on defense is stout. There’s no doubt that Backus has big shoes to fill in net. Still, Milton should be poised for a step forward in the second year of Gaudet’s leadership.
Nobles
Coach: Brian Day 2023-24 record: 15-8-4; lost to Berkshire in quarterfinals of Martin/Earl Large School tournament Players to watch: Kyle O’Leary, F; Ted MacAusland, F; Dennis Davidson, F; Billy MacAusland, F; Ethan Cox, F; Ben Nakata, F; Kris Soja, D; Lou Munger, D; Jack Hartwell, D; Tuck Gilbane, D; Justin Lee, G; Tucker Monroe, G Outlook: Nobles put together a strong season last year with juniors leading the way. This season, those kids are all seniors — and they stayed. O’Leary, a Yale commit, was the leading point-getter last season. The MacAusland brothers look better than ever. With a NEPSAC championship and potential Division 1 commitments in their sights, that should be more than enough motivation for increases in their production. Soja will likely lead the backend as a puck-moving, offensive guy. The X-factor will be in net. Who will emerge as the starter? If one of Lee or Monroe can thrive, Nobles will be dangerous.
St. Sebastian’s
Coach: Sean McCann 2023-24 record: 19-7-2; lost to Cushing in quarterfinals of Stuart/Corkery Elite 8 tournament Players to watch: Brendan Keaveney, F; Jack Queally, F Outlook: Last year’s Arrows team had 16 seniors. Along with those 16 seniors, McCann’s squad lost a slew of impactful players to juniors (Teddy Mutryn, Casey Mutryn, Ben Merrill) and other prep schools (Rian Chudzinski, Ty Hymovitz). Keaeveney is the lone impactful returner. The roster will mostly consist of young guns hoping to make an impact. One new name to watch is Queally — an impressive 2010-born forward who could see significant minutes this winter.
Coach: Gerry Dineen 2023-24 record: 10-16-2 Players to watch: Adam Quinn, F; Tom Sheehan, F; Chase Watts, F; Ethan Travis, F; Colvin Callahan, F; Owen Carter, D; Marchello Martinelli, D; Owen Byers, G Outlook: Tabor thinks it can win a New England title if it stays healthy and gets solid goaltending. “I am excited about this team and its potential,” Dineen said. The Seawolves underwhelmed last season largely due to injuries. Dineen’s squad will have lots of returning players back (and healthy) this season, to go along with vital additions at forward like Travis and Callahan. The Seawolves are a sleeper team.
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Thayer
Coach: David Hymovitz 2023-24 record: 11-12-5 Players to watch: Tommy Anderson, F; Mason Shea, F; Teddy Lally, F; Ty Hymovitz, F; Michael Federico, F; Kevin Delay, F; Peter Luecke, D; Declan Devin, D; Matthew MacDonald, D; Brian McFaddden, D; Tyler Moschella, G Outlook: This is easily Thayer’s strongest team (on paper) since Hymovitz took control in the fall of 2022. The Tigers lost Brady Kudrick, their leading scorer, to juniors a year early. They also lost Josh Halliday. But much of the core is back from last season. Ty Hymovitz will be a welcome addition to Thayer’s offensive attack. On defense, Luecke has greatly improved over the summer and fall as a puck-moving No. 1 defenseman. Moschella should build off his strong sophomore season last year. Expect Thayer to compete for the NEPSAC playoffs.
RinkWise podcast: Who are the best teams and players in boys prep hockey this season?
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Belmont Hill
St. Sebastian’s
Thayer
