There is quite a turnover in the Hockomock this year, as six of the nine teams in the league have new coaches this season. Teams will continue to look up to Canton and Franklin.
KELLEY-REX DIVISION
KING PHILIP (10-9-3)
Coach: Toby Carlow
After several seasons at Medfield, which included a Division 2 state title in 2016, Carlow takes at King Philip and says a goal is for the Warriors to make the playoffs again and compete for a championship at the end of it all. Last March, KP gave eventual state champ St. John’s Prep all it could handle in a Round of 16 contest.
Leaders in the forward lines project to be seniors James Boldy and Evan Trujillo.
A lot will be expected from juniors Cam Lehan-Allen, Max Robison and Sam Naggar on the defensive side.
The Warriors return both goalies in seniors Kyle Abbott and Luke Stehley.
Franklin
FRANKLIN (14-9-0)
Coach: Chris Spillane
After a three-year hiatus, Spillane returns as head coach of the Panthers. He says team defense will decide how successful Franklin will be this season. The team should have three strong lines, each able to put the puck in the net.
There is plenty of depth up front, headlined by senior captains Ben Jarosz (17 pts) and Ryan Sicchio (21 pts). Juniors Ben Patterson (24 pts) and Anthony Lampasona (19 pts) are two other solid options. Senior Tommy Balducci and junior Dylan McEvoy also return. Sophomore Carter Balducci hopes to make the step up.
The Panthers return four varsity blue liners in seniors Liam O’Rielly, Aiden Kuydendall and Lucas Sheehan, and junior Logan Marchand. Sophomore Vinnie Pasquarosa is ready to help out.
The goaltending duties are up from grabs among returning sophomore Jack O’Connor, and newcomers Colby Wagner (junior) and Joe Torraco (sophomore).
ATTLEBORO (0-18-0)
Coach: Gary Warren
The Bombardiers struggled last winter, and have turned the reigns over to coach Warren, who is hoping to lead the club to some improvement. “It is going to take a mix of senior leadership, along with our younger players building confidence in their game,” he said.
Leadership up front will come from seniors Colin Flynn, Owen Parker and Mike Lachance. New sophomore Nathan Conroy should have a role.
Sophomores Brody Shaw and Alex Jarousky are back on the blue line, and junior Julian Horton is a returning netminder.
Attleboro hopes to be bolstered by a group of eighth-graders in Drew Bessette (F), Bryan Capone (F), Cameron Harrison (D), Beckett Stone (D) and Jacob Westwater (D).
TAUNTON (7-11-4)
Coach: Kris Metea
With six upperclassmen and 29 players in grades 8-10, this is the youngest Taunton team in coach Kris Metea’s 12 years.
Senior captains Colton Scheralis (3-10-13) and Connor McGrath (13-13-26) are the top returning forwards, along with Conner Goranson (8-4-12).
Sophomores Travis Cashman (0-2-2) and Jon McGrath (2-5-7) are returning on defense. Brady Gomes, a sophomore defenseman, transferred in from Bristol-Plymouth.
Sophomore goalie Cam Tomaszycki had a 3.13 goals against average last year and a .890 save percentage.
“The team will rely on locker room chemistry, hard work and overall speed to account for a lack of size, experience and depth,” Metea said.
MANSFIELD (7-12-1)
Coach: Mark O’Brien
Despite graduating two top lines of forwards last season, new coach Mark O’Brien is excited to see what his team has in store. “This team is developing young aggressive forwards while capitalizing on stability on the backend and strong team defense,” said O’Brien. “There is good team chemistry with this group and they are committed to a complete game effort.”
Senior captain Cody Gordon will lead the offensive attack along with senior Connor Davey and sophomores Matthew Tourigney and Brendan Vokey. Two freshman adding to the mix are James Warren and Matthew Kelly.
On defense look for senior captains Patrick Gormley and Ryan DeGirolamo to lead the way as well as sophomore Declan Foley and sophomore Thomas Gormley. Returning in net will be senior Christopher O’Brien and junior Joshua Hussey, both who a saw a little playing time last season.
DAVENPORT DIVISION
CANTON (22-3-1)
COACH: Brian Shuman
Coming off an outstanding season that saw them make it all the way to the MIAA Division 2 State Final, the Bulldogs are looking to continue that same success.
Despite losing 14 seniors to graduation, coach Brian Shuman is going to look towards senior AJ Thomas and junior Brendan Tourgee to lead the offense this season. Along with them, senior Jeff Chaput and junior Brian Middleton will both look to bolster the offense.
Canton
Canton
Canton
Shuman will look to junior James Young and senior Leo Owens to take care of things in the defensive end of the ice.
Sophomore Collin Davis had a terrific freshman season in net so look for him to be the starter, with senior Carson Eagles also getting time.
“We will need lots of new faces to step, contribute and hopefully provide us with some much need depth,” said Shuman.
OLIVER AMES (7-12-1)
COACH: Jimmy Tierney
With new coach Jimmy Tierney taking over, he hopes that working more as a team and less as individuals this season will be one of the keys to success. Tierney feels he has a solid group coming back and that should be a huge difference maker in terms of their success.
Oliver Ames
“We will need to play a more structured system and play to the strength of our players,” said Tierney. “We will try and wear down our opponents with our forecheck and not be outworked. We will also need to rely on depth on scoring and getting contributions from some younger players.”
Leading the way on offense will be senior Sean McCarthy (19 pts), along with juniors Matt Lawson (15 pts) and Andrew Livingston (20 pts). Also back to bolster the attack are senior Jack Perron (7 pts) and junior Jack Corey (15 pts). Two new forwards joining the Tigers are two sophomores – Sean Teehan and Patrick DeLoughray.
As for the blue line, three juniors will be relied on and they are Sean Kearns (15 pts), Landon Grothe and Andy Poulos. Another key for the Tigers will be having senior Brandon Burke back in net.
NORTH ATTLEBORO (10-11-1)
Coach: Kyle Heagney
After graduating most of their offensive power from last season, the Rockets will need younger players to step up. “We will need some players to step up and fill roles,” said coach Heagney. “We also need to win first in the defensive zone.”
Leading the way on the forward line will be senior Mark Ayvayan who scored 16 goals for the Rocketeers last year and put up 28 total points. Also, back on offense and hoping to contribute is senior Brody Gaulin.
A key defender back is senior Gavin Arabian and the Rocketeers will have junior Kyle Grube back in net.
FOXBORO (10-10-0)
Coach: Eric Gallanti
With 18 returning players, first-year Warriors head coach Eric Galanti is hoping to improve on last season’s .500 mark.
Senior captain Henery Diamond leads a group of nine returning forwards. He’s joined by senior Jake DeMaino, juniors Connor Hayes and Luigi Muttart. Sophomores Ryan Wood, Daniel Jacobs, Finlay Campbell, Brenden Lacroix and Will Groves.
Captains Alex Coviello, a senior, and Sullivan Kenneally, a junior, are the most experienced returning defensemen. Junior Tommy Devlin, and sophomores Thomas Watts, Leo Campbell, Evan Paluzzi and Connor Reardon are also returning.
Junior Trevor Marder and senior Peter Sovaiden are returning varsity goalies.
Freshmen Michael Ruo and Owen McAuliffe are new players who could make an impact.
“(We have) solid defense and great netminders that will allow a sophomore-heavy team to work toward an offense to match,” Galanti said.
** Stephen Tobey and Gary Demopoulos contributed to this report
