Hingham needs to develop a new starting goaltender. Pope Francis returns pretty much its entire club. Lexington has a new coach in Mike Doran. Bridgewater-Raynham will look to its captains for leadership.
HINGHAM (20-4-1)
Coach: Tony Messina
Stocked with their usual depth and experience at forward and defense, the big question this year for the Harbormen will be between the pipes, as they need to come up with a starting goaltender following the graduation of starter Luke Merian, and Keagin Wilson opting for prep school (Belmont Hill).
With the likes of senior captain Aidan Brazel (28 pts), senior Ace Concannon (18 pts), senior captain Billy Jacobus (22 pts) and junior Travis Rugg (20 pts), there will be constant offensive pressure.
Senior captain Chase McKenna (12 pts), senior Charlie Even (12 pts) and senior Dan Carroll are defensive kingpins for the Harbormen.
A goaltending candidate will emerge from a group that consists of seniors Luke McLellan and Matt Gilman, and freshmen Michael Karo and James Whitmore.
POPE FRANCIS (13-6-2)
Coach: Brian Foley
There certainly are high expectations out in Western Mass., where the Cardinals return just about everyone from last winter’s outfit. “The team looks very strong and very deep,” said coach Foley. “One of the strongest, most balanced teams we have had.”
The offense has several options to go to, led by senior Josh Iby (15-16-31). Others to watch for are returning seniors Ryan O’Leary (18 pts) and Joey DiMichele (11 pts), juniors Wade Wegrzyn (11 pts) and Mossy Kearney, and sophomores Nick Petkovich and CJ Watroba (13 pts). New junior Jake Petrin is a welcome addition, while sophomore Mike McGrath will press for time.
A potent defense welcomes back senior Colin Foyle, senior Sean O’Leary, juniors Bryce Russ (12 pts), Jake Jarrell (12 pts) and Zach Buffone (11 pts), and sophomore Matt Bolduc (13 pts). Two sophomores hoping to slot in are Dillon Shea and Matt Davis.
Coach Foley will have to replace the graduated Ryan Rhodes in goal, and that job goes to senior returner Vinnie Maggi and sophomore Nick Ritchie.
Pope Francis
Pope Francis
Pope Francis
Pope Francis
LEXINGTON (6-14-1)
Coach: Mike Doran
The Minutemen have a new head coach in Doran, who says he has a veteran roster returning that is eager to improve on last year’s six-win output.
In the offensive zone, look for senior tri-captains Liam Hunt and Russ LeBert, and juniors Dorian Hu and Andy Yang to be the go-to-guys.
Tri-captain Eric Caouette is the anchor of the Lexington defense. Junior Luke Dinsmore and sophomore Sam Zucker both return between the pipes.
Bridge.-Raynham
BRIDGEWATER-RAYNHAM (6-15-1)
Coach: Scott Harlow
Coach Harlow enters his third year behind the bench and says his team won’t be as deep this season, and looks forward to great leadership from its captains.
One of those captains, junior Ryan McInnis (12 pts), will be an intregal part of the Trojans offense, where juniors Sean Nasiff and Robbie Quill expect to increase their scoring this year.
Senior captain Justin Peters headlines the B-R defense, while fellow senior Richie Popson returns between the pipes.
