NEPSIHA: 2007 New England Prep Preview Part 4

The Prep season is starting soon and Avon is looking to defend their title at the Division I level. In the NEPSHC West, Berkshire and Gunnery are the front-runners, but they will face tough competition in fighting for a playoff position in the west. McKeen's correspondent Vincent Montalbano offers this preview, with additional comments from the coaches.

NEPSHC WEST

ALBANY ACADEMY

Nickname: The Cadets

Head Coach: Dave Rider

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS

Tim Gerrish (Sr.), G - Has to play well if we are to stay competitive .. played majority of games last year

Lucas First (Sr.), F - Will be our best overall forward .. will play on all special teams

Chris Connors (Sr.), F - Should be our most potent scoring threat

Dylan Robichaud (Sr.), D - Division I prospect .. has size and strength to be a dominant player if he returns, he may be opting to play in Canada

Tom Valenti (Sr.), D - Another big, strong defenseman .. will be an offensive threat from blueline

Kyle Schmitz (Sr.), G - Strong back up to Gerrish

Charles Gallagher (Jr.), F - With a year of experience, will be expected to help offensively

Brendan Chin (Jr.), F - Will fill dual role as a forward and a defenseman

Zach Popp (So.), F - Most talented young forward with experience

Geoff Ulmer (So.), D - Good size, 6-foot-2 .. strong shot from the blueline

Cameron Ford (So.), D - From Florida .. will need to step-up and play a regular shift

TOP NEWCOMERS

Scott Strohecker (Jr.), F, Delmar, NY - Should step in and make an impact right away

Richard Anzen (Jr.), D, Stockhlom, Sweden - Has size and strength to make adjustment to Prep hockey

Matt Racokzy (So.), F, Colonie, NY - Very talented young forward, will help on offense

Nino Burgess (So.), F, Indian Lake, NY

Phillip Anzen (So.), G, Stockholm, Sweden - Will push Gerrish and Schmitz for playing time

COACHES COMMENTS

"Goaltending has to be consistent. The team is going to have to find ways to score timely goals since we lack depth in scoring. Albany is in a transition year with a new coaching staff, although Dave Rider is returning to the prep school ranks as a head coach after a four-year absence. Albany will be a young team that will rely on goaltending to keep them competitive in a league that features perennial powers such as Berkshire, Pomfret, Gunnery, and Canterbury."

BERKSHIRE ACADEMY

Head Coach: Dan Driscoll

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS

Cam Miller (Sr.), D

Nick Prockow (Sr.), F – Committed to Colgate for 2008

Matt Rappaport (Sr.), F

Rich Pallai (Jr.), F

Chris Buonomo (Sr.), F

TOP NEWCOMERS

Ben Chwick (So.), F, From Rye Brook, NY

Chris McCarthy (So.), F, From Collegeville, PA

Jake Goldberg (So.), F, From Longhorne, PA

Matt Genovese (Sr.), F, Post-Graduate from Hingham, MA

CANTERBURY SCHOOL

Head Coach: Padraic McCarthy

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS

Ryan Fritz (Sr.), F

Sean Murray (Jr.), F

Chris Cerbino (Jr.), F

Justini Bishop (So.), F

TOP NEWCOMERS

Ryan Garvin (Sr.), G, Fairfield Prep, CT – Post-Graduate

Kevin Conway (Sr.), F, Malden Catholic, MA – Post-Graduate

COACHES COMMENTS

"We are a year older. Last year we dressed eight sophomores and a freshman in the lineup, so experience will be back on our side this year."

THE GUNNERY

Nickname: Highlanders

Head Coach: Chris Baudo

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS

John Vazzano (Sr.), G – Committed to Vermont for 2008

Jeff Buvinow (Sr.), D – Committed to Brown for 2008

Shane Gorman (Jr.), F – 1991 DOB with good upside

Billy Sanborn (Sr.), F – One of few players returnees with experience

Alex Vazzano (So.), G – 1990 DOB

TOP NEWCOMERS

Thane Heller (So.), F, Elizabethtown, PA – One of the top 1992s in New England

Vinny Scotti (So.), F, Vineland, NJ – Another highly touted 1992 DOB

Mike Garlasco (Jr.), F, Mahwah, NJ – From the NJ Devils Youth program

Mike Dolman (Jr.), F, Hawthorne, NJ – Also from the NJ Devils Youth program

Darren Laurie (Jr.), D, Canton, NY – Played at the Select 17's

Adam DeSanctis (Fr.), D, Warrington, PA – Another 1992 DOB who will gain lots of experience this year

MILLBROOK SCHOOL

Nickname: Mustang

Head Coach: Kevin Soja

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS

Kirk Baldo (Sr.), F

Bryant Doerrsam (Sr.), D

Andrew Fiore (Sr.), D

TOP NEWCOMERS

Matt Abbott (Jr.), F, Kirkland, QC - Speedy forward with great energy

Blake Basye (Jr.), F, Naples, FL - Should add some depth at forward

Mathieu Dubuc (Jr.), F, Blainville, QC - Skilled two-way forward .. impact type of player

Evan Haney (Jr.), F, Ste. Marthe, QC - Strong forward who will grow offensively, team-leader-type kid and player

Matt Job (So.), F, Dorval, QC - Gritty forward .. battles in corners and competes

Jonathan Theriault (So.), F, Boisbriand, QC - Young but skilled forward who will grow into a great prep school player

Jay Livermore (So.), D, Wilbraham, MA - Young, strong and steady defenseman who plays big - 4.0 student who could be an IVY League candidate

Brock Swartwood (So.), D, Arvada, CO - Young and tough player who is still very raw but will be good

Jamie MacMillan (Jr.), G, Niagara Falls, ON - Small and quick, should come in and compete for the starting job

COACHES COMMENTS

"We are in year one of a two-year rebuilding phase, and this year's incoming class is one of the strongest we have had at Millbrook, especially when considering the character of the new students both inside and outside of the classroom. We have a nice balance of young talent that will be with us for the next two to three years. When we bring in a similar group in 2008-2009, I believe we will be one of the more competitive teams in New England. We will be a team that skates well and has good hockey sense. Chemistry should help us squeak out some wins as we work toward being at least a .500 team. While I consider our youth and energy to be a strength, it also means that we are inexperienced and many of the players need to adjust to pace and energy of New England Prep School Hockey. There is also a question mark in goal."

POMFRET SCHOOL

Nickname: Griffin

Head Coach: Bruce Wolanin

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS

Dan Martin (Sr.), G

Claude Lamothe (Sr.), D

Steve Cargill (Sr.), F

TOP NEWCOMERS

Ray Zeek (Fr.), F, From Wallingford, CT

Dalton Weinstein (So.), D, From Summerville, SC

Cam Clark (Sr.), F, Post-Graduate from Stratham, NH

Bryan Kelly (Sr.), F, Post-Graduate from Plymouth, MA

Ryan Davenport (Sr.), F, Post-Graduate from Cabin John, MD

Trevor Marsden (Sr.), D, Post-Graduate from Hingham, MA

WILLISTON-NORTHAMPTON SCHOOL

Nickname: Wildcat

Head Coach: Derek Cunha

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS

Phil Bronner (Sr.), F - Captain of the team .. big and strong .. playmaking ability .. Hockey Night in Boston (HNIB) Biggest Surprise Award

Scott Kessler (Sr.), D - Consistent defensemen that plays with poise .. excellent leader

Scott Cook (Jr.), F - Physical forward that can grind, be a playmaker, and score

Ben Kravitz (So.), D - Logged most ice time on team last year .. look to continue to improve on good freshman start

Brandon Waldner (Sr.), G - Played well last year, look to finish with strong senior campaign

Max Bigler (Jr.), G – Will contend for starting position

TOP NEWCOMERS/PGs TO PROGRAM

Andrew Les (Jr.), F

Kevin Kelly (So.), F

Pat O'Kane (Sr.), F, Post-Graduate

John Lessard (Sr.), F, Post-Graduate

Anthony Chighisola (Sr.), F, Post-Graduate

Brian Dell'Erario (Sr.), D, Post-Graduate

COACHES COMMENTS

"Losing 12 players from last year's team, the 2007-2008 newcomers will need to adapt to the speed and style of prep school hockey quickly. Coming off of a great rebuilding year for the program, it will be important for us to continue to improve, be driven to reach higher goals, and compete every time we step on the ice. Our roster should be balanced with sophomores, juniors, seniors, and PG's with all being able to contribute to the team. With Salisbury and Cushing on our early schedule, we will look forward to measuring ourselves early in the year against some well-established programs. We will also look forward to again competing for tournament championships at the St. George's and BB&N tournaments."

WINCHENDON

Head Coach: Patrick Leahy

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS

Raphael Rossy (Sr.), G – From Geneva, Switzerland

P.J. Barnaby (Sr.), D

Sasha Thomas (Sr.), F – From Gatineau, Quebec

TOP NEWCOMERS/PGs TO PROGRAM

Kevin Gagnon (Sr.), F, From Chateauguay, Quebec

Daniel Abreu (Sr.), G, From Andover, MA

Ivan Oliinyk (Jr.), F, From Kiev, Ukraine