NEPSIHA: 2007 New England Prep Preview

The New England Prep season is now underway with Avon Old Farms looking to defend their title at the Division I level, with many teams looking to knock them off, such as Salisbury, Taft, Hotchkiss, and Nobles. McKeen's correspondent Vincent Montalbano offers the following preview on the Founders League.

FOUNDERS LEAGUE

AVON OLD FARMS

Nickname: Winged Beavers

Head Coach: John Gardner

Last Year: Division I Champs

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS

Cam Atkinson (Sr.), F – 2008 NHL Draft prospect and ranked by Central Scouting .. committed to Boston College for 2008

Patrick Mullane (Jr.), F – 2008 NHL Draft prospect and ranked by Central Scouting .. committed to Boston College for 2009

Lee Moffie (Jr.), D – 2008 NHL Draft prospect and ranked by Central Scouting

James Chamness (Sr.), F – Very good third-liner and will be relied upon for more offense

Danny New (Sr.), D – 2008 NHL Draft prospect and ranked by Central Scouting … committed to Providence for 2008

Brad Cooper (Sr.), D

Bradley Peltz (Jr.), F

Chris Wieland (Sr.), F

TOP NEWCOMERS

Paul Lee (Jr.), F, Lawrenceville Academy – 2008 NHL Draft prospect and ranked by Central Scouting .. committed to Dartmouth for 2009.

Brendan Rempel (Jr.), D, Pomfret Academy - Transfer

Parker Milner (Sr.), G, Pittsburgh Hornets – Select 17

Max Fenkell (Jr.), G, JV Team – should challenge for playing-time

Jonathan Cox (Sr.), F, Post-Graduate from Fairfield Prep

Michael DiMare (Sr.), F, Post Graduate from Malden Catholic

Stefan Demopolous (Jr.), F, Transfer from Shattuck St. Mary's

Joe Carrabino (So.), D, Size (6-5, 210)

COACHES COMMENTS:

"We do have some good returning forwards and enough defense to be solid. The real question will come in the goal, as we have three possible replacements in goal. Max Fenkell, a junior from the JV team, Michael Buenaventura, and Parker Milner a select 17 goalie from the Pittsburgh area will compete for the job."

COACH ON NHL PROSPECTS CAM ATKINSON, LEE MOFFIE, PATRICK MULLANE AND PAUL LEE:

"Cam Atkinson is extremely fast and skilled. Pat Mullane is a hard worker, who keeps getting stronger and better. Lee Moffie is a talented defenseman, who I believe will soon prove to be a tremendous player that everyone will want. Paul Lee can really go and is a real physical presence."

CHOATE ROSEMARY HALL

Nickname: Wild Boar

Head Coach: Patrick Dennehy

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS

Mark Goggin (Jr.), F – 2008 NHL Draft prospect and ranked by Central Scouting .. committed to Dartmouth for 2009

Connor Goggin (Sr.), D – Captain .. committed to Dartmouth for 2008 .. 2008 NHL Draft prospect and ranked by Central Scouting

Jamie Nudy (Sr.), F – Committed to Bentley for 2008

Sam Wheeler (Sr.), F – Should provide good leadership

Tyler Maloney (Sr.), D

Sam Gilbert (Jr.), D

Max Mastrella (Jr.), D

Bill Rivellini (Jr.), F

TOP NEWCOMERS

Justin Harnett (Sr.), F, Thayer Academy – Post Graduate .. Thayer's leading scorer last year

Nick Stefanelli (Sr.), F, Pinkerton Academy/ Boston Bulldogs – Post Graduate .. he sees the ice very well and has great hockey sense

Joel Goodsell (Jr.), F, Rochester NY

Wes Rene (Jr.), F, Rochester NY

Nick BonDurant (So.), G, Rochester NY - Has great resume and will be counted on to carry the mail for us between the pipes

COACHES COMMENTS:

"I am excited about the upcoming winter. We have our work cut out for us, but that is a good thing and I like the character and personalities on the team. It also helps having two premier players returning with the Goggins. Both are electric to watch, eager to do their best, great leaders and simply special players. I am looking forward to working with these young men. They are enthusiastic and determined and eager to work and that is important because we will have a lot of work to do!"

COACH ON NHL PROSPECT MARK GOGGIN:

"Mark has a good chance to enter the draft this year. He had a great summer and has gained a ton of confidence. His experience with Team USA this summer really helped Mark see what he does well and the areas in his game that he needs to improve. He is more determined then ever to improve now and not only on the ice. He is becoming a great student here now too. You like to see young men take pride in everything they do and Mark is doing that. His brother Connor is the same way and should prove to be a great leader and a spark for us. I am sure teams will key in on both Mark and Connor this year and that will be great for their development as players and I am confident that they are up for the challenge."

DEERFIELD ACADEMY

Nickname: Big Green

Head Coach: Brendan Creagh

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS

Alexander Killorn (Sr.), D – drafted by Tampa Bay Lightning (3rd round #77) … committed to Harvard for 2008

Nick Lovejoy (So.), D – Will be relied upon for lots of ice-time and PP time

Malcolm Lyles (Sr.), D – 2008 NHL Draft prospect and ranked by Central Scouting

Michael Dizgun (Sr.), G

TOP NEWCOMERS

Antoine LaGaniere (Jr.), F, From Quebec .. drafted by Rimouski (QMJHL)

Cody Skinner (Jr.), F, From Cady, TX .. Select 17

Stephen Kelley (So.), F, Transfer from Roxbury Latin (MA HS) .. Size (6-5, 225)

THE HOTCHKISS SCHOOL

Nickname: Bearcat

Head Coach: Damon White

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS

John Yanchek (Sr.), G – The primary reason for our success last year … committed to Middlebury (Div. III) for 2008

Peter Massar (Sr.), F – The sparkplug of our offense for the last two years

Brandon Hew (Sr.), D – 6-2, 205-pound defenseman who has been with us since the ninth grade and can change the course of a game all by himself

Stephen Maier (Sr.), D – A steady, smart defenseman with great vision and grit who should be an offensive force this year

Mac Bennett (So.), D - A sophomore defenseman with a huge upside

Kevin Kittredge (Sr.), D - another steady senior defenseman particularly effective in his own zone

Zach Martin (Jr.), F - a physical, feisty forward who knows where the net is and plays with élan

TOP NEWCOMERS

Luke Glendening (Sr.), F, East Grand Rapids, MI – Post Graduate .. an excellent athlete (All-State in Michigan in football, hockey and baseball last year. Excellent starting tailback and safety on our football team this year

Derek Deblois (So.), F, RI – Made a big splash in the Select 15 festival camp this summer

Mike Borge (So.), F, RI – played with Deblois on the Providence Capitals 1991 team two years ago

Roberto Mormina (Jr.), F/D, Loyola Academy/ Montreal, QC - Should be a versatile, gritty performer for us

COACHES COMMENTS:

"We return 12 players from last year's 17-6-2 team, the most important one being our goaltender, John Yanchek. New players we are counting on to contribute in a big way. If our goaltending and our defense play to the level I expect, we should be competitive."

KENT SCHOOL

Nickname: Lions

Head Coach: Matt Herr

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS

Justin Daniels (Sr.), F (2006-07 stats: 14 – 32 – 46) - 2008 NHL Draft prospect and ranked by Central Scouting .. great playmaker .. sees ice very well .. works well with brother .. committed to Northeastern for 2009

Drew Daniels (Sr.), F (2006-07 stats: 12 – 22 – 34) - 2008 NHL Draft prospect and ranked by Central Scouting .. solid forward .. strong on skates .. works well with his brother .. committed to Northeastern for 2009

Danny Colvin (Sr.), F (2006-07 stats: 20 – 23 – 43) - Natural goal scoring ability

Jon Schanke (Sr.), F (2006-07 stats: 13 – 17 – 30) – Captain .. nose for the net

Blake Jobkar (Sr.), F (2006-07 stats: 8 – 9 – 17) – Solid, two-way player .. excellent center

Jon Passantino (Sr.), F (2006-07 stats: 8 – 8 – 16) - Strong on his skates .. does all the little things right

TOP NEWCOMERS

Nick McIntyre (Jr.), D, Lac St. Louis/ Dollard Des Ormeaux - Solid two-way defenseman

Ben Iwanowski (Jr.), D, Lac St. Louis/ Dorval Quebec - Heavy shot, solid defenseman

Paul Cinquegrana (So.), F, Cranston RI - Goal scoring forward .. great touch around the net

COACHES COMMENTS:

"Looking to improve on team defense, and be competitive with the top tier teams in New England Prep School hockey. Working to contend in the Founder's League, and build on last year's win total. Hoping that a new young defensive corps will fit in with our returning forwards and goaltenders. Avon, Taft, Hotchkiss & Salisbury remain the teams to beat in the Founder's League, though things seem to be a bit more open than they have been in previous years. It will be a fight to the finish for the four western playoff spots, especially with teams like Berkshire, South Kent & Gunnery continuing to improve."

LOOMIS CHAFFEE

Nickname: Pelican

Head Coach: Sean Hanlon

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS

Joseph Tebano (Jr.), F – Top returning scorer from last year

Paul Gallagher (Jr.), F

Cody Rosen (Sr.), G

AJ Grocki (Jr.), D

Jake Bolton (So.), D

Joe Giordano (So.), F

TOP NEWCOMERS

Justin Kochan (Sr.), F, Post-Graduate from Getzville, NY

JD Craig (Sr.), F, Post-Graduate from North Easton, MA

David McKie (Sr.), D, Post-Graduate from Manlius, NY

Joe Innamorato (Sr.), F, Post-Graduate from West Haven, CT

SALISBURY SCHOOL

Nickname: Crimson Knights

Head Coach: Matthew Corkery

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS

Kyle Quick (Jr.), D – Should have a breakout year

Jack Clayman (Sr.), F – Physical forward

Kyle Hughes (So.), F – Should build on last years successful freshman year

Anthony Borelli (Sr.), G – Will be relied upon once again

Adam Pawlick (Jr.), F

TOP NEWCOMERS

Shane Sooth F, LA Selects

Matt Nieto F, LA Selects

Brandon Russo D, Mid-Fairfield

Francis Drolet F, Quebec … committed to Brown for 2009

Andy Isles G, Syracuse Stars

THE TAFT SCHOOL

Nickname: Rhino

Head Coach: Dan Murphy

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS

Kevin Reich (Jr.), D

Andrew Balysky (Sr.), F – Should be teams top offensive threat

Robbie Bourdon (Jr.), F

Kevin Nugent (Sr.), F - 2008 NHL Draft prospect and ranked by Central Scouting .. committed to Notre Dame for 2008 or 2009

George Hughes (Sr.), D - 2008 NHL Draft prospect and ranked by Central Scouting

Tommy Cantwell (Sr.), F

Matt Herskovitz (Jr.), D

TOP NEWCOMERS

Andrew Sherman (Sr.), D, Post-Graduate .. played for NE Falcons (EJHL) in 2006-07

Zach Williams (Sr.), F, Post-Graduate from Princeton, NJ

Michael Petchonka (So.), G, Transfer from Brunswick School

Steve Racine (So.), G, From Williamsville, NY

Aaron O'Callahan (Sr.), F, 2008 NHL Draft prospect and ranked by Central Scouting

TRINITY-PAWLING SCHOOL

Head Coach: Brian Foster

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS

Robbie MacGregor (Sr.), F – Top returning scorer from last year

Clark De Geer (Sr.), F

Tim Margiotta (Sr.), D

WESTMINSTER

Head Coach: Tim Joncas

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS

Tommy Cross (Sr.), D – drafted by Boston Bruins (2nd round #35) .. committed to Boston College for 2008 .. captain

Jordan Dewey (Sr.), F – captain .. committed to St. Lawrence for 2008

Oliver Koo (Sr.), F

Michael Sorrenti (Sr.), F

Julien Boutet (Sr.), F

TOP NEWCOMERS

Joey Campanelli (Jr.), F, Webster Academie – Drafted by Gatineau (QMJHL)

Charles Corsi (Jr.), G, Laurentides Midget (Quebec) – Drafted by Val d'Or (QMJHL)

Peter Michalidis (So.), F, Mid-Fairfield Midget (CT) – 1992 DOB

Jordan So (Sr.), F, Post-Graduate ..played last year for Ajax (OPJHL)

COACHES COMMENTS:

"We will have strong, senior leadership and fast forwards."