Massachusetts Boys D1 Top 20
| Rank | Team | W | L | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. John's Prep | 22 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2 | Catholic Memorial | 15 | 6 | 1 | |
| 3 | Hingham | 20 | 4 | 1 | |
| 4 | Braintree | 17 | 4 | 2 | |
| 5 | Pope Francis | 13 | 6 | 2 | |
| 6 | BC High | 10 | 13 | 1 | |
| 7 | Arlington | 19 | 5 | 2 | |
| 8 | Belmont | 19 | 2 | 3 | |
| 9 | Marshfield | 16 | 6 | 2 | |
| 10 | Xaverian | 20 | 4 | 1 | |
| 11 | Reading | 11 | 10 | 2 | |
| 12 | Archbishop Williams | 13 | 9 | 1 | |
| 13 | Central Catholic | 10 | 9 | 4 | |
| 14 | Wellesley | 12 | 3 | 6 | |
| 15 | Lincoln-Sudbury | 14 | 5 | 2 | |
| 16 | Franklin | 14 | 9 | 0 | |
| 17 | St. Mary's | 11 | 8 | 5 | |
| 18 | Framingham | 11 | 10 | 3 | |
| 19 | Falmouth | 12 | 9 | 2 | |
| 20 | Chelmsford | 15 | 6 | 1 | |
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The new post-season format proved to be quite exciting last March, with great action all the way to the D1 title game at TD Garden.
St. John’s Prep (22-3-0) was the last team standing a year ago, and with a potent offensive nucleus back, the Eagles will open the 2022-2023 campaign in the #1 spot in the HNIB News Massachusetts Division 1 Pre-season Top 20. SJP will need to offset some losses on defense, and develop a new top netminder.
#2 Catholic Memorial (15-6-1) actually were Catholic Conference champions a year ago and return a big cast from that team, so depth will be on their side. The Knights anticipate a big season.
Identifying a top goaltender is the primary focus in the pre-season at #3 Hingham (20-4-1). The Harbormen possess their usual depth at both forward and defense and will be a tough out.
#4 Braintree (17-4-2) went unbeaten in Bay State Conference play, and gave SJP all it could handle in a quarterfinal loss last winter. With an impressive group of senior leaders, the Wamps will be in the picture.
With pretty much his whole team back, Brian Foley is excited about his #5 Pope Francis (13-6-2) squad. The Cardinals will be as deep as anyone.
Don’t take anything from #6 BC High’s (10-13-1) overall record from a year ago. After a slow start, the Eagles turned it on late in the season, reaching the semifinals before a heart-breaking loss to the Prep. They look to build off that momentum.
#7 Arlington (19-5-2) had some key losses up front, but overall the Spy Ponders still have talent throughout the lineup and are capable of beating anyone. Don’t be surprised to see them a lot higher at the end of the season.
#8 Belmont (19-2-3) opened a lot of eyes last winter with its outstanding play. The Marauders will need to replace star goaltender Ryan Griffin, but Cam Fici is back up front, and their top two defenders return on the blue line.
With the majority of its top players back in the fold, #9 Marshfield (16-6-2) is primed for a big season coming out of the Patriot League.
#10 Xaverian (20-4-1) was hit hard by graduation, so it will have many new faces in the lineup, so expect the Hawks to improve as the season wears on.
Good luck to all the teams!
