Maine HS Hockey: Maine Girls Hockey 2019-2020 Preview

A total of 16 teams will begin play on Saturday to kick off the 2019-2020 Maine Girls HS hockey season. The teams are split up into two 8-team divisions – North and South. Cheverus is the defending state champion.

NORTH DIVISION

LEWISTON

Home Rink: Androscoggin Bank Colisee

The Blue Devils came oh-so-close to a state title last winter, falling to Cheverus in the state final for their only loss of the season. With the majority of that club coming back, expect Lewiston to be a serious challenger again in 2020.

Senior Emily Anctil is back up front and will be an offensive leader. A strong junior group features Brie Dube, Gemma Landry, Madison Conley and Ariana Vallee. Sophomore Leah Landry will contribute.  Two freshmen – Leah Dube and Alyssa Marcoux – hope to chip in.

On the blue line, sophomore Paige Pomerleau will have a huge impact; she returns along with sophomores Lilly Gish and Charlotte Cloutier. The unit also features four new freshmen, including Bailey St. Hilaire.

Coach Ron Dumont will have lots of experience in the nets with veteran senior Camree St. Hilaire.

ST. DOMINIC ACADEMY/WINTHROP/GRAY NEW GLOUCESTER

Home Rink: Norway Savings Bank Arena

A good-balanced attack should keep the Saints highly competitive all season. They won the Maine state title in both 2016 and 2017. This season, the lineup is bolstered by a new co-op arrangement with Winthrop HS and Gray New Gloucester.

The Saints did lose a premier forward with the graduation of Avery Lutryzkowski, so offensive production will need to come from the likes of returning sophomores Bella Webster and Emma Roy. Gray New Gloucester junior Madi Pelletier and sophomore West Duffy will have key roles.

Junior Gisele Ouelette will be a fixture on defense. Freshman Lily Beauchesne will be a key blueliner as well.

BRUNSWICK

Home Rink: Watson Arena – Bowdoin College

All but four players on the Saints roster are either freshmen or sophomores, so it could be learning on the fly this winter for the Dragons.

Junior Greta White and sophomore Molly Taub will be offensive leaders for coach Mike Routhier.

On defense, senior Charlotte Kirk and sophomore Lily Hatrick are key holdovers from last year’s club. Freshman newcomer Hannah Wilkoff will push for serious minutes.

YARMOUTH/FREEPORT

Home Rink: North Yarmouth Academy

This club is under new management, with Dave Intraversato taking over the head coaching reins. He expects to have a solid club, one that will move the puck quickly.

Up front, the Clippers will look to juniors Emma Moll and Lizzie Guertier and sophomore Olivia Bradford to spark the offense.

Senior Paige Rinaldi, senior Sophie Newberg and senior Hannah Swift form an experienced blue line group. Freshman Chloe White adds the mix defensively. Junior Allie Perrotta is a returning goaltender.

MT. ARARAT/MORSE/LISBON

Home Rink: Watson Arena – Bowdoin College

Making the playoffs is a goal for the Eagles, who look to increase Grade A scoring chances this year.

That task will fall on the likes of juniors Ema Hawkes, Maddie Young. Alexis Saxton and Bre Hunter, all returning from last year’s club. A freshman to keep an eye on is Alex Durant.

Coach Jeremy Saxton will rely defensively on junior Abbie Lucas and sophomore Megan Reed. New freshman Mallory Stuart will be a welcome add.

EDWARD LITTLE/LEAVITT/POLAND

Home Rink: Norway Savings Bank Arena

The Red Hornets are coming off a solid 14-win season and fully expect to contend again in the North Division.

Scoring production will be the task of senior Isabel Berube and junior Caroline Tracey, both key returners, as are sophomores Caroline Audette and Sophia Hartley. New sophomores Megan Lachance and Audrey Day will help out.

On defense, senior Cassady Bussiere and junior Jillian Bergeron are back and more than capable of doing the job on the blue line.

There is also experience in goal for coach Dana Berube, with the return of senior Maranda Guimond.

WINSLOW/GARDINER/CONY

Home Rink: Camden Ice Vault

The Black Tigers finished just a tick under the .500 mark last winter, going 8-9-1. They go into this season looking to be in the North Division mix.

Key forwards for coach Alan Veilleux are senior Taylor Rodriguez and junior Lindsey Bell.

There is a veteran presence on defense with the return of the senior trio of Katie Bailey, Julia Hinkley and Gabby Hebert.

• Greely is also in the North Division. The Rangers are under the direction this year of new head coach Megan Vaughan.

SOUTH DIVISION

CHEVERUS

Home Rink: Troubh Ice Arena

Despite winning a state title last year, the Stags were thin on numbers. Only two skaters return from that team, but most league coaches feel Cheverus will still be in the hunt.

Those two skaters will be leaders on offense for coach Scott Rousseau. They are senior captain Hannah Woodford and junior Lucia Pompeo. A new freshman, Bella Cloutier, should bolster the attack. Senior Erin Libby, sophomore Emily Tucker and freshman Elle Clooney all will chip in.

The defense will certainly have a new look. Junior Emily Factor, a transfer from Brunswick, will be a key. Sophomore Clare McDonald will have a big role. Rousseau feels he may use Woodford on the blue line as well to stabilize the unit.

A big key to success for the Stags, the return of junior goaltender Trinity Atwater, an All-South All Star selection the past two seasons.

SCARBOROUGH

Home Rink: Southern Maine

Boasting some nice depth heading into this season, the Red Storm project to be a serious contender.

Coach Taylor Fowler will look to senior captain Carrie Timpson to provide leadership in the forward lines. Junior assistant captain Paige Spooner, who missed last year with an injury, is back and ready to go. Freshman Ale Mokriski is expected to contribute, as well as a strong core of sophomores. Freshman Amber Woods will have an impact.

Junior assistant captain Kathleen Murphy will anchor the defense. Freshman Lily Spooner joins the mix. The Red Storm also have four sophomore blue liners ready to go.

Sophomore Arielle Swett will handle the goaltending duties.

FALMOUTH

Home Rink: Family Ice Center

The Yachtsmen will look to their 10 seniors to step up and lead them back to the players. Falmouth had a lot of turnover from last year’s outfit that won 12 games.

Senior Samantha Means will be a key forward. New sophomore Kate Kinley will be a factor up front.

On defense, senior Grace Fallon (9 pts) will be the cornerstone for coach Rob Carrier.

BIDDEFORD/THORNTON ACADEMY/WELLS/SANFORD

Home Rink: Biddeford Ice Arena

Offense should be a strength for the Tigers this winter. Success will depend on goaltending and  the growth of the defensive unit throughout the season.

Senior Lily Stark (12 pts) and junior Lily Clough (16 pts) will be offensive catalysts for third-year coach Adam Flynn. Two freshmen looking to contribute are Savannah Barreras and Mackenzie Day.

Defensively, senior Jillian Lewis (11 pts) will be a workhorse. Freshman Eden Woods should help out.

YORK/TRAIP/MARSHWOOD

Home Rink: Rochester Ice Arena

The  Wildcats finished strong last year and hope to continue that momentum with some good numbers returning.

Senior Sophia Santamaria (48 pts), a UMaine soccer commit, will be the go-to forward for coach Kevin Purdy. Also back up front are Ashley Carney, Meg Wentworth, Kate McPherson and Zoe Jellison.

The entire defensive unit returns. It consists of Jordan McKie, Brie Baker, Jill Carr, Charlotte Grimes and Meg Toohey. Goalie Erin Gray is back as well.

As many as five freshmen will have the ability to play key roles in the lineup.

CAPE ELIZABETH/WAYNFLETE/SOUTH PORTLAND

Home Rink: Troubh Ice Arena

With a core group of experienced players, the Capeflete Riots are excited for the season and hope to make a deep playoff run.

Junior Nicoletta Coupe is coming off a solid 41-point season and will be an offensive leader. Fellow junior Koto Yamada chipped in with 24 points a year ago. Two freshmen – Isabella Schifano and Delaney Whitten – will add their talents to the front lines.

On defense, junior Abbey Agrodnia (13 goal) will be a key factor for coach Bob Mills, as will junior Annie Guimond.

PORTLAND/DEERING

Home Rink: Troubh Ice Arena

Look for this to be a rebuilding year for this co-op squad, which will be extremely young. Coach Tom Clifford says his team is looking to show improvement each week.

Junior Caroline Lerch (35 pts) will be an offensive leader. Junior Lucy Howe (13 pts) could also play on defense. Another junior back up front is Margaret Smith.

On defense, senior Elena Clifford (8 pts) and junior cousing Kim Clifford (11 pts) will be instrumental. Junior Zoe Cheever returns and will skate at forward as well. Junior goalie Anna Gannon is back.

New players up from the JV looking to contribute are juniors Moria Dasne, Emma Harrigan and Rose Stait and junior Jordan King.

• Gorham/Bonny Eagle/Massabesic/Westbrook also will compete in the South Division this season.