10 Boys Varsity and JV Boys Winter League Early Standouts

The LILJ Boys Winter League 2025-26 is underway and it features a surplus of its own Long Island-grown high school talent. Some of the island’s most prominent varsity and travel club programs are sharing the field with each other at Stony Brook University’s indoor facility, with their offseason attention focused towards not just competing, but showing improvement. Amongst the high-level action, there were several players who really flashed across both Varsity and JV divisions. It was impressive watching the precision each of them played with and the lack of rust they displayed for the first week of a winter circuit. Just a true testament to how much work these kids put into their craft 12 months out of the year. Let’s dive into 10 performers in the Boys Varsity and JV divisions that have made waves so far this winter!

Varsity

James Speciale – (Defense/Ward Melville)

The fierce, lefty coverman has been solid for the Patriots’ defensive unit in its first two games. Speciale has been precise with his stick, jarring balls free and tracking them off the turf. The senior showed off his two-way ability with a nice goal against St. Anthony’s 2027.

Michael Labovitz – (Goalie/Half Hollow Hills)

Labovitz earned Player of the Game honors after a stellar seven saves in the win vs. Huntington. The senior goaltender turned aside multiple doorstep chances by the Blue Devils and was strong on hitting his outlets in the clearing game. 

Jack Rella – (Midfield/Ward Melville)

Rella was spectacular in the Patriots’ win against Huntington. The crafty middie notched 3 tallies and an assist to cap off his evening, using his quick speed and tenacity to create scoring opportunities for himself all game long. He was a true threat whenever the ball was in his stick.

Brody Richert– (Midfield/SA 2026)

The athletic midfielder has been crisp in his two games for the St. Anthony’s Friars, posting consecutive three point performances against Kellenberg and Half Hollow Hills. Richert was aggressive with his dodges and was astute in finding short stick matchups. He holds a balanced statline of four goals, two assists, and two caused turnovers going into Week 2.

Dylan Harrigan – (Midfield/SA 2026)

Harrigan is set to play for Coach Tillman and the Maryland Terps next fall and he showcased it for those in attendance when he faced Half Hollow Hills. The senior standout lit up the scoreboard with four goals and an assist, winning his dodges routinely from up top and finding the back of the net from distance.

Paul Lonigro – (FOGO/SA 2026)

Lonigro has been a crucial part for the Friars’ early success through two games. The faceoff man is 64% on draws thus far with three goals under his belt. It feels as if St. Anthony’s can play a game of  “make it, take it” whenever they please, thanks to their senior specialist. 

Gavin Snyder – (Attack/SA 2027)

The junior attackman has wreaked havoc in both games played, showcasing his versatility in impacting games. Snyder has done it all for the Friars, scoring goals, feeding teammates, and even causing turnovers on the ride. He profiles as a true swiss army knife.

Ethan Bramoff – (LSM/SA 2026)

Joining his teammate Harrigan at Maryland next year, Bramoff is one of the most talented long stick midfielders on Long Island. The senior leads the league with five caused turnovers and is second in ground balls. His knack for hunting the ball down is near predator-like when he’s out there.

Brendan McNulty – (Midfield/Huntington)

McNulty exploded for four goals and an assist versus Half Hollow Hills, bringing his goal total to six and point total to seven through two games, both which lead the league. The midfielder was highly effective creating offense from up top, scoring on the run multiple times while also finding open cutters frequently. His confidence in himself is noticeable to those watching him – and it’s impressive.

Ryan Lasko – (LSM/SA 2027)

The Boston University commit has been just unworldly. Lasko is slashing through two games of play, posting a mind boggling five goals, two assists, four caused turnovers, and nine ground balls already…as a defensive midfielder. Before I continue, I’d urge you to pause for a second and reread that sentence back. The junior has downright dominated on both ends of the field thus far. 

JV

Thomas Breheny – (Midfield/Shore 2 Shore Trojans)

Breheny has been a workhorse for the Trojans this winter. The freshman midfielder has gotten it done on both sides of the field, scoring a goal and causing a turnover in each game he’s played. Breheny is a true tone setter, and a good one at that.

Salvatore Ranieri – (Attack/SA 2028)

Ranieri has had a nose for the back of the net since the league began, already totaling five goals thus far. The sophomore has an arsenal of effective dodges that he rotates routinely, featuring his speed and strength that makes any of them near impossible to guard. His ability to locate his shots consistently from distance makes him a lethal scorer.

Ryan Scala – (Goalie/Legacy Taz 2029)

Legacy Taz 2029 has only allowed eight goals in its two games of play, and Scala is a crucial reason for the team’s early success. The freshman goalie made three saves in the tight win against St. Anthony’s 2028 squad, stonewalling the Friars’ offense multiple times. 

Gavin Gifford – (Attack/Legacy Taz 2029)

Gifford has been a main facilitator for the Taz 2029 offense, racking up three assists in the game against the Taz 2030 squad. The attackmen showed off his high IQ on the field with his consistent ability to find open teammates for scoring chances. Gifford also has a goal and a caused turnover to go with his trio of helpers through two games of play.

James Siragusa – (FOGO/Legacy Taz 2029)

Siragusa showed off his quick hands at the faceoff X in the opening week, winning 12 draws with seven ground balls. If you were watching him and blinked even just once, the freshman specialist probably already had the ball in his stick – he was that fast. The Northport product has been one to watch.

Lucas Cribbie – (Midfield/Legacy Taz 2030)

The 8th grader is well beyond his years as a player, both skillfully and between the ears. Cribbie is extremely smooth using both hands and possesses great awareness on the offensive side of the ball; Two traits that will help his game transition gracefully to the high school level.

Christian Ferrari – (Attack/Shore 2 Shore)

Ferrari earned Player of the Game honors in the Trojans’ matchup against Legacy Black 2029, finding the back of the net twice en route to a 5-5 tie. The freshman is a true threat when he’s got his hands free on the perimeter with his laser of a release. He’s just the definition of a pure scorer.

Nico Spallina – (Attack/Legacy Black 2029)

Spallina is the straw that stirs the drink in Legacy Black’s offense, and he put it on display on opening weekend. The attackman is incredibly creative in his style of play, from his many different shooting angles to his knack for finding open space. He’s got five goals already and doesn’t appear to be slowing down.

Ryan McCann – (Defense/Legacy Black 2029)

McCann has been a jack of all trades for Legacy Black 2029, contributing on both sides of the field and between the restraining lines. The freshman defender has an assist, two caused turnovers, nine ground balls…and even eight faceoff wins. Whenever McCann’s number’s been called, he’s stepped up to the occasion soundly. He is proving to be an invaluable asset as a prospect.

James Magnus – (Midfield/Legacy Taz 2029)

Rounding out these 10 individuals, Magnus has been on nothing short of a tear. The freshman has a league leading six points under his belt, featuring a stellar three goals and one assist performance against St. Anthony’s 2028. Magnus was effective in setting up his downhill dodges to get his hands free for shots. An extremely confident playmaker with the ball in his stick, Magnus can turn up the heat on a moment’s notice.