Girls Prep Hockey: Lakes Region Team Previews – St. Paul’s, New Hampton Lead Way; Keep An Eye on Vermont Academy

The Lakes Region will again feature two of the top programs in New England with St. Paul’s and New Hampton, both of whom will be in the running for an Elite Tournament post-season berth. Here’s a look at the eight teams:

BREWSTER ACADEMY (0-24-0)

Home Rink:  Pop Whalen Ice Arena

The Bobcats will  have more depth this winter, which will be a big help as they look for improvement this winter.

Senior Karlee Stoddard and junior Kara Luby will be two key forwards for coach Jamie Smith. A group of freshmen to keep an eye on are Halle Mules, Shannon Murphy, Zoe Tamborello and Dephine Tamborello.

New junior Erin Carter will log a lot of minutes on the Brewster blue line. Freshmen Laney Harrold and Kate Armstrong will have key roles.

Two goalies back are junior Blaise Bartell and sophomore Lauren Ward.

HOLDERNESS (14-9-3)

Home Rink: Holderness Arena

It was a solid season last winter for the Bulls, one that just saw them miss the post-season. They look to build on that success this year.

Key holdovers at the forward position for coach Nicole Bartlett are the senior trio of Julia Knight (14 pts), Olivia Branch (20 pts) and Katrina Grzeszczuk (25 pt) and junior Alia Piccinni (14 pts).  Adding to the attack are new senior Delaney Dolan, sophomores Sage Amaliksen and Ahneka Noyes and freshman Phoebe Fisher.

New junior Morgan Agran and freshman Ella Cedrone could have big roles on the Holderness blue line.

Back in goal for the Bulls is senior Kirsten DiCicco, who recently committed to Castleton University. New freshman Megan Cunningham will push for time.

KIMBALL UNION (13-9-3)

Home Rink: Akerstrom Arena

Good balance will be a key for the Wildcats, who need to overcome some key losses from last winter’s club.

Up front, senior Ashley Penney and junior Lucie Turcotte will be catalysts for coach Mark Hudak. A key newcomer will be freshman Delaney Williams.

Senior Bella Parento and sophomores Gretchen Dann and Audrey Donahue form the KUA defensive nucleus. Sophomore Shannon Moran is a returning goaltender.

NEW HAMPTON (21-7-2)

Home Rink: Jacobsen Arena

This club lost some power up front so look for a more balanced scoring attack. There will be a lot of young, new faces in the lineup for the Huskies.

There is some experience returning up front in senior Taze Thompson (50 pts – Harvard commit), senior Anna Shelden (38 pts – Brown commit), junior Emma Robertson (15 pts) and junior Maddy Young (12 pts). Post-grad Isabella Burghart, a member of the Austrian Senior National Team, and new junior Julia Pellerin (Boston College commit) will step right in.

Coach Craig Churchill does return a quartet of blue liners in senior Jessica Burwell (13 pts), junior Courtney Colarullo (12 pts – UMaine commit), Elsa Cassidy (Bowdoin commit) and Jo Tattersall. New junior Ava Gosnell from Team Colorado will join the crew.

Sophia Hausberger is a returning goalie in the program. She will be joined at the position by newcomer Avery Callison.

PROCTOR (7-14-4)

Home Rink:  Teddy Maloney Ice Rink

The Hornets have a nice mix of returning players and newcomers and the hope is they can mesh into a formidable unit.

Offensively, returning are senior Lily Vezina, juniors Caroline Coyne, and Juliet Warmke and sophomores Natalie Daniels, Kara Hort and McKenzie Sudolnik.

Senior Kara Baird, juniors Jamie Hort and Caroline Larrson and sophomore Grace Joscelyn return for coach Maggie Kennedy. Junior Maeve Corcoran is back in goal.

Newcomers ready to challenge for a position include juniors Madi Waddell and Maxx Goodman, sophomore Violet Sperry and freshmen Ella Maher, Bridget Everett and goalie Kelley Smock.

ST  PAUL’S (21-3-4)

Home Rink: St Paul’s Hockey Center

Building off last year’s success, the Pelicans project to have a high-powered offense. Be sure that they will work hard in both ends of the ice.

Spearheading that offensive attack for coach Heather Farrell will be the likes of senior Gaby Roy (Boston College commit), senior Tiffany Hill (Dartmouth commit), senior Natalie Tulchinsky and senior Eliza Farriss.

Senior Grace Martin will be a leader on the St. Paul’s line, a group that will also feature sophomores Kristina Allard (Northeastern commit) and Jade Arnone (Harvard commit).  Senior Maddie Beck (Holy Cross commit) returns in goal for the Pelicans.

Expect the roster to also include some talented newcomers. One such player to watch is junior forward Ashlyn Garnett, a Providence commit.

TILTON (7-15-3)

Home Rink: McMorran Fieldhouse

Jessica Young has ascended to the head coaching position this season for the Rams, who are excited to embark on what should be a more challenging schedule.

Seniors Katie Ryan and Brenna Verran, juniors Vicky Visceglio and Jaden Thackston and sophomore Kendall Brant form a solid returning nucleus up front. A host of newcomer forwards include juniors Megan Gates, Danielle Kelly and Olivia McGuire, sophomores Sarah Schoote, Reilly Downey and Isabella Marzano and freshman Sophia Brea.

The defense returns senior Darby Rich and junior Madison Silverman. New sophomore Diana Poland and freshmen Conley Ladabouche and Maria Hatzidakis.

Tilton also has both goalies back in senior Delanie Corcoran and sophomore Sydney Baxter.

VERMONT ACADEMY (19-8-3)

Home Rink: Michael Choukas Skating Rink

The majority of last year’s roster returns for the Wildcats, who also have added a bunch of talented newcomers. It should make for a solid season.

Leading the offensive attack will be senior Kristyna Katounkova (58 pts), a Colgate recruit. Junior Jazmyn Creamer (38 pts) and sophomore Riley Walsh (45 pts) are two more big point producers back for coach Chris Ardito. Junior Kelly Citera (17 pts), sophomore Danielle McCarthy (14 pts) and senior Sydnie Rogers are back as well. The forward lines also welcome in junior Anais Fortier, sophomore Meagan Spring and freshmen Julia Small and Liv Brooks.

Senior Kiara Jandusikova (Colby commit), senior Gabrielle Wood (10 pts) and sophomores Grace Bazin (11 pts) and Jenna Powers (10 pts)  are a solid defensive nucleus. Add in new junior Kelly McCarthy and sophomore Jessica Sujushi.

The goaltending job will be handled by returning junior Izabella Segui and new sophomore Maika Paquin.