From left: Jake Boguniecki, Easton Anello and Carter Meyer. (Rena Laverty; Brian Kelly; Rena Laverty)
New England Hockey Journal is unveiling a new series: Our top 50 prospects for the ’07, ’08 and ’09 birth years.
We ranked the ’07s on Monday. On Wednesday, it was the ’08s.
Now, it’s time to look at the ’09s.
Before the rankings, we must look at the ground rules. New England natives and prospects who played in New England this past winter were included. Players born in 2009 who didn’t play here this past winter and aren’t from here but played a season or more in New England weren’t eligible. An example is Ryan Kaczynski. Despite him being a longtime Mid Fairfield standout, he’s from Syosset, N.Y., and played for the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds this winter. I’d love to have included him, but rules are rules.
Every player was ranked based on their current performance and how I project them.
I’ve watched the ’09s quite a bit for the last three seasons, as they’ve gone from 14Us to 16Us. It’s still early, but the birth year is fairly deep and has the most high-end talent of recent birth years.
Many of these players are uncommitted. Some won’t become eligible to receive offers until Aug. 1, while others are part of a changing landscape where colleges wait until they’ve proven themselves as they’re older (likely in juniors) before extending an offer.
Let’s dive in with the ’09s.