Hockey's Future - The #1 Online Prospects Resource

For NHL scouts in New England, there was only one place to go to see the top NEPSIHA (New England Prep School Ice Hockey Association) draft-eligible prospects this season, Cushing Academy in Ashburnham, Mass. Long know as a prep power, this year is no different with five players appearing in the NHL Central Scouting Bureau Mid-Season Rankings. Four of the five are ranked in the top ten of all USHSE players (USHSE represents U.S. High School East, a designation that includes prep schools). Those four are defenseman Keith Yandle, center Billy Ryan, defenseman Kyle Koziara, and right wing Alex Berry.

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At No. 67, Yandle is the highest-ranked USHSE prospect. Yandle, a native of Milton, Mass., is 6-2, 175 and saw action with the 2003 U.S. Under-18 team. Yandle is a gifted offensive defenseman. He has already committed to UNH (Univ. of New Hampshire) for 2005. His teammate Ryan, No. 105, is 5-11, 165. Ryan was not eligible for last year’s entry draft because his birth date was over a month past the Sept. 15th deadline. A few weeks ago, he announced his intention to play for Maine in 2005. Koziara, 6-4, 205, comes in at No. 116, and has the size that NHL scouts want. Forward Alex Berry, No. 152, stated that he will matriculate to UMass in 2005 to play for coach Don “Toot” Cahoon.

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Of the 24 players listed in the rankings of North Americans, only one goalie prospect hails from the high school ranks. His name is Cory Schneider from Phillips-Andover. Coming in at No. 7 on the goaltenders list, Schneider is 6-1, 175, and was a member of the 2003 U.S. Under-18 team. Schneider will attend Boston College in 2005.

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One player of note on the USHSE list is No. 198, Chris Bourque. His father is Ray Bourque, All-Star defenseman for many years with the Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche.

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Listed below are all of the USHSE players from the Mid-Season Rankings, with college commitments in parentheses.

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Skaters

67. Keith Yandle, D, Cushing, 6-2, 175 (New Hampshire, 2005)

74. Paul Baier, D, Deerfield, 6-4, 200 (Brown)

83. Anthony Aiello, D, Thayer, 6-0, 175 (Boston College, 2005)

87. Brian McGuirk, LW, Governor Dummer, 6-0, 190 (Boston University)

105. Billy Ryan, C, Cushing, 5-11, 165 (Maine, 2005)

116. Kyle Koziara, D, Cushing, 6-4, 205

128. Brendan Milnamow, D, Taft, 6-2, 170

137. Chris Poli, LW, Nobles, 6-1, 190 (Brown)

150. Torrey Mitchell, C, Hotchkiss, 5-11, 175 (Vermont)

152. Alex Berry, RW, Cushing, 6-2, 190 (UMass, 2005)

172. Dylan Cox, LW, Phillips-Exeter, 6-3, 190 (Providence)

181. Will Boardman, D, Deerfield, 6-3, 185 (Dartmouth)

195. Dan Malloy, D, Northwood, 6-2, 194

196. Steve McClellan, D, Catholic Memorial, 6-0, 164

198. Chris Bourque, C, Cushing, 5-8, 165 (Boston University)

200. Matt Germain, C, Northfield-Mt. Hermon, 6-0, 185

201. Nick Jillson, Mt. St. Charles, 6-0, 190

220. Andrew Estey, LW, Salisbury, 6-2, 190

222. Pierce Norton, RW, Thayer, 6-2, 185 (Providence, 2005)

223. Matt Greene, C, BC High, 5-9, 165 (Boston College)

225. Jerry Pollastrone, LW, Salisbury, 5-10, 180 (New Hampshire, 2005)

229. Todd Johnson, RW, Taft, 6-2, 185 (Brown)

232. Steve Zalewski, C, Northwood, 6-0, 180 (Clarkson)

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Goalie

7. Cory Schneider, Phillips-Andover, 6-1, 175 (Boston College, 2005)