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Last season, prep hockey produced two NHL Draft picks at the goaltender position and had a few others on various NHL Central Scouting watch lists. Three of those goalies, Ottawa Senators prospect and Arizona State commit Joey Daccord. San Jose Sharks draft pick and UNH commit Mike Robinson, and Conor O'Brien have moved on to junior hockey. The other goalie who received attention from NHL scouts was Army commit Trevin Kozlowski who is back for his senior season at The Gunnery.
This season there are three 1998-born goaltenders joining the prep ranks, who look to be the top uncommitted players at their position, plus a returner who led his team to a prep school championship last winter.
1. Matt Ladd
Avon Old Farms, Sr., 1/1/98, Getzville, NY
A former Niagara University recruit, he de-committed from the Purple Eagles back in October. His stock rose exponentially over the summer and fall, playing for Matt Barnaby's Buffalo Regals program. He's a big, athletic goaltender who moves smoothly in the crease. He does a good job tracking pucks and covering up loose rebounds. He has good composure and doesn't let ups and downs get to him.
2. Ethan Domokos
Milton Academy, Jr., 4/4/98, Quispamsis, New Brunswick
The Canadian native was superb in the Midget Tier 1 Massachusetts State Championship for the Boston Bulldogs. He played the past two seasons for Shattuck St. Mary's. He has decent size, was quiet in the crease and squared up to shooters.
3. Jake Acton
Albany Academy, Jr., 10/28/98, Livermore, Calif.
He comes to prep hockey after playing midget hockey for the San Jose Sharks youth program. He's a goaltender with good size who covers a lot of the net while squaring up to shooters and staying quiet in the crease. He's smooth, quick and athletic.
4. Ryan Ferland
St. Mark's, Sr., 2/11/98, Franklin, Mass.
He's always been regarded as one of the best '98 goaltenders in Massachusetts, and has represented the state at several USA Hockey National Camps. He led the Lions to the New England Small School championship last March. He was particularly spectacular against Westminster in the final. He's athletic, has a high compete level and does a good job on rebound control. A tremendous student, look for him to end up at an Ivy League or NESCAC school down the road.
5. Peter Negron
Kent, Jr., 2/17/98, Mahwah, NJ
He's a smaller yet athletic goaltender who loves to come out and challenge opposing shooters at the top of the crease. He can make the simple save look easy as well as the more acrobatic stops. He's a fundamentally sound butterfly goaltender.
Honorable Mention: Alex Zafonte (St. Sebastian's, '99 junior), Tim Birarelli (Loomis Chaffee, '97 senior), Aidan Murphy (Dexter, '98 junior), Derek Goguen (Middlesex, '97 senior), Matt Efros (Groton, '97 senior), Brian Ketchabaw (Brunswick, '97 senior), Andrew Farrier (Taft, '97 junior), David Altman (Pomfret, '97 senior), Joe Lazzaro (Exeter, '97 PG), Colin Seeley (St. George's, '98 senior)