Cohen, Mastropietro, Scuzzarella, Morgan headline NEC boys hockey all-stars

As crazy a year as it has been on the ice in the Northeastern Conference, it only seems right that two players shared the MVP awards in each of the conference’s two divisions.In the North, Peabody junior forward Elijah Cohen and Revere junior defenseman Chris Mastropietro were named the co-MVPs. The South MVP award was split by Saugus senior Mike Scuzzarella and Swampscott senior Keith Morgan.Morgan’s coach, Gino Faia, earned coach of the year accolades for the South while Gloucester’s Don Lowe took the award for the North.Cohen leads the conference in points with 42 and ranks second in assists with 23 while Mastropietro’s 22 goals are first in the league. Morgan led all South scorers with 31 points while Scuzzarella had 12 goals and 29 points before suffering a broken wrist against Lynn in Saugus’ final league game.Joining Cohen as forwards on the all-NEC North team were Danvers’ Steve Kontos and Gloucester’s Andrew Fulford. Beverly’s Alex Baker is the other all-North defenseman with Danvers’ Pat O’Kane chosen as the North’s top goalie.On the South side, Marblehead’s Andrew Bates was selected as the other all-league forward. Morgan’s teammate, Jake Donahue, was selected as an all-South defenseman along with Lynn senior Dave Stevens. Saugus’ Paul Essery was chosen as the top goaltender in the South.Rounding out the team were forwards Chris Bushey of Beverly; James Noftle, Peabody; Jay Sasso, Revere; Ricky Boudrow, Winthrop; Troy Thibodeau, Danvers; Brett Biondo, Gloucester; Danny Rakoc, Swampscott; Chris Smith, Salem; and Jeremy Fanning, Gloucester.Danvers’ Jake Korthas was chosen as a defenseman along with Paul Russo of Gloucester and Peabody’s Patrick Yeo.The NEC all-stars will play the stars of the Cape Ann League, led by league MVP and North Shore scoring leader (60 points) Ryan Smith of Lynnfield, on Monday (7) at Talbot Rink in Gloucester.