The prep hockey season is almost here. With that, it's time to get into our All-NEPSAC teams.
The Housatonic League is set for another strong season. The conference boasts the defending Elite 8 champion in Avon Old Farms as well as the reigning Large School champs in Taft. That's not to mention Large School runner-up Salisbury, Westminster fresh off an Elite 8 appearance or Loomis Chaffee and Kent coming off Large School tournament berths.
Even though some of these teams experienced their share of turnover after last season, there's still plenty of talent in the league. There were some tough calls in putting together these teams, too, whether it was deciding between the First or Second team for a player, or leaving some worthy candidates out.
Let's dive into our preseason All-Housatonic teams:
First team
Derek Tremblay, sr., F, Taft
Tremblay finished third on the team in scoring last year with 12 goals and 35 points, helping Taft to the Large School tournament title. Now a senior, he’ll make up a big returning core that coach Ryan Shannon will rely on early on.
Blake Burke, jr., F, Westminster
With Ryan Shaw off to junior hockey, Burke is Westminster’s returning leading scorer after he had 14 goals and 30 points as a sophomore. He’ll lead a deep group of returners that Tim Joncas hopes will lead his team to another Elite 8 berth.
Tom Molson, sr., F, Deerfield
Molson took off as a junior last year, leading Deerfield in scoring with 15 goals and 39 points. Coming off an excellent fall with the Avon Regals, the shifty forward will look to lead the way for Tim McVagh’s attack once again.
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Patrick Dotson, sr., D, Westminster
Dotson led all Westminster defensemen in scoring as a junior last year with 17 points (four goals). He’s back to anchor the blue line this season, and Joncis believes his blend of size, mobility and physicality gives him the ability to dictate games.
Teddy Mallgrave, sr., D, Kent
Mallgrave will lead Kent both on and off the ice this season as the headliner of an experienced defense core as well as team captain. The St. Lawrence commit had 14 points (one goal) from the blue line last year, and coach Dale Reinhardt has seen him take huge strides in the last few years.
Cooper Flemming, sr., G, Salisbury
Flemming was strong in a timeshare for Salisbury last season, putting up a .911 save percentage and a 2.12 goals-against average as his team reached the Large School championship. Coach Andrew Will is eager to see him take an additional step in his development this season.
Second team
Justin Tavares, jr., F, Deerfield
Tavares was Molson’s right-hand man on the scoresheet for Deerfield last season, scoring 14 goals and 33 points as a sophomore. He could be in line for an even bigger year as a junior.
Gio DiGiulian, sr., F, Kent
DiGiulian led the way for the Lions last year with 17 goals and 29 points. The Cornell commit helps make up a strong contingent of returning forwards for Kent, motivated for an even bigger season.
Brian Judge, sr., F, Westminster
Judge had a massive breakout season for Westminster last year, finishing with 26 points (nine goals) in 26 games. Joncis expects him and Burke to carry the load, especially early on.
ON THE RISE: 23 breakout forward candidates in prep | 17 breakout defender candidates in prep
Alexander Kenerson, sr., D, Taft
Kenerson came up with the game-winning goal for Taft in overtime of the Large School championship last year. The Bowdoin commit finished the season with 19 points (four goals) and returns as the anchor of Taft’s top defensive pair.
Hudson Miller, sr., D, Avon Old Farms
Miller was key to Avon Old Farms’ depth last season en route to the Elite 8 title. The Yale commit finished with 10 points (one goal) from the blue line, and he’ll be expected to take an even bigger step as one of four seniors on defense this season.
Matteo De Luca, sr., G, Westminster
De Luca ate minutes in the crease last season for Westminster, finishing with a .908 save percentage and a 3.04 goals-against average, facing plenty of rubber along the way. Joncis believes he has the potential to be one of the best goalies on the prep scene.
