Spring is around the corner, and playoff hockey is in the air.
For the 2006-born class of players, that means opportunities are plentiful to make a case for the U.S. National Development Team Program’s selection camp later this month, while also leading their current teams to success in more meaningful contests locally and possibly at the national level soon.
Shattuck-St. Mary’s is fresh from winning the inaugural Prep Hockey Conference’s first championship, beating Ontario-based St. Andrew’s College on a pair of goals from Massachusetts native Cole Eiserman, including the overtime winner in Faribault, Minn., on Feb. 27. The New England prep hockey playoffs begin on March 2, with a solid representation of ’06 players on multiple teams competing in the Elite 8, large and small school divisions. The MIAA playoffs have begun, with several standout prospects, not to mention Midget hockey action with the recent USPHL playoffs and the road to the Tier 1 National Championships being played in Michigan at the end of the month and into early April.
Cole Eiserman (Newburyport, Mass.)
Shattuck-St. Mary’s Prep, 8/29/06, LW, left shot, 6-0/181
Arguably the top ’06 from New England, he backed it up in the PHC playoffs, tallying the final two goals in Shattuck’s 4-3 overtime victory. He has the size, skating and natural finishing skills, scoring 12 goals in the PHC schedule, finishing second on his team only to ’05 and 2021 USHL first overall selection William Whitelaw (17). With the Shattuck prep team rolling and getting production from the youth movement of Eiserman and fellow ’06 center Macklin Celebrini, the team is primed to contend for a Tier 1 national championship at the 18-U level in early April. Before that, Eiserman will be in Plymouth, Mich., at the U.S. NTDP 40-man camp, where he is a sure bet to make the 2022-23 Under-17 team.
Teddy Stiga (Sudbury, Mass.)
Belmont Hill/Jr. Eagles 16-U, 4/5/06, C, left shot, 5-8/150
One of prep hockey’s most impactful players from the ’06 birth year, Stiga impressed this season with his mature game, high hockey IQ/creativity, and skating/skills combination. Belmont Hill was undefeated until the final week of the season, with Stiga playing a key role in the Sextants offense. He’s an asset on the power play, operating from the half-wall and threading pucks through traffic for quality scoring chances, or one-timing shots to the net himself. Like Eiserman, he’ll be in Michigan later this month and next to make the NTDP squad, then try to lead his Boston Jr. Eagles 16-U team to a national title.
Nate Porter (Hingham, Mass.)
Dexter/Jr. Eagles 16-U, 3/10/06, LW, right shot, 5-8/156
Although playing time was tough to come by for the younger players on Dexter’s varsity squad, Porter made the most of his opportunities. He’s a higher-end offensive play driver who can back defenses up. He led all ’05 and ’06s on the team in scoring, with the lion’s share of ice time going to ’02-‘04 skaters. With Dexter in the Elite 8, it will be interesting to see how Dan Donato deploys him on a veteran roster. A member of the Jr. Eagles 16 team that won the Tier 1 Mass. playoffs in November, he’ll get more of a chance to show junior teams and college coaches how he compares to his midget hockey peers as an expected high selection in the USHL futures draft in May.
Will Felicio (Holden, Mass.)
Mount St. Charles 15-O, 5/19/06, D, left shot, 5-9/150
The impressive two-way defenseman isn’t as dynamic as some in his peer group from around the USA but is in play for selection to the NTDP. The quintessential defender who doesn’t attract a lot of attention because he defends well, moves pucks and plays an efficient, mistake-free game. He logs a ton of minutes in all situations for Scott Gainey’s top-ranked Rhode Island Saint M’s 15-only division team. If Felicio doesn’t make Team USA, he’ll be a top draft option in the May USHL futures draft, with a chance to prove himself on the national stage at the Tier 1 championship tournament later this month.
Owen Keefe (Saugus, Mass.)
Malden Catholic/Jr Eagles 16-U, 3/26/06, D, left shot, 6-0/175
He played in all situations as a 15-year-old for the MC Lancers, leading the way in scoring and logging huge minutes for a team that at times struggled to score consistently. It was an impressive encore for a player who had a strong fall with the Jr. Eagles 16 team and will be a cog on that national championship-bound team. Keefe is an athletic, mobile defender who takes pride in handling his defensive responsibilities, but has taken the next steps as an offensive producer. Like Felicio, he’s got a real shot at the NTDP in a deep birth year for defensemen, and an early USHL draft option as well.
Rising
J.J. Monteiro (Hudson, Mass.)
Mount St. Charles 15-O, 1/12/06, LW, left shot, 5-10/160
Perhaps no player has raised his stock more since autumn than this talented, high-pace winger who plays hard and has a deft scoring touch. With all the attributes you look for at the current and subsequent levels, he's shown himself to have good habits in addition to the ability, and brings solid character as well. He's getting a lot of notice among junior teams and colleges, with a trajectory headed in the right direction.
Andrew O’Sullivan (Boston, Mass.)
Boston Advantage 15-O/NE Knights 16-U, 8/15/06, D, right shot, 5-11/161
The nephew of former NHLer Chris O’Sullivan started out the season as a stalwart defensive presence in the Boston Advantage program and has continued to elevate his two-way play all year. Having grown into his body more, he’s a fluid skater who effortlessly retrieves pucks, manages his gaps, and can transition the play from defense to offense in an instant. He plays with his head up, using his vision and natural feel for the game to make plays at both ends of the ice. Although he doesn’t always pair up with fellow Boston Advantage standout Kiernan Poulin (Norwell, Mass.), the two complement each other extremely well and form a dynamic duo on the back end at even strength and with the man advantage when they’re together. Both may get the call to attend the NTDP 40-man camp.
Ryan Staples (Wakefield, R.I.)
Bishop Hendricken/River Rats 15-U, 2/24/06, RW, right shot, 6-1/150
Fledgling power forward had a strong fall campaign and has carried that over to his Rhode Island high school play. He’s a big, strong winger who skates with power and plays in straight lines. He has several Division 1 schools on him, and when he’s able to verbally commit, we wouldn’t be surprised to see him among the first couple of waves of announcements because of his natural athleticism and potential to be a force as he grows and develops. Watch for him to make the jump to a top prep school in 2022-23.
Will Doherty (Marshfield, Mass.)
Marshfield HS/Cape Cod Whalers 15-O, 2/13/06, LW, right shot, 5-11/150
With his best hockey ahead of him, Doherty is a player who flashes on the ice for his athletic style, pace and ability to score off the rush or get to the hard areas for greasy goals. In addition to being an impact high school forward, he was a key contributor on a strong Whalers fall team that ultimately came up short in its quest for a Mass. state championship in Tier 1. He’s a good bet to play prep hockey next season and continue to make a name for himself in split-season action. Although he’s raw and will need a good amount of developmental time, he’s in play to be drafted to the USHL in the latter futures rounds as a junior prospect with upside.
Dennis Davidson (Newton, Mass.)
Nobles/Minute Man Flames 15-O, 5/15/06, C/RW, right shot, 5-8/150
The important piece to the Flames team that captured the Tier 1 state title for the 15-O division back in November showed well in his first prep season with Nobles. Although undersized, he’s an excellent skater who plays with smarts and jam, is around the puck a lot and can make plays in small areas. Nobles teammate Ben Nakata (West Barnstable, Mass.) is a higher-rated USHL draft prospect, but Davidson will get a chance to prove himself in Michigan, where the Flames will go up against the other top 15-O teams from around the U.S.
Ryder Shea (Framingham, Mass.)
St. George’s/Little Bruins 16-U, 5/4/06, G, catches left, 6-2/180
The lone goaltender on the list has played well this season both in fall and in prep with the Dragons. He played the most minutes on his prep team and put up solid numbers, but Matthew DellaRusso (Darien, Conn.) finished with the hot hand, so it will be interesting to see who Jeff Dwyer goes with in the small school quarterfinal matchup on March 2 at Frederick Gunn. Shea has the size, quickness and tools to be an effective junior goaltender and beyond. It will be a longer process for him, but the NTDP has been watching him, and he might get a chance to attend the 40-man camp.
