With the last few games in the 2021-22 prep hockey regular-season schedule being played this weekend, it’s time for a quick look at a few uncommitted players who have played well in recent viewings. Although the prep hockey playoff field has not yet been decided, these individuals look to be a good bet to prove their mettle next week with the stakes much higher.
Additionally, Boston College landed an excellent goaltender and future NHL draft selection in Northwood School’s Jan Korec.
After taking in some recent prep games, the focus is on a group of area players who have stood out in those games, and are at least making a case for college hockey offers. We’ll also break down Korec’s successful season and why he will be a major factor in the Hockey East whenever he lands with the Eagles.
Uncommitted players primed for playoff action
Drew Haxton (Wakefield, R.I.)
Nobles, 1/12/03, RW, right shot, 5-9/165
A top-end skater who brings instant acceleration and speed, Haxton is a player who is often noticeable for his pace and the way he buzzes around the net. With deft hands to corral and shoot pucks in tight, he’s second to Ben MacDonald on the team in goal scoring, but overall, the production this season with the 14-7-2 Bulldogs has been uneven, and there are times that you have to look for him. At 19, he’s older and more experienced at this level, so he’s primed to be a postseason difference maker.
Daniel Markham (Winchester, Mass.)
Belmont Hill, 5/13/04, C, left shot, 6-0/166
With this reliable two-way center, it’s all about the details and effort. He was solid in the fall season with the EC Wizards 18-U team, but his prep season has opened some eyes. Markham may not be a frontline scorer in the vein of James Fisher (Northeastern), Ronan O’Donnell (Yale) or ’06 future U.S. National Teamer Teddy Stiga,but he’s an effective penalty killer who plays with intelligence and jam. That may not be enough to translate to Division 1, but there are certainly a lot of Division 3 programs out there that will be able to take a player of his caliber and leverage his versatility.
Michael Cataldo (Norfolk, Mass.)
St. Sebastian’s, 5/4/03, RW/C, right shot, 6-1/200
We’ve written about him before, and while he’s a secondary piece to the potent Arrows offense, Cataldo’s hard-nosed style makes him a good fit for the college game. He moves his feet, plays in straight lines and drives right to the net. He’s not dynamic or flashy like some of the other uncommitted forwards out there, but he’s shown steady improvement and makes a living in the dirty areas of the ice.
Liam Chapman (Weare, N.H.)
Salisbury, 3/11/04, D, left shot, 6-2/200
With his tall frame, long reach and natural strength, steady defense is a staple in the former Seacoast Performance Academy standout’s game. The 19-5 Scarlet Knights are surging at the right time, and will need Chapman’s sound and efficient positional play. He’s not a prime two-way option on the back end, which explains why he is yet to be committed, but he is capable of logging a lot of minutes and being a cog in the middle of a defensive unit once he can get experience in juniors somewhere.
Conner Chalmers (Windham, N.H.)
KUA, 8/30/03, D, right shot, 5-10/185
The senior has been a productive presence for the high-flying Wildcats offense, running the power play with his quick feet and puck skills. Although he lacks ideal pro size, he should be an impact college player in time at the Division 1 level because he can skate and move pucks, but also employs a good stick to break up rushes and has fine edges to quickly cut and slip away from forechecking pressure. He’s one of the best-uncommitted ‘03s available and will have a chance to prove it after a strong season. He will skate in the BCHL for the Vernon Vipers next season.
Mick Frechette (Weston, Mass.)
Dexter, 10/27/03, D, left shot, 6-1/205
This throwback defender and older brother Fitz have been two of Dexter’s more impactful players this season. The younger Frechette transferred in from St. Paul’s and was impressive with the national tournament-bound Boston Jr. Eagles 18 team, continuing to build on that forward momentum under Dan Donato. He plays in a lot of situations but is primarily a physical defender who will lay out opponents with big open-ice hits or halt forward progress along the walls. While not the most instinctive of players, he has a big shot and has chipped in offensively. You win with players like him, and while he doesn’t bring much star power, should develop into a trustworthy middle-of-the-roster option at the next level.
Will Killoran (Charlestown, Mass.)
Belmont Hill, 1/30/03, D, right shot, 6-3/195
Belmont Hill has stumbled, losing their last two games in overtime against Tabor and Dexter after starting out 18-0-3, but the captain will be instrumental in getting his team back on track. Although not a higher-end skater, he’s always played hard and been a tough defender that opponents need to account for on the ice. He’s a leader who does the little things right and sets a fine example. Whether that can translate into a Division 1 offer remains to be seen, but now is the time for him to show interested schools the intangibles that could make the difference.
Conor Sullivan (Westborough, Mass.)
Rivers, 10/1/03, G, catches left, 6-3/190
A reliable workhorse for the Red Wings, the senior has been one of the most consistent and effective netminders in prep hockey this season. He has the size and quick movements to be effective at the next level and has played his best hockey at the right time.
Korec: Boston College secures blue chip import in net
The late ’04 from Slovakia has been the best goaltender I’ve seen this fall, and he has real upside as an NHL draft option in 2023, as he missed the cutoff for 2022 by just a couple of weeks.
Boston College won the recruiting war for a player who was in high demand because of his combination of size, fluid agility and ability to stand on his head when offensive pressure ratchets up. He’s one of those players who gets high marks even in games he comes out on the losing end of because he does so many things well.
Korec’s lateral agility and focus make him tough to beat with the first shot, and when the play breaks down around his crease, he’ll battle to keep pucks out of the back of his net.
With two seasons in the Lake Placid-based prep school, Korec is a no-brainer first-round choice in the 2022 USHL Entry Draft. What will make him an instant starter in that top junior league outside his obvious talent and ability is that unlike other import goalies who come straight from overseas, he won’t need adjustment time to the smaller North American ice surface and style of play. He’s stood up to the best shooters at his current competition level, stopping nearly 95 percent of the shots he’s faced this season, and he’ll be able to do it at the next level before he joins the Eagles.
BC has landed a major upgrade in net. The onus will be on the team to be a little patient and let him get another year under his belt playing at the next level instead of rushing him to the Hockey East. By the time he arrives, he will be a likely NHL prospect and that much better, a player who should be able to come in and immediately make a positive impact on the team’s fortunes and tighten things up in the conference.
