With less than a month left in the regular season, Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association teams across the state are pushing hard for playoff positioning.
In Division 1, defending champion St. John’s Prep and Catholic Memorial have separated themselves from the rest of the field. Obviously, with the Super 8 being no longer, anything can happen in a single elimination tournament.
Division 2 has similarly seen a few teams rise to the top of the crop, but Division 3 and Division 4 appear to be wide-open races.
Below we’ll take a look at all four divisions and check in on who could be the last four teams standing come March 19 at TD Garden.
DIVISION 1
1. St. John’s Prep (10-1-1)
Not much needs to be said when it comes to why the defending champs are in a solid position to win again in March. The Eagles have a boatload of depth up front with a scoring-by-committee mentality. Junior Jake Vana leads the way with 17 points while six other teammates have already hit double digits.
2. Catholic Memorial (12-1-0)
The Knights have similarly strong depth and might be a little bigger and better on the blue line. Looking at it critically, CM might have a couple of more high-end forwards, but don’t have quite the amount of weapons in the arsenal that St. John’s Prep has. Owen Watson has stepped up and been great between the pipes, which could give the Knights a boost come postseason time.
3. Hingham (8-1-4)
Hingham has talent, depth and experience on its side. The Harbormen have an older lineup, led by senior defenseman Chase McKenna and forwards Aidan Brazel, Travis Rugg, Billy Jacobus, and Connor Richardson. Senior goaltender Luke McLellan has taken the starting job for the first time in his high school career. There isn’t a public school team I’d take over Hingham, at least currently.
4. Arlington (10-2-2)
The Spy Ponders are getting better and junior center Jake Russell’s return certainly solidifies that. A few younger forwards, Liam Gore and Killian Wright, have benefited from a few players heading to prep school. On defense, a name to know is freshman Evan Jones, whose puck-moving skills are off the charts for this level.
5. Reading (8-2-1)
The Rockets can roll three lines and defensive pairings, but there are a few star forwards, including seniors Evan Pennucci and Robbie Granara. Juniors Laz Giardina and Cam Fahey have taken steps from a year ago. The defense improved when Maxx Owens returned from injury. If Reading can get solid goaltending, don’t count Mark Doherty’s team out, as a darkhorse possibility.
6. Pope Francis (9-1-3)
The story with the Cardinals is the first line, which includes sophomore left wing CJ Watroba and senior center Josh Iby. Junior Zach Buffone is the leader of the defensive group. As has become customary, Pope Francis is by far the best team outside of the Route 495 belt. Can head coach Brian Foley finally get over the hump and win a title?
7. Belmont (10-1-2)
The Marauders are a top-heavy team, led by senior sniper Cam Fici. He’s now gone over 20 goals for a second straight season. While Fici gets most of the media attention, seniors Peter Grace and Joe Gaziano deserve more credit for their work on the defense. This is a senior-laden nucleus that is looking to get at unfinished business, dating back to when COVID prevented the team from a chance at playing at TD Garden in the state finals.
DOHERTY DIVISION: Standouts from the first round in the Ed Burns Coffee Pot Tournament
8. St. Mary’s (9-3-3)
The Spartans have fallen on tough times lately, but I still like the way this team plays. Head coach Mark Lee insists his players have details, habits and compete level. It is a lot of pressure on a freshman goaltender, but this team will likely go as far as netminder Anthony Palmer can take it.
9. Marshfield (11-2-2)
The Rams have the benefit of senior goaltender Brady Quackenbush keeping them in every game. His goals-against average and save percentage continue to hover around unbelievable numbers. Up front, Tommy Carroll and Sam Holte provide offensive punch. On the blue line, Jake Reisman is the go-to guy. Head coach Dan Connolly recently earned his 350th victory.
10. Xaverian (8-5-0)
The Hawks have established themselves as the clear third-best team in the Catholic Conference. Dave Spinale’s team isn’t as good as Catholic Memorial or St. John’s Prep, but it's ahead of BC High, Malden Catholic and St. John’s Shrewsbury. The biggest card in the deck for Xaverian is junior goaltender Cole Pouliot-Porter. His flashy style is fun to watch, but it’s also effective at this level.
DIVISION 2
1. Tewksbury (11-1-1)
Key players, including defenseman Caden Connors and wing Jason Cooke, are gone from last year’s title-winning team. Nick DiCioccio and Matt Cooke have each stepped up on defense and upfront, respectively. DiCioccio has taken on more of an offensive role with Connors gone, but his defensive play gets him noticed. In goal, Ben O’Keefe is underrated when it comes to the top players at his position.
2. Hopkinton (11-2-0)
Senior Pavit Mehra came back to the Hillers for his final season of MIAA after playing junior hockey in the USPHL NCDC in 2021-22. He provides a huge boost to the offense, as does freshman Cam MacPherson. The duo has been a lethal force for Hopkinton. The team doesn’t play a tough schedule, but it could surprise people in the playoffs.
3. Duxbury (9-4-2)
Mike Flaherty’s Dragons have stepped up to play a challenging schedule that includes a few games against Division 1 foes. Senior forwards Connor O’Connell and Aidan Harrington have led the way offensively. Don’t sleep on freshman Anders Kilbourne up front, either. Junior defenseman Michael Hussey is having a great year.
4. Canton (11-3-0)
The Bulldogs are down this year, after losing in the state semifinals in 2021-22. However, Brian Schuman’s team has the benefit of running out sophomore goaltender Colin Davis. He has to cut down on soft goals, but he’s technically sound and will be one of the best goaltenders at the Division 2 level in 2022-23.
5. Boston Latin (8-3-2)
Senior forwards Parick Harnan and Richard Bova have been the leaders of the Wolfpack offense. On defense, freshman Gavin Wainwright is having a monster year as he’s close to putting up a point per game on the blue line. Can Boston Latin make a run? Absolutely.
6. Walpole (7-4-0)
Before a disappointing first-round exit in the Ed Burns Tournament, the Rebels were looking good. There is still plenty of hockey left and Walpole will be good in Division 2. Senior forwards Jason Finkelstein and Griffin Curran have been the statistical leaders for the team.
BRINN DIVISION: Standouts from the first round in the Ed Burns Coffee Pot Tournament
7. Somerset (12-0-0)
Senior Davis Sullivan has been the biggest offensive star for the Raiders. In 12 games, all wins, Sullivan has 11 goals and 15 assists. Noah Taylor, Kevin Stafford and Luke Gauvin have been behind Sullivan looking to help out offensively. In goal, Brandon Silva has been close to emulating a brick wall.
8. Newburyport (6-6-2)
The Clippers have the weakest record of any team I’ve included in these power rankings, but I like their strength of schedule. They’ve agreed to play some tough teams, which will prepare them for the playoffs. The star of the team is senior defenseman Cam Caponigro.
DIVISION 3
1. Lynnfield (11-0-1)
The Pioneers are led by senior defenseman Drew Damiani and an offense that can roll three lines without seeing much of a drop-off, which is a rare feat for Division 3. Junior Jack Carpenter has returned to his hometown high school after previously playing at St. Mary’s, which has bolstered the LHS offense. Head coach Jay Gardner recently achieved career victory number 100.
ELSEWHERE: Standouts from Lynnfield's win over Triton
2. Medfield (11-2-0)
Senior captain Kevin Arthur is a scoring dynamo for the Warriors. He already has over 20 goals and 10 assists. He’s not necessarily the fastest player on the ice, but he’s got a good shot, protects pucks, and doesn’t shy away from the middle of the ice. In general, the offense is putting up over four goals per game for head coach Kevin Ladd.
3. Nauset (9-3-0)
The best player in Division 3 resides on Nauset’s roster. Sophomore forward Logan Poulin has already racked up 21 goals and 13 assists in 12 games. He’s on the smaller side, but he’s quick and has a good stick. He can juke opposing defenders and make plays in small areas. On most nights at this level, Poulin can just skate circles around opposing teams.
4. Scituate (10-3-2)
Senior Teagan Pratt and juniors James Sullivan and Johnny Donahue have led the way offensively for the Sailors, a team averaging nearly five goals per game. Scituate has scored 28 goals over its last four games. Team defense will need to be shored up before the postseason starts.
5. Watertown (5-6-2)
A lot of the key members of last year’s team that advanced to the Division 4 state championship game are back. The Raiders boast junior forwards Alec Banosian, Aidan Campbell, and Anthony Venezia. On the blue line, junior Mauricio Souza is back as a mobile, puck-moving defender. John Vlachos’ team is up a division this season. A tough gauntlet in the Middlesex League will help Watertown be prepared for all comers.
6. Essex Tech (13-0-1)
The Hawks are a program on the rise, thanks to the new Essex Sports Center twin rinks right off the school’s campus in Middleton. Sophomore Brady Leonard and junior Logan Casey have found the back of the net 15 and 12 times, respectively. Senior captain and starting goaltender Kyle Mahan has allowed just 19 goals on the campaign.
7. Marlboro (7-4-1)
Last year’s star, Marcus Chrisafidies, graduated and a few other players from the state runner-up team are gone. The Panthers still have a solid goaltender in Dan Esteves. Junior defenseman Luc Masse is now the team’s top player and forwards Colin Glynn and Gavin Daly have found the score sheet consistently.
8. Dracut (9-3-0)
Sophomore defenseman Nathan Freelove is the team’s top prospect. He has scored seven goals and 11 assists in 12 games this season. Junior Colin Underwood and sophomore Drew DuRoss have hit double digits for goals with 12 and 10, respectively. Also having productive seasons are sophomore Matt Lesniak and senior Tommy Workman.
DIVISION 4
1. Norwell (13-1-0)
A few players have returned from prep school or full-season midget teams to bolster the Clippers. Senior goaltender Sean Donovan is one and he’s been solid between the pipes. Up front, seniors Austin Shea and Timmy Ward have been catalysts. Juniors Nolan Petrucelli, Quinn Simmons, and Mike Hanlon have provided a secondary scoring punch. Kevin Leary returned from prep school and has played both forward and defense.
2. Sandwich (9-4-1)
The defending champs earned their title with an exciting double-overtime win over Watertown at the TD Garden. A few key players are back, including star goaltender Mitchell Norkevicius and forwards Colin McIver and Chris Cardillo. The Blue Knights have taken their lumps in the regular season, but Norkevicius is the type of goaltender that can carry a team on his back through a postseason run.
ED BURNS COFFEE POT: Full schedule and results
3. Winthrop (10-2-1)
Junior co-captain Peter Silverman has paced the Vikings with 11 goals and 14 assists in 13 games. Senior co-captain Jack Hayes and sophomores Phil Boncore and Michael Holgersen have also gotten in on the scoring attack. Junior Billy Hayes and senior Robert Noone have anchored the blue line.
4. Grafton (11-2-0)
The Gators have had some solid younger players over the past several years, but have had trouble retaining them. That isn’t the case this winter as senior Brady Keeler, a longtime member of the Junior Bruins, is back donning the hometown colors. He’s racked up 18 goals and seven assists in 13 games. Senior Keegan Gilmore and junior Nick Gouveia both have seven goals.
5. Shawsheen (11-2-0)
The Rams have lost just twice, including one against Division 3 heavyweight Essex Tech. Chuck Baker’s team has solid depth and has received good goaltending from senior Aiden MacLeod. Up front, junior Liam Milne is the team’s leading goal scorer with eight tallies. Brothers Brady and Chase Darcy are next up with seven and six, respectively.
