Division 3 hockey returns this weekend – and not a moment too soon.
Some of the region’s top teams head into the new season with a different look, including Curry, which last year reached the Frozen Four for the first time in program history.
There’s also notable realignment, with the Little East Conference sponsoring the sport for the first time and a sea change in the MASCAC, where teams are no longer looking up at Plymouth State.
Which teams begin the season in our New England Top 10? Let’s take a look.
1. CURRY
2024-25 result: 25-4 (won CNE championship); lost to Utica in NCAA tournament semifinals
Coach: Peter Roundy, 5th season | Opener: Saturday at Norwich (7 p.m.)
After backstopping the Colonels to the NCAA quarterfinals and semifinals his first two years, Sid Watson Award winner Shane Soderwall transferred to D-1 Clarkson, where he’s already grabbed the starting job. A strong defense should stay that way, with junior Ryan Prewitt (Abington, Mass.) and Casper Soderling anchoring a top unit.
2. UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND
2024-25 result: 18-8-1 (lost to Endicott in CNE semifinals); lost to Hamilton in NCAA tournament first round
Coach: Kevin Swallow, 11th season | Opener: Friday at Plymouth State (6 p.m.)
The Nor’easters scored at better than a 4.0 goals per game clip last season and bring back a lot of that firepower. Junior forwards Drew Olivieri of Swampscott, Mass. (11-24-35) and Dominic Murphy of Worcester, Mass. (16-18-34) lead a deep group. Senior Chip Hamlett is the leader on defense.
3. TRINITY
2024-25 result: 16-7-2 (lost to Middlebury in NESCAC quarterfinals)
Coach: Matt Greason, 15th season | Opener: Nov. 14 at Conn. College (7 p.m.)
The Bantams return some good talent, a group headlined by star senior goalie Devon Bobak (1.96 GAA, .926 save percentage) and last year’s top three scorers: senior playmaker Spencer Korona of Enfield, Conn. (5-23-28), sophomore Ty Broad (11-9-20) and junior James Barbour (8-10-18). Hamilton may be the preseason favorite in the NESCAC, but Trinity is never far off.
4. PLYMOUTH STATE
2024-25 result: 19-7 (lost to MCLA in MASCAC quarterfinals)
Coach: Craig Russell, 16th season | Opener: Friday vs. University of New England (6 p.m.)
The Panthers are poised for immediate success in their new conference home, the Little East. They bring back most of last season’s top scorers, a group led by senior Will Redick (17-17-34). Last year, a march toward another MASCAC title was halted by the unheralded Mass. College of Liberal Arts, so this team is skating into the new season fueled by motivation.
5. ENDICOTT
2024-25 result: 19-8-1 (lost to Curry in CNE final)
Coach: RJ Tolan, 11th season | Opener: Sunday at Salem State (7 p.m.)
This is the biggest turnover we’ve seen in a while at Endicott. Five of the six players who received All-CNE honors last season have moved on, with just senior forward Primo Self, last year’s second-leading scorer with 14 goals and 28 points, returning. Junior forward Michael Casey (6-17-23) is another player to watch.
6. COLBY
2024-25 result: 14-6-6 (lost to Tufts in NESCAC semifinals)
Coach: Blaise MacDonald, 13th season | Opener: Nov. 14 vs. Williams (7 p.m.)
The Mules ranked third in the NESCAC – behind Hamilton and Trinity – in both goals scored and goals allowed last season, and graduation didn’t make too much of a dent in the lineup. Cooper Rautenstrauch (2.08 GAA, .934 save percentage) burst onto the scene as a freshman and will give the Mules a chance to win a lot of games as a sophomore.
7. NORWICH
2024-25 result: 15-10-3 (lost to Hobart in NEHC final)
Coach: Dominick Dawes, 1st season | Opener: Saturday vs. Curry (7 p.m.)
Dawes, an alum who spent the last nine seasons successfully building the program at Stevenson from the ground up, replaces Cam Ellsworth behind the bench and will try to inflate the talent level of a program that's been good but not great in recent years. Defenseman Cooper Bertrand and goalie Sami Molu (2.36 GAA, .920 save percentage) will backbone what should again be a strong defense. Last year’s team allowed 2.5 goals a game but there were too many tepid nights offensively.
8. BABSON
2024-25 result: 13-11-2 (lost to New England College in NEHC quarterfinals)
Coach: Jamie Rice, 22nd season | Opener: Friday at Fitchburg State (6 p.m.)
Inconsistency gnawed at the Beavers last season. Wins over ranked Plymouth State and Trinity teams – and a scoreless draw with No. 1 Hobart – were offset with sluggish stretches. In its last three games Babson didn’t score a single goal. Senior forward Brendan Kennedy (team-high 12 goals) and senior goalie Nate Mueller (1.98 GAA, .935 save percentage) are two players to watch.
9. ALBERTUS MAGNUS
2024-25 result: 12-13-1 (lost to Hobart in NEHC quarterfinals)
Coach: Kyle Wallack, 6th season | Opener: Friday at Western Conn. State (4 p.m.)
Only one team got the better of three-time NCAA champion Hobart last winter and it was these Falcons, who always seem to bag a signature win or three no matter what conference they’re in. This year they’ve been taken in by the UCHC, which means a minimum of four games against two of last season’s Frozen Four teams – Utica and SUNY-Geneseo.
10. FITCHBURG STATE
2024-25 result: 15-13-1 (won MASCAC championship); lost to Utica in first round of NCAA tournament
Coach: Dean Fuller, 42nd season | Opener: Friday vs. Babson (6 p.m.)
When an upside-down MASCAC tourney ended last season, it was fourth-seeded Fitchburg hoisting the trophy and skating into the NCAAs. The Falcons will ride a strong junior class into this season, with players like Hunter Dunn (13-15-28, team-high plus-18). Senior Max Macchioni (North Kingstown, R.I.) and Frederick Soderberg are assets in net.
@MikeZhe603
mzhe@hockeyjournal.com
