When Brandon Borges took over Williston Northampton's boys team last season, the Wildcats had been a middle-of-the-pack team for most of the previous decade.
There was some hype around them entering last December. With then-sophomore goalie Kamden Jackson coming in, Williston was expected to make a bit of a jump.
They did. While they narrowly missed the postseason, Williston went from 10 to 13 wins.
The most important thing that changed, however, was the culture.
"Last year, my number one goal was to change the culture and standards around the program," Borges said. "And I thought it was incredible. The seniors that we had last year, those guys did such an incredible job of buying into that.
"Wins and losses aside, I couldn't have been more proud of the group."
With the culture and standards changed, the focus is shifting to taking the next step.
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That next step is unknown. Going from 13 to 15 wins? Contending for the playoffs? Contending for the Elite 8? Going deep in the Elite 8.
So long as that next step is forward.
Zoomed-out view
Borges has had eight months to reflect on last season and where Williston can progress. One of those areas is himself.
"The biggest thing for me coming into Year 2 is getting a better grasp on where the players are at physically, mentally and emotionally," he said. "Knowing when to push the buttons and when to take a step back. Last year, it was full throttle. I think for me as an adult and a professional, I can do a better job of picking and choosing my spots."
Part of that is also managing practices better. Williston aims for high levels of intensity in practice, which, Borges admitted, must be managed better in his second season.
Another thing: fall hockey.
"How do we manage the fall?" Borges said. "I don't want the guys coming into the season after the fall being completely gassed. I want them coming into our season feeling good. For us right now, it's a little bit more of a less is more approach."
The last few years
Last year was Williston's first winning season since 2017-18. The Wildcats went 10-16-1 in 2024-25 and 8-14-5 the previous season.
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The coach
Borges, a Providence, R.I., native, is only 30. He played at Williston from 2012-14 before moving to the USPHL to play for the Boston Junior Bruins. He played his college hockey at Skidmore College and Salve Regina from 2017-23.
Who will the stars be?
Last year, Brayden White (Wakefield, R.I.) broke out with 11 goals and 30 points in 26 games. He made USA Hockey's Select 17 Camp over the summer and eventually committed to Holy Cross.
"He's probably going to be the guy that we lean on most," Borges said.
Along with White, another big gun up front will be Grady Rowley (Cumberland, R.I.), who arrives after a standout career with Mount St. Charles, winning two national championships at the 14U and 15O levels. He posted 60 points in 49 games for the 16U squad last winter.
"He does so much that translated to the next level," Borges said. "He's really strong on his skates. He's a smart player and a competitive kid. He's physical, and I think that a lot of people have kind of slept on him."
On defense, senior Cole Ryan (Scituate, Mass.) and junior Sam Chartier (Narragansett, R.I.) will be key after UMass commit Easton Anello (Windsor, Mass.) left early for the QMJHL.
But there may be no more important player on the roster than newcomer Julian Herrera (Providence, R.I.). The former St. Mark's netminder will replace Jackson in net. Herrera had a 1.77 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage last season.
"The expectation will be that he's going to be the guy [in net]," Borges said.
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Newcomers
Rowley and Herrera are newcomers who will surely make a big impact.
Former Frederick Gunn forward Troy Hamelin (Southwick, Mass.), who had eight points in 31 games last season, should be a solid depth scorer. Forward Gabe Kolodjay (Longmeadow, Mass.) joins Williston after starring at Pope Francis (MIAA) last season with 32 points. Those are both '09s.
Nick Stevens, an '08, will join the Williston fray up front. He arrives after a standout career with Bishop Hendricken High (R.I.).
Breakout prospects
Ironically, everyone mentioned outside of White is a breakout candidate. Rowley looks to become a primary scorer in prep. Ryan and Chartier aim to become top-pairing, do-it-all defensemen in prep.
And then, of course, there's Herrera. He primarily split time last season at St. Mark's. Now, he will be expected to be the full-time starter.
An interesting name, however, is Kolodjay.
"Another guy I think is under the radar," Borges said. "I don't think a ton of people know about him, and I think that he has a unique ability to shoot the puck. I think that if he plays with the right guys, he's going to be a kid who can fill the net."
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The ceiling
I haven't made my preseason top 10 yet. Williston, at the very least, should be in it and be an Elite 8 contender.
"The foundation has been laid," Borges said. "Now it's time to start building the house."
