2026 NHL Draft prospects Will Manchuso, Neilan Johnson shine in NEPSAC Elite 8 playoffs
STORRS, Connecticut — At the beginning of March, the week-long Elite 8 tournament kicks off among eight of the top prep programs across New England. This year was no different, featuring a mix of NHL Draft prospects and NCAA Division I commits taking the ice.
It’s a quick tournament—three days of playoff games—culminating in the season’s end. Quarter-finals start Wednesday, semifinals follow on Friday, and the champion is crowned Saturday at the University of Connecticut’s Toscano Family Ice Forum.
The big shocker happened in the quarter-finals, when the 8th-seeded Avon Old Farms defeated the 1st-seeded Dexter Southfield. Avon barely made the Elite 8 bracket, and gave all their opponents a challenge all the way to the final against St. Mark’s, where the Winged Beavers came out victorious in the end, defeating the Lions 4-2 in the Elite 8 Final.
Let’s take a look into some of the standout players from the tournament:
Nico Ciardiello, F, Avon Old Farms School
Nico Ciardiello played with relentless energy throughout the tournament. He was a key factor in the Winged Beavers’ convincing semifinal victory over Hotchkiss, scoring four goals and adding an assist, accounting for all five goals in the 5-0 win. Whether it was on the rush, battling in tight spaces, or collecting pucks off the wall for setups, he was the top player on the ice for Avon. In the final against St. Mark’s, he kept making an impact through physical play and aggressive forechecking, including a crucial goal off a faceoff to extend Avon’s lead. Ciardiello isn’t the highest-end stickhandler, but his physicality and scoring instinct were, which showed throughout the tournament. A Halifax Mooseheads prospect, his playoff performance suggests he could be ready for the next level.
Neilan Johnson, G, Hotchkiss School
Although Hotchkiss only reached the semifinals, Neilan Johnson stood out in the quarter-final against St. Sebastian’s, stopping all 25 shots he faced. The NHL Draft prospect showcased advanced skills, especially his quickness and athleticism in goal. He tracked pucks well through traffic, stayed calm under pressure, and effectively limited rebounds and second chances. His play from the crease was vital for Hotchkiss reaching the Elite 8, and I’m eager to see if an NHL team shows interest in him this June.
Evan Nee, F, St. Mark’s School
Evan Nee brought relentless energy throughout all three playoff games, consistently impacting the game with his speed and high motor. He scored two goals and added an assist against Belmont Hill, and added three assists versus Kimball Union, showing his offensive capability. Strong and effective along the boards, Nee often wins puck battles despite not having a big frame. Recently signed by the Halifax Mooseheads before the playoffs, his performance here has attracted significant attention. NCAA teams could be calling if he keeps this up next season.
William Manchuso, F, St. Mark’s School
A 2026 NHL Draft hopeful, William Manchuso displayed why he’s on a path to be a draft choice throughout the tournament. He scored two goals against Belmont Hill, including a remarkable coast-to-coast run where he darted through multiple defenders before finishing with finesse. He also scored a crucial shorthanded goal against Kimball Union, intercepting a pass near the blue line and finishing alone. His skating, awareness, and scoring skills make him a strong NHL prospect.
Maksim Yakub, LD, Avon Old Farms School
Despite being a smaller defenceman, Maksim Yakub excelled throughout the playoffs, playing a physical game and engaging in battles while blocking shots in defensive and offensive situations. A key moment was his block on Evan Nee in the first period of the final to preserve Avon’s lead. He recorded four assists in three games, including a three-assist game against Dexter Southfield. Following his successful tournament, he has earned some time with Sioux City in the USHL.
Will Bagot, G, Avon Old Farms School
Two minutes into the final, Avon starting goalie Anthony Palmer sustained a lower-body injury, which ended his night. However, Will Bagot stepped in and delivered a dominant performance for the Winged Beavers, stopping 48 of 50 shots to help secure the win and title. His athletic performance kept Avon ahead for all of the game; he was electric on second chances, not allowing any goals off rebounds. With only five games played this year, Bagot played like a veteran. If he returns next year, I’m interested to see if he gets more time as a starter.