There may simply be a brisk chill within the constructing. You can hear the occasional puck being shot, echoing because it ricochets off a close-by board.
To these right here in New England, it’s an setting people know all too effectively. Finally, highschool hockey has made its anticipated return, and this yr’s marketing campaign is predicted to deliver unforgettable highlights.
For Xaverian, the injuries are nonetheless recent from final winter’s recreation at TD Garden, when the Hawks faltered in a 3-2 heartbreaker to Pope Francis throughout a Div. 1 title bout for the ages.
Yet, there’s additionally an enthralling sense of optimism alongside Clapboardtree Street in Westwood as this system enters a newfound season. As common, the varsity returns with a loaded roster, with key contributors resembling standout goaltender Cole Pouliot-Porter (93.8% save share, 1.97 GAA) coming again.
“We are very excited,” mentioned Xaverian coach Dave Spinale. “I would say that certainly having Cole back, it’s wonderful, that he decided to stay and was very happy with the school, plus his teammates and the program. That was great, to have that anchor in our net, right? Then we have seven returning (defensemen), and several returning forwards. It might be scoring-by-committee, but the guys are excited.”
The Catholic Conference stays sturdy, and much more so than common this upcoming season given quite a lot of elements.
Following a one-year respite, John Flaherty returns to his place behind the bench as coach for BC High. Watch out for key contributions from workforce captains Owen Welch and Brendan McCarthy.
Catholic Memorial stays a risk and returns certainly one of its main snipers in Connor Fryberger. Coaches have additionally emphasised the development of Malden Catholic and St. John’s (Shrewsbury), and consider the 2 colleges might be within the working come season’s finish. Malden Catholic might be competing within the Div. 2 state event.
Could Pope Francis make an inconceivable run at a second straight Div. 1 crown? It’s totally potential, given the character of the varsity’s schedule and a returning forged of gamers. However, this system was dealt a big blow final week, when Cardinals coach Brian Foley was suspended by the MIAA one yr for violation of Rule 40 – offseason communication with an athlete. Daniel Fenton will function interim coach in his absence.
The common handful of publics ought to vie for the Div. 1 title as at all times. Two South Shore colleges separated by a couple of 15-mile stretch on Route 3A will battle it out. Led offensively by Paul Dzavik and in between the pipes by rising star Mike Karo, Hingham will make its newest chase at some {hardware}. Meanwhile, longtime rival Marshfield will look to maintain tempo and can depend on two prolific scoring threats in Tommy Carroll and Cam McGettrick to take action.
After embarking on a Cinderella run to the Final Four in 2023, Reading brings again star goaltender Chris Hanifan, hoping to recapture the magic it noticed final postseason. The Rockets might battle with Middlesex League cohort Arlington nevertheless, which figures to be within the hunt below adorned coach John Messuri. Other colleges to eye are Braintree, Franklin and St. Mary’s (Lynn).
Last season noticed Canton return to the mountaintop within the Div. 2 ranks, because the Bulldogs received their first state title since 2020, when this system completed a co-champion with Tewksbury through the pandemic-shortened season. During a 4-1 victory over Hopkinton at TD Garden, Brendan Tourgee (11 objectives, 13 assists) registered a vital tally. Now the senior makes his comeback for yet one more yr, and figures to shoulder the scoring alongside classmate Matt Anderson (14 assists, two objectives).
Do we see Tewksbury return to prominence this season? It is at all times a robust risk, and count on the Redmen to be led by a three-headed monster on their entrance traces. Last yr, Matthew Cooke (16 objectives, 19 assists), Jeremy Insogna (17 objectives, 18 assists) and Tyler Barnes (12 objectives, 18 assists) mixed for 100 factors.
Guess what? They’re all again.
Duxbury made a journey to the Div. 2 semifinals in 2023, and the Dragons are poised to wreak havoc on their opposition once more. Expect Michael Hussey and Tucker O’Neil to energy the workforce defensively, whereas Chris Gillis, Will Atallah and David Pittenger present some offensive tempo.
Could we witness a resurgence for Hopkinton after final yr’s Div. 2 title recreation look? The Hillers could have suffered the departure of their main shooter in Pavit Mehra, however introduced again up-and-comer Cam MacPherson.
Like its predecessor, Norwood might make noise within the vaunted Tri-Valley League, if not Div. 2. Watch out for Walpole. Meanwhile, Algonquin and Silver Lake hope to comply with up on final yr’s breakout performances.
Players to look at
Matt Anderson (Canton)
Will Atallah (Duxbury)
Tyler Barnes (Tewksbury)
Tommy Carroll (Marshfield)
Matthew Cooke (Tewksbury)
Mike Corbett (Catholic Memorial)
Dan Daley (Franklin)
Paul Dzavik (Hingham)
Cam Fahey (Reading)
Connor Fryberger (Catholic Memorial)
Luke Gerardi (St. John’s (Shrewsbury)
Chris Gillis (Duxbury)
Chris Hanifan (Reading)
Jeremy Insogna (Tewksbury)
Jake Jarell (Pope Francis)
Mike Karo (Hingham)
Mossy Kearney (Pope Francis)
Cam MacPherson (Hopkinton)
Cam McGettrick (Marshfield)
Ben Paterson (Franklin)
Jake Petrin (Pope Francis)
David Pittenger (Duxbury)
Cole Pouliot-Porter (Xaverian)
Travis Rugg (Hingham)
Brendan Tourgee (Canton)
Jake Vana (St. John’s Prep)
Source: www.bostonherald.com