We are just over two weeks into the Rhode Island boys' high school hockey season, and the top teams in the state are already squaring off, shuffling our preseason rankings.
There are no new teams in the top five this week, and the five squads listed below seem to have already separated themselves from the rest of the pack.
Division 1 dominates this week's ranking. That doesn't mean it will be that way forever.
Here is where things currently stand in the first in-season edition of our top five rankings.
1. Bishop Hendricken (1-0-0)
Previous: 2
Division 1
Coach: Mike Soscia
Next: vs La Salle Academy, Dec. 19, 7:15 p.m.
The reigning Division 1 state champion jumps up to the top spot after opening league play with a 5-0 win over Smithfield. Nick Stevens recorded four points with a hat trick in the victory, and the Crain brothers, Cullen (goal, two assists) and Mason (two assists), each recorded multi-point games. The Hawks also played two scrimmages against MIAA teams BC High and Bishop Feehan, which both ended as 2-2 ties and could be crucial tests as the season progresses.
2. Moses Brown (2-0-0)
Previous rank: 3
Division 1
Coach: Frank Fede
Next: vs Burrillville, Dec. 19, 9:00 p.m.
The Quakers have played as difficult opponents in their first two league games as one could ask for, defeating Smithfield 4-2 and La Salle Academy 5-2, with both wins coming on the road. Joe Magiera (2-2-4) paces Moses Brown in scoring through two games, and standout goaltender Alan Jaffe has been excellent — as expected — so far, posting a .935 save percentage, including a 38-save performance against La Salle.
3. La Salle Academy (1-1-0)
Previous rank: 1
Division 1
Coach: Shawn Tingley
Next: at Bishop Hendricken, Dec. 19, 7:15 p.m.
A loss to Moses Brown is nothing to be ashamed of, and for the Rams, it’s a quality early-season test that will later prove crucial. La Salle mounted a third-period comeback in its league opener against Pilgrim, a 3-2 win. JD Plante tallied a goal and an assist in the victory, and Axel DaSilva netted the game-winning goal. The Rams will be thrown right back into the deep end on Friday when they travel to face top-ranked Bishop Hendricken.
4. Pilgrim (1-1-0)
Previous rank: 5
Division 1
Coach: Mike Boyajian
Next: vs Smithfield, Dec. 19, 5:15 p.m.
In our preseason rankings, I warned against letting the Patriots’ 3-11 record from last season deceive you — and through two league games, Pilgrim has shown it’s a tough matchup for anyone. The Patriots opened league play with a tightly contested 3-2 loss against La Salle in which Jackson Bromage and Declan Bragg scored goals. Michael Bessette made 32 saves in the defeat. Pilgrim followed up the loss with a 2-1 win on the road at Prout.
5. Prout School (0-1-0)
Previous rank: 4
Division 1
Coach: John Gaffney
Next: at Moses Brown, Dec. 20, 7:00 p.m.
Before the season, Gaffney was candid in saying it would take time for the Crusaders to gel, given how different Prout’s roster is this year compared to last. Despite dropping their first league game, 2-1, to Pilgrim, the Crusaders slid just one spot in our rankings. Prout will travel to Moses Brown on Saturday for another stern test for a young team.
