30 players named to the 33rd Annual Free Press All-State Boys Hockey Team
The Free Press continues the long-standing tradition of selecting the best boys hockey players from around the state. By talking with coaches and media colleagues we hope to compile a group that spotlights the very best the state has to offer on the ice.
As always, the job of trimming the list down to a first and second team, plus a cast of honorable mentions, is never easy. At the end of the day it remains a subjective process, but one we undertake with great pride and care. Without further ado, here is the 33rd Free Press' Boys Hockey All-State Team.
More: This record-setter is the Free Press' Miss Hockey for the 2023-24 season
More: 30 players named to the 23rd Annual Free Press All-State Girls Hockey Team
Congratulations to the 30 players listed below, headlined by South Burlington's Lucas Van Mullen, who was named our Mr. Hockey on Thursday.
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THE FIRST TEAM
Nick Kelly, South Burlington High School
Senior, forward
• The player: A versatile, team-first captain, Kelly popped in 14 goals and handed out 21 assists for the Division I finalist Wolves, who made their first championship appearance in nine years. A four-year player at South Burlington, Kelly wraps his career with 80 points (43 goals, 37 assists) in 63 games played.
• Coach Sean Jones on Kelly: He's a spark plug. He’s super-passionate about everything he does and he's a leader by example. He gets after it and loves to compete. You mix in the skills that he has and it turns him into a special player."
Brody Rassel, Colchester High School
Senior, forward
• The player: Returning to the BFP all-state first team for the second straight winter, Rassel was a catalyst and clutch goal-scorer who routinely double-shifted for a Lakers team that reached the Division II title game. Colchester coach Eric Ouellette estimated Rassel was well over 20 points on the season.
• Coach Eric Ouellette on Rassel: "A lot his goals were circle high and that's where he excels the best. Any time we needed a big goal or play, he was there to provide it for us. He's a smart player and a good skater with a good hockey IQ."
Tyler Russo, Rice Memorial High School
Sophomore, forward
• The player: The center served a vital role playing in both zones for the Green Knights, who captured the program's first D-I title in 29 years. Russo finished his sophomore campaign with a team-best 35 points (21 goals, 14 assists).
• Coach Justin Martin on Russo: "He was probably our top two-way forward. He could kill penalties, scored on the power play in front of net and win important faceoffs down the stretch."
JD Raleigh, Rice Memorial High School
Junior, defense
• The player: The imposing Raleigh was Rice's best defenseman who led the top of the power play and was a force on penalty kills for the D-I champions. Raleigh also scored three times and produced 18 assists.
• Coach Justin Martin on Raleigh: "He's a beast out there. We could put him in any situation and he could down an opposing player. He's a big, strong defenseman who's coming into his own."
Lucas Van Mullen, South Burlington High School
Junior, defense
• The player: The "uniquely talented" Van Mullen influenced games from the blue line to the offensive zone, tallying 15 goals and nine assists in the Wolves' run to the Division I championship game. This year's Mr. Hockey award winner has 24 goals, 16 assists through three seasons.
• Coach Sean Jones on Van Mullen: "When you really watch what he does, the little things on the ice you don’t notice make him a really good player. And that’s overlooking the stuff you do see. He’s the kind of kid you want all your players to be like."
Deagan Rathburn, BFA-St. Albans
Senior, goalie
• The player: The first BFA goalie to be named assistant captain since Dan Ellis, the 2020 Mr. Hockey, the multi-sport standout Rathburn was the Bobwhites' most consistent player this winter. Rathburn posted a 95% save percentage with five shutouts as a senior.
• Coach Ben Roberts on Rathburn: "His raw talent, athleticism and size, those combinations really made him a strong goaltender. He fought for us every single night. He was a great role model who embodied the way we want our guys to act."
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THE SECOND TEAM
Oliver Mobley, Rice Memorial High School
Sophomore, forward
• The player: Rice's leading point-getter until an injury late in the season, the sophomore served as playmaker, setting up plenty of big goals for D-I champion Rice, while being a critical piece on the power play and power kill units. He also scored 13 times this winter.
• Coach Justin Martin on Mobley: "He's very much a student of the game. Most of the time he's in the right position, but he can also play physical and he has a good skillset with and without the puck."
Ezra Mock, Hartford High School
Senior, forward
• The player: Also a standout in football and lacrosse at Hartford, Mock relied on his extensive athletic history, skills and a never-quit attitude to help the Hurricanes claim the D-II state title. Mock's speed, maneuverability and deception led to 29 goals and 23 assists this winter. He finished with 68 goals, 67 assists for his career.
• Coach Todd Bebeau on Mock: "In my opinion, Ezra epitomizes the importance of being a multi-sport athlete. It helped shape his compete level, endurance and composure. He’s a true throwback."
Evan Wright, Brattleboro Union High School
Junior, forward
• The player: Already with a great shot it his disposal, Wright saw big improvements in his speed, agility and puck distribution to total 28 goals and 26 assists this winter. For his career, Wright has 69 goals, 43 assists.
• Coach Eric Libardoni on Wright: "Second half of the year, he really learned how to play with (linemates). That’s why we started winning games. We didn't give up goals when he was on the ice. He works hard all the time and never missed a game, practice or shift."
Ben Sherman, Colchester High School
Senior, defense
• The player: Colchester's captain had a heavy workload, serving as a leader and playing as a defensemen and a forward for the Lakers, who advanced to the D-II state final. Sherman's versatility allowed Colchester to get creative with strategies and its lines. Colchester coach Eric Ouellette said Sherman had roughly over 20 points on the season.
• Coach Eric Ouellette on Sherman: "Ben's skating ability was definitely superior and he had good control on the ice surface. Everything started with him. When you have a guy like that, it impacts your whole team and the way you coach."
Miles Van Mullen, South Burlington High School
Freshman, defense
• The player: The freshman didn't cower getting throw into the high school ranks and playing in the state's toughest league. Van Mullen flourished, produced overtime winners, and was an integral part of the Wolves' blue line. Van Mullen posted 17 goals, nine assists.
• Coach Sean Jones on Van Mullen: "The way he sees the ice isn't like a freshman. He has the maturity of a junior or senior. He's smooth, not flashy, and he's really good at what he does: Beats guys with a stick handle, has speed and protects his body."
James Bradley, South Burlington High School
Senior, goalie
• The player: The goaltender was fundamentally sound, square to the net, and anchored the Wolves' emotional spirit as they reached the D-I final. Splitting time in net over four years, Bradley graduates second all-time in goalie wins. This winter, he had a 11-1 record, 96% save percentage, three shutouts and a 1.19 goals-against average.
• Coach Sean Jones on Bradley: "He was the absolute heart of our team. He hates to lose and he pushed himself all the time. I can't say enough about the season he had and how he developed. Eight out of 10 times he made a save you don't expect him to make."
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Forwards
Max Brownlee, Burr and Burton, senior
Garret Carter, Mount Mansfield, sophomore
Hunter Driver, Essex, senior
Alex Giroux, Lyndon, junior
Drew Hale, Colchester, senior
Maddox Heise, U-32, junior
Noah Keeler, Milton, sophomore
Nic Menard, Champlain Valley, senior
Mackenzie Owens, Rice, junior
Defense
Gavin Cowan, Mount Mansfield, senior
Tyler Larocque, Milton, senior
Jack McCoy, Burr and Burton, senior
Lochlan Park, Hartford, senior
Max Scribner, U-32, junior
Alex Zuchowski, Champlain Valley, senior
Goalies
James Chagnon, South Burlington, senior
Michael Hornby, Burr and Burton, senior
Noah Long, Spaulding, senior
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Contact Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @aabrami5
RECENT BFP ALL-STATE TEAMS
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015
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This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont H.S. boys hockey: The Free Press All-State Boys Hockey Team
