There might just be a brisk chill in the building. You can hear the occasional puck being shot, echoing as it ricochets off a nearby board.
To those here in New England, it is an environment folks know all too well. Finally, high school hockey has made its anticipated return, and this year’s campaign is expected to bring unforgettable highlights.
For Xaverian, the wounds are still fresh from last winter’s game at TD Garden, when the Hawks faltered in a 3-2 heartbreaker to Pope Francis during a Div. 1 title bout for the ages.
Yet, there is also an enthralling sense of optimism along Clapboardtree Street in Westwood as the program enters a newfound season. As usual, the school returns with a loaded roster, with key contributors such as standout goaltender Cole Pouliot-Porter (93.8% save percentage, 1.97 GAA) coming back.
“We are very excited,” said Xaverian coach Dave Spinale. “I would say that certainly having Cole back, it’s wonderful, that he decided to stay and was very happy with the school, plus his teammates and the program. That was great, to have that anchor in our net, right? Then we have seven returning (defensemen), and several returning forwards. It might be scoring-by-committee, but the guys are excited.”
The Catholic Conference remains strong, and even more so than usual this upcoming season given a variety of factors.
Following a one-year respite, John Flaherty returns to his place behind the bench as coach for BC High. Watch out for key contributions from team captains Owen Welch and Brendan McCarthy.
Catholic Memorial remains a threat and returns one of its leading snipers in Connor Fryberger. Coaches have also emphasized the improvement of Malden Catholic and St. John’s (Shrewsbury), and believe the two schools will be in the running come season’s end. Malden Catholic will be competing in the Div. 2 state tournament.
Could Pope Francis make an improbable run at a second straight Div. 1 crown? It’s entirely possible, given the nature of the school’s schedule and a returning cast of players. However, the program was dealt a significant blow last week, when Cardinals coach Brian Foley was suspended by the MIAA one year for violation of Rule 40 – offseason communication with an athlete. Daniel Fenton will serve as interim coach in his absence.
The usual handful of publics should vie for the Div. 1 title as always. Two South Shore schools separated by about a 15-mile stretch on Route 3A will battle it out. Led offensively by Paul Dzavik and in between the pipes by rising star Mike Karo, Hingham will make its latest chase at some hardware. Meanwhile, longtime rival Marshfield will look to keep pace and will rely on two prolific scoring threats in Tommy Carroll and Cam McGettrick to do so.
After embarking on a Cinderella run to the Final Four in 2023, Reading brings back star goaltender Chris Hanifan, hoping to recapture the magic it saw last postseason. The Rockets could struggle with Middlesex League cohort Arlington however, which figures to be in the hunt under decorated coach John Messuri. Other schools to eye are Braintree, Franklin and St. Mary’s (Lynn).
Last season saw Canton return to the mountaintop in the Div. 2 ranks, as the Bulldogs won their first state title since 2020, when the program finished a co-champion with Tewksbury during the pandemic-shortened season. During a 4-1 victory over Hopkinton at TD Garden, Brendan Tourgee (11 goals, 13 assists) registered a crucial tally. Now the senior makes his comeback for one more year, and figures to shoulder the scoring alongside classmate Matt Anderson (14 assists, two goals).
Do we see Tewksbury return to prominence this season? It is always a strong possibility, and expect the Redmen to be led by a three-headed monster on their front lines. Last year, Matthew Cooke (16 goals, 19 assists), Jeremy Insogna (17 goals, 18 assists) and Tyler Barnes (12 goals, 18 assists) combined for 100 points.
Guess what? They’re all back.
Duxbury made a journey to the Div. 2 semifinals in 2023, and the Dragons are poised to wreak havoc on their opposition again. Expect Michael Hussey and Tucker O’Neil to power the team defensively, while Chris Gillis, Will Atallah and David Pittenger provide some offensive tempo.
Could we witness a resurgence for Hopkinton after last year’s Div. 2 title game appearance? The Hillers may have suffered the departure of their primary shooter in Pavit Mehra, but brought back up-and-comer Cam MacPherson.
Like its predecessor, Norwood could make noise in the vaunted Tri-Valley League, if not Div. 2. Watch out for Walpole. Meanwhile, Algonquin and Silver Lake hope to follow up on last year’s breakout performances.
Matt Anderson (Canton)
Will Atallah (Duxbury)
Tyler Barnes (Tewksbury)
Tommy Carroll (Marshfield)
Matthew Cooke (Tewksbury)
Mike Corbett (Catholic Memorial)
Dan Daley (Franklin)
Paul Dzavik (Hingham)
Cam Fahey (Reading)
Connor Fryberger (Catholic Memorial)
Luke Gerardi (St. John’s (Shrewsbury)
Chris Gillis (Duxbury)
Chris Hanifan (Reading)
Jeremy Insogna (Tewksbury)
Jake Jarell (Pope Francis)
Mike Karo (Hingham)
Mossy Kearney (Pope Francis)
Cam MacPherson (Hopkinton)
Cam McGettrick (Marshfield)
Ben Paterson (Franklin)
Jake Petrin (Pope Francis)
David Pittenger (Duxbury)
Cole Pouliot-Porter (Xaverian)
Travis Rugg (Hingham)
Brendan Tourgee (Canton)
Jake Vana (St. John’s Prep)