The end of the 2017-18 Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) boys hockey season couldn’t have been more dramatic.
Trailing 1-0 late in the third period at the TD Garden, BC High evened the score to force overtime before toppling Pope Francis in the extra session to win the Super 8 championship. Both finalists should once again be two of the top teams in the state.
With some of the Catholic Conference and Catholic Central schools in the midst of rebuilding efforts due to coaching changes, the door is open for some public school teams to push for a championship.
While the talent on the ice is far from what it used to be, there are still several good players and good teams throughout the Bay State. The 2018-19 season promises to deliver plenty of drama as teams look to be the last one standing come March.
NEHJ Preseason Top 10
1. BC High
The defending Super 8 champion returns three of the best forwards in the state in the Kramer brothers. Senior Thomas Kramer is a smart, 200-foot player while sophomores Peter and Joseph Kramer work hard and bring some scoring touch. Another key returner up front is senior Matt Lakus. The top newcomer up front is sophomore Colin Norton.
The defense and goaltending are the two areas that could derail a repeat for BC High. The Eagles lost Mikey Adamson, who transferred to Dexter and Sean Healy who graduated. The top defenseman on paper is freshman Declan Loughnane, who impressed at last May’s Massachusetts High High Performance Camp.
Luke Garrity transferred to St. Sebastian’s so senior Chase Congdon will likely take over the goaltending duties for John Flaherty’s team.
2. Pope Francis
Brian Foley’s team returns a lot of paper, despite losing top scorer Brendan Nehmer and top defenseman Jacob King. The Cardinals boast what should be an explosive offense led by seniors Makem Demers, Jon Tavella and Max Cocchi and sophomore Brandon Spaulding.
Senior defenseman Joey Salvon brings experience while sophomore Owen Kroboth is a newcomer to keep an eye on this season.
Look for sophomore Ben Zaranek and senior Victor Larssen to split the goaltending duties.
3. Arlington
The Spy Ponders are loaded with a talented group of forwards, led by juniors Drew Malatesta and Anthony Messuri. Fellow juniors Brendan Jones, Brendan Pigott and seniors Dara Conneely and Joe Scheschareg also have the ability to produce big point totals.
Senior Jack Simon has been a four-year stalwart on defense. The biggest issue will be replacing Jack Pinard in net. The senior graduated and moved onto Albany Academy for a PG year. If the goaltending can hold up, John Messuri’s team should be a threat to win it all.
4. Xaverian
The Hawks lost a key forward, C.J. Monturio, who transferred to Thayer, but much of the rest of the offense is back. The leaders will be senior Josh Barton, Matt Talarico, juniors Matty Ryan and Ryan Pomposelli, and sophomore Robbie Barletta.
Seniors James Herring and A.J. Scott will battle it out to be the starting goaltender.
5. Marshfield
Dan Connolly’s team has a ton of talent returning and should be one of the top teams in the state. Juniors Kevin Moriarty and Tim Doyle will be the offensive catalysts while seniors James Kolar, Paul Rorke and Sean Kennedy will also be keys. Senior Jack Gatie will be one of the top goaltenders in the MIAA.
6. St. John’s Shrewsbury
The Pioneers will have some big shoes to fill after forwards Nick Palermo and Will Horrigan, defenseman Jack Herlihy, and goaltender Corey Splaine all graduated. Michael Mead’s team returns one of the best forwards in the MIAA in junior Dhillon Wilde. Classmates Matty Myers, Hunter DiGregorio, Brendan Doherty and Griffin Burns will be back as well. Senior Tim Farley will be the team’s leader. Keep an eye on sophomore Max Shustak who should be a solid newcomer. Goaltending and defense will be what holds this team back.
7. St. Mary’s of Lynn
Mark Lee’s Spartans have become a perennial contender. Senior forwards Colin Reddy, Nicholas Napolitano, Kyle Ouellette and Dante Maribito will lead the way offensively. On the blue line, freshman Davis Kinne will be one of the best puck-movers in the state after putting up gaudy numbers as an eighth grader. Kory Ouellette is another key defenseman back while Alex Nazarian will be a welcome addition after transferring from Malden Catholic. Joe Purtell will take over between the pipes.
8. Burlington
The Red Devils lost goaltender Paul Barbieri to graduation, which is a huge loss. Junior forward Ryan O’Halloran is one of the better two-way playmakers in high school hockey. Connor Quinlan will have to step up as well to fill the scoring void left by departed seniors, Jeff Russo, Frankie Bonanno and Sean Casey.
9. Hingham
Senior defenseman Jake Higgins will be the unquestioned leader for the Harbormen, a team that has consistently found itself among the top teams in the state. Another top blue liner is senior Caleb Woodin. Sophomore Trevor O’Brien, the younger brother of Philadelphia Flyers first round pick and Providence freshman Jay O’Brien, is a top forward. There are holes to be filled, but Tony Messina’s team always seems to find a way.
10. Winchester
The Sachems will look to come out of a very tough Middlesex League gauntlet and earn the final spot in the Super 8. Bill Burns’ team is led by senior forwards Nolan Butler, Mike Drew, Joe Lepore and Jack Houle while senior Luke Mix will be a key on defense. Junior Rob DiVicenzo should be the starting goaltender.
Honorable Mention: Catholic Memorial, Reading, Stoneham, St. John’s Prep, Andover
