New England Hockey Journal has been in the rinks this fall, and based on early returns, here is a ranking of the region’s best 15 Only teams.
Mount Saint Charles is leading the way with an impressive 4-1 start, marred only by a loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 15 squad in Northeast Pack Hockey League play last weekend.
After looking at the top 14-U teams in the region on Tuesday, below are the teams who have elevated in the early going and are expected to be the class of the New England area going forward.
1. Mount Saint Charles (4-1-0)
The top forward in the country highlights the Mount Saint Charles roster. James Hagens leads a star-studded lineup that also includes forwards Sacha Boisvert, JJ Monteiro, Jackson Delleo, and Luke Gallo. On defense, Will Felicio is the unquestioned leader of the group’s blue line. Jack Parsons is the top goaltender on the roster.
2. Yale Junior Bulldogs (4-3-0)
The Junior Bulldogs have the best defense of any team in the 15 Only division within New England. Alex Bales (Buffalo Junior Sabres), Jacob Ingstrup (Chicago Mission) and Kai Mencel (Los Angeles Junior Kings) all came to Kent, thanks to the recruiting efforts of Jake Bennett, and will be patrolling the blue line for the Junior Bulldogs. Up front, Niko Tournas is a legit goal scorer. Goaltender Kyle Bolduc was a national camp participant.
3. Selects Academy (3-1-1)
After a down year or two during the transition from the past coaching staff to the new, Selects Academy appears back and ready to compete at all three age groups. At the 15 Only level, defenseman Tory Pitner comes to the program as one of the better prospects at this age group. Other players of note include forwards Tyler Wood and Carson Mitchell and defensemen Andrew Jensen and Kenny Barber.
4. Mid Fairfield Rangers (4-4-0)
Mid Fairfield has a solid group, led by elite forward Drew DellaSalla. After that, Walker Bright, Jake Pomichter, Blake Burke and Ben Bradley are scoring threats. On defense, Cooper Cleaves, Blake Stant and Noah Jettelson are notable players. Hayden Thorsen came over from the New Jersey Colonials to tend the net for George Hughes’ team.
5. Seacoast Academy (4-3-0)
Forward Ronnie Hill and defenseman Deke Davidson are the key names to know on this team. Hill is a skilled goal scorer while Davidson is a poised, mobile, two-way defender. Zach Ericson is the starting goaltender. Eric Whitelaw, Cayne Leive, Aidan Burwell and Mick Keogan are other names to know among the forward group.
6. Cape Cod Whalers (6-5-0)
The Whalers have a good mix of players, led by forward Ben Nakata, defenseman Jack Duffy and goaltender Evan Zhang. Other players worth watching are forwards Will Doherty and Allen Fang and defensemen Colton Whitfield, Michael Hussey and Evan Dresser.
7. Minuteman Flames (3-0-0)
The Flames are off to a good start and I’ve heard good things about this group. This team is made up mostly of former Junior Bruins and Minuteman Flames players who didn’t make the organization’s 16-U entry, under the name of Little Bruins. No roster is available for this team and they haven’t played at the main rinks at either showcase so far.
8. Valley Junior Warriors (5-3-1)
The Valley Junior Warriors are a team made up mostly of Austin Prep players. The team’s top prospects are forwards Evan Regan, Jacob Duval and Noah Pineo. On defense, Fischer Niehaus leads the way. Goaltender Marty Pierce is a familiar name to many in hockey circles as his grandfather with the same name was the longtime, legendary coach at Matignon.
