High school boys: Players to watch around the Empire State

Aidan McGrain returns for his senior season for Pittsford, the reigning Section V champ. (Alan Schwartz)

Think of them as the Elite 8. Whether it’s winning titles and setting records or simply displaying uncanny school pride, this collection of players from around the Empire State has made a difference on the scholastic hockey scene. 

Aidan McGrain
Senior, forward | Section V Pittsford

Big moments create bigger expectations. That’s OK because Aidan McGrain loves a challenge.

McGrain is coming off of a Hollywood ending to his junior year when he scored the game-winning goal in triple overtime to beat Victor in the sectional title game. Yet McGrain remains remarkably grounded as he comes into this new season.

“I feel that we are able to work together to get those clutch goals,” McGrain said. “Because last year I was second in scoring behind Brian Judge, and there were a couple of games when we both scored goals that we needed, but it’s also the whole team behind us. I think we have the most unity of any team we’re going to be playing against.”

An avid outdoorsman, the 6-foot-2 McGrain has a raw, almost country boy raw power that he uses as an effective weapon on the ice. He’ll fearlessly go into the corners and gets plenty of dirty goals around the net.

“He was one of the higher-scoring guys and it’s because of his hard work,” coach Steve Thering said. “He would go get pucks out of the corners. He’d be the guy in front of the net on power plays and just burying rebounds.”

Evan Collette
Junior forward | Section X Salmon River 

Evan Collette wears his Shamrock pride like a badge of honor.

“I think he’s a good representation of it,” Salmon River coach Tim Cook said. “He’s a hard worker. I absolutely think he’s a Shamrock pride (kid) through and through. He represents us well.”

Though Salmon River played a shortened nine-game season last year, there was nothing abbreviated about Collette’s impact. He was second on the team in scoring with 14 points and registered a point in seven of those nine contests.

“He’s always been able to put the puck in the net,” Cook said. 

The eyes of his teammates, and opponents, will be on Collette, even more, this go around. A product of the North Franklin Shamrocks, which is the main feeder program for Salmon River High School hockey, Collette is a pure scorer who has gotten better over time.

“I love the team. I love the school. It’s just a great community,” Collette said. “Playing for my team I feel like I show the team and the school that we can do great things.”

Eddie Kwarciak
Junior forward | Section VI Grand Island 

Eddie Kwarciak probably has no idea just how good he is.

Last season, Kwarciak’s 33 points ranked him second on the Vikings and fourth overall in the Western New York Varsity Ice Hockey Federation. Perhaps his most eye-popping stat was that he scored four — count them, four — game-winning goals. 

“I don’t know if you get much bigger than what he did for us last year,“ Grand Island coach Bob Simpson said. “We threw him in a huge role for us last year and he really responded.”

A quiet kid by nature, Kwarciak is the classic lead-by-example kid who inspires others to be the best they can be. Simpson said the pure beauty of watching Kwarciak play almost defies description. 

“Haven’t seen anyone who’s as flawless as he is,” Simpson said. “He skates like it’s extremely natural to him. It’s almost like he’s gliding on thin air. Everyone else it putting everything they’ve got into it and he is just taking these large strides and then all of a sudden, he’s around you.”

Unassuming, Kwarciak just sees himself as a one of the guys doing his best for the boys.

“I’m up for it,” Kwarciak said. “I’m up for the challenge.”

Ben Burns
Senior forward | Section I Suffern

If you want to put Suffern coach Rob Schelling on the spot, just ask him to name the biggest moment of Ben Burns’ career. There are too many to choose from.

Burns’ biggest asset is that he never lets you down.

“I would say it’s that,” Schelling said. “Every game he’ll be involved. He’ll be on the scoresheet. He’ll be involved in everything, the penalty kill, the power play. He has a tremendous shot. He’s got great vision. He can do everything.”

The definition of dependable, Burns can play in all situations. He brings every positive quality to the table, including a highly competitive edge that inspires everyone around him.

“He’s our captain. He’s a true leader on and off the ice,” Schelling continued. “Obviously he does great academically, and he’s just one of the best kids all around that you could ever meet.”

He has the unquestioned respect of his peers, not because of his hockey skills, but because of his work ethic and respect he gives to others. 

“No one is going to say a bad word about him,” Schelling said. “Every teacher likes him. Every coach likes him, all the kids. He’ll be happy for other people’s achievements. He just really is a tremendous all-around kid in every aspect.”

Owen Kiesman
Senior, forward/defenseman | Section VI Starpoint 

Whether he knows it or not, Owen Kiesman gives his team some swagger, that all-important belief that it can win every time it takes the ice.

But Kiesman’s greatest value is the fact that he is the type of player who will do whatever is asked of him.

“Owen made the team as a freshman. He made the team as a defenseman,” coach Clayton Wilson noted. “His freshman and sophomore years he played defense, then I converted him because we needed more pop up front, and he didn’t complain once. Then he goes out and has the year that he had. It was just sensational.”

Wilson said Kiesman works hard and always puts the team first. 

“Whatever he does, he does it to the best of his ability,” Wilson said. “That’s what I’ve always liked about Owen, and that’s why he made the team as a freshman because he just works so hard.”

Making the move from assistant captain to captain, Kiesman knows his words and actions will have even more value. “We’ve got a great group of boys coming up and we can do anything we put our minds to,” Kiesman said. 

Garrett Krieger
Senior forward | Section III Skaneateles 

There is something magical about being a Laker. It means the world to Garrett Krieger.

A member of the 100-point club, Krieger has been an impact player from the start. Part of the team the won the 2019 NYSPHSAA Division 2 title, Krieger was more than just a passenger. Krieger and eighth-grader Charlie Major were part of arguably the Lakers’ best line during the postseason.

More than stats and titles, coach Mitch Major said Garrett is an all-around solid teammate and great player to coach. 

“He’s the type of kid that the entire game he is going to do exactly what you need him to do, no matter what the situation,” Coach Major said. “Whether it’s offense or defense, he’s well-schooled. He’s very highly skilled. Whether it’s in the offensive zone or defensive zone, he’s always dialed in on exactly what he need to do and also what the team needs him to do.”

A second-year captain, Garrett’s leadership helped the Lakers fully appreciate the importance of being safe as they navigated the season under the specter of COVID.

Krieger said a big part of embracing the role of leader is that he gets to pay it forward to the program as a thank you to the veterans who welcomed him when he was a newcomer.

“I know when I was a freshman and sophomore I was looking up to the leaders that we had on the team,” he said. “I think that’s when it set in that part of the reason I was having so much fun playing and showing up to the rink every day was because of those guys and seeing how they were acting. Now that I’m one of the older kids on the team, captain, I hope to do the same for the younger kids — just help them look forward to coming to the rink every single day.”

Louie Marcellino
Junior forward | Section I Pelham

Louie Marcellino is a game-changer in every way. 

“He’s very, very driven to succeed. He’s out there to win. The other thing I like about him is he takes his game very seriously,” Pelham coach Ed Witz said.

“Joe DiMaggio used to say that in essence he used to go out and give it his best shot because somebody could have been seeing him play for the first time and he wanted to leave a good impression. That’s how Louie is. I’ve never seen the kid not go full speed, full steam ahead.“

Marcellino knowing his coach has faith in him is a huge confidence boost.

“Ever since freshman year he’s been really good to me,” Marcellino said. “Hearing him call me (a game changer), it makes me happy and encourages me to do better because I’m being counted on.”

Marcellino notched 22 points his freshman year. He followed that with 13 points last year in a COVID-shortened season that saw the Pelicans play 13 games.

“I love being on the ice and I love playing in front of the school,” Marcellino said. “If I have a lot of friends at the game it propels me to try and do my best.”

Connor Dufrense
Senior defenseman | Fordham Prep

Being the coach’s kid is never easy, at any level. The pressure and expectations are always higher, but in the long run, the rewards are worth it.

Just ask Connor Dufrense, whose dad, Denis, is Fordham’s head coach.

“I just always wanted to reach my greatest potential with him as my coach because he’s the main guy I want to be proud of me,” Connor said. “He’s the main person I’m playing for.”

Connor said playing for your dad naturally comes with its share of pros and cons. Often the toughest con is dealing with hecklers from opponent fan bases. But even that can be a plus, as it inspires Connor to play even harder.

“When the other team’s student section is chanting my name, that’s when I know I have to turn it on,” Connor said. “If it doesn’t get too personal, it’s just fuel for the fire. It’s awesome.”

An All-League first-teamer his sophomore year, Connor was looking to do even more his junior season. But COVID wiped out last season. So Connor now moves forward into the new year trying to get two seasons for the price of one.

“I’m just trying to take a leadership position because as a sophomore I looked up to the seniors on the team,” Connor said.

This article appears in the November/December print edition of New York Hockey Journal.