State of Mass. hockey talent has risen

In recent years, it has became commonplace for critics to bemoan the state of Massachusetts hockey, with claims that this area is no longer producing the top-notch talent it once did, lagging behind Minnesota and Michigan in producing star-quality players.

If that was true, it certainly isn’t any more, not with players from Massachusetts set to play such a prominent role in this weekend’s NHL entry draft.

The Commonwealth will be represented in Friday night’s first round by projected No. 2 pick Jack Eichel of North Chelmsford, potential No. 3 selection Noah Hanifin of Norwood and possible late first-rounder Colin White of Hanover. Scituate’s Conor Garland, the Quebec Major Junior league MVP,…