Prep hockey: Top-12 uncommitted Tri-State prospects

Bryan Jones (Potsdam, N.Y.) is an uncommitted '04 center at Northwood School. (Dave Arnold/NYHJ)

Many players from various age groups in the Tri-State area (New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut) are still competing to earn a coveted NCAA Division 1 commitment as we enter the new year.

Here, we dig into the top uncommitted prep school players who we scouted two weeks ago during the recent holiday showcases.

Colleges had a heavy presence at the events, searching for the best available talent. For example, at the Avon Old Farms Christmas Classic, ’05 defenseman Hudson Miller (Syosset, N.Y.) impressed with the host team. At the same time, Buffalo native and ’05 forward Hunter Dickey showed well for Trinity-Pawling. Salisbury’s ‘04 goalie Austin McNicholas (Clarence Center, N.Y.) played strongly at the Flood-Marr event, while Northwood School forwards Brady Hildreth (Lockport, N.Y.) and Bryan Jones (Potsdam, N.Y.) aided the Huskies to a first-place finish at St. Sebastian’s tournament. These players and others from the region elevated their respective games at the right time to put themselves in a favorable spot with many Division 1 and Division 3 coaches on hand.

Here is a closer look at the top-12 regional players and discuss their potential to make an impact at the next levels and beyond. Our criteria for these rankings are that each player is from the area and uncommitted, with the skillset to translate to D-1. Additionally, we are only ranking players born in 2003-2005 on this list.

Ronan O’Donnell (Fairfield, Conn.)
Belmont Hill, 2/26/04, RW, right shot, 6-2/175

O’Donnell is an impressive power forward who shows promise in being a physical presence and a goal scorer at the next level. He plays with good habits, the most notable being his willingness to tie up opponents on faceoffs and help his centers win draws. He’s physically mature and strong and uses his size to finish big hits along the walls and to earn space around the net front. In addition, the winger owns a hard shot and challenges goalies constantly. O’Donnell will make an excellent junior player for one or two years before he steps onto a college campus and offers his future school a reliable second- or third-line forward.

Brendan Holahan (New Canaan, Conn.)
Brunswick School, 6/15/04, G, catches left, 6-3/180

Holahan is a good-sized goaltender with athletic abilities. He moves around his net well with powerful pushes off his posts and good lateral speed. He challenges shooters at the edge of his crease and successfully takes away shooting angles. The big netminder plays the puck and shows the ability to pass pucks off to his defenders and teammates. Holahan is one of the top prep goaltenders and offers a future starter to a Division 1 team.

Jacob Kraft (Rochester, N.Y.)
Kent School, 4/26/03, C, left shot, 5-8/165

Kraft is a speedy center who works hard at both ends of the ice. He uses his mobility to attack with the puck, and his quickness forces defenders back on their heels which generally opens space for Kraft to make plays. In addition, he’s a good shooter who also possesses an impressive vision and playmaking abilities. While set up on the power play half wall, he is a crafty passer and shows promise in this position at future levels. Kraft is competitive without the puck and appears to be a reliable defensive centerman. He can fill a third-line role at the collegiate level.

Dante Palombo (White Plains, N.Y.)
Kent School, 12/23/03, LW, left shot, 5-10/174

Palombo is a quick-skating forward who plays an aggressive game. He is nifty with the puck and is proven to be a dual-threat with his ability to score goals and make plays. His release is quick, and he owns a hard shot that allows him to score from good areas of the ice. In addition, the former North Jersey Avalanche forward works hard on the defensive side of the puck and is a strong penalty killer. Next year, Palombo will make a quick impact in the NAHL, where he is tabbed to join the Maryland Black Bears. At the collegiate level, he can fill a middle-six role.

Justin Solovey (Holmdel, N.J.)
Lawrenceville School, 11/29/04, LW, left shot, 6-2/185

Solovey needs to continue improving his skating, but the big-bodied forward is equipped with high-end skill and offensive upside. He uses his size to play keep away from defenders, and he has quick hands, which allow him to maneuver through traffic. In addition, the 17-year-old has excellent vision and locates seams rapidly. He is a skillful playmaker but has also showcased a powerful shot that will help him score goals. He is a threat whenever he touches the ice, and although his habits could use some ironing out, the winger could play a top-six role for a D-1 school.

Hudson Miller (Syosset, N.Y.)
Avon Old Farms, 7/14/05, D, right shot, 6-2/175

This year, the big defenseman has impressed at both the prep and 16-U level, where he plays for the Yale Jr. Bulldogs. Miller moves well for his size and uses his mobility to retrieve pucks fast. He makes quick outlets to his forwards and will join the rush when the opportunity is there. On the defensive side of the puck, he keeps tight gaps and leads with his stick to angle opponents toward the perimeter. He also shows a willingness to use his size and play the body. Miller will play a top-six role in college.

Sloan Farmer (Old Greenwich, Conn.)
Brunswick, 6/2/05, D, left shot, 6-0/165

Farmer made impressive strides in his game during the summer and has played noticeable hockey this year. He’s a mobile defenseman who is quick on his puck retrievals and uses his feet to adjust to pressure and escape forecheckers. He keeps his game simple by quickly moving pucks and then joining the rush to become a shooting option. Farmer is a threat because he can use his feet to walk into shooting lanes and has a hard shot with a good release. In addition, he uses his feet to defend and has shown some physicality in recent viewings. Farmer will make a reliable top-six defenseman at the D-1 level.

Bryan Jones (Potsdam, N.Y.)
Northwood School, 4/4/04, C, right shot, 6-3/179

Jones recently signed with the Chilliwack Chiefs in the BCHL for next season. He offers Chilliwack instant help as a second- or third-line forward. His size is a plus, especially when considering his strong skating ability. He uses his size and speed to push defenders back and make room for his teammates. Jones is difficult to battle at net-front or along the walls and does a good job earning his space and opportunities. He’s a consistent player and will one day play a good third- or fourth-line role in college.

Brady Hildreth (Lockport, N.Y.)
Northwood School, 8/18/03, LW, left shot, 5-10/167

Hildreth is a competitive two-way forward who works hard on the forecheck to create turnovers by playing with speed and aggressiveness. He’s reliable on the penalty kill, and Northwood utilizes him during big game moments when they need to prevent a goal from being scored. In addition, Hildreth is a good playmaker who sees the ice well and makes crisp passes to his teammates. The 18-year-old will play for the New Jersey Titans in the NAHL next season, and following one or two years there, he should be able to fill a bottom-six role at the collegiate level.

Austin McNicholas (Clarence Center, N.Y.)
Salisbury, 5/24/04, G, catches left, 6-1/172

McNicholas is a speedy goalie who relies on quick reflexes to make saves. He is aggressive on shooters and battles to find pucks through scrums. His rebound control can improve, but his recovery speed allows him to save second or third chances. He is consistent game to game and as a Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) prospect, should provide some steady goaltending before college for the next several seasons.

Hunter Dickey (Buffalo, N.Y.)
Trinity-Pawling, 1/19/05, RW, right shot, 5-9/180

Dickey is an undersized but stocky winger who seems to be under the radar. However, he is highly skilled and intelligent with the puck and owns great creativity and playmaking skills. He is quick to locate seams and makes skilled plays off the rush. He also boasts a hard shot and will challenge goalies with his deceptive release. In addition, Dickey protects the puck well and competes to earn back possession if he ever loses control. His skillset could earn him a second- or third-line job with a D-1 school in the future.

Brock Jones (Lake View, N.Y.)
Nichols School, 11/14/04, RW, right shot, 5-11/172

Jones is a hard-nosed forward who will draw comparisons to Sean Avery thanks to his chippy play and ability to get under the skin of his opponents. The winger has good size and strength and will connect for big hits during his games. He is so good at earning space around the net mouth that Nichols employs him on their power play as the net front man. Jones has enough skill to generate offense, and he can fill a depth scoring role at the Division 1 level.