The New England Prep Standouts Poised for a Breakout Campaign 2009s
The New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) continues to serve as a primary launchpad for NCAA Division I and NHL talent. As elite programs gear up for the upcoming winter hockey season, a highly touted cluster of 2009-born prospects are transitioning from depth underclassmen into franchise anchors.Scouts tracking independent prep and split-season AAA programs have highlighted four primary names who are primed to command the recruiting trail: Marshall Paul, Elliott Watson, Devin Cokinos, Kanata Mori and Landon Nickulas.
What makes this specific group unique is their shared chemistry: they all played together at Cardigan Mountain School 2024-2025, anchoring what is widely considered the best Cougar varsity team to ever exist. That historic junior high powerhouse famously captured the Holiday Freshman Invitational title in dominant fashion, providing an early glimpse of the elite Tier-1 trajectories these players are on today. [1]Below is an in-depth developmental scouting report on each alumnus and the specific milestones to watch for this winter.
Marshall Paul | Defenseman | Avon Old Farms School
The Scouting ReportStanding at a physically imposing 6'2" and 194 lbs, Marshall Paul is a premier shutdown defensive anchor for theAvon Old Farms Winged Beavers. Known for combining advanced physical mechanics with tight gap control, Paul excels at suffocating opposing transition rushes early and maintaining absolute structural command of his own zone. He underpins his defensive stability with an elite first pass, remaining completely unbothered by heavy forechecking pressure.
Last Season Snapshot
As a freshman/sophomore component of Avon Old Farms' elite blue line, Paul logged steady varsity minutes and showcased the rare positional maturity required to play on a senior-heavy NEPSAC Elite 8 Championship squad. His high-caliber performances earned him a high second-round selection (30th overall) by theCedar Rapids RoughRidersin the Phase II USHL Draft, alongside an invite to USA Hockey's prestigious Player Development Camp.What to Look For Next Year
- Top-Pairing Responsibility: With defensive stalwarts moving on to the junior ranks, Paul is projected to graduate directly into a top-pairing role, absorbing heavy situational minutes against opposing top lines.
- NCAA Division I Bidding War: As a premium right-shot defenseman with modern size and high-end hockey IQ, expect Paul to be a marquee target for elite Hockey East and ECAC programs.
Elliott Watson | Defenseman | Salisbury School
The Scouting Report
Elliott Watson represents the modern archetype of the mobile, transition-heavy defenseman. Skating for the Salisbury School Crimson Knights, the right-shot blue-liner commands the game through exceptional lateral mobility and high-end vision. Watson operates with maximum efficiency on breakouts, displaying the poise to skate the puck out of danger or stretch the ice with precise breakout feeds.
Last Season Snapshot
Watson adjusted effortlessly to the physical rigors of the NEPSAC circuit during the last winter campaign, recording 20 points across 30 varsity games for Salisbury. His exceptional dual-threat ability as a puck-mover forced scouts to take notice, culminating in his selection by the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders in the USHL Entry Draft.What to Look For Next Year
- Power-Play Quarterback: Watson is heavily projected to take total control of Salisbury’s top power-play unit. Look for his goal-scoring numbers from the blue line to step forward as he increases his shot volume.
- Junior Hockey Acceleration: Scouts will be evaluating how cleanly his skating and puck-distribution translate to the fast-paced USHL timeline as Cedar Rapids monitors his prep school progression.
Devin Cokinos | Forward | Salisbury School
The Scouting Report
Devin Cokinos is a dynamic, highly deceptive forward who serves as an offensive engine alongside Watson at Salisbury School. Measuring in with added muscle on a newly registered 159 lb frame,Cokinosutilizes exceptional straight-line speed, quick acceleration, and rapid stickhandling to slide through defensive structures unscathed. He is highly regarded for his dangerous playmaker instinct off the rush.
Last Season Snapshot
Cokinos emerged as a clutch underclassman threat on a historically senior-heavy Salisbury roster. He posted 17 points over 31 regular-season contests, punctuated by standout performances against top-tier league rivals like Taft School, which consistently earned him game star recognitions.What to Look For Next Year
- Top-Six Offensive Catalyst: Cokinos is positioned to command prime real estate in Salisbury’s top six forward group. Expect him to drive his own line, with a strong emphasis on surpassing the 35-point threshold.
- Physical Adaptability: Watch how Cokinos utilizes his recent physical growth to win interior ice and handle heavy cycling down low against older NEPSAC defenders.
Kanata Mori | Forward | Holderness School
The Scouting Report
Hailing from Tokyo, Japan, Kanata Mori is the #1 ranked 2009 in Japan. He is an explosive, high-octane international winger playing for the Holderness School Bulls. Mori plays a fearless, relentless brand of hockey, combining creative, east-west puck manipulation with a devastating release. He possesses elite offensive instincts, showing an innate ability to find soft spots inside the dots and capitalize on minimal space.
Last Season Snapshot
Mori put together a spectacular campaign on all fronts. He recorded 23 points in 30 varsity games to anchor the Holderness offense all the way to the NEPSAC Small School Championship game. He followed his prep success by absolutely dominating theIIHF U18 World Championship (Division II Group A), single-handedly capturing the tournament scoring title with 11 points in 5 games and earning the Tournament's Best Forward honor.What to Look For Next Year
- NEPSAC Scoring Race Contender: Backed by international confidence and elite varsity experience, Mori enters the winter as a prime candidate to challenge for the NEPSAC small-school scoring crown.
- North American Junior Interest: Following his international explosion, expect CHL (Major Junior) or Tier-1 USHL programs to heavily court Mori as a potential high-impact import forward.
Landon Nickulas | Defenseman | Cushing Academy
The Scouting Report
Landon Nickulas is a smooth-skating, highly intelligent left-shot defenseman who commands the back end for Cushing Academy. The son of former NHLer Eric Nickulas, Landon possesses elite processing speed and spatial awareness. Coaches praise his fluid edge work and east-west mobility, which allow him to escape heavy forechecks efficiently and transition the puck into high-scoring chances out of the defensive zone. [1, 2, 3]
Last Season Snapshot
After shining as a key builder on the legendary Cardigan team, Nickulas transitioned to the high-caliber prep environment at Cushing Academy. He suited up for 26 varsity games as an underclassman, providing steady positional depth and composure on a deep roster. His high-end upside was solidified when the Muskegon Lumberjacks selected him in the USHL Futures Draft. [1, 2]What to Look For Next Year
- Stepping Into a Top-Four Role: Armed with a year of varsity adaptation, Nickulas is expected to take on expanded defensive minutes and transition responsibilities for Cushing.
- USHL Evaluation: Look for Muskegon's scouting staff to monitor his deployment closely as he physically matures and uses his elite edge work to impact the game at both ends of the ice. [1]
