UNH Commit George McCaffrey: A Smooth-Skating Winger

George McCaffrey (F) 2026 UNH Commit

"George is a smooth-skating left-shot winger who plays a skilled game...He plays with pace and is always in motion." Neutral Zone, January, 2024

George McCaffrey Forward, 6'0", 170 lbs. Shoots Left Hometown: Ridgefield, Connecticut DOB: January 2, 2007; 17 years, 6 months Neutral Zone Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars 2023-24 Teams: Westminster School (New England Prep)/MidFairfield Rangers 15U (NE Pack) Committed to UNH on October 16, 2023 at Age 16 years, 9 months.

2023-24 Highlight Reel

In our interview, George McCaffrey said:

"I was fortunate on Mid Fairfield to get time on the power play and penalty kill so I’ve had a lot of time to develop as a two-way player."

This highlight reel shows McCaffrey's ability to make defensive plays and convert them to offensive production during the 2023-24 season with the Westminster School (New England Prep):

Interview

I had an opportunity to interview George McCaffrey, via email, about his hockey career and commitment to UNH:

Mike Lowry: Congratulations on your commitment to play for the University of New Hampshire. How did you first become interested in UNH?

George McCaffrey: I first met Coach Giuliano at a showcase tournament in the Boston area and he told my family and me a bit about the school and their renovation plans at the rink, which got my attention right away. He talked about how great the development and culture are. I was also able to attend the home opener against BU this season and the energy in Whittemore was electric.

Mike Lowry: What are the main reasons you chose to commit to UNH?

George McCaffrey: UNH really offers everything I am looking for. I liked the campus, the size of the school, the business program, and Whittemore Arena. Plus, it’s close enough to my family that they can come to watch me play. It’s an incredible opportunity to play in Hockey East and I have a lot of confidence in Coaches Souza and Giuliano’s vision for the program.

Lowry: What other college programs did you consider during the recruiting process? Which schools did you visit and which ones made an offer to you?

McCaffrey: I had interest from a few other schools in Hockey East and toured Quinnipiac, but after I visited UNH and had conversations with the coaches about how they see me as a player, I knew it was the right fit for me and I was ready to go all-in.

Lowry: Have you and the UNH coaches agreed on a target date for you to enroll as a freshman at UNH and join the team?

McCaffrey: Not yet. I’m planning to play juniors and taking it one step at a time right now. I want to make sure I can make an impact right away when I get to UNH.

Lowry: At this stage in your development, what are the main strengths of your game? What areas are you trying to improve?

McCaffrey: My speed and hockey IQ are probably my biggest strengths. I was fortunate on Mid Fairfield to get time on the power play and penalty kill so I’ve had a lot of time to develop as a two-way player. My focus for the next season is to continue to get stronger and more physical.

Lowry: You participated in the 2023 USA Hockey Select 16 Player Development Camp and have been invited to the 2024 Select 17 camp. How do you think your skills compare with the other top US forwards born in 2007?

McCaffrey: The 2007s are such a strong year. I’m happy to be invited back to National Camp again because we’ll compete as a New England team against the other regions. I’ve been playing with all of the other top New England kids for years through Mid Fairfield and we have pretty good chemistry and know each other’s styles well. I’m excited to show what I can do in terms of my speed and offensive attack.

Lowry: You recently completed your junior season at the Westminster School in New England Prep School Hockey, scoring 4 goals 7 assists in 23 games. Do you plan to return to Westminster for your senior season?

McCaffrey: I am leaving Westminster at the end of this year and will play for the 18U Long Island Gulls team in the 2024-25 season. It was a difficult decision but I’m excited about the opportunity with the Gulls. Their program is really structured around player development.

Lowry: Do you anticipate playing North American junior hockey before you enroll at UNH? Which leagues would you consider playing in? Have any junior teams shown an interest in you?

McCaffrey: My goal is to play in either the USHL or BCHL. I received a few USHL main camp invites for the summer and have chosen to attend the Green Bay Gamblers camp in June.

Lowry: What are your academic strengths and interests? Have you thought about what you might major in when you enroll at UNH?

McCaffrey: Math is my strongest subject and I plan to pursue a business degree at UNH. I also enjoy writing.

Neutral Zone Scouting Reports

2024 Flood-Marr Tournament (New England Prep), January, 2024

"George is a smooth-skating left-shot winger who plays a skilled game for Westy. The 2007 comes to the Martlets from Mid Fairfield and looks to have assimilated nicely to the prep game. He plays with pace and is always in motion. He gets in quickly on the forecheck and takes good angles, pressuring the puck."

"Not overly physical but gets in lanes and uses a good stick to cut down angles and space. He is confident handling the puck and made a few nice reads through the neutral zone to create easy zone entries. He has some touch on his passes and can thread pucks into tight spots. He works hard on the backcheck and plays a responsible game in his own end."

Select 16 USA Hockey Player Development, August, 2023

McCaffrey comes to camp after being a top line forward on Mid-Fairfield, where he plays with a mix of hustle, skill, and scoring, and did the same here. He was always around the puck, got in on the forecheck, had a disruptive stick, finished checks, and stopped on pucks to get back and support his defense in transition. He showed a dual ability to walk defenders out of the corners and make plays on the rush. He snaps passes off – hits targets cross ice, and scored in a variety of ways, from rebounds to crashing the far post for one-touch to catch and shoot.

"He’s not overly dynamic, but he’s balanced and direct, goes to the scoring areas with a ready stick, fights to get open, and calls for the puck. He regrouped the puck in the neutral zone – didn’t just blindly dump it in when he didn’t have a lane and showed he could read the ice, find the lanes, and make the right play. A well-rounded prospect who can play with energy and play with skill and finish."

Youth & Prep School Hockey Statistics

Player	Season	Team	League	GP	Goals	Asst	Pts	PIM
George McCaffrey (F)	2023-24	Westminster School	New England Prep	23	4	7	11	-
		MidFairfield Rangers 16U AAA	BEAST 16U	10	3	4	7	0
			USA 16U Nationals	4	1	1	2	2
		Team White	USA Selects 16	5	3	1	4	0
	2022-23	MidFairfield Rangers 15U AAA	Northeast Pack 15U	10	6	5	11	2
			USA 15U Nationals	3	0	1	1	10

UNH Commit Jesse Allecia: A Long, Strong Right-Shot Forward

Jesse Allecia (F) 2025 or '26 UNH Commit

"Jesse is a long, strong, right-shot forward who plays a detailed, direct game...High compete level and motor and limit(s) time and space for opponents." Neutral Zone, January, 2024

Jesse Allecia Forward, 6'1", 183 lbs. Shoots Right Hometown: New York, New York DOB: October 12, 2005; 18 years, 6 months Neutral Zone Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars 2023-24 Teams: Salisbury School (New England Prep)/Yale Jr. Bulldogs 18U (18U AAA) Committed to UNH on April 10, 2022 at Age 18 years, 6 months.

2023-24 Highlight Reel

Jesse Allecia lead the Salisbury School in scoring with 17 goals 8 assists in 26 games. Two of his scoring strengths are going strong to the net and a quick release on his wrist shots. This highlight reel shows several of Allecia's goals from the 2023-24 New England Prep season.

Interview

I had an opportunity to interview Jesse Allecia, via email, about his hockey career and commitment to UNH:

Mike Lowry: Congratulations on your commitment to play for the University of New Hampshire. How did you first become interested in UNH?

Jesse Allecia: UNH is a historic school and a historic hockey program. With countless NHL players coming through the program, it was always a school and a hockey program I wanted to go to. The coaching, campus, and people were all highly praised by people around me.

Mike Lowry: What are the main reasons you chose to commit to UNH?

Jesse Allecia: The coaching staff was a huge part of my decision. Their interest, intelligence, and experience were all important in my decision. Also, when I was on campus and in the rink, I just had this gut feeling that this was the place for me.

Lowry: What other college programs did you consider during the recruiting process? Which schools did you visit and which ones made an offer to you?

Allecia: I talked to some other Hockey East schools, but none of them were as interesting, enticing, and exciting as UNH. I was just so intrigued by the history of UNH and it’s hockey program.

Lowry: Have you and the UNH coaches agreed on a target date for you to enroll as a freshman at UNH and join the team?

Allecia: The idea is that there is a two year junior window; however, if I play well and it is the right time to come in, I will come in after one year. It is all about coming in at the right time for both the team and myself.

Lowry: At this stage in your development, what are the main strengths of your game? What areas are you trying to improve?

Allecia: My skating, speed, and puck protection are all strengths of my game. As well, how dynamic I am as a player is a strength for me. I want to work on the skills that will transfer to the next level of hockey and refine them.

Lowry: You recently completed your senior season at the Salisbury School scoring 17 goals 8 assists in 26 games. You lead the team in goals and points. Salisbury advanced to the Elite 8 semifinals falling to #1 KUA. Which North American junior hockey leagues are you considering for next season? Have any junior teams shown an interest in you?

Allecia: At the moment, I am considering the USHL and BCHL as prime spots for my development and contribution to the programs. I am talking to some teams from both leagues.

Lowry: Over the last two springs, you had opportunities to compete against the top 2005-born US players at the 2023 and '24 USA Hockey 18U National Championships. You scored a total of 4 goals, 3 assists over 11 games for the Yale Jr. Bulldogs 18U team (2024 Runnerup). How do you think your skills compare with the other top forwards born in 2005?

Allecia: I am completely confident in my skills and play against other 05’s, but also know there is still room to improve, adapt, and grow.

Lowry: What are your academic strengths and interests? Have you thought about what you might major in when you enroll at UNH?

Allecia: I have an interest in psychology, but frankly I am not sure yet and need to have some important conversations to determine that.

Neutral Zone Scouting Report

2024 Flood-Marr Tournament (New England Prep), January, 2024

"Jesse is a long, strong, right-shot forward who plays a detailed, direct game. He added a goal and one assist in the four games here. The late 2005 is tough to knock off the puck and keeps his feet moving to get to spots. He gets pucks deep and takes good angles to pressure defenders into mistakes. High compete level and motor and limited time and space for opponents. He works hard in his own zone and was strong on the puck."

"He has average puck skills but uses his reach well to keep pucks out of reach of defenders. He gets to the net and is not afraid to play through contact to get to scoring spots. He has a strong upper body to fight off pressure. He scored a slick goal in one viewing after driving wide, using his body to fend off a defender, and wrapping the puck around the net after freezing the goalie. He has a quick release on his shot and gets to scoring areas. Smart and will get to shooting areas just before the puck does."

Youth & Prep School Hockey Statistics

Player	Season	Team	League	GP	Goals	Asst	Pts	PIM
Jesse Allecia (F)	2023-24	Salisbury School	New England Prep	26	17	8	25	-
		Yale Jr. Bulldogs 18U	18U AAA	30	13	25	-	-
			BEAST 18U	8	2	3	5	0
			USA 18U Nationals	6	1	1	2	2
	2022-23	Salisbury School	New England Prep	28	4	4	8	-
		Yale Jr. Bulldogs 18U	18U AAA	30	7	8	15	-
			USA 18U Nationals	5	3	2	5	-
	2021-22	Deerfield Academy	New England Prep	24	4	8	12	-
		Yale Jr. Bulldogs 16U	BEAST 16U	-	-	-	-	-
	2020-21	Deerfield Academy	New England Prep	5	0	0	0	-
		Springfield Rifles 15U	BEAST 15U	-	-	-	-	-
	2019-20	Midfairfield Rangers 14U	14U AAA	-	-	-	-	-