Some of the best Division 3 college hockey in the country is played in the New England Small College Athletic Conference, more frequently known as the NESCAC.
A few months ago, NESCAC champion Colby College made the Frozen Four. Trinity College won the 2015 Division 3 National Championship, and Middlebury won eight titles from 1995 through 2006, including five in a row at one point.
The NESCAC programs provide a terrific academic opportunity, all while playing great college hockey. More players and families should be open to pursuing this avenue.
For the past several summers, Chuck Hughes and Dan Donato have hosted the Road to College Showcase at Babson College. The purpose of the event was to allow academically-inclined players the chance to showcase themselves before NESCAC programs, plus other D3 ones such as Babson and Hobart. Unfortunately, the event is taking a one-year hiatus in 2018.
But that hasn't stopped those coaches from tracking the top seniors-to-be in prep school and following their progress as the 2018-19 season nears.
Mindful of that, here are the top 10 rising seniors on the radar of NESCAC and other top D3 programs.
1. Charles Shaffer
• Brunswick School, 7/20/00, Forward, Right Shot, 5-11/174
The Greenwich, Conn., native gets knocked for his skating, but he just scores. He’s the classic example of a fringe player where he’s close to being a Division 1 prospect, but will be one of the most coveted seniors in prep by NESCAC coaches.
2. Quinton Fox
• Milton Academy, 9/1/00, Forward, Left Shot, 6-1/175
Like so many Milton players over the years, the Fonthill, Ontario, native will be pursued by the NESCAC schools. He has good size, skates well enough and has above average hockey sense.
3. Christian Powers
• Phillip Andover Academy, 5/1/00, Forward, Right Shot, 5-8/155
Powers has had discussions with several of the Ivies, but he’ll likely end up at a NESCAC school due to his size. The Gloucester, Mass., native is speedy and can make plays.
4. Andy Beran
• St. Paul’s School, 5/5/00, Goaltender, Catches Left, 5-7/140
The St. Paul, Minn., native is a terrific goaltender, but Division 1 coaches are concerned about his size. With most goaltenders at that level measuring in at 6-foot or taller, he’ll likely have to settle for the NESCAC. Whichever school lands him will get a reliable netminder.
5. Jonah Gold
• Groton School, 2/20/00, Forward, Left Shot, 5-9/165
From Rolling Hills Estates, Calif., Gold came to Groton two years ago. His vision and passing makes him one of the better playmakers in prep. He’s undersized and isn’t quite dynamic enough for Division 1.
6. Sean McAvoy
• Deerfield Academy, 6/6/00, Forward, Left Shot, 5-9/165
The Charlotte, N.C., native is another small forward who has had a productive career at Deerfield. He’s just not quite dynamic or big enough for Division 1, but NESCAC schools will have considerable interest.
7. Ryan Colwell
• Taft School, 6/17/00, Forward, Right Shot, 5-9/165
The Plainedge, N.Y., native doesn’t have the most offensive upside, but he plays a complete game and gives it his all each shift. He’s good on puck pursuit and will be a good bottom-six forward for a NESCAC program.
8. Jack Luca
• Roxbury Latin School, 2/7/00, Forward, Left Shot, 5-8/170
The Milton, Mass., native has gone somewhat under the radar at Roxbury Latin, but he has a nice offensive skill set. He’s been a scoring leader the past few years, but is a little on the smaller side which will likely keep him out of Division 1.
9. Garrett Foster
• Phillip Exeter Academy, 12/12/00, Forward, Right Shot, 5-10/185
The Newfields, N.H., native has quietly increased his scoring production each season as his role has grown for Dana Barbin’s squad. He’s a hard worker, and production spews from there.
10. Joe Stanizzi
• Middlesex School, 8/31/00, Goaltender, Catches Left, 5-11/170
The Chelmsford, Mass., native has stolen his share of games over the past few years playing for a Middlesex team that often gets outshot by a significant margin.
