Top ranked Salisbury remains the lone undefeated team in New England Prep School Hockey. The Crimson Knights continue to cruise with a deep and talented roster.
Tip of the Hat: Tabor Academy upset St. Sebastian’s, 5-2, in Saturday’s Travis Roy Cup, the annual game hosted by the Seawolves to raise funds and awareness for spinal cord research. As everyone is well aware, Roy is the former NYA and Tabor player who suffered a terrible spinal cord injury 11 seconds into his first shift at Boston University. It’s great that Tabor continues to honor Roy and play for a good cause. It’s been a down year for Gerry Dineen’s club, but Saturday was an uplifting win. Seniors Peter Lombardi (2 goals) and Patrick Daly (1 goal, 1 assist) led the way.
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NEHJ Prep Hockey Top 10 Rankings – January 16, 2018
1. Salisbury (11-0-1)
The Crimson Knights have an embarrassment of riches. There’s a ton of talent, depth and experience. Leading scorers Brett Willits and Matt Holmes are both ’99 seniors. Andrew Will’s team took care of business last week with wins over top 10 opponents Cushing and Westminster.
Last Week: W 6-3 Cushing, W 5-3 Westminster, W 4-0 Choate
This Week: at Trinity-Pawling (1/17), at Kent (1/20)
2. Kimball Union (13-3-1)
The Wildcats got back on track last week with three wins over inferior opponents. This week’s slate should provide for three more wins. A game next Wednesday at Exeter is the next serious foe for Tim Whitehead’s team that continues to win with balance and a superb blue line led by Jordan Harris.
Last Week: W 3-0 Vermont Academy, W 3-2 Governor’s, W 3-1 St. Paul’s
This Week: vs. Deerfield (1/17), at Brewster (1/19), vs. Stanstead (1/20)
3. Exeter (14-1-1)
Dana Barbin’s team continues to demolish weaker opponents. This week won’t see any stiff competition, but as mentioned above, next Wednesday’s home clash with KUA should be a dandy. Six of the team’s top eight scorers were born before the turn of the century, which will bode well come playoff time. There are other teams with more pure talent, but age and depth will play in Exeter’s favor.
Last Week: W 5-1 Governor’s, W 6-1 Andover
This Week: at Tabor (1/17), vs. Hotchkiss (1/20)
4. Rivers (13-1-2)
Shawn McEachern’s team continued its lackluster play last week with narrow victories over two teams it should have handled easily. It’s said that goaltending and defense win championships. The Red Wings have the best goaltender in prep school hockey on their side and are well coached defensively.
Last Week: W 2-1 BB&N (OT), W 3-1 St. Mark’s
This Week: vs. Brooks (1/17), vs. BB&N (1/20)
5. Milton (10-2-1)
The Mustangs continue to win, and win easily. Paul Cannata’s team isn’t in the same class as the top three, but Milton shouldn’t be taken lightly. Three Canadians, Tyler Campbell, Tiger Zhang, and Quinton Fox, lead the way offensively NTDP-bound Matt Beniers provides plenty of young ammunition. They face a tough test Wednesday against an up-and-down Lawrence team.
Last Week: W 5-1 Tabor
This Week: at Lawrence Academy (1/17), at St. George’s (1/19)
6. Cushing (13-4-1)
The Penguins haven’t proven they can beat the elite of the elite of prep school hockey, losing to KUA and Salisbury in consecutive weeks. However, Steve Jacobs’ team bounced back with wins over Deerfield and Loomis. ’99 defenseman Nolan McElhaney (UNH) continues to provide plenty of spark from the blue line. Despite Thayer’s struggle, the Tigers pose a threat Wednesday.
Last Week: L 3-6 Salisbury, W 4-3 Deerfield, W 5-3 Loomis-Chaffee
This Week: vs. Thayer (1/17), vs. Hebron (1/20)
7. Dexter (9-4-2)
Harvard recruit John Farinacci has 15 points over his last seven games, including a hat trick and an assist last time out. Fellow Crimson commit and Vancouver Canucks draft pick Jack Rathbone returned to the lineup last week. Dan Donato’s team will be dangerous come tournament time.
Last Week: L 2-3 New Hampton, W 10-0 BB&N
This Week: vs. Kent’s Hill (1/17), at Thayer (1/19)
8. Westminster (7-3-0)
This is another team that has proven it is better than the rest, but has yet to knock off the best of the best. Two of the three losses come to Salisbury and KUA while the other one was against a good Trinity-Pawling team. Sophomore goaltender Ian Shane returned against Salisbury, a good sign for the Martlets.
Last Week: W 4-1 Taft, L 3-5 Salisbury
This Week: at Canterbury (1/17), vs. Loomis-Chaffee (1/20)
9. Northfield Mount Hermon (11-2-3)
The Hoggers keep rolling along. Two former Pope Francis stars lead the way offensively. Late ’99 Devon Tongue has six goals in his last six games. Forwards Kyle Kazeroid and Ben Stefanini and defenseman Mike Higgins have also been keys to the production. Big goaltender Eric Green has been solid in net. AOF at home Wednesday will be another measuring stick for Kevin Czepiel’s team.
Last Week: W 2-1 Berkshire, W 4-0 Holderness
This Week: vs. Avon Old Farms (1/17), vs. Lawrenceville (1/20), vs. Taft (1/21)
10. Gunnery (8-3-2)
Craig Badger’s team is another squad with depth and a lot of veterans in the right places. ‘99s Albert Washco and Marc Gatcomb lead the way up front while sophomore captain Jimmy Rayhill is adept at moving pucks north. Gunnery has very little room for error the rest of the way if it wants to make the Elite 8.
Last Week: W 10-3 Hoosac
This Week: at Millbrook (1/17), at Williston (1/20)
