HNIB News - Vol. 30 Issue #3 - New England & NJ Preview by Hockey Night in Boston

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New HampsHire Hs Hockey

Division i overview

Wide Open Race Looms In Granite State’s Top Division Handful Of Teams Capable Of Taking The Big Prize By Kevin Doyle • HNIB News

NIB’s informal pre-season poll of coaches clarified this: Division One is as wide open and balanced as it has been for some time. Though lacking a clear favorite, a handful of teams return depth and experience across the board and project as solid bets to be playing deep into March. No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas (156-1) came within an overtime goal of bouncing eventual State Champion Memorial in the semifinals last season. Coach Andrew Leach’s Saints have proven experience in all phases, paced by senior forward Glenn Wiswell, senior defenseman Niall Foster and junior goalie Zane Angelopoulos. No. 2 Londonderry (17-5-1) welcomes back a Top 5 goalie in senior Joe McGrath, a Top 5 scorer in senior Eric Coburn and a solid core on the back line as it looks to step beyond last year’s semifinal appearance. No. 3 Salem (11-8-3) returns depth at forward and strength in the back from last year’s quarterfi-

HNIB New HampsHIre DIvIsIoN I poll TEAM

WL T

1. St. Thomas 2. Londonderry 3. Salem 4. Central 5. Bishop Guertin 6. Memorial 7. Trinity 8. Pinkerton 9. Hanover 10. Concord

15 17 11 16 10 17 11 12 7 6

6 5 8 5 12 4 6 10 11 12

1 1 3 0 0 0 2 0 4 2

MEMORIAL PLAYERS whoop it up after winning the New Hampshire Division I state title last March at Verizon Wireless Arena. (Jamie Callery photo)

St. Thomas Gets Pre-Season Nod; Londonderry Is #2 nal club. Junior Paul Antkowiak is among the state’s top returning defensemen. No. 4 Manchester Central (16-5-0) lost significant firepower from last year’s State finalist and will lean on senior keeper Ian Beliveau (2.34, .904 gaa) while the offense forges an identity. No. 5 Bishop Guertin (10-12-0) returns a group of high-end players. Whether the Cardinals possess the quality depth to mount a championship challenge remains to be seen. Defending champion No. 6 Manchester Memorial (17-4-0) lost heavily to graduation and Juniors. Coach Mark Putney will look to a group of young forwards

to re-tool the attack. No. 7 Trinity (11-6-2) is thin on experience and must overcome the loss of graduated three-year goalie Ryan Slatky New coach Joey Lee takes the helm at No. 8 Pinkerton (12-10-0) and hopes to keep the young Astros in the upper echelon. He has the luxury of a veteran forward unit. How perennial contenders No. 9 Hanover (7-11-4) and No. 10 Concord (6-12-2) fare will be determined largely by the development of underclassmen abundant on both teams’ rosters.

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HNIB News • Volume 30 - Number 3 HNIB Staff -PuBlISHer-

-Staff WrIterS-

lance lofaro

Gary demopoulos Kevin doyle Michael fornabaio Bryan ethier Jon turner Yardley dom Nicastro Nathan fournier

-edItorGary demopoulos

-SaleS/advertISINGlance lofaro Gary demopoulos

-GraPHIcS/ScHeduleSGary demopoulos Jamie callery Kevin doyle

DECEmBEr 5, 2013

HNIB News 795 Turnpike St. No. Andover, MA 01845 978-682-2425 hockeynight@comcast.net www.HNIBonline.com www.HNIBnews.com

PriNtEd at GaNNEtt OffSEt NOrwOOd, Ma - INDEX -

2013/14 PUBLICATION DATES • November 14 - Jr. Hockey Preview • November 21 - Prep School Preview • December 5 - New England/NJ HS Preview • December 12 - Massachusetts HS Preview • December 20 - Coaches Directory/Arena Guide • July- Boys Summer Showcase Magazine • August - Girls Summer Showcase Magazine

HNIB NEWS/PUBLICATIONS 4 NEWS Issues • 3 Magazines

$35 (Also covers postage and handling) Name Address City State Zip Code Email Send to: HNIB News 795 Turnpike St. No. Andover, MA 01845

New Hampshire D-1 3, 5-7 HNIB News Staff 4 New Hampshire D-II 9-12 New Hampshire D-III 13-15 Maine Class A 18-21, 25 Maine Class B 22-25 Vermont Metro 27-29 Vermont Lake 30-34 Connecticut D-I 35-38 Connecticut D-II 39-41 Connecticut D-III 42-44 Rhode Island D-I 45-47 Rhode Island D-II 48-50 Rhode Island D-III 51 New Jersey Preview 52-58 NE Girls HS Hockey 59, 61-62

2013-14 New England/NJ HS Preview

igh school previews for the five New England states other than Massachusetts, and the state of New Jersey are included in this third issue of HNIB News for this season. In New Hampshire, the race for the Division I title is as wide-open as its ever been, with any number of teams capable of taking home the top prize. Division II should also be a dogfight, while there is a prohibitive favorite in Division III. Maine’s Falmouth HS won its first Class A title a year ago and is amongst the pre-season favorites this winter. The movement of several teams to Class B has brought excitement and more competition to that level. Vermont’s top division - Metro shrunk to just nine teams with some realignment, so South Burlington’s job to repeat as state champs gets that much tougher. In Rhode Island, be sure that LaSalle and Hendricken will do all they can to unseat Mt. St. Charles as D-1 state champion. In Connecticut, Notre Dame of West Haven gets the pre-season nod in Division I, just ahead of defending champion Fairfield Prep. Again, realignment has the D2 and D3 races very competitive. And in New Jersey, the question will be can anyone unseat six-time defending Private champion Delbarton, who many feel have come somewhat back to the pack this winter.

HNIB News Going Digital! www.HNIBnews.com Go Online to Follow Junior/Prep/Scholastic Hockey Throughout the Season.

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Guertin Looks To Reclaim Status

Giovanni Corsetto Pinkerton

Ryan Monte Pinkerton

BISHOP GUERTIN (10-12-0) Can the Cardinals reclaim their status as a perennial title contender after exiting quietly in the quarterfinal round last winter? Hard to tell although long-time coach Gary Bishop is hopeful BG is in the mix of what projects to be a wide open race. Senior forward Evan Dalaker (12-14-26) returns to lead the offense. Senior Connor

Donahue was a first-team All-State defenseman as a junior and is joined by senior Keith Murphy to form a physical presence in front of the goal. Senior Griffin Scanlon returns in goal and projects as one of the state’s top keepers. Talented sophomore Aidan Farhat will press for time. Junior Max McCabe brings physicality to the forward line while Nick Apostolakes adds quickness on defense.

Pinkerton Tabs New Coach Lee PINKERTON ACADEMY (12-10-2) New coach Joey Lee takes over a young Astros’ squad. Despite the youth, he hopes to continue the development displayed in the latter half of last season. Lee has one of the division’s more dynamic forwards at his disposal in junior Giovanni Corsetto (10-11-21). Sophomore Tyler Poole (5-10-15) and junior Ryan Monte look to build off solid seasons from a year ago while senior Holderness transfer Bailey Walsh provides another quality option. Seniors Ryan Christie and Mike Bellmore and junior Ethan Landry round out a deep group. Five veteran defensemen return and will have to be on top of their games from the get-go as there is no incumbent goaltender.

Hanover Has Voids To Fill HANOVER (7-11-4) How quickly long-time coach Dick Dodds and his staff plug the voids left on defense and in goal (James Montgomery) by graduation will determine the direction of the Marauders’ season. Dodds said “we have good athletes and will have the type of team that will improve a lot from Day One to the end of the season.” Seniors Shawn Cavallaro (5-13-18) and Sam Carey (5-13-18) return as the most accomplished forwards. A large group of forwards return with experience but several must step forward and up to a different production level as only one player produced double-digit goals a year ago.

Evan Dalaker Bp. Guertin

Griffin Scanlon Bp. Guertin

Kevin Murphy Bp. Guertin

Aidan Farhat Bp. Guertin

Experienced Veterans Power South NASHUA SOUTH (4-16-0) The Panthers will lean on a core of experienced veterans and coach Eric Momnie expressed confidence in his club’s ability to start winning close games. Senior captain Jack Galgay leads the defense in front of experienced senior goalies AJ Bender, another captain, and Alex Lake. Physical junior Matt Kuba returns on the back line with sophomore Bryan Connell. Freshmen

Tony Columbus and Tyler Goy figure to play right away. Junior forward Steven Saucier (7-3-10) is the top returning scorer. Senior Cate Connolly, juniors Owen McNulty and Alkim Dato, and sophomore Cam Boisvert return with experience. Bishop Guertin transfer Arya Saliany and freshman Michael Fornier should make an immediate impact.

Lancers Should Contend Once Again LONDONDERRY (17-5-1) Semifinalists a year ago, the Lancers figure to contend once again this winter. Senior goalie Joe McGrath ranked in the Top Five in goals against average last year and will be leaned on heavily in the early going as a group of young defensemen gains experience on the fly. Senior Eric Coburn powers the offense and was a Top Five scorer in Division 1 a year ago.

Seniors Curtis Harper and Mike Donlan as well as junior Cooper Roy, who missed much of last year with injury, all return at forward. Senior Matt Moriarty provides depth. Senior Brett Evangelista is the anchor on defense. Junior Lucas Poulin also returns on the back line and senior Mitchell Schirch gives coach Peter Bedford a quality backup in goal.

HNIB News Going Digital In January! Follow the NH High School Season at www.HNIBnews.com www.HNIBNews.com

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Graduation Hits Trinity Hard

k Paul Antkowia Salem

Kyle Nagri Salem

Pieces In Place For Salem SALEM (11-8-3) The Blue Devils have the pieces in place to improve upon last year’s quarterfinal appearance in the tournament. How they fare rests in part with the play of returning junior keeper Sam McDonald. There is abundant experience at forward, starting with juniors Cody Soucy (21-13-34) and Kyle Svenson (9-14-23). Junior Central Catholic transfer Kyle Nagri brings speed and physicality while senior captain Brian Frazier provides a strong two-way presence. Junior Paul Antkowiak returns as one of the state’s premier defensemen and coach Mark McGinn believes sophomore Chris Ring has all-state potential on the back line. Senior Dan Barbin is effective on both defense and at forward. Others to watch are senior Jake Bartlett, junior Jake Burns and sophs Matthew Hayes and Chris Lemay.

St. Thomas Aquinas Eyes D-I Title Shot ST. THOMAS AQUINAS (15-6-1) Expect the returning Saints to be spurred on by last year’s 4-3 OT semifinal loss to State Champion Memorial. Coach Andrew Leach said the goal is to return to the semifinals and compete for the opportunity to get a State title shot. The Saints have proven veteran leaders in all the right places. Start with senior two-year captain Glenn Wiswell, a gifted scorer who tallied 30 goals and 46 points a year ago. Sophomores Ty Turgeon (23 points) and Isaac Leslie provide complementary scoring. STA’s back end ranks among the division’s best, boasting senior captain and defenseman Niall

Foster (17 points) and junior captain and goalie Zane Angelopoulos (2 SO, 2.35 gaa, .910 save pct.). Freshmen Nolan Lavallee and Luke Pepin could step right in on defense.

Isaac Leslie St. Thomas

TRINITY (11-6-2) Matching last year’s quarterfinal appearance will be a challenge for coach Mike Connell’s club. With the graduation of such stalwarts as goalie Ryan Slatky, the veteran coach’s expectations are to improve on a daily basis and remain competitive. A core group of veterans will lead the Pioneers. Senior Mitch Myers (17-12-29) and sophomore Connor Merrick (21 points) provide a solid one-two combo at forward while senior Cam Brown and junior Colby Fortin return on the back line.

Blue Hawks Want To Compete More EXETER (5-15-0) It’s been awhile since the Blue Hawks have been a factor within the division and veteran coach Jim Tufts’ goal this year is clear – to be more competitive in all phases from Day One. Senior captains and forwards Michael Cashman (11 points) and Cam Johnassen (6 goals) lead a fairly large senior class. Only five seniors graduated from a year ago while nine freshmen and sophomores were on the varsity roster and picked up experience

Defending Champs Memorial Need To Rebuild Roster MEMORIAL (17-4-0) Nine players graduated from last year’s State Championship squad, leaving coach Mark Putney with significant holes to fill, especially on defense and in the goal. Nevertheless, Putney said the Crusaders are “excited and very much looking forward to the beginning of the season.” Junior forwards Nick Burgess and Bryce Jacob and senior forward Brendan Sullivan all had strong post-seasons last year and look to carry that momentum. Senior Aaron Shrum takes over full-time in the net. Seniors Brady Sufat, Bryer Bilodeau, Kyle Chalifoux, Ashton Sullivan and Shane Allen; juniors Andrew Putney and Matt Fitzgerald; and sophomore Zack Pelletier round out the list of those back with experience.

North Looks To Move Up NASHUA NORTH (5-11-0) Coach Dan Legro is looking for upward mobility from the Titans this season. "My expectations are that improve from last year, finish in a higher spot, elevate the program as a whole and hopefully secure a playoff spot," he said. North graduated only five seniors resulting in a large group of returnees with varying degrees of experience. Junior goaltender Jake Genest returns to backstop the defense. Junior Tim Paige is the top returnee on a defense that saw a lot of underclassmen log time a year ago. Legro is expecting consistent scoring from seasoned senior forwards Jake Latham, Jon Searles and Jon Wilson.

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Brady Sets Post-Season As Goal BISHOP BRADY (2-16-0) After enduring a rebuilding season in his year at the helm, coach Randy Manni welcomes back two lines with varsity experience with a goal of reaching the post-season. The defense projects strength as seniors Mike St. Pierre and Derek Drouin and junior Spenser bout Adam God Concord

CONCORD LOOKS FOR REBOUND SEASON CONCORD (6-12-2) The Crimson Tide figure to be strong in the net with senior Jesse Bedard and sophomore Ben Nelson both returning. Coach Duncan Walsh expects the season will depend on the pace of development of a large group of younger, inexperienced players. Regardless, expect Concord to be in the mix of those battling for a playoff berth. Senior Adam Godbout scored 13 goals a year ago and will be counted on to lead the attack. Big things are expected from senior Tim Weinhold, who shifted between forward and defense a year ago. Sophomore Brad Murphy missed half of last season due to injury and figures to add to the offense.

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Goalie Key For Central’s Hopes CENTRAL (16-5-0) After falling to cross-town rival Memorial in last year’s all-Manchester title game, Central’s hopes this winter rest squarely on the shoulders of senior keeper Ian Beliveau (2.34, .904 gaa), who was immense with 38 saves in the championship game. Graduation stripped away most of Central’s offense. Slick junior Devon Sprague (13 goals) returns as the top forward. Depth will be culled from a number of others who picked up valuable game experience a year ago. Senior Tim Tetrault (15 points) returns as the leader of a young defense for coach Brian Stone.

Sloane return in front of senior goalie Chandler Peterson, who takes over on a full-time basis after sharing time a year ago. Juniors Brandan Brack and Andrew Chorlian and sophomore Byron Welch are the top returning forwards.

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New HampsHire Hs Hockey By Kevin Doyle • HNIB News

hile each of 2013’s four semifinalists begin the season in the Top 5, none are ranked at the top. According to informal polling of the division’s coaches, that distinction belongs to another perennial power. No. 1 Dover (11-6-1) returns experience across the board and will be anchored by senior goalie Luc Ravenelle, who acquitted himself well as a member of HNIB’s Northern New England entry this past summer. No. 2 Bedford (16-3-2), the twotime defending champion, is not quite as deep as it was a year ago. However, nearly a dozen returning players were members of both title teams so the Bulldogs certainly remain in the conversation. No. 3 Spaulding (16-3-1) came within an overtime goal of bouncing Bedford in last year’s semifinals. Senior career 100-point scorer Brent Phillips will lead what could develop into the division’s top offense. No. 4 Merrimack (18-3-1) is shooting for its third championship game appearance in four seasons. Expect the Tomahawks to present one of the division’s top defenses led by top-notch junior captain Jason Fortin. No. 5 Bow (12-4-4) returns the vast majority of players from last year’s semifinal club and will be a

HNIB NeW HampSHIre DIvISIoN II poLL TEAM

WLT

1. Dover 2. Bedford 3. Spaulding 4. Merrimack 5. Bow 6. Oyster River 7. Goffstown 8. Windham/Pelh. 9. Kingswood 10. Winnacunnnet

11 16 16 18 12 12 11 9 12 5

6 3 3 3 4 6 8 7 8 13

1 2 1 1 4 4 1 1 0 0

Division ii Preview

Dover The Pre-Season Choice Two-Time Champ Bedford, Spaulding In The Hunt

BEDFORD HIGH CAPTAINS (l to r) Cullen Willey, Kurt Mitchell and Chris O’Hara with the school’s second straight NH Division II title trophy last March. (Jamie Callery photo)

tough out every night. No. 6 Oyster River (12-6-5) returns a deep group of forwards powered by C.J. Jerry, who had 45 points last season. Goalie Ben Genest gives No. 7 Goffstown (11-8-1) one of the division’s top returnees in the cage. No. 8 Windham-Pelham (9-71) hopes to make plenty of noise in the final year of its cooperative arrangement under new coach Jerry Manchester. No. 9 Kingswood (12-8-0) will feature senior Chris Pollini (52 points), one of the division’s top returning forwards, as the centerpiece of its offense. Second-year coach Rick Weber has plenty to work with as No. 10 Winnacunnet (5-13-0) returns a virtually intact roster.

Solid Core Will Lead Bedford Charge BEDFORD (16-3-2) Can the two-time defending champs execute a three-peat? With a number of veterans who took regular shifts on both title teams, coach Marty Myers is confident his team will at least be part of the conversation come March. "We have a core group that certainly knows what it takes to get there,"

Myers said. "Most are one-sport athletes -- they're dedicated to hockey and anxious to get started." The Bulldogs have ample depth up front where hard-working seniors Chris Viola, Nate Boyd, Neil Soucy, Dan Gregson and Ben Desrosiers return ready to fill the scoring void left by the graduation of a half-dozen forwards.

Senior Stevan Tempesta returns in goal while sophomore Alec Lindberg provides quality back-up. Senior captains Pat Gagliardi and Mike Dee return as anchors on a back line that also includes veteran junior Brett Silva.

Goffstown Will Be Competitive GOFFSTOWN (11-8-1) As always, look for the Grizzlies to be competitive and looking to improve upon last winter’s quarterfinal appearance under the direction of veteran coach Paul Roy. Top returnees are forward Cory Kassaris, defenseman Griffin Barbaro and goaltender Ben Genest. Key contributions are also expected from A.J. Potvin, Nevin Houle and Connor Easton, up from the JV team.

Brett Silva Bedford

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Jason Fortin Merrimack

Mark Feeney Merrimack

Broncos Plan On Working Hard

Matt Brewster Merrimack

Merrimack Right In The Mix Again MERRIMACK (18-3-0) A third Championship Saturday visit to Manchester in four years is on the returning Tomahawks’ collective minds after bowing to rival Bedford in last year’s title tilt. At the very least, coach Kurt Mithoefer likes his squad’s chances of returning to the Final Four. Defense will be a strong suit. Junior Jason Fortin (714-21), a two-year captain, possesses a heavy shot from the point and plays a physical style in all zones.

Mithoefer said senior Mark Feeney has potential to emerge as one of the top defensemen in the state. Senior Evan McCormick brings a steady stay-at-home style to the mix Junior forward Shane Foye (9-7-16) returns as one of the offensive leaders and a number of skilled freshmen have the opportunity to move into key roles. Senior Devin Gillis and junior Matt Brewster will compete for the goaltending job.

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ALVIRNE (4-13-1) Despite the loss of a couple of players to the Junior ranks, coach Brian Gould said the Broncos will work hard as they endeavor to return to the post-season party. Seniors Trevor Perron, Christian Gamst and Mike Silva; juniors Cam Blake, Patrick DeVito, Devin Herling and Brad Brock; and sophomore Cam Richall all return with experience. Sophomore Curtis Richall will likely get the call in goal.

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Kingswood Eyes Playoff Return KINGSWOOD (12-8-0) The Knights ended a playoff drought last season, Andrew Trimble’s first at the helm. This year’s goals are to enhance depth, become competitive with bigger schools, and return to the post-season. In senior Chris Pollini (52 points), Kingswood has one of the division’s top returning scorers. Senior Matt Mitchell and juniors Josh Grasso (16 points) and Owen Richard (15 points) will look to build off their productive campaigns of a year ago. Alex Siegars will contend for the open goalie’s job while Andy Contrada adds to the attack at forward.

Hard Work Is Key To Oyster River Success OYSTER RIVER (12-6-5) Hard work and discipline will be the major components to any success the Bobcats enjoy this season. Veteran coach Griff Richard is looking for a number of forwards to step up and fill an offensive void left by graduation. Senior captain CJ Jerry (20-2545 career) is a physical two-way player and the most polished returning forward. Senior captain Cooper Smith is a three-year regular and juniors Jordan Petrovitsis and Bryce Schultz will be counted on for increased output. Juniors Conor Deptula and Connor McDonough move up from the JVs. Senior assistant captain Jeff Ahlgrim and junior Casey Aubin both enter their third season as regulars on the back line while junior Mike Titterington begins his second. Senior Pat Madden and junior Mike Doyon will compete for playing time in goal.

Division ii Preview

Green Wave Have Experience DOVER (11-6-1) Coach Steve Riker anticipates the Green Wave will still be playing in March — for good reason. A deep, experienced veteran group returns and includes senior goalie Luc Ravenelle (1 SO, 2.05 gaa, .898 save pct.), looking to build off a strong HNIB summer. A balanced attack features senior Ben Henderson (8-11-19), juniors Cam Crowley (11-11-22), Mitchell Walsh (19 points) and Robert Markusic (13 points), and sophomore Kevin Lombard (10 points). Juniors Tim Burke and Brad Bishop lead a defense that has been further strengthened by Nobles (ME) transfer senior Nick Hudson.

Cam Crowley Dover

Robert Markusic Dover

Luc Ravenelle Dover

Ben Henderson Dover

Michael Donovan Windham-Pelham

Wolfpack Have Solid Mix WINDHAM-PELHAM (9-7-1) Coach Jerry Manchester will guide the Wolfpack through the final season of the partnership between the two schools. Despite graduating eight seniors, the ‘Pack will look to better last year’s firstround playoff exit. Seniors Porter Carelli (10-12-22) and Dustin Lubinger (12-10-22) form a potent one-two punch at forward. Senior goalie Michael Donovan (2.69 gaa) returns to backstop the defense, fronted by veteran senior defensemen Connor Tierney and Nick Laurin. Senior Central Catholic transfer Justin Miedico figures in the mix. Manchester anticipates a number of skilled freshmen to step in and contribute.

Winnacunnet Ready To Make A Big Run WINNACUNNET (5-13-0) With a roster that returns virtually intact, second-year coach Rick Weber is hopeful the Warriors make a run at a post-season slot. There is experience across the board. Senior forwards Mike Millerick (914-23), Brandon McGirl (8-12-20) and Chris Silver (8-10-18) return as the leaders on offense. Senior Charlie Hesser, who missed last season due to injury, juniors Casey Glynn (5 goals)

and Michael Filiault, sophomores Amanda Nuttan and Brian Auffant and freshman James Nash will vie for time. The quartet of senior Reno Fuller, juniors Matt Dzialo and Larry Fournier, and sophomore Will Saunders are back on defense. Three goalies – junior Kyle Farmer, senior Tyler Abrose and sophomore Morgan McGirl – return with experience.

Kyle Farmer Winnacunnet

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Another Playoff Berth For PAC? PEMBROKE ACADEMY/CAMPBELL HIGH (9-9-0) Five seniors graduated from last year’s PAC club that qualified for the post-season in its first Division 2 campaign. Coach Marc Noel said maintaining the momentum and remaining competitive is the goal this winter. Top returnees are Casey Gut, Kyle Rainville and goalie Nick Berube. Otherwise, Noel and his staff will evaluate open competition during pre-season tryouts to settle all other open slots.

Joe Grout Lebanon

Dylan Gaudette Lebanon

Tanner Simms Lebanon

Ryan Damren Lebanon

Lebanon Welcomes Back Big Crew LEBANON (5-17-0) The Raiders learned on the job last year and are poised to make a major move this season. Coach Gary Smith dressed 18 underclassmen, including 10 freshmen. They may still be a year away but at some point that experience will pay off. The defense will be built around junior goalie Joe Grout (3.13, .895), who had very respectable numbers last year, his first as a starter. Senior Dylan Gaudette

(12 points) is the leader of a still-young group of defensemen made up off juniors Tanner Simms (14 points) and Jack Whitaker and sophomores Nate Kriplin, Cal Garland and Noah Gaudette. Juniors Ryan Damren (6-7-13), Riley Sleeper (10 points) and Cam Broughton, and sophomores Tate Singleton, Brendan Kelley, Tj Barber, Nick Haidari and Cam Perron all return up front. A half-dozen freshmen could make contributions.

Spaulding A Title Threat

Zander Allen Spaulding

SPAULDING (16-3-1) The Red Raiders pushed State Champion Bedford to the limit in last year’s one-goal semifinal loss and coach Paul George’s experienced team seems every bit as well-equipped to reach the Final Four once again. Senior captain Brent Phillips (20-26-46), a career 100-point scorer, leads what looks to be a potent offense. Juniors Justin Jewell (14-16-30), Zander Allen (9-14-23) and Kyle Carignan (8-7-15) are all looking to build off productive sophomore campaigns. Junior Alex Turgeon returns as the top defenseman.

Another Young Team For Bearcats SOMERSWORTH/COE-BROWN (3-15-0) The Bearcats will be young once again this year and could benefit from a bit of puck luck as it seeks a playoff berth. Coach Ron Siering’s squad suffered four OT losses a year ago. The senior group of Ben Bailey, Ryan Cordeiro, Dakota Hippern, Nick Pridham, Heath DeButts and Quinn Blais will be counted for leadership on the ice and in the room. New senior Felix Nyquist joins that group. Seven freshmen could earn spots on the varsity roster.

Follow the New Hampshire HS Hockey Season Online! HNIB News Goes Digital In January www.HNIBnews.com www.HNIBnews.com

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Division iii Preview

#1 Berlin Has Some Unfinished Business By Kevin Doyle • HNIB News he motivation for this season stems directly from the shattering conclusion of 2013 when John Stark/Hopkinton ended Berlin’s bid for perfection in overtime of the State Championship game. No. 1 Berlin (20-1-0) is on a mission and certainly has the means to secure the prize that eluded them a year ago. In fact, coach Mike Poulin has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal in returning Player of the Year senior Connor Jewett and sophomore Justin Vien, who combined for 78 goals and 135 points last season. Sophomore keeper Brendan Williams was perfect in 10 starts. No. 2 Souhegan (14-6-0) also boasts impressive offensive credentials. The league’s second highest-scoring line of senior Mike Hayden, junior Matt Wilson and sophomore Joe Nutting rang up combined 63-74-137 totals for the Sabers a year ago. No. 3 Belmont/Gilford (12-60), though young, will hang its hopes on a strong defense built around veteran goaltender Calvin Davis and junior defenseman Brogan Hurst. Defending champion No. 4 John

HNIB New HampsHIre DIvIsIoN III poll TEAM

WLT

1. Berlin 20 2. Souhegan 14 3. Belmont/Gilford 12 4. John Stark/Hopk. 19 5. Kennett 11 6. Moult./Interlakes 9 7. Portsmouth 6 8. Hollis/Brookline 10

1 6 6 1 9 9 13 9

0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0

Stark/Hopkinton (19-1-1) will be driven by the desire to retain the crown. The Generals will be better later in the year as younger players gain experience. No. 5 Kennett (11-9-0), long an offensive dynamo, will lean heavily on a defense that features veteran junior Josh Kondrat in goal and All-State senior Dan Rivera on the back line.

#2 Souhegan Has Potent Offense No. 6 Moultonborough-InterLakes (9-9-1) welcomes new coach Chuck Yaeger, who has the luxury of a solid core group of veterans to build around. No. 7 Portsmouth (6-13-0) may well be the sleeper in this year’s field, powered by senior captains

and forwards Aaron Rancourt and Cody Mallory and senior defenseman Nate Sweet. No. 8 Hollis-Brookline (10-9-0) lost heavily to graduation and defections to the Junior ranks but the Cavaliers retain enough experience to push for the post-season.

John Stark/Hopkinton is the defending NH Division III champion.

Defending Champs Have Holes To Fill JOHN STARK-HOPKINTON (19-1-1) The Generals shocked everyone except themselves when they charged to the State Championship, knocking off undefeated Berlin in the title game. However, seven seniors and a ton of leadership and experience graduated from that club. The goal for coach Denis Kolehmainen will be to

mold the remaining pieces into a cohesive unit, gain experience and, hopefully, forge a club that is playing its best hockey in the second half. Senior Garrett Thomas is the acknowledged of this group. Kolehmainen is excited about the potential of freshmen Cam Bourque, Justin Bowen, Tim Meserve, Aiden Molnar and Tim Sawitsky.

Moultonboro-Interlakes Tabs Yaeger As Coach MOULTONBORO-INTER-LAKES (9-9-1) New coach Chuck Yaeger takes over a young team that will rely on a veteran core group to lead the way as it looks build on the momentum that carried the Renegades into the post-season a season ago. Sophomore Cody Burns (6-6-12) is the top returning scorer, assisted by junior Dylan Sheehan (9 points). Seniors Brandon Eldridge and Justin Klinger,

junior Aidan Conn and sophomores Gus Kromer and Alyssa McCarthy return with experience. Senior Connor O’Neil is back in goal. Depth will be culled from a group of newcomers that includes sophomore Wyatt Saylor and freshmen Mike Dalzell, Collin Sheehan, Coleman Mason and Drew Dunlap.

Page 14

Hockey NigHt iN BostoN News

DecemBer 5, 2013

New HampsHire Hs Hockey

Kennett To Rely On Defense This Year Eagles Offense Needs To Be Rebuilt

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KENNETT (11-9-0) Known for years for their highpowered offense, the Eagles will be built from the back end this winter. Junior Josh Kondrat returns in goal after a solid sophomore campaign. Senior Dane Rivera, an All-State pick last season, and junior Robby Moody are back as the leaders of a defensive corps that returns intact. Graduation stripped away 71 percent of the offensive production from a year ago an coach Mike Lane says generating consistent offense will be this clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s primary challenge. Kennett does have a pair of proven scorers around which to build in senior Brad Canavari (16-19-35)) and sophomore Nick Ansaldi (14-1428). Kennett hosts the Peter Hall Christmas Invitational Dec. 2728 with Belmont-Gilford, Berlin and the Western Maine Ice Cats rounding out the field.

Fisher New Coach At Kearsarge KEARSARGE REGIONAL (4-14-0) New coach Mike Fisher takes over the helm for the Cougars hopeful that seven returnees lead a talented group of first-year and transfer players. Seniors Will Aufranc (6-8-14), Steven Ricker (5 goals) and Shayne Cashin (9 points) are the top returnees. Juniors Ryan Beattie, Kelsie Dalton and Ben Newbern and sophomore Elliot Tucker will be looked to for increased production. Among new players, Cody Rowe may have the inside track at goaltender. Jakob Arnold, Bryson Barthol, Caleb Cochran, Maddie Folcik and Duncan MacIntyre add needed depth.

Hockey NigHt iN BostoN News

DecemBer 5, 2013

Page 15

New HampsHire Hs Hockey

Portsmouth Optimistic Cavaliers, West Ready

Division iii Preview

Connor Jewett

Justin Vien

Nathan Trull

Brendan Williams

With Jewett Back, Berlin A Contender BERLIN (20-1-0) Reigning Division 3 Player of the Year Connor Jewett (56-32-88) returns with unfinished business and a burning desire to claim the championship that eluded the Mountaineers last winter when they suffered their only loss in the State title game. Sophomore Justin Vien (22-22-44) operates as the perfect wingman for Jewett. Sophomore Trevor Labrecque (14 points) also returns with

ample experience on the attack for coach Mike Poulin’s club. Sophomore Brendan Williams (1.71 gaa) was undefeated in 10 starts last season. Senior Zach Blanchette and sophomore Nate Trull are the top returnees on defense. Look for freshman forward Owen Dorval and junior defenseman Blake Leborgne to make an impact as the season plays out.

Con-Val Seeks Improvement Under New Coach Leger CON-VAL (1-16-0) New coach Mark Leger is anxious to get the season started. He will lean heavily on a small group of veterans who are a year older and understand the work necessary for the Cougars to improve. Junior Erik Leger led the team in scoring last year with more than 20 points and will be supplemented by senior Travis Burke, who returns to forward after a year on the back line. Junior Jason Haley anchors the defense. Junior exchange student Carl Svensson hasn’t played much organized hockey but is big and athletic. Paul Haley is another player with potential.

Jason Haley

High Expectations Set For Souhegan SOUHEGAN (14-6-0) Third-year coach Dan Belliveau leads the Sabers into the season with high expectations after falling short in last year’s semifinals to the eventual champions, John Stark-Hopkinton. This group is deep and talented. The second highest-scoring line in the league last year returns intact with senior captain Mike Hayden, junior Matt Wilson and sophomore Joe Nutting combining for 63 goals and 74 assists in 20 games. Adding experience and depth at for-

ward are seniors Mike Belanger and Reily Connor and junior Alek Medic. Anchoring the defense will be seniors Vincent Silvestri and Cullen Johnson, junior Alex Maresco, and sophomore Jon Ehrlich. Senior Connor McCall, unbeaten in spot action the last two seasons, takes over in goal. Freshmen Kevin O’Brien, James Wilson, Patrick McGrath, and Jonathon Gaffney will press for playing time.

PORTSMOUTH (6-13-0) Do not be surprised if the Clippers play deep into March. Coach Al Brandano welcomes back a host of skilled veterans from last year’s quarterfinal squad, led by senior captains and poised goal-scorers Aaron Rancourt and Cody Mallory. Seasoned senior defenseman Nate Sweet is a bold two-way player and will be joined on the back line by Andrew Trout and Jack Spitzer, a pair of effective puck-movers. The Clippers boast a trio of confident, capable keepers in Brady Marchewka, Matt Boisvert and Ed Ferrini. Dynamic Reed Williamson is a force on both the power play and penalty kill. Sophomores Luke Lacroce and Jack Alden both possess abundant offensive skills. A host of promising freshmen and sophomores will round out this squad. HOLLIS-BROOKLINE (10-9-0) The Cavaliers look to continue their growth under the direction of second-year Coach Ken DiCredico but the loss of 10 players (three to Juniors) will keep the expectations modest. The top returning scorer is junior Kyle Stephens (6-4-10), who may emerge as one of the division’s top defensemen. Solid junior Brett Pearson joins him on the back line. Senior Matt Mailloux, junior Tom Johnson and sophomore Jack Shields are the most experienced returnees at forward. Junior Dan Ash returns after injury limited him to five games a year ago. Connecticut transfer Zach Goyette, sophomore Evan Daskalos and new freshmen Sam Poisson and Bryce Newsham provide depth. MANCHESTER WEST Coach Matt Thompson will lean on a core group of upperclassmen to lead the way for the Blue Knights. Returning keeper Eric Clark anchors a senior group that includes forwards Danny Deblois and Mario Martello along with defenseman Noah Cote. Junior forwards Joe Clement, Zach Allard, Brian Makin and Logan Graham will be looked to for scoring punch. A contingent of eight sophomores provides West with depth and their development will likely determine the course of the season.

Page 16

HOCKEY NIGHT IN BOSTON NEwS

DECEmBEr 5, 2013

HOCKEY NIGHT IN BOSTON 2014 Sophomore All StAr tournAment/

Junior HigH sCHooL FestivaL • a must Stop For Prep School/Junior Hockey recruiters •

2013 sopHomore CHampions: merrimaCk

2013 Jr. HigH CHampions: Long isLand

One Of The Premier Tournaments Of Its Kind In The Nation Valley Forum, HaVerHill, ma • July 13th–July 18th players From 25 states and Canada

Hockey NigHt iN BostoN News

DecemBer 5, 2013

Page 17

28 Teams Planned For 2014 Event 16 Sophomore Teams To Compete

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PAgE 18

Hockey NigHt iN BostoN News

DecemBer 5, 2013

Maine Class a HoCkey By Nathan Fournier • HNIB News

he traditional front runners in Class A will once again be the teams to beat. Everyone will be chasing the defending Class A champions, the Falmouth Yachtsmen, who bring another strong team to the table this season. The Scarborough Red Storm will be looking for redemption this season as they fell in the Western Class A regional final to Falmouth. Falmouth will rely on defense to defend their title. “The execution of consistent team defense along with veteran goaltending will determine the season's success,” Falmouth head coach Deron Barton said. Scarborough brings back a veteran squad with talent up front with the likes of Jake Gross and Cam Bruchu as forwards while Ian Morris and Eric Grantz will be key defensemen. “We hope to compete for one of the top four spots in Class A West,” Scarborough head coach Norm Gagne said. “Class A West is going to be very competitive this year.” The Red Storm's rivals down to the south Thornton Academy and Biddeford will be making a resurgence this year after a rebuilding year for both teams last season. “Last year's youth and inexperience will hopefully help this season as we will rely heavily on those

MAINE CLASS A POLL TEAM

WL T

1. Falmouth 18 2. Scarborough 19 3. Lewiston 18 4. St. Dom’s 12 5. Bangor 17 6. Biddeford 7 7. Brunswick 11 8. Cony 14 9. Thornton Acad. 8 10. Cheverus 12

3 2 4 7 4 10 8 5 10 6

1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 0

Falmouth, Scarborough Head Impressive Field Thornton, Biddeford Making A Resurgence

FALMOUTH WON ITS FIRST-EVER Maine Class A championship last March with a 4-0 win over Eastern champ Lewiston in the title game at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee.. (Photo by Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)

returning players,” Thornton Academy head coach Jamie Gagnon said. “With a number of key contributors at key positions we will still have to make up for the loss of our top goal scorers from a year ago to graduation (Alex Lambert and Steve Comar).“ For Biddeford, head coach Rich Reissfelder expects everyone on the roster to be a contributor whether you are a freshman or a senior. While the roster is on the younger side, he likes the overall skill the kids bring to the table. Out in Eastern A, Lewiston, St. Dom's, and Bangor will beat up each other all season long. “Overall many teams in the league are going to be much more experienced and older,” St. Dom's head coach Steve Ouellette said.

“Top tier of Class A should be very competitive, solid and another year where there may not be any one clear favorite.” Both the Blue Devils of Lewiston and the Saints of St. Dom's will be replacing veteran goaltenders this season. As always with these two teams, they bring skill to the table, which will help early on as the new goaltenders get their feet wet. Bangor will be replacing Parker Sanderson due to graduation. They did finally got a monkey off their back by finally winning a playoff game down at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston and reaching the Eastern A regional final. The Colisee has historically haunted the Rams when the playoffs rolled around.

Two teams who look to make their mark in Eastern A this season are Brunswick and Cony/Monmouth. Both have been making strides the last two seasons and both have veteran squads this year. They both have goaltenders that are capable of stealing games in Blake Alexander (Brunswick) and Tom Small (Cony/Monmouth). Back out west Cheverus and Bonny Eagle are teams that will also be competitive and make some noise once the playoffs roll around. Cheverus brings in a big goaltender in Jason Blier and while they don't have that one guy that they will count on game in and game out, they have a few guys to count on. Bonny Eagle on the other hand (Continued On Page 25)

HoCkeY NigHT iN BoSToN NewS

DeCemBeR 5, 2013

Page 19

Maine Class a HoCkey

Thornton Should Be Back In The Mix

Class a West PrevieW

THORNTON ACADEMY (8-10-1) The Golden Trojans look to be back in the conversation as one of the top teams in Western A. With their two top goal scorers gone coach Jamie Gagnon expects a group effort this season when it comes to goal scoring. He will look at guys like Owen Lemoine, Alex Fallon, and Jacob Verreault to be the leaders. Defensively Drew Lavigne and Walsh Troiani-Gagner will be the key cogs to clear the puck out of their own end.

Noble/Wells Wants Playoff Spot NOBLE/WELLS (11-8-0) The Knights are looking to secure another playoff spot. Junior Dean Pratt had 26 goals and 14 assists last winter while Ryan Marsh had 18 goals and 19 assists. Returning leading scorer on defense Connor Pease had ten goals and 18 assists while Chullainn Kelly who saw time at forward and defense last season had ten goals and 13 assists.

Scots Need To Rebuild This Year BONNY EAGLE (13-5-0) The Scots had an outstanding season last year, but with a large graduating class and players leaving for juniors it will be a team that will get better as the season goes along. They will be led by three senior forwards - Chet Komulainen, Josh Doustou and Cam Brown. One young player to keep an eye out is Jared Farwell.

Red Riots To Co-op With Freeport SOUTH PORTLAND (2-16-0) The Red Riots are in a rebuilding mode this season along their first season co-oping with Freeport High School. Juniors Andrew Whipple and Kyle Halverson will lead the offensive charge. Senior defenseman Christian Guignard will be a leader on the back end while sophomore goaltender Shannon Tully will see the majority of the time in net.

Defense Key For Marshwood/Traip MARSHWOOD/TRAIP (8-10-0) The Hawks are looking to build off a successful season last year. Defense will be the key to this season. They have three returning defensemen including sophomores John Lyman and Brandon Cagnina along with junior Joe Spinney. Tyler Gagnon will bring veteran presence in net as a senior. It will take a couple of games for their offense to finally click with a lot of newcomers at the forward position.

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Drew Lavigne d. Thorntonâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;Aca

Jake Gross Scarborough

Scarborough Still Has Depth SCARBOROUGH (22-4-0) The Red Storm just came up short from reaching the Class A State Championship game falling to eventual State Champion Falmouth 4-1 in the Class A West regional final. They lost some key players from that team due to graduation but have some depth coming back. Cam Loiselle, Cam Brochu, and Jake Gross will be the go to guys offensively. Ian Morris and Eric Grantz are the top defensemen coming back. In goal they will have to replace Dalton Finley's minutes with Alex Cherry and Ben Bragg.

Biddeford To Contend Again BIDDEFORD (7-10-1) The Tigers are poised to be a contender once again in Class A West. They have been building the last couple years after winning three Class A titles from 2007-2010. Nik Lemieux is expected to lead the offense as a senior along with Corey Brown. They will rely on some younger guys including freshmen Brady Crepeau and Ricky Ruck. Devon Werthner will be the catalyst on defense as a senior. Brandon Daigle and Tom Green will man the pipes.

Oxford Hills Joins Co-op FRYEBURG/LAKE REGION/OXFORD HILLS (3-14-1) The Ice Cats are in a rebuilding mode and will have another school on board as Oxford Hills has joined Fryeburg and Lake Region after playing a junior varsity schedule last season. Dakota Russo, Evan Kellough, and Donnie Eaton will provide offense up front along with Nick Bowie. Davis Turner and Noah Smith will be the Ice Cats key defenseman.

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Page 20

Hockey NigHt iN BostoN News

DecemBer 5, 2013

MAine ClASS A HoCkey

Class a East PrEviEw

Offensive Depth Keys Saints ST. DOM'S (12-7-1) The Saints are bringing back plenty of depth at offense. Brad Berube will lead the charge comJason Blier Cheverus

Conor Ryle Cheverus

Stags Will Be A Challenger CHEVERUS (12-6-0) The Stags look to be a challenger in Western A after a solid 12-win campaign. Jason Blier is a solid goaltender. Alex Grant Roy will provide some offense up front while Jim Hannigan and Conor Ryle will also contribute to Cheverus' success this season

Chase Hainey St. Dom’s

ing off a 22-point sophomore campaign. Caleb Labrie and Chase Hainey will also contribute to the offense. Coach Steve Ouellette expects last year's leading scorer on the junior varsity team - Issac Lapointe - to be a contributor on the varsity squad. Matt Chasse and Avery Jones will be the anchors on defense. For the first time in three years, St. Dom's will have two new netminders with the graduation of Austin Christopher and Grant Carrier. Zack Roy and Caleb Dostie will take over in goal.

Solid Year For Bangor Defending Class A Champs Another BANGOR (17-4-0) They will have to replace It was an up and down season Sanderson as he graduated but they Return A Solid Nucleus for the Rams last season with have solid depth coming back.

FALMOUTH (18-3-0) The Yachtsman will be one of the favorites in all of Class A to be in the State final. The defending State Champions return a healthy amount from last year's team. Dane Pauls will be one of the best goalies in the state. Up front Andre Clement had a big year as a junior and will look to follow that up with a big senior year. He will also play some defense. Isaac Nordstrom, Jake Grade, and Brandon Peters are three juniors to keep an eye on in front. Calvin Cho and Connor MacDowell are two junior defensemen that will make the jump to varsity full-time. Four freshmen are expected to see varsity time this year.

Bulldogs Look To Contend PORTLAND/DEERING The Bulldogs had a very good season last year under first-year head coach Chad Hart. They will be contenders for a playoff spot once again this season. They are senior heavy with ten seniors on the roster. Zach Luce, Mike Fuller, Chris Eye, and Luigi Grimadi are forwards who will lead the offense. Defensively they have four upperclassmen that will get top four minutes. Steve Berry, Chandler Sturgeon, and Ben Barnes are the three seniors and Ryan Ruhlin is a junior.

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coach Dennis Collins resigning at the start of the season. Bangor bounced back to reach the Eastern Class A Regional Final and Parker Sanderson was named the Travis Roy Award winner as the best player in Class A.

Cam Dickson, Jordan Tracy, and Jake Fournier should pick up where they left off from last season. Defensively Bangor is led by three seniors, Justin Courtney, Galen Perry, and Kyle Farley.

Edward Little Seeks Rebound EDWARD LITTLE (4-12-2) The Red Eddies had a down year last year but look to rebound with no major losses from last year's club. Zach Gosselin will be the go to person in net while Chris Poisson and Colin Benson will be the key cogs in front of him clearing the puck out of the way. Sedrick Simons and Aaron Vaillancourt are the lone senior forwards on the team, but junior Branden Dyer, will also be a key contributor.

Mt. Ararat Roster Will Have 12 Freshmen MT. ARARAT/LISBON Mt. Ararat will bring some veteran presence on defense with returning seniors Bru Abreu, Jeremy Williams and junior Tyler O'Connor. Andrew Gardiner will also see quality minutes as a sophomore. Sean Bolduc, Ben Bishop, Brett Gravel, and Kyle Lussier will provide offense up front. They will be young with 12 freshman on the roster including Kyle Welsh who will seek time in goal.

Hockey NiGHT iN BoSToN NeWS

DecemBer 5, 2013

Page 21

Maine Class a HoCkey

• Class A East Preview • Cony Hopes To Surprise Coming Off Solid Year

Austin Davis Cony

Brunswick Anticipates Solid Season BRUNSWICK (11-8-1) The Dragons have been building for this season for the last couple of years now. They may have the best goaltender in Eastern A in Blake Alexander who had a 2.20 gaa last season. They have depth at the forward position which includes Matt Brooks, Ryan Maciejewski, and Dwayne Palmer. Senior defenseman Cam Heatley was a Eastern Class A first team defenseman last winter. Brunswick can be a challenger to the traditional powers in Eastern A.

26ers Set Sights On Improvement GRAY-NG/POLAND (3-15-1) The 26ers will look to improve on their record from last season. Offensively they have some players that can be a threat. Nevin Rand is a senior and junior Ethan Cailler will be the go-to guys up front. Defensively Kaleb Bridgham will be mentoring the younger defenseman as a senior. He and Dom Belanger are the only upperclassman on the back end. In goal, Nick Hemond will replace Calvin Shelley who graduated. He will see a lot of time as the lone goalie on the roster.

CONY/MONMOUTH (14-5-0) The Rams had an outstanding year last year and look to surprise some in Eastern A. They have one of the best offensive defenseman in East in Zach Gagne who had six goals and nine assists in 12 games last season. Austin Davis should have a big year up front after a nine goal and eight assist jun-

ior year. Aaron Manter who provided secondary scoring last season will see his role increase this season. In goal Tom Small may be the most underrated goaltender in the state in his first two seasons. Expect the junior to put up “big” numbers if Cony wants to make a deep playoff run.

Lewiston Is A Serious Title Threat Blue Devils Should Challenge For State Title LEWISTON (18-4-1) The Blue Devils are coming off a State Championship appearance and look to repeat as Eastern Class A Champions. Senior forward Kyle Lemelin is a preseason Travis Roy Award candidate (given to the most outstanding senior in Class A hockey) and fellow returning veter-

Positive Steps The Goal For Windham WINDHAM (2-16-0) The Windham Eagles are looking to take positive steps this season in the right direction. Zack Callahan is the returning leader scorer with nine goals and five assists as a freshman. Fellow sophomores Gage Chenard, Alec Whalen, Caleb Klowas had a valuable experience as freshmen last year. Defensively the Eagles are led by seniors Travis Grant and Josh Merill. In goal, Clayton Owens played in all 18 games last season and his experience from last year's season should help him this year.

ans up front - Matt Poulin and Evan Gosselin - will also shoulder the load offensively. Defensively they return six including Eddie Emerson, Ethan Melvin, and Max Bolduc. They lost would-be senior Patrick DeBlois who joined the Portland Junior Pirates 18U team.

PAgE 22

HoCkey NigHT iN BoSToN NewS

DeCemBer 5, 2013

Maine Class B HoCkey

Class B Experiences Growing Pains Four Schools Drop Down From Class A To Spice Competition By Nathan Fournier • HNIBNews

lass B is going to be more competitive this season. While Class A gets all the glory and glamour, the last couple of seasons Class B has provided some of the better teams and players in the state. Now four schools have moved from Class A to Class B this season. Western B will see Kennebunk, Maranacook/Winthrop, and Gorham join while Eastern B welcomes Waterville one of historic programs not only in state but the country with 20 state championships which is fourth in the nation. Gorham reached the Western Class A regional semifinals last season before bowing out to eventual Class A State Champion Falmouth. Maranacook/Winthrop lost a high scoring affair to Bangor in the Eastern A quarterfinals. Kennebunk failed to make the playoffs but should be in the mix in Western B year in and year out. Gorham is excited about the upcoming year. “This year’s team is deep and talented,” said Gorham head coach

MAINE CLASS B POLL TEAM

WL T

1. Messalonskee 18 2. Greely 17 3. Brewer 11 4. Camden Hills 16 5. Gorham 12 6. Waterville 4 7. Maranacook 10 8. Hampden Acad. 12 9. York 8 10. Kennebunk 8

3 4 7 5 7 14 7 8 10 10

0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0

Jon Portwine. “Six seniors return this year, (Tucker) Buteau and (Jared) Wood broke out last season offensively, add in transfers (Shawn) Sullivan and (Carl) Bear and the Rams should have some fire power. Defense will be the strength being lead by (Dylan) Turner and one of the best goaltenders in the state, (Justin) Broy.” The Kennebunk Rams look to rebound from last season. “Looking for a young Rams team to build upon last seasons success,” said head coach Sean Smith. We asked a lot of our freshman last season and looking for the youth to push our talented senior class to be a playoff team and a top five (in Western) Class B.” In Eastern B Messalonskee and Brewer will be the favorites to meet in the Eastern B Championship game. “I am expecting another strong season in trying to get back to the State Game, but a lot of hard work to come,” said Messalonskee head coach Mike Latendresse. “Overall, we have a difficult schedule.” The Eagles play Bangor and Falmouth in their first three games in the season. Coaches in Eastern B believe the Hampden Academy Broncos will be a challenger along with newcomer Waterville who had a rebuilding year this past season. John Bapst’s season ended at the regional final and the Crusaders will look to be competive as the season goes along. “We are young and not that big, we lost a lot of talent with the graduating class and we will be a work in progress,” head coach Gene Fadrigon said. “I think that we can be competitive and that will depend on team leadership and

how fast we gel as a team.” The Northern Maine contingent – Presque Isle and Houlton/Hodgdon – always find away to be in the mix at the end of the season. Presque Isle is still a young team but last year's experience will be helpful. The Blackhawks of Houlton/Hodgdon will have a new coach and will look to be competitive. Two other teams in the east will have a new coach. Andy Dube moves from Maranacook/Winthrop to Winslow. Dennis Collins is back in the (Continued On Page 25)

Class B West Preview

Yarmouth Ready To Challenge YARMOUTH (6-10-2) The Yarmouth Clippers are ready to challenge for the Class B West Title this year with a number of seniors returning. Isaak Dearden had ten goals and four assists as a junior and defenseman Max Watson had six goals and eight assists. David Clemmer will look to rebound from a junior season that was cut short due to injury. Patrick Grant had an outstanding freshman season with four goals and six assists. Walter Conrad was a solid defenseman as a freshman with three goals and five assists.

Jack Orne Camden Hills

Grayson Szumilas Camden Hills

Camden Hills Will Contend CAMDEN HILLS (16-5-0) The Windjammers had an outstanding season last year and will be a contender again this season. They return seniors Jack Orne and Grayson Szumilas, who each had 21 goals last season. Simon Lydon and James Annis should help offensively. Parker Lawson will be a go-to defenseman and Jet Magri will man the pipes once again as a sophomore. Coach Karl Enroth is excited about freshman forward Kiernan Lydon and junior defenseman Luke Noonan who will be making the transition to the varsity level.

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Maine Class B HOCkey

Class B West PrevieW Cape Elizabeth Hopes To Be In Contention Reid Howland Greely

Joe Mooney Kennebunk

Greely Must Overcome Some Significant Losses GREELY (17-4-0) It's quite possible the Greely Rangers could make it a three-peat as Class B State Champions. Unlike the previous two years where they were the team pegged to come out of Western B, they dropped back to the pack with the loss of Ted Hart, who transferred to Phillips Exeter, and Mitch Donovan who joined the Portland Junior Pirates 18U team. They still return some fire power in Reid Howland, who had 25 goals and 17 assists last season. Aidan Black, Pete Hurley, and Joe Saffian, who provided secondary scoring last year, will have a bigger role this season. Brian Storey, a senior, will provide stability on the back end. Kyle Kramlich will return once again to be the wall in goal as a two time defending state champion.

Young Rams Ready For Class B Slate KENNEBUNK (8-10-0) Last season Kennebunk played their freshmen a lot and took some bumps in the road. At the end of the day they were still competitive in Class A. Now with the move to Class B they hope the sophomores will have the experience to try to lock a playoff berth. James Ross, Bo Beveridge, and Joe Mooney are few of the sophomores that is part of that core. Bryce Fraser, Ryan Keefe, and Brandon Merchant are three senior forwards that will provide leadership. Ben Bath will be a key defenseman in his final year of eligibility. Mike Leblanc will be a go to guy in goal.

CAPE ELIZABETH CAPERS (8-11-1) The Capers look to put their name in the hat in the Western Class B race. Eli Breed will look to have a bigger role offensively after a 19point campaign as a junior. His running mates Curtis Guimond and Jack Drinan will also have a big impacts this season coming off a 16-point sophomore season. Dennis Frank will shoulder the load defensively as a senior and with four freshmen who will be regulars on the back end.

York Will Be A Formidable Foe YORK (8-10-0) It was a rebuilding year last season for the York Wildcats who went to the Western Class B semifinals. They have some fire power coming back including Derek Neal who had 31 goals and 11 assists. James Orso will look to add to his eight goals and 14 assist sophomore campaign. Defensively they will rely on four juniors: Nick Walsh, Conall Anderson, Matt Wacker, and Hugh Castorina. Eric Lindbom could be a top flight goalkeeper in Western B. They have five freshmen who are expected to contribute in their first season.

Gardiner Optimistic GARDINER (6-11-1) The Tigers may be young but head coach is excited with the talent they bring to the ice. Alex Nadeau will be looked upon to bring leadership as the senior forward had 12 goals and six assists last season. Matt Farris and Courtney Cotnoire are two other seniors forwards that will be go-to guys. Alex Hinkley is a solid defenseman who will log big minutes for the Tigers. Brad Moore will return in goal for his senior campaign after seeing plenty of shots as a junior. They will have eight freshmen in the line-up and four sophomores making the transition to the varsity level.

Justin Broy Gorham

Tucker Buteau Gorham

Gorham An Instant Contender In B GORHAM (12-7-1) Gorham is hopeful for another playoff run this season. They dropped down from Class A which puts them right in contention in Western B. Offensively Tucker Buteau, Jared Wood and transfer Carl Bear will be the playmakers and put the puck in the net. In goal, they have a solid netminder in Justin Broy and he will be the key to their success. Dylan Turner will be the go-to guy on defense.

Playoff Spot The Goal For Leavitt LEAVITT (5-10-1) The Hornets will be looking to capture a playoff spot this season. The biggest addition to the team is having a natural goalie which they have been missing the last two seasons. It will be a tough task for freshman Ashton Dezois to have to step in right away, but Leavitt should be better in the second half of the season. He will have veteran defensemen in front of him in Clay Rowland and Logan Vincent as seniors while Kevin Knight had valuable experience as a sophomore. Adam Poulin, Conor Violette, and Conor O'Malley are three senior forwards to watch out for.

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Class B East PrEviEw

Wildcats Eye Playoff Berth PRESQUE ISLE (8-9-1) The Presque Isle Wildcats look to be a contender in B East. Tyler Seely, Alex Michaud, Joseph Patenaude, and Cooper Madore provide depth at the forward position. Despite losing Andrew McKay to the prep ranks, Andrew Michaud and Mikey Michaud are two sold defensemen. In goal, Jillian Flynn and Oliver Gerrish are both only sophomores and saw solid action as freshmen.

Orono, Old Town Combine ORONO/OLD TOWN Orono and Old Town were rivals last year but they come together to form a co-op team. Dennis Collins will take over the program coming over from Bangor High School. Alex Ross and Chase Albert are both juniors who should see plenty of time in goal. Their senior class is forward heavy with four up front and one true defenseman. The bulk of the team is made up of juniors and sophomores which combine for 13 players. The team could have as many as six freshmen as well..

Messalonskee Will Score Goals MESSALONSKEE (18-3-0) The Eagles will once again be going after the Class B East crown. They return the Cunningham brothers, Chase and Jared, who put up 71 points and 64 points respectfully. Dan Condon will be more offensive power as a transfer who played for Maranacook/Hall-Dale/Winthrop last season. Josh Towle and Jared Dexter will also contribute on the offense this season. Dylan Burton is an offensive defenseman who had 22 points as a freshman last season. They will have five freshmen on the roster this season.

Waterville Has New Home WATERVILLE (4-14-0) The Purple Panthers, a historic Class A powerhouse, has dropped down to Class B due to smaller school population and smaller number of players trying out for the hockey team. Waterville will look to have a bounce back season from a 4-14 record. Kaleb Kane will be the man to stop the puck in net as a senior. Dalton Denis, Chris Lee, and Tommy Samson are three seniors that will provide scoring up front along with sophomore Michael Oliveria. Defensively they will be led by Zach Disch and Todd Serbent. Ten incoming freshmen will get some solid seasoning this year.

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Maine Class B HoCkey (Continued From Page 22) saddle with Orono/Old Town who came together to form a co-op team. Out in the west, the dynasty in Greely will have plenty of challengers. They will have to replace some offense from last year's squad. They do bring back probably the best goalie in the state in Kyle Kramlich. “A major challenge will be to replace the points contributed by departing players and also to develop

• Class A Overview • (Continued From Page 18) lost players due to graduation and a couple to junior hockey. First year head coach Eric Wales likes the outlook on this season. “We had a large graduating class last season and a couple of the top returning players have left to play juniors,” Eric Wales said. “We are hopeful that our schedule will let us be able to develop new players and be competitive.” Portland/Deering should be in the mix come late February. If they can't lock up a first round home game, they could a very dangerous team in the first round. A few teams in the East have a new place to call home. The city of Auburn recently opened up the Norway Savings Bank Arena to replace Ingersoll Arana. The new two-ice sheet facility will be home to Edward Little, Gray-New Gloucester-Poland, St. Dom's, and Leavitt who competes in Class B. The Saints move from the Colisee, which they have called home since 1959, to the Norway Savings Bank Arena, which is a half a mile from the high school. On the ice Edward Little expects to be better as the season goes on. “The coaching staff is excited to have one of the largest and more talented sophomore classes it's had in years,” EL head coach Craig Latusha said. “This young team's success will depend upon how quick the underclassmen develop and mature.” Gray-New Gloucester-Poland along with Mt. and Lawrence/Skowhegan Ararat/Lisbon, Windham will look to make positive strides this season and battle for one of the last remaining playoff spots in Eastern A. In the West, the Massabesic/Old Orchard Sea Stangs are returning to varsity action after playing a junior varsity schedule last season. Fryeburg/Lake Region welcomes Oxford Hills to the fold to form the IceCats. Oxford Hills played a junior varsity schedule last season. South Portland will be competitive this season and will look to grab a playoff spot. Noble/Wells had a very good season last year and will look to back it up with a second straight playoff berth. Marshwood/Traip and Westbrook should make positive strides this year.

• Maine Class B Overview • consistent depth,” Greely head coach Barry Mothes said. “The team will be looking to get better week by week and hoping to be a big part of the playoff picture come late February early March.” Camden Hills will challenge the Rangers once again this season after a very impressive season last year. That experience and bringing back a core of veterans make the Windjammers very dangerous. York will be a team to look out for in the second half of the season. It will be a rebuilding year for the York team,” York head coach Michael Vessey said. “We will try to be competitive this coming year and improve from game to game.” Cape Elizabeth is another team vying to be in the

top half of Western B. “We would like to take a step forward and build on a regional semi-finals appearance from last season,” head coach Matt Buotte added. “We may not be favorites to win the state championship, but we would like to at least be one of the teams in the mix when March rolls around.” Yarmouth and Gardiner will be young but have some skill to steal a game or two as the season moves along. Leavitt will be led by one of last year's assistant coaches, Joe Hutchinson, as head coach. The Hornets will have a goaltender this year where the last two seasons they converted a skater to play in net.

Young John Bapst Squad Rebuilding JOHN BAPST (13-5-0) The Crusaders are in a rebuilding mode after losing a lot of players to graduation. Head coach Gene Fadrigon expects the team to be competitive despite being a young squad.

They will be led by forwards Jacob Reese, Matthew Spear, Hunter Pate and Jon Cheff. On the blue line Ethan Handley and Ray Hummel will log heavy minutes.

Hampden Looks For Another Playoff Run HAMPDEN ACADEMY (12-8-0) The Broncos will look for another playoff run this year. Up front they are led by Michael Ward, Matt Closson, and Dylan Cray, who bring veteran presence at the forward position.

On defense Riley Eastman and Robert Stowe will log heavy minutes on the blue line. Ryan Manning is a good goalie and will be able to steal some games.

• Class A Capsules •

Lawrence, Skowhegan Form New Co-op Club LAWRENCE/SKOWHEGAN The two schools had their own separate teams last season, but have come together to form the Bandits. Head coach Ted Fabian, who led the Lawrence Bulldogs, has taken the head coaching duties of the co-op team, The Bandits will have seven seniors and six juniors. Febian hopes the entire team can come together and buy into the system. He also likes the make up of the team with their blue collar, hardworking attitude during pre-season practice.

Westbrook Has New Coach In Carmody WESTBROOK The Blue Blazes offense will come from three seniors in Jacob Webster, Darian Doucette and Ryan Gilligan. New head coach Mike Carmody likes what he sees so far in sophomore goalkeeper Alex LeBlanc. He says he's an athletic kid. The defense will have a workload this season. Carmody is expecting this year's squad to be much more competitive and stabilize the program.

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E C I W T R CHEE

o b m o C r e g r u eseb e h C e l b u o ™ D y c i u J N ‘N t o H s ’ ’s Dave

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Vermont HS Hockey

Metro Division Preview

South Burlington Has Many Challengers By Dom Nicastro • HNIB News

he Metro hockey world in Vermont got a lot smaller this winter. Stowe, Missisquoi and Middlebury all jumped ship to Division 2’s Lake division. That leaves only nine teams in the division. With that, we’re sticking with our predictions from the end of last winter’s season – until someone proves us wrong, that is. What does that mean? It means we’re going with the state champs as our preseason No. 1. South Burlington had an amazing run last season by winning the division with a 4-2 win over Champlain Valley in the 2013 state championship matchup. It had been 19 years after its last Vermont state hockey title. It was the Rebels’ first Division 1 state crown after they captured two in Division 2, their last in 1994. South Burlington hadn’t been past the quarterfinals of the postseason in seven years and lost in double-overtime in the quarters the prior winter. Naturally, we know the Rebels will have a bit of a tough time getting going offensively this season – or, at least on paper it looks that way. Why? They lost their career

points leader. Senior Tommy Royer finished as the school’s career points leader with 119 points over four years. He’s gone. South Burlington went 21-2 last year and returns Adam Weinheimer, a senior defenseman, along with junior blue liners Peter Camardo and Connor Bradley. Senior forwards Gabe Simpatico and Matt Baechle return. That brings us to our No. 2 in the preseason poll – Champlain Valley Union. They were the state runner-up last winter after a seven-win campaign the year before. Some in Vermont hockey circles are pointing to CVU to take it to the top this winter. One predictor called them the favorite because they are loaded with deep, fast, disciplined skaters and have solid goaltending. Still young, Coach Mike Murray’s team finished 15-5-3 one year ago. Returning veterans include Greg Talbert, a junior goalie who went 10-4-3 with a 1.59 GAA last year. “CVU should be the team to beat with a slew of returning players,” said Essex coach Bill O’Neil. “BFA is expected to reload.” Speaking of Essex, we’re keeping the Hornets at No. 3. O’Neil’s team lost to CVU in

SOUTH BURLINGTON finally reached the pinnacle of Vermont Metro Division hockey, winning the 2013 state title with a 4-2 win over CVU. The Rebels hadn’t been past the quarterfinals the previous seven seasons.

Keep An Eye On CVU the semis, 3-0, one year ago, ending a fine campaign at 17-3-2. Brock Paquette is a huge presence to have back as one of the Green Mountain state’s top goalies. Each year they have routinely belted out double-digit win seasons, and we fully expect them to continue that pace. The team last won the state title in 2008, the last of three in a row. That brings us to North Country Union, which went 15-6-1 one year ago. Insiders are talking about the loss of goalie Chris Bronson to graduation as huge, and we do not doubt this. But they do have some solid returnees, and until we start to see a slide, we’re keeping them up high. Finally we have Colchester filling out the top five with the last slot. Although they had a tourney exit in the quarters with a setback to North Country, 3-1, last winter, we see them as a potential threat to the top based on the existence of 56-point scorer Matty Cuce. They also return 28- and 23point producers as well.

It’s only been two years since Colchester last appeared in a state title game, and seven since they last won. Losing a goalie to graduation will be a test, for sure.

HNIB VermoNt Poll metro DIVIsIoN 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

TEAM W L T So. Burlington 21 2 0 CVU 15 5 3 Essex 17 3 2 No. Country 15 6 1 Colchester 13 7 2

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Champlain Valley Union Will Have To Be Watched CHAMPLAIN VALLEY UNION (15-5-3) The Red Hawks last winter were the victims of an historic run by South Burlington, which won its first Division 1 state crown. Coach Mike Murray’s team finished 15-5-3 one year ago. Returning veterans include Greg Talbert, a junior goalie who went 10-4-3 with a 1.59 GAA last year. Alex Bulla, a defenseman, is back after getting 17 assists last winter, and he is joined by fellow returnees and forwards Hoyt McCuin (5-12-17), Elliott Mitchell (10-5-15) and Will Bernicke (8-6-14). Oscar Kelly is up from the junior varsity, and Thomas Samuelsen, a freshman, could make a difference. “After finishing third in season standings and making it to the finals we are still a young team,” Murray said. “We have one senior defenseman and four senior forwards. Good goaltending, a big three on defense and balanced attack.”

WINCHENDON • Challenging collegepreparatory curriculum • Grades 9 - Post Graduate, Boarding and Day • 6:1 student/teacher ratio • Outstanding Division I girls’ and boys’ hockey programs • New state-of-the-art ice arena • Located on a beautiful hilltop campus with an 18-hole Donald Ross golf course, just an hour from Boston, Massachusetts • Excellent college placement, including graduates skating at: American International College, Assumption, New England College, Norwich, Salem State, Skidmore, St. Lawrence, Suffolk, SUNY Plattsburgh, UMass Amherst, UMass Dartmouth, and UMass Lowell. For more information, please call our Admissions Office at 978-297-4476, or visit our website at www.winchendon.org

Metro Division Preview

Good Crew Back For Defending Champion South Burlington SOUTH BURLINGTON (21-2-0) Last year’s state champs, South Burlington, went 21-2 and bring back Adam Weinheimer, a senior defenseman, along with junior blue liners Peter Camardo and Connor Bradley. Senior forwards Gabe Simpatico and Matt Baechle return.

“We’re looking forward to starting fresh knowing that we have a target on our back,” South Burlington coach Sean Jones said. “We return three lines and five defensemen from last season but will be a different team. We are looking forward to a challenging schedule and making our mark.”

Ample Firepower For Lakers COLCHESTER (14-6-2) Colchester and Coach Greg Murray’s Lakers had a solid 14-6-2 mark last winter. They lost in the quarters to North Country. Matty Cuce, a senior center who last year had 17 goals and 39 assists for 56 points, returns along with forwards Ryan Francis (13-15-28) and Jared Rylant (16-7-23). Defenseman Jared Antoniak had 12 points on eight goals and is back along with netminder Erik Swan, who started five games and went 4-0-1 along with a 1.75 GAA. Tate Hamblett, a forward, and goalie Jake Rocheleau have promise. “We are going to be young on the back end having graduated three of the top four defensemen and the starting goalie,” Murray said. “We will have three potent forward lines with Matty Cuce and Ryan Francis leading the offense.”

Tide Solid Defensively SPAULDLING (9-9-2) The Crimson Tide finished 9-9-2 one year ago and were bounced in the first round by Middlebury. Forwards Garret Kelty and Jeff Roy, defensemen Matt Blouin, Patrick, McKelvey and Curtis Magnan and goalies Ben Ferland and Justin Laperle return. A top newcomer is expected to be Luke Krupa of the Green Mountain Glades. “We will be a very solid defensively with three returning defenseman and two of the best goalies in the state,” Spaulding coach Clay Bell said.

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VermonT HS Hockey

Essex Always A Top Challenger

Rutland Wants To Be Involved

ESSEX (17-3-2) Essex went 17-3-2 and lost to CVU in the state semifinals, 3-0. Brock Paquette is back in net as a senior, and senior forwards Brody Almeida, Nate Nelson and Steve Morse should carry the offense. Defensemen Jake Gaboriault and Kyle Rutz are back. “We should be competitive,” Essex coach Bill O’Neil said, “in a very even Metro League.”

RUTLAND Rutland, which fell to eventual state runner-up CVU in the quarterfinal round of the Metro state tourney last winter, returns Jordan Godfrey, a junior forward, this season. Along with Godfrey, Max Major, a senior forward, Brian Collamore, a senior defenseman, and Dan Eugair, a senior forward, are all back. The team is a blue collar hockey team that works hard and creates goals. Key newcomers should be Dean Abatiell, a junior goalie, and Jacob Godfrey, a rookie forward.

Bobwhites Hope To Be Better BFA ST. ALBANS (10-10-2) BFA and coach Toby Ducolon last year were 10-10-2. Nick Berno is one of the returnees, and Ducolon said he is looking for continued improvement this season. RICE Rice Memorial begins the Leonard Badeau era this winter. The new coach guides the Green Knights into the season with some new personnel. "We have a lot of depth, but will need work and develop that depth into talent," Badeau said. "It will be interesting to see who is able to elevate their play to become dependable players and scorers. The goaltending situation is an even three-man race, which should create a lot of competition and growth as the goalies work to sort themselves out on the depth chart. We will be one of the youngest teams in the league.”

Falcons Under New Leadership NORTH COUNTRY (15-6-1) Five seniors return for North Country, which went 15-6-1 last winter. They are led by Ross Delabruere Ryan Paul, Nathan Marsh, Ryan O’Donnell and Chase Lacourse. The team has a strong offense and the potential to have a strong defensive group. The team will be starting a new goalie this year as its previous goalie, Chris Bronson, graduated. Henry Delabruere, Ben Sykes and Matt Paul – each sophomores -could be big impact players for new coach Ryan Jacobs.

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Lake Division Preview

U-32 Favored Again In Expanded Division By Dom Nicastro • HNIB News

ermont’s Lake Division just got deeper. Middlebury, Stowe and Missisquoi have joined the state’s Division 2 boys hockey league once again from Division 1 Metro. How does that shake up the preseason poll for our top five teams in the Lake Division for the 20132014 season? It doesn’t. We feel Middlebury, Stowe and Missisquoi have to earn their way into the Lake poll. Only Middlebury, after all, made it out of the first round of the Metro playoffs last winter before falling in the quarters to eventual state champ South Burlington, 8-2. Stowe and Missisquoi, meanwhile, were shut out in the first round – by BFA–St. Albans (5-0) and Colchester (7-0). So who are we putting on top? The state champs, of course. The U-32 boys hockey team scored its second straight title one year ago when it toppled Burr & Burton in the Division 2 Lake state championship, 5-2. A Montpelier-based team, a team with a new goalie that dealt with the loss of seven seniors heading into last winter, U-32 was on fire all season and finished 20-2-1. Sure they graduated eight seniors this past winter, but who

HNIB VermoNt Poll lake DIVIsIoN 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

TEAM W L T U-32 20 2 1 Burr & Burton 17 4 1 Brattleboro 18 4 0 Northfield 16 6 1 Hartford 12 9 0

cares? They’ve done it before with a major loss to graduation, so why not again? They have three strong defensemen back and a goalie in Ty Law who in limited action was 6-1 with a 2.49 GAA. The Raiders have gone 38-5-3 and had the Lake Division Player of the Year in defenseman Shane O’Neil, a 40-point-plus defenseman last season who graduated. Most coaches in our pre-season interviews cited U32 as a top team. U-32’s own coach, David Pickel, said with 15 teams now in the Lake (Middlebury, Missisquoi & Stowe moving down from Metro) the division is wide open. “Personally I feel Hartford is the team to beat,” Pickel said. “They have a solid team with depth, talent

Jeff Lyford Hartford

and good coaching and are sure to be a final four team. I expect Milton and Middlebury to be pushing Hartford with MMU and Woodstock flying under the radar. I look forward to another exciting year in the Lake.” Many coaches agreed with Pickel about Hartford, which is why we’ll include them in the top five for pre-season. But we’re keeping them at No. 5 for now – until they prove themselves. Last year, Hartford did not make it past the quarterfinals. However, Coach Todd Bebeau’s Hartford Hurricanes do have 19 returning players, including seniors Andrew Atkinson (16-19), Jeff Lyford (19-23), John Borchert (12-14) and Jeremy McGlone (9-11) – (Continued On Page 34)

Andrew Atkinson Hartford

Jeremy McGlone Hartford

19 Returners Has Hartford Optimistic HARTFORD (12-9-0) Coach Todd Bebeau’s Hurricanes return to the ice this season after they went 12-9 and lost in the quarterfinals to Burr and Burton. Hartford has 19 returning players, including seniors Andrew Atkinson (16-19), Jeff Lyford (19-23), John Borchert (12-14) and Jeremy McGlone (9-11).

Freshmen players to watch will be Richie Morrill, a goalie, and forwards Ben Rouillard and Jordy Allard. “The kids have an opportunity to be a part of something special,” Bebeau said. “Everything will be predicated on them remaining humble and having an understanding that we need to get better every day.”

Missisquoi Returns To Lake Division MISSISQUOI (6-9-1) The Thunderbirds make the move down to the Lake Division this winter. First-year coach Chris Hatin takes over a team that went 6-9-1 but returns nearly a dozen veterans, including forwards Jacob Hubbard, Jacob Babcock and Collin Beyor at forward along with defenseman Mason McCuin and Mason Bean. Two incoming freshman goalies could “turn some

heads,” according to Hatin: Ian Walsh and Cam Gagne. “Moving from the Metro Division to the Lake Division with a young group of athletes is definitely a great move for the Missisquoi's sports program,” Hatin said. “I look forward to seeing the impact this team has in VT hockey in years to come.”

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U-32 Sets Sights On 3

Jared Amstein Milton

Dalton James U-32

Milton Has High Hopes MILTON (14-5-1) The Yellow Jackets and goalie Brandon Rhoades head into the season with high hopes. Rhoades had a save percentage of 90.0 to go along with a GAA of 1.73 and two shutouts. The team will count on defenders Ian Pelkey (4-4, +14) and Nick Goodrich (1-4, +8) and forwards Jared Amstein (4-4, -3) and Hunter Goodwin (4-4, +1). “After one of our best seasons in more than a decade last year I think that this year will still be a competitive year for us, but with losing 85 percent of our scoring from last year we are going to have to find a way to manufacture goals and play excellent defensively,” Milton coach Trevor Wagar said. “There are a good group of six freshmen coming in, and I believe the core of players that remain from last year will combine to create a great group.”

Middlebury Back In Lake Group MIDDLEBURY (6-12-2) The Tigers, with a losing record of 6-12-2 last season in the Metro, have joined the Lake for this season. Coach Derek Bartlett’s team welcomes back senior captain Keenan Bartlett, last year's leading scorer, and Jordan Stearns, a defenseman. Sophomore Sawyer Ryan is a returning goalie. Freshmen Andrew Gleason, a defenseman, Brett Viens, a forward, and Douglas DeLorenzo, a goalie, are youngsters to watch. “We will be returning to D2 this season after playing in D1 the last two seasons,” Bartlett said. “Team chemistry will be key to our success this season. Our goal is to have a consistent level of compete throughout the season and hopefully be a contender down the stretch.”

Cougars Want To Improve MT. MANSFIELD (6-15-0) The Cougars went 6-15 last winter and, under coach Bruce Garrapy, return Ben Hoar with nine goals and Adam Oler with 14 goals. Joe Airoldi had an 85.0 save percentage. Top newcomers are expected to be Thomas Pierce, Jackson Wright and David Rosales.

U-32 (20-2-1) The Raiders are going for three state titles in a row after their 20-2-1 winter last season. They’ll have to do with a young squad. “After graduating eight seniors from the back-to-back state championship team we will be turning to a youth movement to carry on tradition,” U-32 coach David Pickel said. “Senior captains Tyler Elliott and Andrew Danyew will be relied upon heavily to provide leadership to a young team. Lacking the depth of previous years, conditioning will be of the utmost importance for a young, but talented team.” Three defensemen return: Captain Elliott (5-14), Grady Wimble (4-2) and sophomore Dalton James (1-5). Forwards Danyew, a captain (6-4), Chris Aldrighetti (6-3), Reed Kirby (7-5), Kyle Verchereau (2-3) Connor Rice (2-2), Johnny Laperle (1-2), Colby Brochu (3-4), Nick Grace (1-2) and goalie Ty Law (6-1, 2.49 GAA, two shutouts) are also back. Forward Griffin O’Neill and defensemen David Woolaver and Harper Wimble are newcomers who could have an impact.

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Vermont HS Hockey

Solid Returning Class Has Woodstock Excited WOODSTOCK (9-11-0) The Wasps finished with a losing record last winter, but they have a bevy of veterans back. The team bowed in the Lake quarterfinals to U-32. Coach Charlie Hancock’s team went 9-11, and this year they have back three solid defenders in seniors Nick Donaldson, Ben Orr and Alastair

Colonels Need To Break In New Guys BRATTLEBORO (18-4-0) Brattleboro was a goal away from making the finals of the Lake Division last season. The 18-4 Colonels return Greg DiSilva, their goalie, who posted a 94.4% save percentage, a 1.10 GAA and a nine-shutout winter last year. They also bring back defender Cooper Turner-Renaud (two goals, seven assists, +31), forward Evan Perkins (4-7, +15), defender Jon Curtis (011, +28), forward Braxton Lynn (2-3) and Andy Gadowski (1-2). Brattleboro has seven freshmen and 11 new players to the program. It graduated most of its scoring from last year but returns solid defensemen and a top goalie in the league in DiSilva. “We will have trouble scoring early in the year and will be very inexperienced but should play defense and compete hard,” Brattleboro coach Eric Libardoni said. “The success of the season will depend on how fast we can get new players playing at a varsity level.”

Bones. Goalie Brady Stewart also returns along with forwards Conor Joyce, Connor McCarthy, Will Gault, Haven Lantz, Braden McCarthy, Brian Townley, Levi Vigh and Brady Stewart. Newcomers and those coming up from the junior varsity are expected to be Luc Issa, Daniel Robinson, Jack Kamb, Evan Hotchkiss, Kevin O’Connell, Jacob Sawyer, Ben Beaudoin, Liam VanHerWarde, Conner Black, Jason Drebber and Dylan Kuhn. “We’re excited to start, and we have depth this year,” Hancock said. “And we should be competitive in our league.”

Ferrara New Coach At Burr & Burton BURR & BURTON (17-3-0) New coach Joe Ferrara inherits a team that went all the way to the state championship game before losing to U-32. The 17-3 Bulldogs were strong all year, and back on the ice for them this winter will be Devin Straley, Nate Eisenman and Nolan Johnson. Newcomers Kevin Souls and Tommy Grabher are expected to contribute. “We have a very young team,” Ferrara said. “We will ask our young people to mature quickly. It is a great group of players who want to get better and have great work ethic and attitudes.”

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HOckey NIgHt IN BOstON News

• Lake Division Preview • (Continued From Page 30)

which is probably why they’re getting so much praise before anyone hits the ice. A new larger D2 will mean each team will only see every team once, Harwood coach David Morse pointed out. “I feel there will be a big swing in abilities from the top five to the bottom five with this big a league,” he told us. So how do we see Nos. 2-4 shaping up? We’re sticking to last year’s merits here, with state runner-up Burr & Burton getting the nod at No. 2, followed by No. 3 Brattleboro and No. 4 Northfield. One coach even called Northfield the front-runner. Burr & Burton has a new coach in Joe Ferrara. His team only lost three games in 20 tries last winter and are strong with leaders Devin Straley, Nate Eisenman and Nolan Johnson back. They beat Hartford in a classic, 4-3, in last season’s quarterfinals, and then edged Brattleboro, 2-1, in the semis. They ran out of steam in the state title game against U-32 in that three-goal setback. Brattleboro had a nice run before that loss to B&B. It beat Mt. Mansfield, 3-1, in the quarters and finished 18-4 last winter. The big plus for them is the return of goalie Greg DiSilva, who had nine shutouts last year. Meanwhile, Northfield, a 16-6-1 team last winter, has Jackson Tucker, a senior forward and huge returnee. He had 51 goals and 25 assists last season and has a career total of more than 140 points. Brattleboro coach Eric Libardoni said the top teams should include Hartford, U-32 and Middlebury. “I would expect Woodstock to surprise people,” he said. “There are a lot of teams that should have very close, competitive games with one another.” Burr & Burton’s Ferrara called the league always “very competitive.” “I would expect Hartford, U-32 and Burlington all to be tough,” he said. “As I always say, it’s not who you play but when you play them.”

DeceMBer 5, 2013

Harwood Must Overcome Depth Issues HARWOOD (8-12-0) David Morse’s Highlanders’ are looking for a winning record this season after finishing 8-12 one year ago. The top returning scorer is senior Ty Delphia, who dumped home 15 goals and had 11 assists. Elliot Ellerbey, senior goalie, is back in net after

posting a 2.82 GAA and 87.5 save percentage. Adam Lamson and Tom Belknap can put the puck in the net, and Gus Lockett returns on defense. “We look to improve during the year with lots of young players who love the game,” Morse said. “We’re low in team numbers so will have to stay healthy and out of penalty box.”

Reardon Takes Over At St. Johnsbury ST. JOHNSBURY (6-14-0) The St. Johnsbury Academy Hilltoppers return this season with nowhere to go but up in the Lake Division. The team went 6-14 one year ago. Under new coach Bob Reardon, the team returns Brendan Fox, Andrew Biggie, Skye Keeshin, Brandon Wells, Dalton Lavely, Anton Gulko, Moises Cherem, Justin Carpenter and Jared Rutledge. It expects to get production out of newcomers Bea Brody, Renat Nigmatullin, Mihail

Sourgiadakis, Jaydon Caron, Michael Prevost, Jack Sullivan and Cody Smith. “We are still a young team but this season we have more depth in our front line as well as in defense,” Reardon said. “I will be looking for the veteran skaters to step up and take charge of the season. This season we still only have three seniors but watching us on the ice and the depth that we have it looks like most of the team are seniors and playing their last year on the team.”

Prolific Scorer Jackson Fuels Northfield NORTHFIELD (16-6-1) The Northfield High Marauders are looking to build upon last year’s solid playoff run that ended in the semifinals with a loss to the state champs. The team went 16-6-1. Jackson Tucker, a senior forward, is among the leading returnees in the state. He had 51 goals and 25 assists last season and has a career total of more

than 140 points. Defenseman Jordan Lumsdan is a senior this year. He had four goals and five assists last year. Top newcomers include Lucas Elded, Joe Parento, Riley Corey and Connor Barrett. The team lost 10 seniors from last year and is a young team but has potential to crack the top four.

Young Stowe Squad Ready To Compete STOWE (1-18-1) New coach Chris Eaton has the task of taking on a team that went 1-18-1 last winter. Veterans Luke O'Toole, Andrew Chambers, Wyatt Galfetti, Dylan Prestley, Sam Salvas, JJ Clark and Chad Haggerty

DiMasi New Coach At Burlington BURLINGTON Burlington ended last season on a sour note with a 10-2 loss to Northfield in the opening round of the Lake postseason. Max Moreau, Jack Breen, the Ackerman twins, Holden and Will, and Jack Lenihan are key returnees for Burlington this winter. The team’s strengths will be its creativity and hard work. Lou DiMasi is the team’s new coach this winter. He replaces Leon Lifschitz.

return. Newcomers Jackson Felis, Chris Cinque and Ed Cinque should contribute. The team dropped from Metro to Lake this year. “Stowe is a young team that has improved and looks to be competitive,” Eaton said. “There is a strong leadership core, and young players will immediately make an impact in games.” LYNDON INSTITUTE Lyndon Institute is hoping to make the playoffs after missing the postseason one year ago. The team is under the direction of a new coach, Jim Davis, who served as an assistant in the program last winter. The team is hoping its defense and goaltending can carry it on the ice this winter. Key returnees include Deryck Colburn (goalie), Jake Wilkins (center) and Dave Peters (defense).

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Division i Preview

Will This Be Notre Dame-West Haven’s Big Year? By Michael Fornabaio • HNIB News

onnecticut has usually operated by a 40-percent rule at playoff time: earn 40 percent of your possible points, win a berth in the state tournament. This year, though, if fewer than 16 teams in a division reach the magic number, the state will add teams to the tournament to fill out a 16-team bracket. And with the arrival of Northwest Catholic to Division I, guess how many teams are in the state's top division this year? Come March, it'll literally be anyone's tournament. Anyone at all in Division I. But for starters, the coaches

around the state are looking to last year's superpowers. Narrowly leading the way: the runners-up. Notre Dame-West Haven may have lost some stars to graduation and its coach to retirement, but reloaded and with former Lyman Hall coach Tim Belcher taking the reins, they're expected to remain among the elite. No. 2 Fairfield Prep isn't going anywhere, despite graduating most of their defense corps and a slew of big scorers. The Jesuits have their goalies back, though, and have underclassmen who can fill the gaps. No. 3 Darien seems to be the pick in its conference and a team

with a chance to make noise in the state tournament, maybe even get back to the final for the first time since 1987. Some key players return as seniors. No. 4 Notre Dame-Fairfield has been a program in flux for a couple of years, with players coming in and surprising, with a coaching change midseason two years ago. The Lancers seem poised for another big run. No. 5 Ridgefield has been close in several seasons since moving up to Division I about a decade ago. They'll make their try at this year's titles with some good scorers and tough defensemen. There was a coaching change at

Xavier, too, but the No. 6 Falcons expect to remain competitive under former JV coach Dan DeConti with players like Andrew Meoli, John Burkinshaw and Ben Guidobono back. No. 7 Glastonbury has strong defensive depth and some upperclassmen in goal; the Tomahawks have a different offensive mix this season, though, without the bigname talent they've had in recent years but with some depth. No. 8 Simsbury also looks strong defensively, though it'll need to replace two solid-but-graduated goalies. It'll also have to find scoring. No. 9 St. Joseph looks to have the opposite problem: The Cadets have a deep group of forwards, deep enough that coach Marty Crouse has confidence that any of them could play with just about anybody else. They'll need to be solid defensively, though. No. 10 New Canaan has more defensive depth than last year and should be strong up front, too. The Rams graduated their goalie, too, but may have a successor ready to go.

CONNECTICUT D-I TOP 10 POLL TEAM

FAIRFIELD PREP PLAYERS mob goaltender Matt Beck after the Jesuits rallied for a 3-2 win over defending champ Notre Dame of West Haven to win the 2013 Connecticut Division I title last March. (Christian Abraham photo)

WL T

1. Notre Dame (WH) 18 2. Fairfield Prep 23 3. Darien 19 4. Notre Dame (F) 11 5. Ridgefield 20 6. Xavier 13 7. Glastonbury 13 8. Simsbury 15 9. St. Joseph 18 10. New Canaan 13

6 1 4 10 6 7 9 8 6 8

1 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 1 2

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Glastonbury Must Develop Goal Scoring Matt Wikman Fairfield Prep

Matt Beck Fairfield Prep

Bryan Connell Fairfield Prep

Jesuits Need To Rebuild Defensive Group FAIRFIELD PREP (23-1-0) The Jesuits were perfect in-state last year on the way to their 15th state title. They have their goaltending tandem back, seniors Chris Gutierrez and Matt Beck, with help from junior Jack Taubl, but they'll have a lot to replace on defense, with five graduated regulars. Though there is also a lot of firepower to replace up front, they have some experienced players returning, the likes of Matt Wikman (18

goals, 11 assists), Kenny Kochiss (8-9-17), Dean Lockery (14-14-28 and Matt McKinney, all seniors, and juniors Brandon Powell, Jack Quinn, Ryan Deering and Mike Ventricelli (710-17). Replacing those defensemen falls to senior Steven Bayles and juniors Bryan Connell and Brendan Killoy, among others.

Simsbury Looks For Another Solid Campaign Anthony Avallone East Haven

Brian Gelman Simsbury

Abundance Of Depth Key For East Haven EAST HAVEN (8-12-1) Coach Lou Pane's Yellowjackets had no seniors last year, which has him optimistic that they can be very successful. The talented top line returns, junior Mike Falanga and seniors Matt Longobardi (captain) and Tristan Goodwin. There's depth behind them, too, with seniors Dylan Butler, Nick Montesano and Tyler Johnson plus sophomore Anthony Avallone. Senior Jake Delguidice, 6-foot-4, anchors the defense, with juniors Mike Montesano and Marty Lendroth and sophomore Joe D'Albero set to play key roles.

SIMSBURY (15-8-0) The Trojans have a strong group of defensemen returning, led by seniors Brian Gelman and Kurt Eustis. Both have size and should lead a group that should be a strength for coach Tom Cross' team, along with senior Grant Swenson. Aaron Riccio and James Foster, seniors both, work well around the net, and the team will have to find players who can score consistently. It will look to seniors Nolan Thompson and Sean Gaffney for leadership and for solid work from senior Stirling Brandt. Simsbury will also need timely goaltending after graduating its regulars from the past few seasons.

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GLASTONBURY (13-9-0) The Tomahawks don't have the natural goal scorers they had in some past years, so they'll have to work on their team defense and transition game. There is some depth on defense for coach Ken Barse's team, led by seniors Phil DeSalvo, Isaac Ward and Spencer Hosack, along with junior Logan Underwood. Junior Tyler MacLean will be among the leading forwards with seniors Patrick Conley, Jack Pizzo, Conor Thompson and Parsa Entezarian. Goalies Alex Ment, a senior, and junior Kyle Thibodeaux will compete for the starting job.

Blue Wave Will Be Competitive DARIEN (19-4-2) The Blue Wave graduated some key players, but other coaches expect them to remain competitive, with a good group of returning forwards and some key defensemen back. Seniors Tommy Watters, Owen Koorbusch, Robbie Juterbock and Connor Davis are back up front; junior Jack Pardue also returns. On defense, seniors Nick Allam and Jack Massie are back for coach Chris Gerwig. Senior Michael Colon takes over in goal.

West Haven Optimistic WEST HAVEN (8-11-2) The Blue Devils bring back their goalie and the bulk of their defense but needs to find consistent goal scoring. Coach Joe Morrell's team will work hard. Junior Mike Savino returns in net. Senior Alex Scranton will play big minutes on defense in all situations, and senior Joe Ayala and juniors Devin Hines and Don Froelick will also be relied on. Senior Jaeson Puleo (14 points) is a hardworking forward, and senior Pete Lynn (nine points) is speedy up front.

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DeConti New Xavier Coach

Hamden Has Holes To Fill

XAVIER (13-7-2) New coach Dan DeConti's team was hit by graduation and hit again by losses to prep school. He plans to be competitive, though, as the Falcons have been in recent years. They should be fine in goal, with junior Ben Guidobono returning. Senior forward Andrew Meoli leads what should be a potent offense. Senior John Burkinshaw is the top returning defenseman. DeConti, the former junior varsity coach, replaces Scott Gainey, who stepped down to coach the Selects Academy U18s at South Kent.

HAMDEN (10-9-3) The Green Dragons had a curious season last year in which they almost didn't have a streak: They were competitive as always for coach Bill Verneris, but they never won, lost or tied two in a row until the end of the regular season and the first game of the state tournament. They graduated some talent, though, and then lost both standout forward Tyler Carangelo and defenseman Joe O'Connor to prep schools, Avon Old Farms and Westminster respectively. They'll also need to find a goalie.

New Canaan Will Be A Challenger NEW CANAAN (13-8-2) Like a lot of the traditional programs, New Canaan has been hit hard by both prep-school and junior-hockey defections. But coach Bo Hickey likes what has come back for him. He expects to be a little deeper defensively than last year. That has allowed the Rams to move captain Jack O'Rourke and junior Peter Katz back to forward; they played on the blue line to help shore things up there last year. He'll join fellow senior captain Harry Stanton up front along with senior Peter Reinhardt and juniors Patrick Hompe, Parker Lewis, Davis Bruch and Kyle Mettler. The defense will be led by senior Steve Mettler, 6-foot-2 and mobile, along with juniors J.P. McMahon, Max Begoon, Jake Donaldson and Ted O'Rourke. Freshman Liam Mooney has potential in goal.

Ryanâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;Corcoran St. Joseph

Colin Powell St. Joseph

Cadets Very Deep At Forward ST. JOSEPH (18-6-1) The Cadets have usually had some top-end talent up front, but this year coach Marty Crouse has probably his deepest flock of forwards yet, at least three solid lines deep. They're led by senior captains Ryan Corcoran, a hard-nosed and determined player (and one of several Cadets who are also standouts in lacrosse) and Sean Hurley, a big power forward. Playmaking junior Dom DeRosa and talented junior Colin Powell will also play key roles, along with senior Dom Sidorczuk, juniors Filippo Petrini and Chris Kirven, and freshman Adam Usinger. Seniors Vito Roca and Tommy Schaefer will have to lead the defense in front of junior goalies Christian Furce and transfer Dylan Batterson.

Joe Biondi

Patrick Francis

Belcher Takes Over Notre Dame Program NOTRE DAME-WEST HAVEN (18-6-1) After 45 years of teaching and 15 years of coaching the Green Knights, Bill Gerosa retired on May 2. Tim Belcher, Class of 1993, succeeds him, taking the only job he said he'd leave Lyman Hall for. He plans for an "aggressive and passionate" team of hard-working players. Champions two years ago and runners-up last year (with its fourth loss to Fairfield Prep), the Green Knights graduated several standouts (including two goalies), sent would-be senior star Billy Vizzo to the USPHL and lost senior defenseman Anthony Iovene to a preseason injury. Returning, though, are some players who have scored. Senior Matt Dumas, senior Eric Austin and juniors Kyle and Ryan Lynch all had over 20 points last season. Senior Casey Hoban will contribute as well. On defense, senior Patrick Francis and junior Joe Biondi, Jr. are among the returning players.

Greenwich Will Compete GREENWICH (12-10-0) Senior forwards Mark Schmeiler and Luke Finneran, both captains, lead the Cardinals against their typical tough schedule. Coach Bob Russel's team was one of many in Fairfield County that have had lots of talent siphoned off by junior programs, but they're typically competitive

Will Lancers Be In The Mix? NOTRE DAME (F) (11-10-0) The Lancers got contributions from lots of underclassmen and threw in some surprise wins last year. Their challenge is to do it again in Steve Hetherman's second full season as head coach. They're not going to sneak up on many people this time around.

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Northwest Catholic Joins D-1 Fray Greenwich Will Have NORTHWEST CATHOLIC (15-7-0) Coach Don Melanson had a goal to get the Indians to Division I, eventually. This might not be the optimal year to do it, losing a bunch of key players to graduation, but here they are. "There's a lot of very young talent coming in," Melanson said. "We'll get them used to playing at this level." They'll be led by senior Demitri Yao, an offensive talent. A solid group of defensemen is led by senior John Arel, 6-foot-8 with a good shot and soft hands, and energetic junior Josh Stumpf. The goalies have graduated, but a sophomore transfer could replace them.

Tigers Suffer Some Key Losses RIDGEFIELD (20-6-0) The Tigers suffered from their success, losing several players to prep school and junior hockey. Coach Shaun Gallagher will have quite a few solid players back, though, led by senior captains Jamie Kelly, a battle-tested defenseman, and workhorse forward Christian O'Connell. Assistants Jack Tregurtha and Callan McCormick return up front along with junior all-state scorer Liam Smith. Senior Sam Sarath will be relied on more at forward, as will senior Kyle Wolfath on defense. Juniors Alex Schneider and Patrick Sheehan-Delaney will compete for time in goal.

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Its Tough Schedule

GREENWICH (12-10-0) Senior forwards Mark Schmeiler and Luke Finneran, both captains, lead the Cardinals against their typical tough schedule. Coach Bob Russel's team was one of many in Fairfield County that have had lots of talent siphoned off by junior programs, but they're typically competitive.

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Good Balance Division ii Preview At Branford Conference Merger Adds Excitement

BRANFORD (13-8-2) Coach Adolph Brink hopes to develop some depth so the eversolid Hornets can balance a good defense and a quick-striking offense. Anchoring that defense: junior goalie A.J. Brink, who had a 2.41 goals-against average and .924 save percentage last year. Senior Rob Denhardt and juniors Pat Cunningham and Aidan Deane lead the defense corps with offense expected from juniors Tyler Criscuolo (20-12-32) and Tyler Hackett (19-19-38) and senior Tony Pascale (14-10-24).

North Haven New To D-2 NORTH HAVEN (4-14-2) The Indians move down from Division I, and coach Tom Roche is hopeful this year will be a good one behind several good returning players. Senior Vin Fasulo, the team's captain, is a centerman with good hands, and his classmates, speedy Chris Lion (an alternate captain) and gritty Mike Hribko, are solid on the wings. Tough senior Mike Bogrart and strong senior Philip Gauvin lead the defense in front of junior alternate captain Andrew Graziano, a top-notch goalie.

By Michael Fornabaio • HNIB News

onnecticut's Division II was a picture of parity last year, an Any Given Day come to life. The team that had been tested during the season and got hot at the end had the postseason advantage, and that made Fairfield, a .500 regular-season team, a state champion. There will be a different kind of test for many of the state's programs this year, as the South-West

Conference and Southern Connecticut Conference partnered, putting all their Division II programs together and all their Division III programs together. That creates, in essence, a superconference ranging from New Milford in the west to Hand and Guilford on the shoreline. Its members are among this year's favorites -- though neither of last year's finalists are members.

Tyler Hackett Branford

Jake King Suffield/Granby/WL Tyler Criscuolo Branford

Luke Vendetto Cheshire

Despite Dropping Down, Rams Have Tough Schedule CHESHIRE (5-15-0) The Rams will play a very different schedule this year, moving down from Division I (particularly tough in the Southern Connecticut Conference, full of state powers) to Division II. With 11 seniors, coach Karl Sundquist's team has a chance to jump up into the competitive mix.

Senior Luke Vendetto and junior Ben Klanica both scored 19 points last year. Senior Dan Purslow should be a top offensive defenseman. Senior Chris Stevens, the captain, is a good defensive forward, and seniors Joe D'Errico, a playmaker, and speedy Jon Hauser will contribute up front. Senior Joey Solla is the team's top goalie.

Wildcats Will Be Young, But Have Experience SUFFIELD/GRANBY/ WINDSOR LOCKS (8-12-1) It's a young group, but it has some experienced underclassmen back. Speed and defensive depth will be key to coach Nick Boorman's Wildcats' chances. They have goalies Cam Clark, a

senior, and Shane Kertanis, a junior, returning; both allowed under three goals a game last year. Junior Jake King (21 goals, 15 assists, allstate) and senior Max Marson (11 goals, 15 assists and good defensively) are back up front.

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CONNECTICUT DIV. II TOP 10 POLL

TEAM 1 Branford 2 East Catholic 3 Amity 4 Cheshire 5 Hand 6 North Haven 7 Guilford 8 Fairfield 9 New./Berlin 10. New Milford

WLT 13 19 13 5 11 4 12 14 17 13

8 6 8 15 8 14 8 11 4 7

2 0 0 0 3 2 2 0 2 2

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Defending Champs Must Reload FAIRFIELD (14-11-0) The defending state champion graduated 13 players, which may have them a bit under the radar again. There's still some talent coming back, led by senior captain Conor Scharlop, a defenseman with a big presence, joined by senior Matt Stern. Kyle Greenhut returns in goal after a brilliant playoff last year as a sophomore. Gritty senior forward Jack O'Rourke will work hard, and classmate Austin Armas will hit hard and score. Playoff hero Kevin

Robinson, who scored four goals in the final, will play junior hockey.

Kyle Odierno Trinity Catholic

Conor Scharlop Fairfield

IceCats Now Call D-2 Home BROOKFIELD/BETHEL/DANBURY (17-7-1) The IceCats surprised some people moving up from Division III, and although they've lost 14 players from that team -- including graduating two goalies and losing two players to season-ending injuries before that season even began -- coach Rusty Granacker things there's a lot of potential. Seniors returning up front include Joe Britton, Steve Almeida, John Vitti, Justin Sinko, Mark Vetter and Daivon Ruggiero, with help from sophomore John Buckle and juniors Will Lawrence and Austin Natale. Senior Kevin Keiser leads the defense, and juniors Eric Stoeckle and Trevor Powers and Brennan Battochio also return. Three sophomore goalies, James Van Trunk, Taylor Bingham and Jacob Keller, will battle for time.

www.HNIBnews.com

Eryk Weiglos Trinity Catholic

Crusaders Aim For Quick Start TRINITY CATHOLIC (9-13-1) After slow starts but big finishes the past two years, coach Ken Smith is hopeful the Crusaders can start quicker this year and build from there. They will rely on the leadership of seniors Will Egan, Sean Epp, Carmine Derubeis and Tyler Stenquist, with standout junior Colin Bernard returning to be the workhorse of the defense. Junior Griffin Northrop will be among the leading forwards, with sophomore forward Eryk Weiglos and sophomore defenseman Jordan Skiba on the rise. Junior Kyle Odeirno returns in goal.

Amity Will Be In The Mix AMITY (13-8-0) The Spartans will play a tough schedule, but they have lots of experience in many spots. Senior captains Adam Shea and Keating Seymour scored 31 and 20 points last year respectively; Senior Brett McNeill had 26. John Crocker and John Pignataro, also seniors, will be keys up front. Senior captain Johnny Uscilla, seniors Ryan Hauser and Scott Saffran, and junior Dalton Luciani make up part of a solid defense corps. All-state goalie Nick Nuzzolo graduated, but backup Brian Mosher, a senior, steps into the starting role, and coach Gary Lindgren expects him to make progress as the year goes on.

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NEWINGTON/BERLIN/MANCHESTER (17-4-2) Division III champions the past two years, the team moves up a class. It was more than competitive with Division II programs last year, but it graduated goalie Drew O'Leary and all-staters Brendon Richard and Justin Pratte. Senior captain Mike Davies leads an experienced defense, though. Senior captains Dan Roberts (11 goals, nine assists) and Matt Harackiewicz (9-13-22) have been big contributors; senior Tyler Mangiafico is often first on the puck. Junior Marco DiPaola and sophomore Luca DiPaola bring lots of skill, and Marco scored the championship-winner last year.

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Third Year Together For Team FARMINGTON/AVON/ WINDSOR (9-13-0) The co-op is together for its third year, so co-coach Scott Percival (with Mike Barone) thinks chemistry should be a strength, along with speed and leadership from captains Nick Sanderson, Dan Rider and junior Connor McCutcheon at forward and senior Jack Wendler on defense. Juniors Mike Santos, Paul Tasillo and Michael Arciero will contribute up front; sophomore Mike Wissuchek and junior Alden Piper should be solid on defense.

Strong Leaders Propel Conard CONARD (7-12-2) The Chieftains are young but work hard, with great leadership, coach Greg Raymer said. That begins with senior centerman Quinn Lacroix, team captain, and assistants John Palermo and Luke Haggerty on the wings and junior Jake Reynolds on defense. Junior defenseman Eric Krueger should also be solid for a team that can have success (though it'll face a tough schedule) if its team defense is sound; there's ability up front, including in sophomore forward Grayson Lacroix, all-conference as a freshman.

New Milford Has Pieces In Place Mitchell New NEW MILFORD (13-7-2) There's kind of a buzz around the Green Wave from other coaches. The team has a senior goalie returning in Nick Capriglione, who split time last year on a team that allowed only a goal and a half a game for coach Dan Moore. Senior Jack Laucius and junior Jameson Steinhardt are back on the blue line, and junior Matt Delafield and sophomore Riley Zimmerman will step into key roles. The Green Wave have an influx of players from different places, including junior hockey, where senior forwards Steven Berry and Cole Case arrive to join senior Harrison O'Connell and juniors Blain McMahon, Logan Doud and Tommy Nisco; how well they blend the newcomers into the system will go a long way toward determining how the season goes.

Six Defensemen Back For Co-op FERMI/ENFIELD/EAST GRANBY/STAFFORD (8-12-1) The co-op has six defensemen back, led by junior Ryan Gothers and senior Ernie Bouthiette. That has coach Frank Genovese hopeful that they'll be a tough team to play against. They will need to develop some depth and secondary scoring up front behind senior Matt Boulette and junior Brian Riley (22 points). The team will need to replace graduated goalie Aaron Lickwar, now playing for the Boston Junior Rangers.

BCR Moves Up From D-III ROCKVILLE/BOLTON/COVENTRY/LYMAN MEM. (20-2-2) BCR graduated goalie Cam Earle, a huge loss, leaving untested goalies as the team moves up from Division III. But it does have senior forward Kevin Morton back, a junior all-star last season with over 30 points, and senior Eddie Bates also returns after a season with more than 40 points. Seniors Liam McGrath and Hunter Byram (co-captains) and Nate Tonzi are all solid defensemen, and Kevin Bishop made good decisions and played well last year as a freshman. Bruce Smith, whose sophomore season was cut short by injury, was a big loss, but he's back up front as a senior.

Eagles Look To Bounce Back TRUMBULL (5-15-0) The Eagles will look to bounce back behind leading senior Alex Pierne, who scored 13 points last year up front, with sophomore Michael Antoniou expected to step up into a key role. They'll need other newcomers to produce, too. They have junior captain Sam Watson (11 points) back on defense, and junior Jake Crowe returns after missing most of last season with a concussion. Seniors Andrew Charlton, Rob Fantarella and Owen Polzello should shore up the defense. Senior Grant Vagnone and junior Francis Fromageot lack experience, but coach Greg Maxey figures them capable.

Hand Coach

HAND (11-8-3) The Tigers have a new coach again, former Masuk assistant Ken Mitchell. There's a good nucleus returning from last year's SCC Div. II champion, led by senior goalie Chase Briggs, a standout last year. Senior Dan Healey is a heartand-soul type of defenseman, and senior Danny Braumann and junior Ben Solin both had over 30 points last year. The Tigers did lose Sam LaFontaine, though, who moved to Ohio.

Milford Ready To Go MILFORD (12-9-0) The Indians had a nice year last year and can do so again if they play well in support of senior goalies John DePalma and Noah Ericson. Coach Sal Follo's Indians have several seniors back up front, including centerman Zach White, who scored 61 points last year, along with right wingers Will Vitelli and Danny Cyr and left wingers Dylan Hallett and Larry Shea. Senior co-captain Ben Lavallee leads the defense with juniors Jonathan DePascale (13 assists and Jarrod Butts.

Good Work Ethic At Wilton WILTON (5-15-0) Coach Brett Amero feels the Warriors were just about gameready even before the season started; he likes their work ethic, motivation and dedication. Senior Joey Cullinan, a versatile player with great hockey sense, is the team captain. Senior Derek Prario should be solid in net.

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Lot Of Experience Returns For Hall/Southington HALL/SOUTHINGTON (12-8-1) The Warrior Knights have lots of experience back for coach Kevin Cannon. They expect to be competitive, and they hope for scoring from veteran forwards like senior captain Jim Nardi, assistant captain Cody Backus, seniors Dylan Roach, Dave Valentukonis and Kevin Cop. Sophomore Jarod Florian scored 22 points last year. Seniors Matt Schaefer (assistant captain), Kyle Cabral and Conor Mitchell all work hard. The defense is less experienced, though junior goalies Erich Bender and Kyle Partiss return. Senior assistant captain Brian Mahon and junior Matt Briscoe will lead the young defense.

Norwalk/McMahon Should Be Improved NORWALK/MCMAHON (2-18-0) There's at least one rival coach who sees the Norwalk co-op poised for a better season. All-state senior goalie Anthony Chiaramonte gives them an excellent start, with backup from sopho-

more Phill Uva. Senior captains Ryan Suschland and Joe Deering will be important forwards for coach Dan Feighan, along with junior Jake Flewellyn. The defense expects a solid year from sophomore Jimmy Bernie.

Playoff Berth A Goal This Year For Spartans SHEPAUG/LITCHFIELD/ NONNEWAUG (7-13-0) The Spartans just missed the state tournament last year. Coach Mike Gorra's team returns junior right winger Andrew Loya, who scored 20 goals and 11 assists last year, along with centerman Christian Stuart, and junior winger

Nick Ganio, both juniors, the latter of whom played junior hockey last year. Seniors Kevin Boylan and Sam Jones provide leadership on defense for goalie Will Slohm, a freshman. The team may have to convert a forward to defense to shore up the depth.

Division iii Preview

Six Teams Move Down From Division II Field Should Make For Interesting Race

By Michael Fornabaio • HNIB News

onnecticut's two-time Division III champion, Newington/Berlin/Manchester, won't get a chance to repeat; it's in Division II. So is runner up "RBC," Bolton/Coventry/Lyman Memorial/Rockville. But six teams were moved down from Division II, including some venerable programs.

Solid Depth Fuels Masuk MASUK (12-10-1) Coach Andy Townsend's Panthers have lots of talent return-

Christian Suda • Masuk

Co-op Will Be Solid E.O. SMITH/TOLLAND/ WINDHAM (11-9-1) The co-op reached the Division III quarterfinals last year and hopes to be competitive again, with good team defense and some solid returning players. Senior Ross Brancati (15 goals) and junior Peter Mayer (28 points) are back; senior defenseman Aaron Lassow had 11 points last year, and senior Justin Gagnon (13 points) and junior Sean Benjamin make up a solid pair on defense. Junior Matt Schoen played well as a sophomore for coach John Hodgson.

ing off a pretty good season. A good schedule should test them. The whole defense returns, led by seniors Christian Suda and Tim Cairns; juniors Conner Bunovsky, George Andros and Dan D'Angelo; and sophomore Brendan Conway. Juniors Aidan Bowler and Conner Muller will battle for time in net. There's a lot of firepower returning up front: junior Shane Dushay scored 30 points last year, classmate Charlie Christo added 28, senior Dan Zakrzewski and Joe DaMota have been standouts, and seniors Dave Reid and Riley Blozzon kill penalties. Sophomore Brian Denham chipped in 12 points as a freshman.

CONNECTICUT DIV. III TOP 10 POLL

TEAM

WLT

1 Masuk 12 2 Newtown 12 3 New Fairfield/Imm. 11 4 Hall/Southington 12 5 Tri-Town 1 6 NFA/St. Bern. 10 7 EO Smith/Tolland 11 8 Staples/Weston 6 9 Wethersfield 3 10. Stamford 6

10 11 11 8 19 12 9 14 16 14

1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 1

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Barlow Starts Season With Just 2 Seniors BARLOW (4-16-0) Last year's young Falcons missed the state tournament for the first time in six years; it's again a young team, with only two seniors. Coach Pete Maxfield is hoping for improvement from the youngsters to work their way back to .500 and beyond. Senior goalie Thierry Jean, an alternate captain, will have to be consistent. Senior Tyler Valus, another

alternate captain, moves back from center to defense to help gritty junior captain Will Sinsigalli on the blue line. Hard-working junior captain Charlie Berry scored 19 points last year; juniors Russ Bennett, Joey Pirone and Eddie Thiede all bring intangible strengths to the forwards corps, and sophomore Connor Martin had a big role as a freshman.

Solid Defense For E.O. Smith/Tolland/Windham E.O. SMITH/TOLLAND/WINDHAM (11-9-1) The co-op reached the Division III quarterfinals last year and hopes to be competitive again, with good team defense and some solid returning players. Senior Ross Brancati (15 goals) and junior Peter

Mayer (28 points) are back; senior defenseman Aaron Lassow had 11 points last year, and senior Justin Gagnon (13 points) and junior Sean Benjamin make up a solid pair on defense. Junior Matt Schoen played well as a sophomore for coach John Hodgson.

New Fairfield/Immaculate Full Of Confidence NEW FAIRFIELD/IMMACULATE (11-11-0) The team returns 17 upperclassmen after a solid season last year, and its quarterfinals appearance last year gives coach Larry Vieira confidence that those players have learned what it takes to win in the playoffs. Senior captain Ryan Dobos, who stopped 91 percent of the shots he faced last year, headlines three return-

ing goalies, and seniors Joey Hicks (returning from junior hockey), Jack Ryan and Joe Carlucci are keys to an experienced defense. Juniors Parker Evans (12-8-20 last year) and Frank Halakitz (also back from juniors) and sophomore transfer P.J. Masi are among the top forwards.

Nighthawks Will Make Do In Division III NEWTOWN (12-11-0) Moved down to Division III (not by their request, notes coach Paul Esposito), the Nighthawks expect a good season, with the experience of a big playoff win over Amity last spring and a hard-working summer. They have some size and strength and scoring ability up front, with the likes of seniors Connor Hanley (13

points last year), Cooper McLean (12 points), Zach Waller (13 points) and Hayden Savoia (out most of the year but scored a big playoff goal). Dan Harrison, with a big shot, will play some center and some defense on both special teams. Seniors Matt Sabia (17 points), Brian Gregory and Jack Martin provide tough defense in front of senior goalie Pat McLoughlin.

Staples/Weston/Shelton Turns To Sharinn STAPLES/WESTON/SHELTON (6-14-0) The co-op moves down from Division II, but new coach Todd Sharinn has a goal of getting the Staples program not only back up a level, but up to Division I. The former Westhill assistant got the job relatively late in the offseason, so he hasn't seen much of the Wreckers; senior captain Eric Zurmuehle and sopho-

more alternate captain Ian Offenberg will be among the players he'll rely on, as well as sophomore Jesse Greenspun and senior goalie Will Engelhart. Sharinn said the team plans a game at Longshore Park Rink in Westport this year and hopes to play more games there in the future.

HNIB News Goes Fully Digital In January Follow All The Connecticut HS Action All Season At: www.HNIBnews.com www.HNIBnews.com www.HNIBnews.com

Matt Turo RMR

Teixeira Takes Over Coaching Duties ROCKY HILL/RHAM/ MIDDLETOWN (4-16-0) Former assistant Eric Teixeira takes over from Sean Cole as head coach. He's hopeful that last year's disappointment will fuel a fast start. Captain Kyle Doremus will play defense at even strength and forward on special teams. Fellow senior Tim Volpe will also be a leader in goal. Assistant captain Scott Mocko and sophomore Matt Turo should be among the leading forwards.

Woodstock Academy A Varsity Program WOODSTOCK ACADEMY The team makes its varsity debut after a couple of years as a junior varsity program. Coach Mike Starr has a young team, mostly sophomores and juniors, but it'll get leadership from senior captain Will Smith on defense and from senior goalie Bailey Johns. Sophomores Zach Burnham and Jordan LaMothe should contribute up front, and fellow sophomores Jon-Luc Cournoyer, Connor Bavosi and Doug Gerrity will support Smith on defense.

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Terrorcats Should Be Better In D-3

Wethersfield Looks To Improve WETHERSFIELD (3-16-1) Moving down from Division II, the team looks to improve its goal-scoring and its goaltending. It'll rely on strong defensemen to protect the front of its net, like senior captain Mario Marena, tenacious senior Kyle Vonick and junior Matt Carcia. A deep group of forwards includes senior captains Billy Connor and Adrian Budas, steady senior Trevor Nyren, playmaking senior Ryan Byrne and junior Nick Hock, and strong junior Noah Thulen and senior Truman Stradel.

Noah Thulen Wethersfield

Different Division, Same Tough Schedule for Stamford STAMFORD (6-14-1) The Black Knights drop down from Division II but play more or less the same tough schedule. Coach Doug Robinson has some experienced forwards, like Justin Nizolek, Carter Trabikino, Mike Zarrilli, Tim

Walsh and Matt Savona. Brian Powers played forward last year; he steps up this year to play both forward and defense, joining seniors Christian Mallozzi and Billy Santoro on the blue line. There will be competition in goal.

TRI-TOWN (1-19-0) The Terrorcats move down from Division II, and coach Paul Dowe hopes the more competitive schedule will let them be a contender. There's still work to do, but they have some good seniors in tough forward Rudy Okonis, smart twoway forward Conor Wyllie, scoring forward Nick Violette and goalie Alex Blisener. Junior Ryan Gaidos will be relied on.

Craig Named New Coach For Fitch, E. Lyme Co-op Club FITCH/E. LYME/LEDYARD/OLD LYME (0-20-0) Randy Craig replaces Kristen Addabbo as coach at the co-op, graduating just one senior (Dan Malzahn). Though thin in numbers, they're hopeful for improvement, looking to

junior Tyler Luke in net; to two-year captain John Stevens on defense, along with fellow senior Kyle Gurney; to senior forward Christopher Freeman, the leading scorer last year; and to junior Zack Jones, who can play forward and defense.

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Rhode Island hs hockey

• Division I •

Good Races Loom In Both Cimini, Eccleston Divisions Hendricken, LaSalle Set Sights On Dethroning MSC

MOUNT ST. CHARLES returned to the top of the Rhode Island hockey world by sweeping the State Championship series over LaSalle last March. (Photo by Ernie Brown/Woonsocket Call)

By Bryan Ethier • HNIB News

ast year, Mount St. Charles overcame an uncharacteristically slow 2-4 start and the loss of the state’s best player, Brian Belisle, for half the season, en route to its 43rd state championship. With Belisle rounding into form, after an early-season concussion had sidelined him until February, MSC rolled past LaSalle, 7-0, and 5-2. If the Mounties are to win state championship number 44, they will have to replace many of the players – including leading scorer Tyler Scroggins -who rose to the occasion in 2013. MSC will rebuild around a core of solid players, led by captain Brian Larence. Bishop Hendricken was the best team in the state for much of the season, but the Hawks tumbled to LaSalle in a shocking two-game sweep in the semifinals. The Hawks enter the new year without all-state forward Matt Creamer, who is playing at South Kent with Selects Academy. Still, Hendricken has two of the state’s top players in forward Andrew Fera and defenseman Tucker Alberigo. Those key players, plus the program’s usual depth, make Hendricken a contender for the title. Of the three Cimini League teams, LaSalle is the most intriguing. Last year, the young but disciplined Rams out-fought and out-thought Hendricken to reach the finals. This year, the team and its players are a year older and a season wiser. The goaltending of Tyler Walsh will keep LaSalle in every game, and Joe Manown has the makings of an all-star. If the surrounding cast can continue to improve, LaSalle could emerge state

state champ. Last year, Barrington HS (813-1) enjoyed – if that’s the right word – one of the most remarkable seasons in recent high school hockey history. The Eagles opened the season 1-10 and finished the regular season in last place in Division I Eccleston, with a 3-14-1 league record. No worries; Barrington finished the season on a 6-7-1 run, capped by a two-games-to-one triumph over Burrillville in the finals, and suddenly erstwhile last place Barrington was Division I state champion. This year, Barrington has the offense, and if it can play solid defense each night, the Eagles could return to the finals. Burrillville graduated seven players from a club that lost to Barrington in the Division I finals. This year’s club, nevertheless, is loaded, especially up front, where star forward Chad Stone leads a goals-oriented lineup. A pair of excellent defensemen joins returning netminder Kyle Wilkinson to form one of the division’s top

overall defenses. Last year, Coventry (12-8) enjoyed the kind of season found in story books; the Oakers knocked off Mount St. Charles en route to winning the Eccleston League regular season title. Then, Coventry gave the Mounties everything they could handle before losing in the semifinals. This year, the Oakers won’t sneak up on anyone, however. Ten players from the 2013 squad graduated, and two others moved on to (Continued On Page 46)

HNIB RHode IslaNd Top TeN poll TEAM

WL T

1. Mt. St. Charles 2. LaSalle 3. Hendricken 4. Coventry 5. Lincoln 6. Barrington 7. Prout 8. Cumberland 9. West Warwick 10. Burrillville

19 13 17 12 24 8 19 13 20 8

7 11 5 8 0 17 9 8 0 13

0 1 1 0 1 1 0 2 0 3

Available locally and online at www.histor www .historypress.net.

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LaSalle Will Contend LASALLE (13-11-2) After falling to Mount St. Charles in last year’s state finals, LaSalle has the makings of another championship contender. In the state’s top division the road to success begins at the goal crease; the Rams boast a top-shelf netminder in Tyler Walsh (.911 GAA), the program’s go-to guy for three seasons. Defense is always a strong suit for a Mike Gaffney-led club, and the Rams present a solid blueline corps that features a trio of juniors: Ben Aldrich, Ryan Kelly, and Nick Altieri. Offense was not the Rams strength last year, but with a year’s seasoning, LaSalle should be solid up front. Speedy and shifty junior Joe Manown led his team in scoring last year (11,7), and he should be one of the top forwards in the division this year. Joining him are sophomore Brendon Cordeiro (7,6), junior Derek Blanchette (1,5), sophomore Matt Manown (3,2), junior Ryan Tracy, and junior Nick Battista (4,1). Looking to make their marks this year are sophomore defenseman Bill DeBlois, sophomore forward Ethan Robson, and juniors Tyler Glick and Cam Bovill. Keys to Season: “Continued strong defense & improvement in ability to generate consistent offense,” says head coach Mike Gaffney.

Mt. St. Charles Needs To Stay Healthy

Andrew Fera Hendricken

Tucker Alberigo Hendricken

Hendricken Ready To Challenge BISHOP HENDRICKEN (21-5-0) As usual, Hendricken boasts excellent depth and a bounty of new players ready to step in. Senior Andrew Fera (15,14) should be one of the division’s best forwards, while senior all-state rearguard Tucker Alberigo is one of the division’s top blueliners. The offense will look for scoring and leadership from sophomore forward Jamie Armstrong (6,6), and fellow sophomore Brandon Waterman (3,3), and freshman Patrick Creamer (head coach Jim Creamer’s son). Other freshmen expected to contribute include defenseman Bryce Dolan, and forwards Ryan King and Sam Milles. Keys To Season: “We need to play good defense and rely on a balanced scoring attack,” says head coach Jim Creamer

Burrillville Will Score Goals BURRILLVILLE (8-13-3) The Broncos will be able to score, period. Junior Chad Stone (12, 11) can do it all, against all competition. He has ample support, however. Sophomores Tyler Kearney (9, 7) and Riley Tupper (4, 9) provide much needed depth. Junior Tom Libby (5, 6) and senior

• RI Division I Overview • (Continued From Page 45)

play junior hockey. That’s puts CHS in a rebuilding mode. Cranston West “should be right in the mix of things” according to head coach Mike Boyajian. The Falcons will steadily skate three forward lines and up to five defensemen. West can improve on its 4-15-3 2013 record with steady goaltending and dependable offensive production from its big first line. Smithfield (8-13-1) will have to regroup after saying goodbye to 10 players from last year’s team, including its top goalie. Rob Jackson’s Sentinels, however, return a solid nucleus of scorers, led by Mike Macera (10,5), the team’s top scorer last year. With solid goaltending, Smithfield should be competitive in the league.

Zach Bertholic (5, 6) also provide a strong scoring spark. The defense? Deep, with juniors Nick Koprusak (2, 3), Ben Robinson (0, 3), and Patrick McConnel all back. Senior Tyler Gautreau adds senior leadership at the blue line. Speaking of leadership, senior goalie Kyle Wilkinson (810.50 min. 3.61 gaa, 0.889 save pct.) was brilliant in the division finals, and he’s back to man the pipes. Keys to Season: “Rebuilding year, but with the returning top line of Stone, Kearney, Tupper, and Wilkinson in goal, and two experienced defenseman, our goal will be returning to the Division 1 finals again this season,” says head coach Steve Daigle.

MOUNT ST. CHARLES (19-7-0) Mount St. Charles wins state titles from the goal out, and this year’s team sports one of the division’s best in senior all-star Brian Larence (.926 GAA). Although the back line graduated a few key defensemen, rugged Keith Phaneuf and Marc Squizzero are ready and able to carry the load. Coaches Bill and Dave Belisle will look to a nucleus of talented forwards to step forward. Leading the corps is junior Pat Holmes (7,10); he’s joined by Devin Votta (5,3), Justin D’Abrosca, Ryan Badeau and Billy Burns. Tom Crudele can play at both ends of the ice. Keys to Season: Health. The Mounties have an excellent goalie and a nucleus of solid players, but a paucity of experienced depth. Injuries to one or two of the starters could pose problems.

Tom Crudele Mt. St. Charles

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Smithfield Needs To Rebuild Blue Line SMITHFIELD (8-13-2) Mike Macera (10,5), last year’s leading scorer, is supported by returnees Nick Gerlach (6,4), Pat Simons (6,3), and DJ Hayes (2,3). Most of last year’s defensemen have moved on, and that means top returnee Mike Gaulin will see significant action until his blueline-mates round into shape. Other stepping in to help are Justic Donoyan, Kyle Cook, and frosh Bob Lombardi and Brian Greene. Roger LaFlamme will man the pipes, after recording a .902 GAA as last year’s backup. Keys to Season: “If LaFlamme can play well, we can be a competitive team against the public teams in our division,” says head coach Rob Jackson.

Strong Offense Powers Barrington BARRINGTON (8-13-1) The offense is Barrington’s strong suit, and it’s led by senior Brett Fay (11, 12), senior Joseph Lombardi (6, 12), and sophomore Michael Lombardi (7, 4). The defense is deep and well experienced: seniors Charlie Vanier (3, 7) and Patrick Judge play both ends of the ice well. Keys to the season: Solid goaltending, strong defense, “Score at least 4 goals a game,” according to head coach Derek Borek. “We will be once again competitive in our division.”

Coventry Lost Some Firepower COVENTRY (13-8-0) Back are co-captain and scoring ace Zach Woods (7,6) and co-captain Bob Beaudoin (4,3). Joining this solid duo are Drew Strychasz, Jake Anderson, Kyle Marquis, Caleb Carr, and Vincent Zanella. Keys to Season: Time. The school has a strong eighth grade class that is a year away from joining the high school. “We will stay in games against the public schools,” says head coach Ken Bird. “We lost unbelievable firepower.”

Good Mix At Cranston West CRANSTON WEST (4-15-3) Head coach Mike Boyajian has one of the program’s best mixes of youth and experience in this year’s Falcons’ lineup. Anthony Simeone (7,9) returns to lead the scoring attack, with Ryan Beliveau (2,6), Ryan Perry (1,3), Mike Smith, and Adam Turenne all adding key depth. The defense is keyed by Travis Collins and Sam Dulieu. Goalies Anthony Lancelotti and Pat Carroll earned valuable experience last year and will be counted on heavily in 2014. Keys to Season: Replacing a few key scorers and developing the goaltending.

Follow the Rhode Island HS Hockey Season Online At www.HNIBnews.com

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Rhode Island hs hockey

Lincoln Still The Kingpin In Division II North

By Bryan Ethier • HNIB News

efending Division II champion Lincoln last year made life miserable for every team except The Prout School, which gave the Lions all they could handle before falling in three championship series games. Lincoln (23-1-1) scored a lot in 2013, but it also allowed scant goals; its netminders recorded eight shutouts. With excellent goalies backing up key scorers, it’s hard to imagine Lincoln not making a run for another division title. Playing in a conference that features potent Lincoln leaves little room for error.

Cumberland, last year, played well enough to finish atop Division II North most seasons—but the Lions toppled the Clippers en route to the division title. If it plays with consistency and discipline throughout the season, Cumberland (15-7-1) again should battle for a Division II title, thanks to solid overall balance and excellent goaltending. North Smithfield graduated five top skaters and its bulwark goalie from last year’s 12-9 record. The Northmen return their top offenseproducer, but they will need more offensive depth and steady goaltending in order to make a

run at a division title. The PCD/St. Raphael Academy/Wheeler co-op looks to improve on last year’s 5-13-1 record. It has a new coach in Gary Leonard and five of its top six defensemen/scorers returning. By playing a sturdy defense-oriented system, this Co-Op has a good chance of earning a playoff spot. The Johnston/North Providence co-op team will look to put some wins on the ledger board this year. Goaltending experience will help, and a trio of returning forwards should make the scrappy J/NP club more competitive.

Lions Need To Replace Scoring LINCOLN (23-1-1) The good news is that junior netters Chris Leclaire (1.57 GAA, .936 Sv Pct) and David Jessey (1.17 GAA, .947 Sv. Pct) are both back to man the pipes. Joining them on the blue line is senior Tyler Duquette (5, 19). Graduation crunched the Lions, with seven key players moving on, including much of the offense. Back to lead the O are senior Griffin Hevey (10, 16) and senior Mike Enos (3,5). Keys to season: Replacing the goals lost from the graduates; getting strong output from seven juniors; enjoying gaudy stats from two top-shelf goalies.

Griffin Hevey Lincoln

Tyler Duquette Lincoln

Leo Lake Cumberland

Greg Wellington Cumberland

Cumberland Ready To Accept Challenge CUMBERLAND (15-7-1) Last year, goalie Leo Lake (.937 GAA) was a stalwart, and he led the Clippers to a 3-3 regular season tie with Lincoln. Defenseman Jamie Casilli (4, 11) is a solid rearguard and key leader. Fellow senior Josh Santoro (2, 8) joins Casilli at the blue line. At the red line, junior Greg Wellington (7, 10) sophomore Jake Salisbury (14, 6), and Jay Donnelly (3, 5) are proven go-to guys who make a difference.

Freshmen Jimmy Cabral and Bryan Colburn could see action this year. Keys to Season: “We need to improve on our level of play and continue to be aggressive and play hard every day if we want to be able to compete with the other teams in our division,” says head coach Mark Andreozzi. “The league is very competitive from top to bottom. It will be a challenge every night.”

Northmen Anxious

Wealth Of Defensemen A Big Plus

NORTH SMITHFIELD (12-9-0) The Northmen return their top scorer, forward Dylan Narodowy (9,15), along with Ian Bissonette (2,8). Conor DiSpirito is back to man the defense, and sophomore Kyle Evangelista should skate a regular shift in 2013-14. Keys to Season: Creating depth in forward lines, skating strong special teams, and developing dependable goaltending.

PCD/ST. RAPHAEL ACADEMY/WHEELER CO-OP (5-13-1) The PCD Co-Op returns a truckload of defensemen: Dylan Gastel ( 9, 5), Nate Duffy (7, 7), Tom Dudzik (2, 10), Marc Carrara (3,7), and Justin Katz (5, 3). Senior goaltender Brandon Gribbin (3.7 GAA, .860 Save percentage) saw the bulk of the action last year, and will again this season, with senior Laurie Mazza expected to see some time. The team will also turn to experienced sophomores- defenseman Dylan Boisclair and Jake Bourski -- and forwards Griffen Leonard, Zach Librizzi, Coleman McGuire, and Spencer Sullivan. A pair of talented two-way players, Josh Long and Artym Hayda, bring significant experience to the program. Keys to Season: “Total team defense, effort and consistency,” says head coach Gary Leonard. “We will play a strong defensive system and with the total team buy-in the coaching staff anticipates being a serious playoff contender.”

Kyle Evangelista No. Smithfield

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Rhode Island hs hockey

Depth Key For North Kingstown NORTH KINGSTOWN (13-10-0) Leading the way is senior defenseman Cam Iadeluca (7,20). Ample scoring will be furnished by senior Pat Limoges (12,7), and Ryan Nabb (5,12). Steve Fallon is another talented defenseman, while Ben Wilson and Liam Rial added much needed depth and skill. Sophomore goalie Jake Parkins returns in net, while transfer defenseman Matt Murphy, and frosh Steve Murphy, Sean Stamp, Sean Jackson, and Tucker Gothberg will all help. Keys to Season: “Using the team depth at both forward and defense,” says head coach Bob Nabb. “We will have three quality forward lines and up to six defensemen will see action. Returning starting goalie, Sophomore Jake Parkins, made great strides last year and expect him to continue his growth.”

Young EG Squad Ready To Go EAST GREENWICH (10-10-1) Junior goalie Sean Mckenzie is ready to lead the team from between the pipes, but he has stiff competition from sophomore Eric Carlson and freshman Jake Horoho. Juniors Alex Genest, Austin Vutech and Will Heffernan will be counted on to support the team’s two seniors, Josh Villeneuve and Pierre Genest. Last year’s frosh class produced some solid players: Max Hagenberg, Paul Dunwoody, Chris Pearson and Matt Klinkenberg. Keys to Season: Solid goaltending plus the maturity of young players.

Toll Gate Wants Better Results

• Division II South •

East Greenwich Seeks Top Spot

By Bryan Ethier • HNIB News

n Division II South, East Greenwich is in a rebuilding mode, according to head coach Sean Fahey. Last year’s 10-10-1 club graduated a number of seniors, including four-year starter and two-time all-division goalie Connor Finn. The club also lost a number of underclassmen to local full-year programs. Still, the cupboard’s not bare. The Patriots of Pilgrim will vie for a playoff spot after finishing 8-10 last year. Head Coach Chad Tvenstrup expects his players to perform with consistency. Former Pilgrim star Bob Nabb takes over at North Kingstown, where the Skippers have the depth and skill to improve on last year’s 13-10 record and semifinals berth. This year’s club will feature three solid forward lines and up to six defensemen. To improve on last year’s 4-15 record, Toll Gate will have to replace a core of skilled senior scorers. Fortunately, the Titans return a pretty solid lineup of defensemen, a seasoned goalie, and a few promising freshmen.

Senior Trio Leads Pilgrim PILGRIM (8-10-0) A trio of talented seniors will lead the club. this year: Sam Adamo (12,14), Joe Paliotte (0,10), and Ryan Oatley (7,10). Head coach Chad Tvenstrup says the Key to the Season is “Discipline, discipline, discipline.”

TOLL GATE (4-15-1) Head coach Mike Champagne will turn to junior forward Jack Sullivan (4,3) to lead a young offense. Freshmen Chris Williams and Connor Sullivan could make an immediate impact at the red line. The defense, conversely, provides more depth and experience. Senior Jesse Butler (2,2) is supported by junior Anthony Ottone (0,4), and sophs Jake Stachursky (0,4), and Sean Vittum. Goalie Dave Stachursky is a capable senior who will anchor the club. Keys to Season: “Development of rising juniors and sophomores defensemen,” says head coach Mike Champagne. “Offensive contributions from younger players to replace senior heavy scoring, integrations of freshman into contributing roles.”

J/NP Co-op Looks For Victories JOHNSTON/NORTH PROVIDENCE (0-18-0) The J/NP Co-op will for leadership and scoring from Steve Morrison, Sam Dacosta, Nick Threshier, and Nick Fournier. Defenseman John Gibau is a stalwart, and goalie Joe Peters is primed to man the pipes. Keys to Season: Time, patience, and the development of young players and depth.

www.HNIBnews.com www.HNIBnews.com

Tilton,N.H.

www.tiltonschool.org

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RHode IslAnd Hs HoCkey

• Division II Central Preview •

T Nyle Sockbeson Prout School

Myles Arkins Portsmouth

Prout School Must Replace 12 Players PROUT SCHOOL (19-9-0) Last year’s lineup may have been gutted by graduation, but Prout still has a strong core of players to work with. Dependable goalie Austin Gemma (.934) leads a quartet of returning netminders. Prout returns all-everything, defenseman Nyle Sockbeson (9,13), who will see the lion’s share of the blue line action. Also back are James Neri (5,9), Mike Ruzzo (2,5), Matt Alofsin (3,0), and Charles Baetjer and Nelson Baetjer. Keys to Season: “The last two years, we lost 22 players,” says head coach John Gaffney. “We’ll have one strong line, and the others will not be as deep. We will piece it together.”

Can Portsmouth Make A Playoff Return? PORTSMOUTH (9-8-1) Returning veterans include senior forward Kyle Alvanas (7,7), junior forward Myles Arkins (4,6), senior defenseman Alexander Kirby, senior goalie Conor Struckman (4-2, 3.21 gaa), and senior goalie Ben Hood (5-5-2 2.26 gaa). New players to the program include freshman defenseman Noah McHugh, freshman defenseman Mike Adkins, junior defenseman Kevin Manning, forward Matt Alexander, forward/defenseman Frank Harnedy, and senior forward Ryan Goulart. Keys to Season: “Goaltending, team defense and discipline will determine our fate,” says head coach Mike Monahan. “There’s a log jam (in the division) with several key players have graduated or moved on to junior programs. Several coaching changes. Teams that come together with discipline will prevail.”

By Bryan Ethier • HNIB News

he Prout School (19-9), 2013 Division II runnerup to Lincoln, looks to reload after losing 12 players from last year’s roster. Head coach John Gaffney says he has one really strong forward line plus all of last year’s top-notch goalies. This year’s club will ride the defense until the offense deepens. Portsmouth (9-8-1)will view for a playoff spot after failing to make the postseason in 2013. Goaltending, team defense, and team discipline will determine the team’s success this year, in a conference that is strong. Mount Hope (6-10-1) will build this year’s club from the goal, outward, thanks to an excel-

lent netminder in Matt Wilson and a pair of capable defensemen. Developing an offense on par with the defense will be key to the team’s success. Middletown (11-10) returns depth up front and at the blue line and will vie for a playoff spot. The Rogers/Tiverton/Rocky Hill club has a new head coach in Zech Klann. The Vikings come off a fine 13-6-2 season that included a dynamic offense and solid goaltending. The Vikings can contend for a high playoff berth if the returning players continue to produce and the overall team depth solidifies.

Mount Hope Will Be A Hard-Working Club MOUNT HOPE (6-10-1) Senior goalie Matt Wilson is a stalwart (794.28 minutes,3.97GAA, 0.889 save percentage) the Huskies can count on. Senior defenseman Ross Hogan (5, 12) plays both ends of the ice well, and senior rearguard Nick Anania (3, 3) is another talented defender. The Huskies will look to spice up their offense, with senior Jacob Abenante (2, 8) and junior Nick Kachapis

(1,3) both back. Also looking to make their mark are junior goalie Matt Toms, sophomore forward Jake Calouro (1, 3), and sophomore defenseman Nathan Cordeiro. Keys to Season: “We need to work as hard as we can at each and every practice and maintain a positive attitude throughout the season,” says head coach Matt Grieve.

Solid Senior Class Propels Middletown MIDDLETOWN (11-10-0) A solid senior class, led by scoring ace Michael Curtis (23,16), leads Middletown. Joining him are Harrison Coogan (9.11), Brendan Sullivan (3,4), Hugh Murphy, and Addison Sullivan.

The senior defensemen are Billy Lucy (2,2), Tucker Lucy, and Will Daughn (1,6). Sophomore John Nolan mans the pipes. Keys to Season: Middletown returns a solid nucleus of experienced forwards and defensemen, but goaltending needs seasoning.

Several Key Players Back For Vikings ROGERS/TIVERTON/ROCKY HILL (13-6-2) The Vikings return the following key players: Trevor Amarantes, Lucas Munafo, Nat Hallowell, Adam Proulx (5,8), Curtis Adams (2,3), Ryan Monast, Ben Herrowitz, Billy

Armstrong, Danny Gunning (3,14), Mac Leys (1,6) Remy Murphy (1,4), and Garrett Gunning (4,4). Keys to Success: Replacing a wealth of scoring talent.

HNIB News Going Digital In January Follow RI HS Hockey All Season Long www.HNIBnews.com www.HNIBnews.com

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Rhode Island hs hockey

RI Division III Landscape Changes Significantly

By Bryan Ethier • HNIB News

he landscape of Division III hockey looks significantly different as the new season gets underway. Due to a lack of players, Cranston East – one of the state’s most respected programs for decades -- is no longer able to support a varsity boys hockey team. Tolman, meanwhile, lost to West Warwick/Exeter-West Greenwich in the Division III championship series last year, in its final season as a varsity program. Tolman has, however, formed a co-op with Scituate HS, and that’s good news for Scituate which will benefit from the addition of some fine former Tolman players. West Warwick-Exeter/West Greenwich (20-0) polished off a perfect season by sweeping Tolman to win the Division III title. The Knight-Wizards featured 12 players each of

whom registered at least 10 points. This year’s club won’t be as prolific, offensively, but it still should vie for the division trophy. East Providence (13-4-1) was in the hunt for a Division III title last season, and there’s every reason to believe the Townies will compete for the 2013-14 championship. The Townies return a truckload of scorers, and their junior goalie Marc LaValley is coming off a fine sophomore campaign. After finishing 2-13-0-1 last year, Scituate should improve, thanks to its merger with Tolman. Building team chemistry will be essential to team and player growth. “Improving on our goal differential” is the first order of business for Mike Boyajian, Jr., the new head coach at Warwick Vets. The Hurricanes last season allowed at least seven goals in each of ten games. The program has a

WEST WARWICK-EXETER/WEST GREENWICH (20-0-0) Perhaps overlooked in the co-op team’s 2013 offensive fireworks was the fine play of goalie Ivan Forcier (1.00 GAA .952 save percentage). He’s back, along with Anthony Ventura (16,11) Brett Coski (20,39), and Thomas Pecchia (11, 15). Looking for playing opportunities are newcomers Joe Scallon (senior transfer - Bishop Feehan) and frosh Zach Magiera (Rhode Island Hitmen). Keys to Season according to head coach Peter Ethier: “Good defensive and neutral zone coverage. Hard work. Play the system for full three periods. Could make another championship run if disciplined for full season.” EAST PROVIDENCE (13-4-1) Junior goalie Marc LaValley (2.18 GAA) returns after posting a solid sophomore campaign. Offense won’t be a problem, with the return of senior Josh Letendre (8,7), junior Ryan Costa (14, 14), sophomore Brynne Costa (7, 19), junior Kyle Marquis (8,15), and junior Jared Estrella (6,8). Estrella and Letendre missed all of February with injuries. Top new players to watch include junior forward Tyler Maxwell, senior forward (Sean Feeney), junior defensemen Andrew Gordon and Ryan Galvao. Keys To Season: LaValley brings stability, and the trio of Ryan Costa, Marquis and Estrella “provide a strong offensive punch,” says coach Kevin Croke. “The Townies should again be a playoff team and compete deep into March.” NARRAGANSETT (12-8-0) Key scorers Henry McGreen (7,9), Robby Pratt (8,0), and Connor McKnight (10,6) will lead the way this year. Goalie Joe Iannelli is ready to man the pipes. Keys to Season: “Solid goaltending, great play from all three lines,” according to head coach Chris Lussier.

good crop of underclassmen coming into the fold, and that should help the Hurricanes improve on last year’s 2-13-1 record, however. The Mariners of Narragansett dropped four games (12-8) to eventual division champion West Warwick/Exeter-West Greenwich. They will be seeking redemption this year, With eight seniors in the program, Woonsocket should be able to improve on last year’s 1-14-1 record. “I feel that this season that all teams in the division will be strong,” says head coach Nathan Arruda..” Ponaganset looks to jump the .500 hump after finishing 9-9 last year and losing to Narragansett in the Division III quarterfinals. The Chieftains will have to replace five key seniors, most of their scoring, and their co-captains.

SCITUATE (2-13-1) Returning Spartans include junior Lucas Mancinelli, Harry Hopkins, and Noah Patrarca. Freshman Matt Bessa looks to make an impact. Former Tolman players joining the Spartan co-op are Jared Pedro (22,24), Teddy Reall (9,14), and Kris Wallace (6,5). Keys to Season: Melding the ex-Tolman players with the returning Scituate skaters; doing the “little things” the right way, according to head coach Bill Bryant. WARWICK VETS (2-13-1) Junior Kyle Veyera (9,4) was the team’s leading scorer last season, and he is back to lead the offense. Other returning forwards are sophomore Oliver Pinheiro (1,4), Henri Guiot, and sophomore Javon Paulino. Top defensemen are sophomore Tyler Dipetrillo (1,6) and sophomore Colby Howard. Keys to Season: New coach, new style, new goals… WOONSOCKET (1-14-1) Head coach Nathan Arruda expects a strong season from the club’s top rearguard, Marquez Gonzalez, and from forward Chance Boucher. Devin Fortier is another senior forward who should contribute on the scoring sheet. Sophomore goalie Nick Beals impressed, as a frosh; much is expected from him, as well. Sophomore transfer defensemen Austin Forget is expected to receive ample playing time, and freshman Goalie Devin Rivard will also share the goaltending duties. The Villa Novans also expect freshman forward Alec Allaire to chip in some goals. Keys to Season: “There are a few keys to this season’s success,” says head coach Nathan Arruda. “First off, the team needs to stay healthy. With such a short roster, every single person will have a role to fill. Secondly, all players need to buy into the systems and be committed to the program no matter what the season outcome is.”

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New Jersey Hockey

Delbarton Goes For 7th Straight Private Title Ramsey, Randolph Lead The Public Charge

By Jonathan Yardley • HNIB News

he offseason in New Jersey high school hockey saw a major change affecting the public-school ranks when the state’s governing body, the NJSIAA, approved a rule to allow schools of any size to form co-operative agreements, albeit subject to case-by-case approval (i.e. only teams with dwindling participation numbers will be approved). Previously, only smaller schools had been eligible to combine. As a result, there were three separate mergers (continuing a growing trend), while four other schools added co-op partners, strengthening those squads but weakening the high-enrollment Public A state-tournament field. When the season begins, however, the private schools could produce a memorable race for the top spot. Six-time defending private champion Delbarton (23-3-4) starts at the top but does not have the same talent advantage it often does after losing its top four scorers from last year, three to graduation and one to a family move. It was therefore a welcome break for head coach Bruce Shatel when senior Chad Otterman, who did not play last year due to junior hockey commitments, returned to the high-school game for his senior season. Otterman, a 6-foot-3, 197pound Division I prospect in both hockey and lacrosse, adds another physical presence to an already big team and should provide some needed scoring punch. Aside from Otterman, the Green Wave will rely on senior Peter Welch (4-8-12), junior M.J. Melillo (5-5-10), and sophomore Anthony DelGazio (3-8-11) as scoring options, along with promising freshman Steven Agriogianis. Seniors Will McCarthy (4-4-8) and Sean McLaughlin (5-3-8) also return. Delbarton is stronger on defense, where senior MichByael Gilfillan (2-10-12) leads a blue-line corps that includes senior Matt Savarese (0-3-3), junior Sean Petrie (eligible in late December after transferring from Morristown), sophomore Andrew Petrillo (2-7-9), and freshman Michael Gordon. Another big question mark is in goal, where freshman Troy Kobryn will challenge sophomore Kyle Riegler for the starting spot opened by a hip injury sidelining senior Brian Forness.

WILL DEBARTON be celebrating for the seventh consecutive time this March? A great race looms in the NJ private school ranks.

Shatel’s typically robust schedule includes games against prep schools Brunswick, Hotchkiss, Dexter, Hill, and Lawrenceville, as well as a mid-January showdown with three-time defending Massachusetts champion Malden Catholic (the winner of the head-to-head game has been ranked No. 1 in the Northeast in each of the last three seasons) and a February game against defending Connecticut champion Fairfield Prep. The stiffest challenge to Delbarton’s crown is likely to come from Don Bosco Prep (18-10), which surprised CBA in the semifinals to reach last year’s state championship game, only to fall 4-0. The Ironmen have a standout among the best in the state at each position and could have the depth to stay with Delbarton. (Continued On Page 53)

HNIB NEW JERSEY TOP TEN POLL TEAM 1. Delbarton 2. Don Bosco Prep 3. CBA 4. St. Joseph (Met) 5. Bergen Cath. 6. Gloucester Cath. 7. Ramsey 8. Randolph 9. Summit 10. Bridge-Raritan

WL T 23 18 23 18 7 12 23 15 17 21

3 10 3 3 13 6 3 9 5 5

4 0 2 3 3 0 3 2 4 4

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New Jersey Hockey (Continued From Page 52)

Senior goalie Jarred Liscio, the Don Bosco Prep career leader with 17 shutouts, is a returning first team all-state selection and gives the Ironmen a significant advantage over most Gordon Conference foes. Steady senior defenseman Cody Calgano (4-14-18) is drawing Division I interest, while senior forward Dylan Healey (8-8-16 in limited action) returns from a broken shoulder to key the offense. Healey will be joined on a skilled top line by junior Hunter Garlasco (10-27-37), whose older brother, Michael, skates at Clarkson, and senior forward Greg Jandoli (8 points in 5 games after transferring). The loss of leading scorer Robby Marsanico to the NAHL hurts Don Bosco’s depth, but other key contributors include senior defenseman John Stimola (4-7-11) and junior forward Griffen Welch (6-15-21). Don Bosco Prep will face Massachusetts power BC High, Fairfield Prep, and New York power Suffern as part of its non-league schedule. CBA (23-3-2) did everything last year except produce in the state tournament. The Colts suffered an agonizing loss to Delbarton in the 2012 state final, blowing a 2-0 lead in the final 10 minutes, then tied Delbarton twice during the 201213 regular season and upset the Green Wave in the Gordon Cup final, 5-2. In the 2013 state tournament, however, CBA seemed to lose focus, needing overtime to get through the quarterfinals and losing 5-3 to Don Bosco Prep in the semifinals. Head coach Ryan Bogan’s team is still one of the favorites this year, led by the third member of the van Riemsdyk family to commit to the University of New Hampshire: Brendan van Riemsdyk (22-3658), now a senior forward following in the footsteps of older brothers James and Trevor. Senior Anthony Cusanelli (21-30-51) and

Don Bosco, CBA Won’t Go Away Quietly

Cody Calcagno Don Bosco

Dylan Healey Don Bosco

junior Greg Malafronte (9-19-28) should join van Riemsdyk on the top line, while junior Conor Tierney (15-2237), senior Billy Antonides (8-2634), and sophomore Bobby Hampton (10-21-31) make sure there is plenty of firepower to go around. Sophomores Tim Clifton (2-17-19) and Ryan Bogan (8-2129) lead a young defense corps that also includes junior Austin Tieri (212-14) and sophomore James Stanger (0-14-14). Bogan is confident in both sophomore Michael Cernero and junior Connor Silverstein in goal. Middlesex County school St. Joseph Metuchen (18-3-3) is a surprise choice at No. 4. After all, the Falcons’ appearance in the private quarterfinals last year was their first since 2002, and they have never made the semifinals in the two-tournament era (1995). But head coach Ryan Carter’s team beat Don Bosco Prep during the regular season last year (St. Joseph later fell to Don Bosco in the quarterfinals) and returns its prolific top line of senior Felipe Rodriguez (24-15-39), junior Marc Johnstone (9-18-27), and sophomore Michael Nisky (9-32-41). The goaltending tandem of junior Nick Castagno (.922, 6 shutouts) and senior Daniel Farb (.926) are aided ably by junior Paul Cimilluca and seniors Joe Farley and Gregg Sutton on the blue line. The Falcons’ weak league schedule has

Hunter Garlasco Don Bosco

Alex Whelan Ramsey

been reduced to just six games, allowing them to toughen up against a difficult non-league schedule that includes a December 10 game against Delbarton, one of just two games against NJSIAA teams on the Green Wave’s loaded non-league schedule this year. Despite being on its third head coach in less than one year (Brack Healy took the reigns last spring but had to resign in the fall after accepting an administrative position in a New Jersey school district), Bergen Catholic (7-13-3) starts the year ranked fifth. The Crusaders, now coached by Brian Monteverdi, lost only two seniors from last year’s young squad. This year’s team will be led by sophomore goaltender Pete Negron, already among the state’s best, and sophomore forward Evan Wisocky (7-13-20). Junior forward Kyle Marano, junior defenseman Tyler Antonucci, and junior defenseman Lucas Milbank are other key players, with forward Joey Brown and defenseman Kyle Smyth also expected to contribute. Just behind Bergen Catholic is No. 6 Gloucester Catholic (12-6), the final team in the Gordon Conference’s upper half, the American Division. Head coach Guy Gaudreau has reliable scorers in senior Riley Horvath and junior Trevor Madden, but his best player might be junior Dylan McArthur on the blue line. Junior Andrew Sharkus and senior Andreas

Nick Botta Ramsey

Brandon O’Callahan Ramsey

Logothetis are both capable in goal, and the Rams will need them against a regionally focused nonleague schedule that includes preps Hun and Princeton Day, Pennsylvania’s Holy Ghost Prep, and Mercer County power Notre Dame. While the private field appears very competitive, there is no questioning the favorite in the publicschool ranks. Despite being among the eight smallest schools fielding a hockey team, Ramsey (23-3-3) is an overwhelming favorite to capture its first Public B championship since 2009. The Rams return junior forward Alex Whelan (36-32-68), the reigning North Jersey Player of the Year, and his linemates are back too – senior Connor DiTomaso (22-23-45) and junior Nick Botta (17-24-41). Seniors Chris Butryn (1-10-11), Jim Hunt (5-5-10), and Anthony Pedulla (2-13-15) and precocious sophomore defenseman Brandon O’Callahan (4-8-12) lead the defense, and highly-touted sophomore Tyler Harmon is expected to take over in goal for graduated captain Justin Larkin. Overwhelming favorites in the Big North Green Division, Ramsey’s biggest tests will come in the holiday Ice Vault Tournament and the late-January Bergen County Tournament, when the Rams will carry public-school hopes against the county’s four big private schools. (Continued On Page 54)

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New Jersey Hockey

• NJ Top Ten Preview • 3-Time Defending Public A Champ Randolph Has Great Depth Again (Continued From Page 53)

Like Delbarton, a school with which it shares home ice, most fans slot Randolph (15-9-2) into the state final before the season even begins. The Rams have won three straight Public A crowns and are 7-3 in state championship games in the last 12 years. Randolph does it with amazing depth, and this year’s team is no exception. Seniors Mitch Gaudioso (8-10-18) and Stefan Tamminga (8-8-16), juniors Michael Slavin (8-14-22) and Matt Bruno (6-7-13), and sophomore forward Dan Janson (6-12-18) are some of the key scoring options, while seniors Brendan Siegel (7-8-15) and Luke Wright (6-4-10) lead the defense in front of senior goalie Andrew Holowko (.909). A December 13 matchup with Public B contender Summit should provide a barometer for Randolph’s early ability, but no matter how that one turns out, don’t bet against the Rams in March. Summit (17-5-4) should provide such a good barometer because the Hilltoppers return 14 of 16 players from last year, including a remarkable 10 from their 2012 state championship team. The most notable are senior goalie Garrett McGowan (.930) and the forward trio of senior Liam McLaughlin (23-45-68, 159 career points), junior Riley Flynn (13-25-38, scored the overtime game-winner in the 2012 state final), and junior Chris Zanelli (21-26-47). Seniors James Strabley and John Burns and junior Hunter Wyckoff return on defense, while the already deep Hilltoppers will be boosted by the addition of junior forward Brady Nelson, who moved in from Colorado, and freshman defenseman Corey McManus. Head coach Keith Nixon has beefed up the non-league schedule to test his team, facing Randolph, Morris Knolls, Chatham, and both Brick schools and participating in the holiday Ice Vault Tournament. The Skyland Conference typically produces at least two of the state’s best public schools, and defending Skyland Cup champion Bridgewater-Raritan (21-5-4) starts the year as the clear favorite and a threat for the Public A title; the Panthers only graduated two players after reaching the Public A final last year. Head coach Patrick Alvin welcomes back his entire forward corps, including senior Mark Kinsey (20-17-37), junior Will Dimock (6-13-19), and sophomore Alec Casiero (10-18-28), with seniors Steven Cleary (18-1028) and Tyler Darby (13-16-29) and junior Eddie Weissman (11-5-6) also key to the attack. Juniors Ian Anderson (3-10-13) and Brett Goldstein (5-6-11) lead the defense, while senior goalie Mickey Avenoso was solid in five outings last year.

HNIB News Going Digital! Follow New Jersey Highlights All Season Long At: www.HNIBnews.com

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DecemBer 5, 2013

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New JerSey HoCkey The high-powered Mennen Division was so good last year that all six teams reached the championship game of either a playoff cup or a state tournament, and both Randolph and Chatham (16-8-3), the two public state champions, finished with sub-.500 division records, placing fourth and sixth. This year figures to be more of the same. Despite its last-place finish, a young Chatham squad pulled off a sparkling four-game run to the Public B championship, including shutouts of top-seeded Ramsey and rival Morristown in the semifinals and final, respectively. Junior goaltender C.J. Albanese, so key to that run, returns in net, as do senior Robert Graziano, junior A.J. Albanese, and sophomore Mark McNally on the blue line. Junior forwards Teddy Simson and Bryn Casey lead the way offensively. Morristown-Beard (12-11-4), which tied Princeton Day for the Prep B championship last year despite a mid-season swoon, returns plenty of firepower in senior forwards Luke Moser and

Mennen Division Strong In Morris County

Hunter Ledwith Kinnelon

Dan Whritenour Kinnelon

Michael Meisenbacher and sophomore forward Alex Borowiec, while senior Max Cuomo and junior James Callahan lead the defense in front of junior first-year starter Nick Sanford in goal. Morristown (18-7-3) has lost in a public state championship game in each of the last two years, and while the Colonials slowly lose the scoring stars from those teams, they still have all-state junior Shane Brown in goal. Seniors Cam (11-15-26) and Jack (5-8-13) Szary both return, but Morristown will need

• Gordon Conference National Division • n Often caught between being very good but not elite, the teams of the Gordon Conference’s National Division appear to have stepped up their game for 2013-14. Leading the way is Pope John (9-8), which returns key senior goalie Justin Natiello, junior forwards Donny Flynn, Dylan Kuipers, and Angelo Marquart, senior forwards Alex Kalemba and Billy Rafferty, and junior defenseman Tyler Lapshanski. St. Peter’s Prep (715-1) returns a trio of experienced forwards in senior Rocky Coviello, junior Sean Crowley, and sophomore Augie Burkhardt, while senior defenseman John Martucci leads the way in front of junior Jonathan Labella, who transferred in last year. At Seton Hall Prep (815-2), Tom Bishop takes over as the new head coach and has a tal-

Tyler Lapshanski Pope John

ented junior class that includes forwards Matt Farrell and Zack Potten and defenseman Zak Sheikh. St. Augustine Prep (8-13-1) should benefit from moving down to the National Division and should be led by senior forwards Ryan Conlin and Dean DeSimone. Bishop Eustace (3-16) rounds out the state’s top conference.

Jake Tengi Pequannock

production from its deep sophomore class. Kinnelon (14-7-5) and Morris Knolls (17-5-6) tied for the Mennen Cup title last year, but both lost large graduating classes. Kinnelon will look to seniors Hunter Ledwith (16-20-36) and Matt Civil (11-12-23) up front and junior Dan Whritenour (1-11-12) on defense, while David Neu will try to win the starting job in goal. Morris Knolls returns experience on the blue line in senior Walter Keiper and junior Tucker Simmons, but Matt Mezik is the only returning forward with at least 10 points, and the Golden Eagles’ goaltending is unproven. In the Halvorsen Division, Mendham (20-3-2) is the heavy favorite to win a second straight Halvorsen Cup title thanks in large part to sensational forward Grant

Jozefek, the first New Jersey freshman in recent memory to top 100 points after a 51-52-103 season last year. Drafted by both the USHL and the OHL, this could be Jozefek’s final season in the high school ranks. Sparta (12-9-3) and Roxbury (15-10-2) are likely to provide the stiffest competition. Pequannock (10-11-2) junior forward Jake Tengi (39-22-61) gives the division another standout offensive player, while West Morris Central (9-12-2) and Mountain Lakes/Boonton (8-9-1) round out the group. Several Sussex County schools followed Sparta’s lead and jumped to Morris County this season, and last year’s McMullen Cup champion, Newton/Lenape Valley (16-72), is the one most poised to make an impact, led by senior Brett Conrads (49-38-87), who was second in the state in scoring last year and has 188 points for his career. Three-time defending Haas Cup champion Park Regional (17-4-3) remains the favorite, led by the senior trio of Connor Devine (16-1834), Alex DiMeo (14-11-25), and Jimmy White (18-24-42), but last year’s runner-up, Mount Olive (19-5-2), which returns seniors (Continued On Page 56)

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New Jersey Hockey

Paramus Catholic, St. Joseph Montvale Are Big North Aces n With Ramsey the clear favorite in

the Green Division, private schools Paramus Catholic (27-2) and St. Joseph Montvale (14-8-2) are the other two favorites, leading the Gold and Silver Divisions, respectively. Paramus Catholic put together the best season in school history last year, going unbeaten in the Gold Division and making it all the way to the private semifinals before losing to Delbarton, but the Paladins did lose five of their top players. Senior forward Brian D’Erario (14-26-40) and senior defenseman Dom Sellari (4-14-18) should lead the way this year, boosted by promising sophomores Matt Rainey (8-5-13) at forward and Marc Tietjen on defense. St. Joseph Montvale graduated its top five scorers but still has competitive talent, led on defense by seniors Nick Haubner (2-13-15), Steven Schapiro, and Anthony Krasniqi and junior Nick Kim in front of returning starter Phil Babb, a senior, in goal. Seniors Stephen Coscia (6-14-20) and Zach Teats will lead the attack. In the Gold Division, Ridgewood (16-9-1) and Fair Lawn (14-8-2) should have the best chance to challenge Paramus Catholic. Ridgewood boasts one of

• Morris County • (Continued From Page 55)

Ethan Hendrickson (34-18-52) and Casey DeLorenzo (18-21-39), should be in the thick of the race. Montville (4-17-2) drops down from the Halvorsen Division, while Madison (16-7-2), and Par Hills/Parsippany (13-10) posted winning records last year. The other two newcomers – High Point/Wallkill Valley (8-14-1) and Vernon (10-14-1) – will play in the league’s bottom-tier Charette Division with Jefferson (2-20-1), Morris Hills (2-17-3), and Gill St. Bernard’s (4-14-3).

Brian D’Erario Paramus Cath.

Dom Sellari Paramus Cath.

the conference’s top forwards in senior Alex Linton (22-11-33) and has a shut-down defenseman in senior Cameron St. John (4-19-23). Junior Mickey Legg will start in goal. Fair Lawn also has a dangerous forward in senior Justin Ritter (15-22-37), supported ably by junior forward Mark Williams (13-1326), sophomore defenseman Joey Ferrante (8-16-24), and junior goalie Kenny Martorelli. Of the other five schools, Hackensack (10-11-3), Clifton (10-13-3), and River Dell/Westwood (11-11-2) should be fighting for the .500 mark ahead of Dumont/Demarest/New Milford (5-14-1) and Passaic Valley/Cedar Grove (7-17-1). Defending Silver Division champion Glen Rock (18-6-1) will not relinquish its title without a fight, led by experienced scorers Matt Roy (27-14-41) and Brandon Rosario (19-20-39). Replacing star goalie Harris Nebbia is no easy task; three underclassmen are competing to see who will play behind a strong defense corps that is led by 6-foot-7 senior Matthew Jorgensen (8-17-25), along with junior Griffin Meyers and sophomores Thomas LaMacchia and Luke Visconti. Pascack Valley/Hills (10-11-2), led by senior goalie Christoph Mutschin and junior forward John Scarano (14-19-33), could also threaten, as could 2012 Public B finalist Tenafly (12-9-2), keyed by

Matt Rainey Paramus Cath.

Christoph Mutschin Pascack Valley

veteran forward Jason Vanderlinden. Paramus/Lyndhurst (4-21) should improve behind the scoring of junior forward Joe Reveille and impact freshman Danny Criscione, relying on senior Tim Moran and junior James Lyle to log major minutes on the blue line. Northern Highlands (3-18-1) will be led by seniors Ethan Conklin and Vincent Masters and junior Jake Homan, while Old Tappan/Hasbrouck Heights (4-161) could improve in its first year as a co-op. The Green Division might be the deepest of the three. After Ramsey, Indian Hills (17-7-2) boasts one of the area’s top players in third-team all-public selection Alex Linquito (42-24-66) and has strong goaltending in Josh Welte. Wayne Hills (13-8-3) should be set for a second straight winning season after taking its first Passaic County championship last year, returning junior forward Danny Reidel, senior forward Peter Beckwermert, and jun-

Ross Mantione West Milford

ior goalie Peter Petrozza, among others. DePaul Catholic (8-13-3) has two standouts in senior forwards Kyle Scancerella (31-39-70), who notched 11 points in one game last year, and Zach Finkle; the Spartans also return senior defenseman Thomas Logue and senior goalie Marty McIver. Mahwah (13-10-3) returns senior forward Mike Matos (19 points in 15 games), senior goalie John Kapoian, junior forward Tyler Guiterrez (22-18-40), and sophomore forward Marty Kapoian (1516-31). At Ramapo (15-9-3), senior forward Jason Ruggiero (22-2042) and junior goalie Chris Raymond will need to lead a young team. Lakeland (7-16-1), led by senior forward Kris Brown, and West Milford (9-14-2), led by standout goalie Ross Mantione, expect to challenge for postseason spots, with Wayne Valley (2-19) trying to bounce back from a rough season.

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New Jersey Hockey

Montclair Kimberley Clear Favorite In Essex County n In Essex County, Montclair Kimberley (154-3) starts the year as the clear favorite, despite last year’s upset loss in overtime in the McInnis Cup final. The Cougars return senior forward Rob Jaworski (24-25-49), who begins the year six points away from 100 for his career, and senior forward John Buckley (17-12-39), along with sophomore forward Devin Pepe (8-22-30). Older brother Brendan Pepe (7-16-23), a senior, leads the defense in front of strong junior goalie Ike Osbun (2.23 GAA). Freshmen James Buckley at forward and Zachary Schaller on defense could have an impact this year. Livingston (19-6-4) went on a magical sixgame postseason run last year that included overtime wins in the McInnis Cup semifinals and final and an upset of top-seeded Morris

Knolls en route to the Public A semifinals. The Lancers suffered some losses but return senior Brian Lilien in goal and junior playmaker Tal Finberg, a second team all-public selection, up front. Senior Cole Friedfertig and sophomores Ryan Dallow and Phil Edelman key the defense. Nutley (17-5-3) had one of its best seasons ever but was upset in the opening round of the state tournament by Woodbridge. The Raiders lost star goalie Alec Astorga, who transferred to Canterbury, and will try to re-group behind senior forwards Michael Frade and Mike Conca and senior defenseman Justin Souza. Four years removed from a Public B championship, West Essex (7-10-6) could contend this year. Senior goalie Christian Aussenheimer backstops a strong defense that includes seniors Mike

Ruggiero and C.J. Muehlbauer and junior Mike Nemeth. Offensively, senior Nick Paranzine has a great slot presence, supported by senior Aron Augustitus and a strong junior class. The rest of the division includes Montclair (12-13-2) and senior forward Ryan Vanderford, a Division I lacrosse commit; Millburn (13-12) and senior forward Phil Pikus (39-18-57), a one-man offense; Verona/Glen Ridge (3-18-2) and junior forward Dylan DeCandia, also capable of taking over a game; and West Orange (5-18-2), led by senior forward Jonathan Miller.

Westfield Hopes To Battle Summit In Union County No. 10 Summit may be the county’s top dog, but Westfield (20-4-3) is actually the defending UCIHL champion after the two split their season series last year and Westfield won the county title game 3-1. The Blue Devils return one of the county’s top scorers in senior Dane Huber (31-10-41), a college lacrosse commit. Westfield also welcomes back junior goalie Dan DoCampo (1.82 GAA in his first year in goal). Senior defenseman Andrew Stern (8-10-18) provides the grit, and 6-foot-3 sophomore forn

ward Matt Macik could have a breakout year. Elsewhere, Johnson (6-14-2) returns seniors Vincent Fischetti (22-17-39) and Joseph Lomeli (12-9-21), and the Crusaders welcome a standout freshman in defenseman Ty Schaffer, while Cranford (12-8-2) finished third last year but lost a lot to graduation. Scotch PlainsFanwood (9-14-2), Governor Livingston (717), and Dayton/Brearley (7-16) round out the conference.

• Skyland Conference • Ridge Needs To Replenish Scoring Attack n After falling in overtime to eventual champion Randolph in last year’s state tournament, Ridge (19-5-4) lost its top three scorers and both goalies heading into this season. The Red Devils are still strong on the blue line, with juniors Cole Sanderson (3-15-18) and Ben Raff (4-11-15) and sophomore Gary Prince, while junior Tim Knightly (14-7-21) and senior Dan Giberna (4-9-13) will be called on to lead the way offensively. Montgomery (7-17-1) is expected to bounce back from a rare down season, returning leading scorer Cam Garinger (13-13-26), a junior, and starting goalie Robbie Michaelson, a senior. Other key contributors up front could be senior Chris Demarco, junior Minbae Lee, and sophomore Ryan Irving. Hillsborough (14-9-2) lost 70 percent of its scoring but does return sophomore goalie Marty Paro, senior defenseman Ryan Oeckinghaus, and sophomore forward Dave Ely. Bernards/Somerville (12-11-3) could surprise some teams in its first season as a full Skyland Conference member, led by junior goalie Coleman Merchant, junior forward Vince Petruolo (20-17-37), and sophomore defenseman Curtis McGriskin (5-15-20). Hunterdon Central (15-9-2) graduated 12 players from its breakthrough season last year but returns junior goalie Carter Siani, senior defenseman Rob Bakerian, and senior Chris Dolan (4-12-16), expected to move up to forward alongside sophomore Josh Richards and junior Brian Brown. Watchung Hills (4-17-3) and a very young team at Pingry (9-11-1) are likely to struggle, despite the best efforts of impressive Pingry goalie Chris Brown.

Ike Osbun Montclair Kimberley

Eric Hildebrand Robbinsville

CVC Reverts Back To Two Divisions Ten years after the CVC realigned to three divisions back in 2003-04, the league returns to two divisions this year. Two-time defending Mercer County champion Notre Dame (21-4-2) is the odds-on favorite, and the Irish hope to impact the state-wide picture as well. Head coach Andrew Ducko welcomes back some impressive scoring talent, led by junior Connor Todaro (26-37-63) and supported by junior Dakota Skove (19-23-42) and senior Jess Manyoky (11-16-27). Talented freshman Matt Sellers could be a big addition on offense. Defensively, senior Erik Layton, junior Chris Sellers, and sophomore Stephen Patas lead the way in front of first-year starter Kyle Young in goal. Having reached the private quarterfinals just once in the last six years, Notre Dame will play six of the 10 Gordon Conference schools and No. 4 St. Joseph Metuchen during the regular season to prepare for the state tournament. The top local challenger will be Robbinsville/Allentown (19-6-1), which reached the Public A quarterfinals and the

(Continued On Page 58)

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New Jersey Hockey While the Shore Conference can be tough to predict, there seems to be no doubt entering the season that Brick Township (16-5-5) is the team to beat. The Green Dragons, Dowd Cup champions and Public B quarterfinalists last year, return a dominant duo in senior forward Andrew Reiss (46-28-74) and senior defenseman David Kearns (18-28-46). While the status of several other players is unknown due to junior commitments, Brick enters the year as one of the favorites in Public B. In the Shore A South Division, Brick Township’s top competition is likely to come from rival Brick Memorial (13-10-2), led by senior forwards Austin Dublois, Devin Magnusson, and Ryan Monahan and senior goalie Tim Schiess. Toms River East (11-9-3) should also contend behind the play of prolific senior forward Charlie Mulé (36-37-73) and steady senior defensemen Anthony DeBlasio and Dan Hyde. Junior goalie Vincent DeRoma is also

• CVC PreView • (Continued From Page 57) Patrick McCormick locks down Mercer County final last year, both the blue line in front of senior the best finishes in program histo- goalie Robert Quinn. WWPN (12ry. The Ravens should be a Public 9-2) returns only senior forward A contender again this year, led by Charles Singerhouse (18-16-34) the senior forward trio of Eric from last year’s big contributors. Hildebrand (31-21-52), Coleman In the Valley Division, Anker (11-11-22 in limited action), Lawrence/Ewing (11-8-2), one of and Dan Cox (12-23the first recent instances 35). On defense, senior of two established problueliner Keith Allen is grams merging, is the the main source of early favorite after makexperience, and four ing its first state tournagoalies are vying to ment appearance in five replace the graduated years last season, its Kellen Anker. third as a single proHopewell Valley (7gram. The Cardinals are 13-1), in its first year led by senior forward under former Toms Cory Zrinko (34-26-60) Cory Zrinko River East coach Bob and sophomore forward Lawrence/Ewing Gialanella, has a solid Brian Reznikov (12-18core returning in senior goalie 30), with sophomore Travis Pelke Ryan Dajczak, senior forward in goal. WWPS (9-10-2), with junTrevor Weidman (17-16-13), and iors Jonathan Matthews (16-17-33) sophomore forward Gilford Daley. and Brian Tso (10-28-38), Steinert Princeton (10-9-1), under new (5-13-1), Paul VI (2-12-2), head coach Terence Miller, returns Hightstown (10-13), and the junior trio of Connor Nottingham/Hamilton (2-21) will McCormick (15-16-31), Jack all try to take advantage of the Andres (19-11-3), and John Reid weaker schedule offered by the (7-9-16) up front, while senior new alignment. GREATER MIDDLESEX CONFERENCE n After powerhouse St. Joseph Metuchen, the GMC is up for grabs. Old Bridge (15-7-2) appears to be the best of the rest, led by senior forwards Jared Layer and Peter Krzewinski and senior defenseman Denis Kilduf, plus a strong sophomore class. South Brunswick (10-8-1) and Monroe (7-12-2) will likely battle for third, because Woodbridge (18-8) is likely to come back to the pack after losing high-scoring Eddie Parfitt. The remaining four schools condensed into two programs via co-op, with Edison/J.P. Stevens (combined 9-26-1) and Colonia/JFK (combined 9-33-1) unlikely to finish in the top half.

Brick Township Keys Shore

Charlie Mule Toms River East

Tom Terranova Middletown North

Matt Kidney St. John Vianney

expected to return. Southern Regional (13-7-2) will aim for a second straight state tournament berth, while Toms River North (7-12-2) and Jackson Memorial (5-15-2) have some ground to make up and Toms River South (0-21) just wants to be competitive again. Over in Shore A North, which includes Gordon Conference power CBA, public school Middletown North (14-10) appears to have the most talent returning. The Lions are led up front by junior Tom Terranova (61 points over the last two years) and sophomore Khristian Acosta, while steady four-year players Jack Meyer and Scott Huber and junior Nick Kirch lead the defense. Manalapan (15-12) made its second state-tournament appearance last year and could be a dark horse this year, returning senior forwards Parker Gaglione (26-36-62) and Mike Lisciandro (23-3053) and senior goalie Joe Barone. Freehold Township (10-10-1) returns seniors Austin Treubert (16-10-26), Adam Friedman (10-27-37), and P.J. Carfagno up front and sophomore Zach Berzolla on defense but will have to replace the graduated Michael Broccoli in goal. Howell (11-14) will rely on senior forward Frankie Gerbasi, while Middletown South (4-164) could return to its usual winning ways behind seniors Nick Malvasi and Erik Smith and junior Wes Friberg. Marlboro (8-11-2) starts the year as the division underdog. The conference’s deepest division could be Shore B North, where defending Handchen Cup champion St. John Vianney (19-2-3) is tabbed as a serious challenger to Brick Township for the conference’s top nonGordon team. The Lancers will be led by junior forwards Matt Kidney (22-16-38) and Mike Gelatt (18-19-37) and senior Andrew Galante (1212-24), with seniors Drew Fisher and Matt Durnya and juniors Liam Casey and GianCarlo Sgroi leading the defense in front of junior goalie Jimmy Ellis, expected to take the starting job after splitting time last year. Rumson-Fair Haven (15-6-2) returns sophomore forward Brendan Ban (19-14-33) and others from a very strong team, while Red Bank Catholic (7-15-3) is expected to bounce back from a down year behind junior forward Todd Goehring and senior goalie Michael Cosentino. Red Bank Regional (11-11-1) lost a lot from last year’s team that made a shocking run to the Public B quarterfinals, but the Bucs do return senior Drue Amato and junior Brian Lynch in front of senior goalie Hunter Donleavy. St. Rose (10-11-1) has become a consistently competitive program and welcomes back senior Ian McGirr and junior Ryan O’Malley up front, senior J.P. Regan on defense, and goalies Andrew Terracciano, a senior, and Andrew Kunzman, a sophomore. Ocean Township/Shore Regional (12-14) should be right in the thick of things, with senior forward Dave (Continued On Page 59)

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Connecticut Girls High School Hockey On The Rise By Michael Fornabaio • HNIB News

ew Canaan (24-1) graduates a bunch of top-name players from its state championship, most notably Olivia Hompe, whose 384 career points made her the state's all-time leading scorer of either gender. The Rams also graduated defenseman Madzie Carroll and forward Corbett Ripley, among others. But there are 16 players back for coach Rich Bulan, including senior captain Nathalie Deney (six shutouts) in goal, strong sophomore Mia Carroll leading a good defense and, up front, sophomore Catherine Granito (33-34-67), junior Emma Rosenstein (penalty-killing, hard-working) and junior Mackenzie Lewis (14 points after missing the start of the season injured). Three freshmen should step right in and contribute. Runner-up Hall/Conard (19-4) is among this year's favorites -- maybe the favorite -after a nice season last year, bringing back senior Lauren Sorgio (.946 save percentage) in goal. Coach Bruce Woolley has senior forwards Alyson Alissi (15 goals, 11 assists), Caitlin O'Meara (17-13-30) and Juliana Bailey-Simao (12-10-22) back as well as some intriguing newcomers.

Simsbury has a good crew returning as well, including senior forward/defenseman Jordan Arnold, back after being first-team all-league and the MVP of the SCC championship. Coach Kris Arnold's Trojans also have junior forward Maggie Grigely and junior defenseman Nathalie Melanson, as well as junior goalies MacKenzie Dubois and Dani Sullivan. Darien looks to remain among the top teams with a good work ethic and senior leadership from the likes of forwards Ellie Bennett and Sage Thacher and goalie Shannon Hall. Coach Jamie Tropsa will look to sophomore Georgia Cassidy for production again up front. The defense has several underclassmen back, including sophomores Chandler Kirby and Marisa Baker and juniors Amanda Sload, Sammy Nielson and Julie Arrix. East Catholic/Glastonbury/South Windsor, a second-year program, had some success last year in its first season. A good group returns for coach Frank Usseglio, who's optimistic the team will take a step forward, though it'll be young on defense and in goal. Senior captains Monica Darby (15 goals, 9 assists last year) and Taylor Hallisey (13 assists) are among the top

New Canaan, Hall/Conard Should Be Strong Again returning forwards, along with juniors Leyna Dimarco (9 goals for a speedy winger though limited by injury) and Carly Barrett and sophomore Maddie Bishop. Senior Tori Hallisey, an assistant captain, leads that young defense. Hamden (14-6) should be deep but needs to replace some standout graduates up front. The Green Dragons do have senior forward Tiler Thompson back; she scored 21 goals last year. Juniors Samantha Cozzolino and Caroline Kennedy were both productive as well for coach Mike Callan. On defense, 11-goal-scorer Samantha Talmadge is back for her sophomore year, and Lindsay Hiebert is a senior. Senior Meghan DeCrescente had a 2.15 goals-against average last year. Guilford (10-8) returns junior goalie Eddy Morritz, who posted a .924 save percentage last year and will key a defense that will make a difference for coach Gil Schaper. Junior Nicole Raccuia is also back at forward off a 30-point season. Newcomers Catherine Lawrence and Lexi Cafiero will add depth. (Continued On Page 61)

• New Jersey Shore Conference Preview • (Continued From Page 58)

Newcomb (29-26-55) leading the way alongside seniors Matt and Andrew Schulz and sophomore Jack Cherella, with sophomores Spencer Reu and Brian Harlow competing for minutes in goal. The Shore B South Division earned statewide acclaim last year behind the impressive play of Wall (18-7-3) and Point Pleasant Borough (15-7-2), although both eventually struggled in the state tournament. Wall should be very strong again, with junior forward Jeff Morgan (58 points as a freshman, 82 last year as a sophomore to rank third in the state) returning; he is expected to play alongside senior Alex Wuestneck and freshman Shane Haviland, while juniors Pat Judge and Andrew MacInnis lead the defense in front of untested senior goalie Jake Henderson. Point Pleasant Borough should

also contend behind senior forward Steven Kovaleski (49-30-79 to rank fifth in the state) and junior Owen Herrington (19-24-43); senior Nate Bissey should return in goal. An upand-coming program, Jackson Liberty (912-1) returns sophomore forward Joe Low (19-12-31) and senior defenseman and captain Mike Braun (12-12-24) from the best season in its short history. Monsignor Donovan (13-10-1) returns most of its key players, including senior forward Andrew Gargaloni (22-12-34) and juniors Darius Radziszewski (9-19-28) and J.C. Maroukis (14-11-25), while junior Michael Merlucci could step into a starting role in goal. Manasquan/Point Pleasant Beach (5-14) and Freehold Boro/Raritan (1-17-1) will hope to reverse their fortunes from a year ago.

*Full Time Professional Coaching Staff *50-60 JWHL & Ind./Tournament Games *Games vs. JWHL and Elite Level Teams *Major North American Tournaments *50 Practices (Two practices per week.) *25 Off-Ice Sessions at Mike Boyle’s S&C *Shooting/Stick Handling Training *Goaltending Training Sessions *Educational Assistance Services

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LaSalle Looks For 3rd Straight Title LASALLE, RI (24-0-0) You couldn’t have had much of a better season than the Rams had last winter, going undefeated and winning another state title. Despite losing eight players from that club, expectations are still high for another banner campaign.

Warwick Eyes Title Challenge WARWICK Co-op, RI (12-5-2) Even with only two seniors on the roster, the Lady Titans are hoping to challenge for a state title. Blue line depth and solid goaltending will be the team’s strengths this winter. Up front, coach Dave Tibbetts will get production from sophomore Kelsey Holmes (22 pts), a third team All-Division selection, and sophomore Madison Balutowski (20 pts). Senior Jaime Given

Michaela McNamara LaSalle

Emily Coughlin LaSalle

is a top defensive forward. Anchoring the Warwick defense will be junior Abby Ellis (16 pts), a first team All Division selection. Junior Samantha Hersey is coming off a second team All Division season. Three goalies – senior Ariele Frank, junior Erin Vermyle and freshman Gabby Dicomitis – will battle for playing time between the pipes.

Cailin Catarina LaSalle

Abby Ellis Warwick

Kelsey Holmes Warwick

Solid Nucleus Powers Cranston In RI CRANSTON, RI (7-10-2) Coach Ashley Pagilarini is excited about the upcoming season, expecting a competitive year in Rhode Island girls hockey. A solid nucleus returns, bolstered by 10 new varsity players. The key for the Thunderbirds will be in goal, where senior captain Abby Torres returns from a season where she was named First Team All State. She had a .924

save percentage last year playing every minute. Junior forwards Emily Ferguson (granddaughter of former NHL great John Ferguson) and Taylor Koretsky will spearhead the Cranston offense. The Thunderbirds have a good group on defense with the return of seniors Erin Durigan and Maggie Gallogly and junior Sarah Pearson from last winter’s club.

- Connecticut Girls HS Outlook Trumbull/St. Joseph coach Paula Dady will rely on a couple of senior defensemen, co-captains. Rebecca Buck is speedy and smart; Kelcy Meise brings strength. Amity/Cheshire/North Haven brings back all-state defenseman Abbie Lange among their senior leadership, along with fellow senior captains Kayla Hipona on

defense, Kristen Wyte at forward and Sarah Wiederecht in goal. Coach Scott Whyte is looking for balance over three or four lines for the Blades. Lauralton Hall will be led by senior captain Bridget Stackpole. She's a strong defensive player for the Crusaders, coach Michelle Marella said.

Junior Michaela McNamara (32 pts) is the top returning scorer for the champs, headlining a group that also includes junior Cailin Catarina (14 pts) and sophomores Arianna Boscia (20 pts) and Martha Peppes (19 pts). Coach Sean McNamara’s club will have a lot of experience on the blue line, with junior Emily Coughlin (18 pts), junior Amanda Blackmar and sophomores Ashley DeFusco, Katelyn Trask and Ally Altschuler all back. New freshman Maleah Gillette should step right in and play.

Mount St. Charles Will Be In Rhode Island Mix MT. ST. CHARLES, RI (14-3-0) It will be another competitive season for the Mounties, who hope to unseat rival LaSalle for the crown. Bri Castro will be a go-to forward for coach Tony DiLorenzo. The front lines also return Alexis Fagan, Jordan McComb, Claire Albright and Emma Murray. Defensively, the Mount welcomes back Bri Luciani, Mel Foster and Anya Stimpson as key blue liners. A host of new varsity players will hope to make an impact right away.

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RI Club Building For Future SMITHFIELD/NO. SMITHFIELD/COVENTRY, RI (0-16-0) This co-op program is in building mode and coach Frank Varrecchione feels his club can be competitive this season. His team has some good numbers. Returning forwards who will have bigger roles this winter include senior Danielle Clarke, sophomore Shannon Reilly, junior Ashley Shilko, senior Mckenzie Brissette, and Allie Walker. Sophomore Siobhan Kiernan will be a plus on the blue line, as will Kayla Brown. Goaltending will be improved. The junior duo of Emily Sheehan and Allie Gould return. Caroline Howell Hanover

Sarah Wagner Hanover

Chelsea Ellis BFA St. Albans

• NH Defending Champ •

Hanover’s Drive For Five

HANOVER, NH (21-1-0) The Marauders won their fourth consecutive NH state title last winter and will be right in the running for #5 this season. Hanover has upgraded its schedule, playing Mass. teams Acton-Boxboro and Andover, a pair of tilts with Beekmantown, NY, and making a trip to Minnesota to play in the Schwan Cup. All but the Minnesota games will count in the NH league standings. Coach John Dodds has plenty of firepower returning up front for another title charge, including seniors Grace Tecca, Emily Acker and Sarah Muller, juniors Sarah Wagner and Sarah Polidor and sophomores Julie Montgomery, Eliza Laycock, Kelly Brigham and Mati Hartman. Senior Caroline Howell will be a rock on the Marauders blue line. Also back for another year are junior rearguards Emma Malenka, Margeaux Baker and Delia Nahabedian. Junior Katie Fenton is a returning goaltender.

• Vermont Defending Champ •

Good Returning Numbers For BFA St. Albans BELLOW FREE ACADEMY, VT (18-3-2) Bad news for other Vermont girls high school teams, defending Division I state champion BFA St. Albans returns two full lines and an experienced defense. Senior leadership up front will come from Dani Schreiner (33 pts) and Chelsea Ellis (22 pts). Key returning junior forwards are Jade Remillard (28 pts) and Taylor Jackson (13 pts), while a lot is expected of sophomore Aliza Ellis (20 pts). On defense, veteran coach Luke Cioffi will lean on junior Morgan Lemos (20 pts) to be a cornerstone. The goaltending job projects to go to returning senior Marina Nadeau.

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TeamOne 2013 Girls Major Champions Coach: Ray Jacques, CFP® “On behalf of New England Schooner and the Jacques family we are happy and proud to support Hockey Night In Boston, The Boston Shamrocks and the USA Hockey Foundation, three great organizations that promote the game and have had a tremendously positive impact on our lives!” Raymond P. Jacques, Certified Financial Planner® *Securities and advisory services offered through Royal Alliance Associates, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC Advisory services offered through New England Schooner, Inc., A registered investment advisor.

OPERATION VAPOR

Take over the game with the new VAPOR APX2 stick. New AERO SENSE blade technology allows you to sense puck movement and accelerate your shot with deadly accuracy. It’s the stick made to settle the score, once and for all.

#OWNTHEMOMENT © 2013 BAUER Hockey, Inc. and its affiliates. All rights reserved. VAPOR is a registered trademark owned by Nike, Inc. and/or its affiliates and used under license exclusively for hockey.