Our Best of New England series continues. Earlier this week, we rolled out the second round of our Top 50 rankings for the '09s. Now, it's time to rank the '10s for the first time. We'll conclude this week's Best of New England installment with a 30-player watchlist of the '11s to keep an eye...
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Earlier this week, we rolled out the second round of our Top 50 rankings for the '09s. Now, it's time to rank the '10s for the first time. We'll conclude this week's Best of New England installment with a 30-player watchlist of the '11s to keep an eye on, just as we did for the '10s in the first go-around.
Like each of our other rankings thus far, this was as difficult as it was fun to unpack the deep talent pool.
It’s been a big summer for the '10s, just as it has been for the '09s, especially since many became eligible to commit to college programs on June 15. Those in the Class of 2029 will become eligible to commit next June 15. Many '10s are coming off big springs and summers between the Mass. Hockey and New England District festivals, USA Hockey's 16/17 Camp and the Under-18 Women's National Festival.
We’re only ranking New England natives and those playing in the region this coming season. We also know of a few non-New Englanders arriving for prep and full-season academy teams this season, but we don’t know all of them. There will surely be breakout ’10s this coming season who find their way into our rankings.
Let's dive in.
1. Francie Ames
Team: Nobles/Boston Americans
Position: F
NCAA: Princeton
Hometown: Brookline, Mass.
Top 10 notes:Â What is so exciting about the '10s is just how many of them are just beginning to scratch the surface. That's true throughout the rankings, but especially for those in this group above. Ames is a tenacious, game-breaking forward, fresh off leading the NEPSAC in scoring as a sophomore. The recent Princeton commit made the U18 Select roster out of the U18 Women's National Festival, as did Chudzinski, who figures to be a premier presence for Dexter as a junior with her ability to command the ice in all three zones. McCullough earned an invite to the U18 Festival and a commitment to Minnesota, thanks to her elite skating and offensive instincts. MacPherson didn't miss a beat jumping from the MIAA to prep, and she has the chance to dominate for St. Paul's this winter. Kealty rounds out the top five with her dynamic scoring ability and her compete.
Humber brings a productive presence to the blue line, while her length gives her an advantage defensively. Lee, meanwhile, has a strong track record in the crease over the past two seasons to go along with high-end athleticism. Polcari brings a key mix of strength, skill and compete into her junior season at Tabor. McNeil's puck-moving ability has her in line to take the reins on Loomis' blue line. As for Beigel, the versatile forward plays an excellent 200-foot game in addition to good vision with the puck.
11. Ava Carr
Team: Williston Northampton/Bay State Breakers
Position: F
NCAA: Merrimack
Hometown: Medway, Mass.
12. Andie Hall
Team: Shattuck-St. Mary’s
Position: D
NCAA: Uncommitted
Hometown: Greenwich, Conn.
13. Liz Levering
Team: Nobles/Bay State Breakers
Position: D
NCAA: Uncommitted
Hometown: Westwood, Mass.
Team: BK Selects
Position: F
NCAA: Uncommitted
Hometown: Old Greenwich, Conn.
17. Caroline Kreuz
Team: St. Mark's/Boston Junior Eagles
Position: F
NCAA: Uncommitted
Hometown: Worcester, Mass.
18. Vienna Noble
Team: Shattuck-St. Mary's
Position: G
NCAA: Uncommitted
Hometown: Hingham, Mass.
19. Olivia DeLisle
Team: Lovell Academy
Position: G
NCAA: Cornell
Hometown: Grand Island, N.Y.
20. Jenna Henley
Team: Thayer/Boston Americans
Position: F
NCAA: Uncommitted
Hometown: Whitman, Mass.
11-20 notes:Â The depth of this group starts to shine as we work into this next tier. Carr, coming off a breakout sophomore season, plays with high pace and gets to the high-danger areas. Hall has good size and skating on the back end, which helped her produce over the last two seasons with Shattuck's 16U squad. Meanwhile, Levering's physicality in the defensive zone and effectiveness in transition will make her a critical part of a deep Nobles blue line. Rabazzi's confidence with the puck and aggressive mindset at the attacking blue line helped her produce as a freshman at Dexter. Buco's effortless release will help her be a key piece for Loomis as a sophomore.
Wilner, meanwhile, is a shifty, dynamic forward who gives defenders fits in 1-on-1 matchups. Kreuz constantly creates chances in middle ice, and a strong spring and summer has her in a great spot ahead of her junior year. Noble's ability to anticipate and read shooters, plus her 5-foot-8 frame, make her an exciting prospect in the crease. As for DeLisle, she flat-out dominated for Lovell Academy last season, backstopping the Lions to a 16U national title. Henley is constantly creating offense in transition, which helped her instantly stand out in prep last winter.
Team: Brooks/Boston Americans
Position: F
NCAA: Uncommitted
Hometown: Sherborn, Mass.
21-30 notes:Â The depth continues to shine in Nos. 21-30, as many players had cases for spots in the top 20. Bennett has been a productive blue-liner for Gunn with her offensive instincts, and she uses her size effectively in her own end. She will head to Taft and reclassify to the Class of 2029. Picard's power helps her excel in battles, and she was a big piece for Deerfield as a freshman. Friesen brings strength in the defensive zone and recently committed to Boston College. Skeiber consistently makes smart plays, has strong details in her own end and plays an intense game. Robertson's compete and penchant for forcing turnovers create chaos in the attacking zone. She could have a bigger role at Loomis this winter.
Meanwhile, Morris has posted two straight seasons over a point per game with Lovell, earning a commitment to Merrimack. Ling plays a smart 200-foot game, and she's coming off a productive freshman year at Brooks. Kathan's quick feet and vision make her effective in all three zones, especially when she's moving the puck. Moors is expected to be a cornerstone of Taft's blue line this season. She uses her long reach effectively in the defensive zone and plays with her head up. Buckler immediately stepped in as Brooks' top scorer last season, thanks in part to her confidence with the puck.
31. Meagan Precourt
Team: Winchendon
Position: F
NCAA: Uncommitted
Hometown: Lithia, Fla.
32. Emilie Poirier
Team: New Hampton/Valley Junior Warriors
Position: D
NCAA: Uncommitted
Hometown: Salem, N.H.
33. Cassidy Dailey
Team: Lovell Academy
Position: F
NCAA: Merrimack
Hometown: Glen Rock, N.J.
34. Kendra Snell
Team: Rivers/Minuteman Lady Flames
Position: F
NCAA: Uncommitted
Hometown: Southboro, Mass.
31-40 notes: In her first season at Winchendon, Precourt put up video-game numbers, averaging nearly two points per game. She reached the 100-point mark halfway through the season. Precourt also made the U18 Women's National Festival this summer. Poirier could be a major factor for New Hampton this season, thanks to her quick feet in closing lanes, winning races for pucks and jumping into the play. Dailey, meanwhile, has been a consistent producer over the last few seasons, including her first with Lovell, which helped her earn a commitment to Merrimack. Snell is on the rise with a younger Rivers squad as her rangy frame and good speed help her create space for herself offensively. As for Whittier, she's making the jump to prep after dominating the MIAA since her seventh-grade year. She's an explosive forward who could fit right in.
Um instantly made an impact as one of Taft's top scorers last winter, thanks in part to her 5-foot-10 frame. Hartmann could be in line for a bigger role at Andover this winter. Her pace and intensity on the forecheck help her force turnovers and create offense. Meanwhile, Perkins is off to Thayer, where she'll bring a powerful shot and an ability to speed up defenders on the forecheck and the rush. Louie is coming off a solid freshman season with Andover. She picks her spots well when jumping into the play and has a good stick defensively. Bergeron, who is off to Brooks, is strong and has solid hands. Like Whittier, she put up big numbers in the MIAA since her middle-school days.
41. Grace Hildebrandt
Team: Tabor/Boston Americans
Position: F
NCAA: Uncommitted
Hometown: Norwell, Mass.
42. Rylie Choi
Team: Phillips Exeter/East Coast Wizards
Position: D
NCAA: Uncommitted
Hometown: Orange County, Calif.
43. Emma Burke
Team: St. Paul's/Boston Junior Eagles
Position: D
NCAA: Uncommitted
Hometown: Braintree, Mass.
Team: Thayer
Position: D
NCAA: Uncommitted
Hometown: Charlestown, Mass.
50. Anna Preciado
Team: Winchendon
Position: F
NCAA: Uncommitted
Hometown: Maynard, Mass.
41-50 notes: Hildebrandt plays with pace and intensity, and her relentless pursuit makes life difficult for opposing defenders. Choi plays with an effective stick in transition, and she's coming off a strong debut season at Exeter. Burke's size (5-foot-9) gives her an advantage defensively, as she defends with strong gaps and a quick stick. Grant plays with a high motor on the back check, and she consistently finds open space for chances in the attacking zone. With Araujo's speed and quick hands, it's no surprise to see the gaudy numbers she put up with Lovell last season.
Devillers' speed and compete has helped her create offense with the Polar Bears, and she could be a big piece for Choate this winter. Locklear can flat-out fly, and her speed helps her create chances and drive play through the neutral zone. Hall's versatility helped her carve out a role at Andover last winter, and she excels in regroups with her skating and smarts. As for Deroeve, she was among the top defenders at Mass. Hockey Festival in the spring, thanks to her ability to spark transition and win 1-on-1 matchups. Preciado, meanwhile, is headed to Winchendon after she was a dynamic scorer as a freshman in the MIAA.
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2. Maggie Chudzinski
11. Ava Carr
15. Lexi Buco
31. Meagan Precourt
