The stage of competitors in Divisions 3 and 4 throughout Eastern Massachusetts continues to extend heading into the 2022-23 season, when Hanover and Sandwich will look to defend their boys hockey state titles.
Hanover are the reigning champions of Div. 3 after finishing an 18-7-0 marketing campaign with a 5-3 win over Marlboro final season on the TD Garden. Six gamers are getting back from final 12 months’s championship group.
“You shoot for the moon, you always have those expectations of going out on top with a state title,” stated head coach Johnny Abban. “You could say it’s a rebuild, but there are kids who have waited two or three years, and their opportunity has come. We have some great captains to show them the way, and hopefully that will resonate into another successful season for us.”
Those captains embody goaltender Liam Monahan, who led Hanover to a title final 12 months, forwards Liam Joy, Brian Kutz, and Ben Lions, together with Tyler Richards on protection.
Marlboro (21-2-1) has its eye on a unique outcome at TD Garden, and can face a slew of robust opponents to arrange for the match. Scituate (18-8-0) is aiming for a greater ending after falling 1-0 within the closing 4 to the eventual champs in Hanover.
Led by Middlesex League all-stars and senior captains Jack Dickie and Anthony Venizia, Watertown is equipped for an additional title run. With ahead Aidan Campbell returning, who led the group in scoring earlier than struggling a damaged arm final season, head coach John Vlachos has excessive expectations.
Lynnfield (19-4-1) graduated its first line which produced 60 targets final season, and that manufacturing might want to come from one other place. The semifinalists will probably be robust on the again finish with captain Drew Damiani, who put up 50 factors as a blueliner final 12 months, and Lucas Cook, who’s a bodily stay-at-home defender.
Danvers (11-7-5) will depend on returning seniors Bobby Joyce and Trevor McNeil, each captains, in addition to junior Brayden Oteri for stability between the pipes.
Medway (19-4-0) first-year head coach Bill Link sees willpower in his gamers, significantly senior captains Luke Frauton, Thomas Creante and Kavveh Bahary, to construct upon final 12 months’s prime eight end.
Sandwich goals to repeat as Div. 4 state champs after going 17-4-3 final season culminating in a 3-2 win in double additional time over Watertown within the title bout. The prime six forwards are again, together with senior captain Colin McIver. The Blue Knights will even have senior goaltender Mitchell Norkevicius, who backboned the championship squad.
Norwell (21-2-0) misplaced to Sandwich 3-2 in double additional time within the state semifinal. The group will lean on Timmy Ward and fellow senior captain Austin Shea, who was the South Shore League participant of the 12 months, to paved the way this season.
Martha’s Vineyard (14-4-1) will probably be returning 12 gamers from final 12 months’s group which fell to Nantucket within the spherical of 16. The reigning Cape & Islands champs will look to their spine in internet, junior Zach Mathias, to tackle a giant position this season.
Other groups to look at for in Division 4 embody Stoneham (15-9-0), in addition to prime eight finishers Shawsheen (16-6-1) and Nantucket (9-9-4).
DIVISION 3 AND 4 PLAYERS TO WATCH
Aidan Campbell (Watertown)
Chris Cardillo (Sandwich)
Thomas Creante (Medway)
Drew Damiani (Lynnfield)
Nick Ben David (Martha’s Vineyard)
Jack Dickie (Watertown)
Mark Evangelous (Marlboro)
Luke Frauton (Medway)
Bobby Joyce (Danvers)
Luc Masse (Marlboro)
Colin McIver (Sandwich)
Trevor McNeil (Danvers)
Sam Miele (Marlboro)
Liam Monahan (Hanover)
Mitchell Norkevicius (Sandwich)
Nick Rego (Martha’s Vineyard)
Austin Shea (Norwell)
Danny Storella (Stoneham)
Anthony Venezia (Watertown)
Timmy Ward (Norwell)
Casey Williams (Watertown)
Source: www.bostonherald.com