The 2022 All-NEPSAC boys hockey teams were released today, reminding all that after a lost 2020-21 season, things are mostly back to normal with three champions crowned in the small school, large school and Elite 8 categories.
St. Sebastian’s center Brendan Gorman (Arlington, Mass.), who capped his Arrows career with new offensive highs to lead his team with 49 points in 25 games, earned All-NEPSAC East Team honors. Another prep teammate to make the East team was two-way defenseman and Boston College recruit Nolan Joyce (Dedham, Mass.). Western selections included Salisbury right wing Dylan Hryckowian, who earned the New England Hockey Journal’s Most Valuable Player recognition after leading his team to the Elite 8 championship.
With 12 total All-NEPSAC selections from East and West, plus another 12 players who received recognition as honorable mentions, we emptied out our scout notebook one last time with observations on selected honorees.
All-NEPSAC East Team
Brendan Gorman, F, St. Sebastian’s
Ben MacDonald, F, Nobles
Jaiden Moriello, F, Kimball Union
Michael Fisher, D, St. Mark’s
Nolan Joyce, D, St. Sebastian’s
Jake Inzirillo, G, Brooks
Gorman was a productive scorer from start to finish, ending up with almost two points scored per game. He’s going to Princeton, and there will probably be an adjustment period for him, but if he plays with the same kind of speed, pace and smarts, he’ll be an impact freshman. Ben MacDonald and his Nobles squad came up short in the large school playoffs, but he had a strong two-way season using his intelligence and work ethic to impact the game over all 200 feet of the ice surface. He’s on track to be drafted by one of the NHL’s 32 teams in July, and while some might quibble about how early to select him, the Weston, Mass., native and Harvard recruit is the kind of well-rounded prospect with upside who could end up as a bargain pick. Jaiden Moriello (Saugus, Mass.) secured a commitment to UMass-Lowell with a big scoring year, leading prep hockey with 33 goals. He has such a knack for finishing plays around the net, and his third period regulation goal gave KUA life before ultimately falling in OT to Salisbury in their Elite 8 semifinal game.
Michael Fisher (Westboro, Mass.) led all prep defensemen in scoring, elevating himself from a solid defender to a legitimate offensive threat on every shift. He recently switched his commitment from Princeton to Northeastern and is a sure bet for the NHL draft. Jake Inzirillo finished with a remarkable .955 save percentage while stopping 600 shots. He was often under siege, but gave his team a chance to win most nights.
All-NEPSAC East Honorable Mention
Cooper Boulanger, F, Holderness
Dom Murphy, F, St. Mark’s
Will Hughes, F, Dexter Southfield
Matt Fusco, D, Dexter Southfield
Chris Romaine, D, Milton
Sam Scopa, G, Belmont Hill
Cooper Boulanger (Barre, Vt.) was a top offensive threat for the Bulls all year, and earned recognition for his speed and consistency while helping Holderness to its first Elite 8 playoff berth in school history. Although uncommitted, the ’03 should be getting some looks as he prepares for the next phase in junior hockey. Senior captain Dom Murphy (Worcester, Mass.) will head to Holy Cross, but he provided a lot of scoring punch for the Lions. He plays a refined, mature game, and looks like a quality get for Bill Riga’s Crusaders.
Chris Romaine (Milton, Mass.) is another NHL draft prospect with his growth spurt and superb feet/skating package, while committed to a quality program at Providence College. Goaltender Sam Scopa (Lexington, Mass.) is one of the youngest players on the All-NEPSAC list as an ’05. He led Belmont Hill to within one game of an Elite 8 title and impressed all season with his focus and poise.
All-NEPSAC West Team
Oliver Flynn, F, Loomis Chaffee
Brennan Ali, F, Avon
Dylan Hryckowian, F, Salisbury
Lucas St. Louis, D, Brunswick
Daniel Lurie, D, Westminster
Connor Callaghan, G, Avon
Oliver Flynn (Wolcott, Conn.) is a UConn recruit who brings size, skating and a hard shot. The senior led the Pelicans in scoring, and his playing style should translate in juniors before he heads to school. Hryckowian might be on the smaller side, but he’s an electric offensive presence who saved his best for when it mattered most in the playoffs. He will join his older brother Justin at Northeastern after spending a year in the USHL with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders.
Lucas St. Louis (Old Greenwich, Conn.) is the youngest player on the All-NEPSAC list, and used his speed, vision and puck-moving skills to generate an assist per game in his first prep season. He should land in juniors with the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL soon. Daniel Lurie (Lexington, Mass.) quietly had a good year, using his rangy skating, agile footwork, long reach and improved puck skills to play a strong two-way game. Connor Callaghan leveraged his experience as a postgraduate to put up outstanding numbers all year for the powerhouse Winged Beavers. Although knocked out of the semifinals by Belmont Hill, Callaghan had a tremendous season and is ready to make the transition to juniors.
All-NEPSAC West Honorable Mention
Adam Mendelson, F, Westminster
Ryan Walsh, F, Salisbury
Jed Brazo, F, Canterbury
Joey Sciabarra, D, Kent
Jordin Palmer, D, Avon
Kellen Beauton, G, Pomfret
Adam Mendelson is a speedy Canadian who can skate by defenders and led the Martlets in scoring. Ryan Walsh battled through some health challenges in a compressed late schedule on the road to play a strong championship game against Belmont Hill. Though not a dynamic skater, he has the head and hands to make a lot of offensive plays at the next levels.
Jordin Palmer (Auburn, N.H.) doesn’t play with much flash, but is a capable defender who skates well and moves pucks out of his own end efficiently. He’s under the radar and still a bit raw, but represents solid value as one of the best uncommitted ‘04s out there. Kellen Beauton (Colchester, Conn.) had a tremendous season, leading Pomfret over Frederick Gunn in the small school championship, while making more than 780 saves in the process. He was the ultimate x-factor on a team that wasn’t the most talented, but got the most out of an older roster with a lockdown goalie behind them. Connecticut College is getting a real good one.
