Dighton-Rehoboth/Seekonk has won the last two South Coast Conference titles. Rival Somerset Berkley will give the Falcons a run for their money.
DIGHTON-REHOBOTH/SEEKONK (21-2-0)
Coach: Tom Fecteau
The Falcons won the last two South Coast Conference titles and are aiming for another one.
Senior captain Noah Bastis (12-19-31) leads a group of six returning forwards. Senior Matt Cuhna (8-3-9), junior Aidan Booth (6-7-12), sophomores Brady Fitzpatrick (3-4-7) and Sebastian Rebelo (4-0-4) and freshman Adam Bastis (4-4-8) are also back.
On defense, senior captain Colton Nastar (2-8-10), senior Ethan Gaudreau (3-4-7) and senior Fasteson (1-2-3) are returning.
Senior goalie Sam Bastis won 21 games and lost two last year. He had a .920 save percentage and a 1.96 goals against average.
“We’re looking to continue with good team chemistry this season,” Fecteau said.
SOMERSET BERKLEY (15-3-3)
Coach: Kevin Snyder
Coach Snyder is looking for leadership from his seniors and strong work ethic every single day in order to be successful this season.
The Raiders should have no trouble scoring goals with seniors Davis Sullivan (29 pts) and Noah Taylor (24 pts) leading the offensive attack. Also, look for junior newcomer Kien Stanford to get into the mix as well. Juniors Luke Gauvin (13 pts) and Jon Rothwell (10 pts) will also be key members of the offense.
Two seniors in Matt Costa and Nolan Botelho will be holding down the defense this season for the Raiders.
Junior goalie Brandon Silva will return in goal after posting a 1.66 GAA last season.
APPONEQUET (10-8-2)
Coach: Ed Botelho
The Lakers return nine players from last year’s squad.
Seniors William Harrop, Justyn Hooper and Adam Coutts are back as forwards, joining sophomores Jared Freitas and Nathan Navega.
On defense, sophomores Ryan Abreau, Ryan Vincent and Ryan Abreu have varsity experience. Junior Tyler Preveti is returning in goal.
“(We want to) compete,” coach Botelho said.
BOURNE (5-15-0)
COACH: Frank Carpenito
Though they are young, coach Carpenito will look to his new leaders to step up and take ownership of the team and to help welcome all the newcomers.
Bourne
“We are young, but we have some experience,” said Carpenito. “We will rely on our defense and our retuning forwards to take the lead until our younger players become more comfortable. There is a lot of youthful excitement surrounding our players and we hope it will transfer to the ice this winter.”
The returning forwards that Carpenito will rely on are senior Owen Surrette and juniors Ty Kelley (21 pts), Dana Leach (13 pts), Domenic Bonito, Nathan McDonnell and Ryan Collins.
On defense, juniors Ryan Burgess and Cooper Gobeil will lead the way with sophomores Caleb Kean, Matteo Scena and Luca Finton all contributing as well.
Some younger players joining the squad are freshman forwards James Crowell and Guy Toti as well as freshman defenseman Hunter McClain.
With no returning goalies from last season, freshman Ty Hawkes joins the team in net.
OLD ROCHESTER/FAIRHAVEN (10-11-0)
Coach: Zach Ledogar
The Bulldogs return two lines from last year’s team.
Seniors Derek Gauvin (right wing) and Harrison Hughes (left wing) are the team’s most experienced returning forwards. They’re joined by junior right wing Jack Finn, sophomore center Caleb Bousquet, sophomore left wing Cliff Hedges and sophomore right wing Justin Marques. Other newcomers include freshmen forwards Connor Foley and Chase Almeida and sophomore centers MIchael Brown and Connor Galligan.
The defense is led by seniors Al Marsden and Jake Drew and juniors Barrett Becotte and Austin Branco.
The team will be looking for a new goalie this season. Freshman Tucker Roy is a candidate to fill that position.
Other newcomers include freshmen forwards Connor Foley and Chase Almeida and sophomore centers MIchael Brown and Connor Galligan.
“(We have) good forward depth,” Ledogar said. “Look for scoring from anyone in the top nine.”
GREATER NEW BEDFORD (2-18-0)
Coach: Mike Frey
The Bears are looking to build on last season’s 2-18 mark.
Senior center Brandon Borges (19-10-29) is the top forward returning.
On defense, seniors Jacob Belli (7-4-11) and Matthew Harding (2-6-8) are back.
Michael Melo is returning in goal.
There are plenty of new faces on the roster, including Talan Allain (forward), Imryx Andrade (defense), Reilly Daviski (forward), David Ferreira (defense), Ayden Miranda (forward), Ethan Nogueira (forward), Tyson Vertentes (forward) and Owen Webster (forward).
