New England Hockey Journal - December 2015 - 4

FROM THE EDITOR

New England prep teams keep
churning out grade-A blueliners

HERE MIgHT NOT bE a better offensive defenseman in New
England than him." ... "I think it's safe to say that his best hockey is
in front of him." ... "Skill level is off the charts as far as hands, shot."
No, that's not a nod to Bruins rising star Torey Krug. And that's
not a take on the upside of Noah Hanifin, who elevated the New
England prep hockey scene before a stint at BC and now the Carolina Hurricanes.
Those comments are a sampling of the rave reviews our region's prep school
coaches give to some of New England's elite scholastic blueliners. As Mike Zhe
details in this issue's cover feature (Page 32), there's a healthy crop of prep defensemen who can generate offense and stay true to their defensive responsibilities.
Zhe profiles Proctor Academy's Reilly Walsh, who relies on skill and savvy to
thrive on the back end; Cushing's Matt
Dillon, who has the size and blossoming
tools to make a strong run at a D-1 offer;
and St. Mark's defender Peter Housakos,
who helped the Lions break a long title
drought last winter.
Along with Zhe's feature, we present our
season preview capsules of prep programs
in the ISL, Lakes Region, Founders League
and indies, as well as NEHJ's top 25 player
rankings. Whether you have a rooting interest or not, get out to a prep rink near you to
check out the immense talent on display.
Craig Forde looks at the dynamic
duo of Caitrin Lonergan and Becca
Gilmore for the Noble and Greenough
girls team (Page 44) and chips in
"Underdog Tales" (Page 46) to kick off
our high school preview.
Stuck in a stick rut? Our annual Stick Buyer's Guide (Page 50)
is a must read because it presents some innovative new technology that begs for
your attention. Phil Shore highlights the non-conformist products from local
startups Zeal and Carbon Sports that vie for a piece of the stick market with the
longtime big-hitters. Our buyer's guide features products from 10 manufacturers,
so you're sure to find something that fits your playing style and budget.
Our NEHJ XX series winds down next month as we reach the 20th anniversary
of the debut issue of New England Hockey Journal. This month, longtime
contributor Brion O'Connor serves up his take on the top "moments" in the past
two decades (Page 8). As he is known to do with a high degree of success in his
writings, O'Connor thinks outside the box for this essay, emerging with a surprising
pick for the top moment. "It is one of the greatest moments I've ever witnessed in all
my 58 years," he says, "because it combines all the elements of what makes this game
great - great hockey, amateur hockey, overtime win and outstanding sportsmanship!"
What's your top moment? We'd like to hear you feedback, via email at
editor@hockeyjournal.com or through our social media sites.

www.hockeyjournal.com
@NEHockeyJournal |

/HockeyJournal |

/HockeyJournal

Volume XX, Number 12
Founded 1996

FOUNdERS
Eric Seamans and Robert J. Seamans, Sr. (1929-2001)

PUbLISHER
Eric Seamans

eric@hockeyjournal.com

@SeamansMedia

MANAgINg EdITOR
Eric Beato

eric.beato@hockeyjournal.com

@EricBeato

EdITOR/dESIgN
Don Cameron

don@hockeyjournal.com

ACCOUNTS MANAgERS
Nick Williams

nick@hockeyjournal.com

@nickwill92

SOCIAL MEdIA EdITOR/CONTRIbUTINg WRITER
Andrew Merritt

amerritt@hockeyjournal.com

@A_Merritt

CONTRIbUTINg EdITOR/WRITER
Mike Zhe

mzhe@hockeyjournal.com

@MikeZhe603

CLIENT RELATIONS
Janet Norton
Michelle Seamans

janet@seamansmedia.com
michelle@seamansmedia.com

CONTRIbUTINg WRITERS
April Bowling * Tim Bresnahan * Wayne Fish * Craig Forde
Dan Guttenplan * Billy Jaffe * Joshua Kummins * Kirk Luedeke
Andrew Merritt * Paul Noonan * Julie Nicoletti * Charles O'Brien
Brion O'Connor * Tim Rappleye * Phil Shore * Jonathan Sigal

CONTRIbUTINg PHOTOgRAPHERS
Dave Arnold

John Crouch

Rich Miyara

COVER PHOTOS - Dave Arnold/New England Hockey Journal
FREQUENCY
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Don Cameron | Editor
don@hockeyjournal.com

www.seamansmedia.com

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4 NEw ENGLAND HOCKEY JOURNAL December 2015

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New England Hockey Journal - December 2015

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