Winchester, MA – Myles Brosnan sat down with Brian Murphy to discuss the USHL Showcase, U18 hockey, his loyalty to the Dexter School, and his college commitment to Harvard University.
I started noting Myles’ progress on the ice at the beginning of last season and thought he was an underrated player in NE Prep and perhaps nationally, but his rise had been meteoric in my mind. Was he real? Was he a flash? The more I watched, the more convinced I became that he was a Division I player, and perhaps more. When he committed to Harvard, I was not surprised. When he stood out against some of the top players in the country, playing at the USHL Showcase for Sioux City, I became more intrigued. He was only on the ice for one goal against in the two games; the tenth goal in a 10-2 loss on day one.
I started at the beginning and asked Myles about his family and his path to where he is today.
“I started in Winthrop, moved to Winchester, and played for Winchester youth hockey. I then played for the Wizards and Jr. Eagles before enrolling at Dexter as a repeat seventh grader in the COVID year” (Dexter has since allowed him to accelerate to be a senior). “I played some as a freshman and more as the season progressed.””
From two seasons ago to last season, he made a jump, and I asked Myles about that.
“I always felt I was a smart player, but my skating and physical tools just were not there yet. I was smaller and less confident as a freshman. At the end of my freshman season, when I played more, I carried that momentum over to last year (his now junior season), and I continued to work out at Bando Performance. I also started skating with Amy Berg. Both have helped tremendously”
Brosnan was selected in the fourth round of the USHL Draft by Sioux City and attended practices at the end of last season. I asked what the difference was between the USHL and New England Prep, and Myles’ gut reaction was interesting.
“There are some parts that are harder and some that are easier. The way I play, I am solid in structural hockey, and I rely on my IQ. My passing ability helped, but mainly improved my skating allowed me to adjust and make plays at both ends. I would not have been able to do that a year ago. I had the strength at the net front and low in the zone. In the USHL, the guys are bigger. They score when you make a mistake. They make you pay. The sticks are longer, and there are fewer seams to pass through. In NE Prep, I am asked to do more up the ice. I had to focus on my own end a lot more in the USHL.”
I asked Myles what his plans were for the season, as several NE prep players have opted to stay in the USHL ot CHL this season and not return to New England Prep. Myles was emphatic that he was back to stay and looking forward to a run at the Prep Title again this year.
“I am back and excited. Dexter has been great to me. We graduated some players, but we have a lot of experience returning. We added Kurt Beck and JP Messuri. Tyler Hamilton is returning for another year, Noah Survilas is back, and Owen McHale is a new player (we agree). We also have a younger group that has improved significantly with two goalies who will be ready.”
I spoke with the head Coach at Dexter, Dan Donato and he sang Brosnan’s praise.
“I think he is the best player in New England Prep” Coach Donato said, “Myles is a great kid, he works hard on his game and in the classroom. He worked to put on almost 20 pounds going into last season and added anothe 10 pounds this summer. He reminds me a bit of Adam Fox in the way he sets up his passes and creates shooting and passing lanes. We are excited for this season”
High praise, for sure. As I noted, his passing was the best part of his game in the USHL contests I watched. Brosnan will enroll at Harvard when he is ready to make an impact, and I asked what made Myles decide on the Crimson.
“We skated every Saturday morning at Harvard for Winchester Youth Hockey, so I felt comfortable there. There is the Beanpot, Coach Donato played in the NHL, Coach Marcou is an All American and Coach Gilroy is a Hobey Baker Defenseman. I really like how Coach Danny Donato has helped me at Dexter, so the Donato connection has worked for me. To play local, outstanding academics, and coaching, it was a great fit. I received interest from Big Ten schools, Beanpot Schools, Hockey East, and ECAC, all starting January 1. Harvard was the choice, and I am excited.”
I asked about Sioux City for the rest of this year.
“Right now, I am focused on academics, playing split season for the Brookline Whalers and Dexter. I have to focus now that I am back. There is a lot to accomplish.”
Being a local family in my town of Winchester, I know a little about the Brosnans, so I asked about his sisters and parents,
“My sister Ava plays lacrosse at Stanford. Lacrosse was always her first love. My other sister, Grace, is a pre-med student at Vanderbilt. Ava stopped playing hockey and focused on lacrosse. Grace stopped playing hockey and started doing volunteer work. She volunteered at Franciscan’s Children’s, and that helped her get to where she is now. I played lacrosse, and it was likely my best sport, but I stopped to focus on hockey. My parents have always recognized that we are all different, and we should do what we want to do. What makes you tick? I appreciate my parents for that.”
Recently, NHL scouts have expressed interest in Myles, and two I spoke with said they went out of their way to see 6’1″ Brosnan play U18 this Fall with the Brookline Whalers. Brosnan played for the U18 Whalers at the USHL Showcase, scoring three goals and adding an assist in a 4-3 Whalers win. I asked Myles what he thought, and I loved his response,
“I have worked hard to get to this point, and I do not plan to stop. I am excited to have that level see me because I am proud of the player I am now and know I will get even better. I feel prepared and like where I am right now.”
Myles is an impressive young man. He looked me in the eyes and spoke with a confidence rooted in his preparation, not simply in his recent success. I admired his loyalty to Dexter and Coach Donato—an excellent prospect who will have eyes on him all season.
Brian Murphy is the Director of US Scouting and Vice-President of Neutral Zone. He is starting his tenth year with NZ and lives in the Boston area.
