The Independent School League will hit the ice with a bit of a different look in December, with Tabor Academy joining the 16-team league and competing with the larger schools in the Keller Division. Tabor was invited to replace St. Paul’s School, which left the ISL prior to the 2017-18 academic year after more than...
The Independent School League will hit the ice with a bit of a different look in December, with Tabor Academy joining the 16-team league and competing with the larger schools in the Keller Division.
Tabor was invited to replace St. Paul’s School, which left the ISL prior to the 2017-18 academic year after more than 40 years as a member.
"I’m excited to be in the league," said Tabor hockey coach Gerry Dineen (Bourne, Mass.). "I went to Belmont Hill so I understand the history of the league, the tradition and the level of play. I’m excited that our kids are going to experience that."
Many of the other Keller Division teams have been on Tabor’s schedule for years. Joining the ISL strengthens those ties, reduces travel and gives the Seawolves an in-season championship to chase.
"We’re already playing Belmont Hill, (St. Sebastian’s), Milton, Nobles and Thayer," said Dineen, who was an All-New England defenseman at Middlebury during his playing days. "We used to play Lawrence and (Governor’s). Our schedule was real, real tough and I think it’s going to continue to be real, real tough."
Tabor, which went 13-10-3 with a young team last season, won’t be the favorite in the Keller at the outset. That label, coaches say, should come from a group of four: Thayer, Belmont Hill, Lawrence and St. Sebastian’s. Thayer boasts perhaps the league’s most dynamic player in senior center Jay O’Brien, while only Seb’s from that group of four didn’t qualify for the Stuart/Corkery (elite) tournament last year.
Tabor’s optimism starts with a good core of four junior defensemen — Cam Barbagallo, Connor Guyette, Ian Gindhart and Tyler Harvey. "We were young last year but very competitive," said Dineen. "We gained a few impactful kids and the majority of the core is back."
In the Eberhart Division, Rivers came within a game of winning the Stuart/Corkery championship, falling to Kimball Union in the final, 6-2. Rivers has a strong core of seniors back from that team, including talented forward Teddy Wooding.
"Rivers is head and shoulders above everyone else," said Brooks coach Dave Ries. "I expect them to have a chance to repeat their undefeated season in league play and to compete for the Elite 8 (title) again."
Roxbury Latin heads the list of challengers after winning 16 games a year ago and returning its top line. Brooks, St. Mark’s, Groton and Buckingham, Browne & Nichols also could make strides after all finished below .500 a year ago.
