When the puck drops on the 2023-24 boys prep hockey season, Tim Whitehead will hit the decade mark as head coach at Kimball Union. The longtime bench boss spent 17 seasons as a Division 1 college head coach at both UMass Lowell (five years) and Maine (12 years).
Kimball Union has won three Elite 8 titles under Whitehead, all coming from 2017-19. When the NEPSAC finally wasn't hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic and a normal season was underway in 2021-22, Whitehead's crew was the No. 1 seed.
"We're not embarrassed to say we always strive to win championships," Whitehead said.
But last year was a bit uncharacteristic.
After claiming the Lakes Region with a win over Holderness, Kimball Union was the No. 8 seed in the Elite 8 tournament. The Wildcats were taken down by Cushing, 6-2, in the opening round.
The hunger to win is always there, especially after falling short last season. Kimball Union lost 11 players from last year's roster, including two superstars, whom we'll get to in a bit.
Whitehead's team has an advantage over last year's team though.
"I think we have more depth throughout our lineup than we did last year," Whitehead said.
That depth will be what puts Kimball Union in the conversation for Elite 8 recognition. And it's the case in all three positions.
Replacing the scoring left behind by Jackson Kyrkostsas
It was hard to find a more dominant player in prep hockey last season than Jackson Kyrkostas. The '04 led the region in points with 58 and was a driving, dynamic force down the middle for Kimball Union. The Windham, N.H., native graduated from Kimball Union in the spring and now plays for the West Kelowna Warriors in the British Columbia Hockey League.
Fortunately for Whitehead, Jack Sadowski (Arlington, Mass.) and Sam LeDrew, the two who rode on both sides of Kyrkostas, are back.
"I would anticipate they'll be our top two forwards," Whitehead said.
And it's easy to see why.
Sadowski, a University of New Hampshire commit, led the team in goals (24) and totaled 42 points, making him one of the best first-year players in prep hockey last season.
"He definitely had the scoring touch and he's a good passer," Whitehead said. "He's just looking to round out his game, become more of a 200-foot player, which he already is improving in that area. But to play in Hockey East, you've got to be able to excel in a lot of different areas."
LeDrew also posted a strong campaign, posting 17 goals and 39 points. The two seniors are primed for increases in production. So, too, is senior forward Malcolm Baar who has six goals and 17 points last year.
An intriguing senior forward looking to make an even bigger impact inside the top six will be Kyle Murray-Smith (South Stafford, Vt.). The 6-foot-5, 255-pound left wing had eight goals and 19 points in 31 games last year.
"The remarkable thing is he's not just a kid who's big," Whitehead said. "He's also fast. He's mobile. He's taken a nice step with his agility and his ability to cut and turn and become more elusive in addition to being a power forward."
Murray-Smith is also a lacrosse standout who has received offers from Division 1 college lacrosse schools. However, he's turned them down to pursue hockey — his No. 1 sport.
Four transfers are also slated to make a big impact up front: postgrad Nathan McLean, senior Max Kimelman and juniors Iain Olsen (Vergennes, Vt.) and CJ Watroba (West Springfield, Mass.).
New England hockey fans most likely already know Watroba — the '07 recently committed to Merrimack and won a Mass. state championship with Pope Francis earlier this year. He also averaged over a point per game at USA Hockey's Select 16 Camp this summer.
Making up for Dan Heroux graduating
For the last two seasons, Whitehead could count on the stable presence of Dan Heroux in net. The University of Vermont commit averaged a goals-against average of 2.16 and a .929 save percentage through both years. He graduated, leaving a hole between the pipes.
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Senior Colby Boyce, an '04, projects to be part of the solution. Heroux saw most of the time in net last year, but Boyce still got a fair number of starts, posting a 1.52 GAA and .944 save percentage. Kimball Union also has Blake McMeniman (Revere, Mass.), an '07, transferring in as a junior. McMeniman comes to Kimball Union after spending last season with the Islanders Hockey Club 16U team.
"We anticipate they'll split time throughout the year and give us two really strong options," Whitehead said.
What will alleviate any pressure on the goalies is the strength of the defensive crew in front of them. Leading the unit is Andrew O'Sullivan, an '06 who is an early pick to be one of the best defensemen in prep hockey. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound puck-mover posted five goals and 26 points in 34 games last year. His hockey IQ stands out.
"Andrew was definitely our top defenseman last year as far as power play, penalty kill and his all-around game," Whitehead said. "I anticipate he'll have a really strong year."
As of Aug. 1, O'Sullivan became eligible to have colleges offer him. He's a definite Division 1 prospect but has yet to commit anywhere.
"It's kind of surprising," Whitehead said of O'Sullivan not committing anywhere yet. "But it'll happen. He's only going into his junior year. He's had quite a bit of interest. He has the luxury of being a little more patient and I think that's a wise move."
Other major pieces on the back end will be seniors Luke Clarner (East Burke, Vt.) and Jack McMinn. Clarner is a 6-foot-2, 185-pound shutdown defender with a good stick, while McMinn weighs in at 5-foot-11, 170 pounds and moves the puck well.
Just like at forward, Whitehead has some new players coming in on defense, too. Nick Evans, a standout defender at Malden Catholic, enters as a junior and projects to play college hockey someday. Anthony Leech, a sophomore defender out of Wellington, Fla., also will see big minutes. Both are '07s.
