It would surprise no one if the eventual Elite 8 champion for the 2024-25 prep hockey campaign came out of the Lakes Region.
Kimball Union and Holderness stand out among the rest, but that doesn’t mean everyone else isn’t a worthy opponent.
Those two teams at the top will have lots of competition throughout the season. Tilton should be a factor as well.
Here’s our team-by-team breakdown of the Lakes Region.
Brewster
Coach: Connor Bates
2023-24 result: 7-20-2
Players to watch: Christian Palm, F; Shawn Oelheim, F; JR Bonia, G
Outlook: The Bobcats took the ice with a new coach and a young team last winter – especially on defense – and the struggles were predictable. This time around, they likely won’t be challenging top dogs KUA and Holderness, but there’s a foundation for improvement. The team has great confidence in Bonia in the net. “We are excited to see how that group progresses with a year of experience under their belt,” said Bates.
Holderness
Coach: Alan Thompson
2023-24 result: 25-4, lost to Avon Old Farms in Stuart/Corkery quarterfinals
Players to watch: Brayden Wade, F; Connor Dozois, F; Jacob Duval, F; Jeremy Poirier, D; Will Rob, D; Gabriel Ruiz, D; Luca Torriero, G
Outlook: Another team that graduated some heavy hitters. All three players on the Bulls’ top line were 50-plus point scorers and must be replaced, along with standout defenseman Caeden Herrington and starting goalie Ryan Nolan. Thompson likes the balance up front that should produce four capable lines. Three of the top six defensemen are back. It’s a team that figures to develop as the season progresses, and another trip to the Elite 8 is something very much on the table if it does.
PREP HOCKEY: 32 breakout forward candidates | 18 breakout defensemen candidates
Kimball Union
Coach: Tim Whitehead
2023-24 result: 32-5, won Stuart/Corkery championship
Players to watch: CJ Watroba, F; Corwith Simmers, F; Iain Olsen, F; Nick Evans, D; Lucas Siomos, D; Blake McMeniman, G
Outlook: Three huge losses off last year’s championship team. Jack Sadowski and Sam LeDrew were the top two scorers in the NEPSAC, and Andrew O’Sullivan was the top-scoring defenseman. All are playing juniors. Eleven new players will join a returning core led by Simmers (25-29-54), last year’s top-line center, and Watroba up front. McMeniman returns in goal after an outstanding postseason that saw him make 111 saves in three Elite 8 wins, and finish the season with a 2.49 GAA and .912 save percentage. Four of the top six defensemen have moved on.
New Hampton
Coach: Connor Gorman
2023-24 result: 12-17-4
Players to watch: Connor Pierson, F; Jack Mombourquette, F; Luke Gerardi, F; Dylan Podergois, F; Broden Wood, D; Conor Griffin, D; George Kavanaugh, D
Outlook: New Hampton returns an older team this winter and the hope is that the experience will translate to more wins. The Huskies will need to replace three key forwards who are all playing juniors this season. Avoiding the injury bug that plagued them at times last winter will also be a key. “We will need to stay resilient and invested during moments of adversity, and also stay healthy, which was an issue for us last year,” said Gorman.
PREP PREVIEWS: Avon Old Farms | Belmont Hill | Berkshire | Brunswick | Frederick Gunn | Holderness | Kent | Kimball Union | Phillips Andover | Salisbury
Proctor
Coach: Mike Walsh
2023-24 result: 11-17-2, lost to Rivers in quarterfinals of Piatelli/Simmons tournament
Players to watch: Beckett Homlish, F; Colby Jewell, F; Kevin Delaney, D; Tim Sullivan, F; Axel Black, F
Outlook: The Hornets graduated 10 seniors after last season, so they’ll have a new look as they try to reach a NEPSAC tournament for the second straight year. “We have a lot of leadership to replace, as we graduated the core of our team last year,” said Walsh. “We will be very young this year and will rely heavily on our few returning players. There will be a big question mark in goal as well.”
St. Paul's
Coach: Scott Harff
2023-24 result: 12-16-1
Players to watch: Treva Murphy, G; Blake Truchon, G; Quinn Brandell, D; Avery Ferraris, D; Patrick Cooley, F; Harry Dermody, F; Tommy Humphreys, F; Anderson Kilbourne, F; Michael O'Brien, F; Matt Vohra, F
Outlook: Harff moves into the head job after serving as an assistant coach, and he thinks this is the best offensive group St. Paul’s has had in years. The team will try to build on the momentum it created in the second half of last season when it won eight of its last 12 games and produced its highest Lakes Region finish ever. Defensively, the team is young, with only three returning skaters. Two to watch are Brandell, an All-NEPSAC honorable mention, and Ferraris.
BOYS PREP RANKINGS: Our preseason top 10 | Who are the next 15 teams?
Tilton
Coach: Brooks McQuade
2023-24 result: 14-13-1, lost to Canterbury in Piatelli/Simmons quarterfinals
Players to watch: Maxwell Gagnon, F; Andrew Feldman, D; Jeremy D’Souza, F; Noah Pineo, F; Mason Scanlon, D; Kayden Yeaman, F; Petey Silverman, F; Cam Fahey, F
Outlook: After a second straight exit in the Piatelli/Simmons quarterfinals, the Rams return a strong core that should be bolstered up front by the addition of post-grads Silverman and Fahey. There is no established No. 1 goalie yet but McQuade feels the position can be an asset. “Our goaltending will be strong, as we should have healthy competition,” he said. Tilton should once again be in the mix for a postseason berth.
Vermont Academy
Coach: Brian Allen
2023-24 result: 4-19-3
Players to watch: Jack Marilley, F; Alex Reed, F; Tristen Ayojiak, D; Aiden Ayojiak, F; Leyton Riendeau, D; Zach Drouin, F
Outlook: VA’s biggest issue last year was a lack of scoring, which contributed to close losses that made up roughly half of its total. There is a large number of returning players so the continuity should be better. “We will continue to be hard to play against, but are hoping to have more success offensively in transition,” said Allen.
