New Hampshire Boys D1 Top 10
| Rank | Team | [tooltip text="PR*" gravity="ne"]Previous Ranking[/tooltip] | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bishop Guertin | 15 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2 | Bedford | 17 | 3 | 2 | |
| 3 | Trinity | 14 | 6 | 1 | |
| 4 | Concord | 17 | 6 | 1 | |
| 5 | Exeter | 15 | 8 | 0 | |
| 6 | Pinkerton | 16 | 3 | 0 | |
| 7 | Hanover | 14 | 7 | 1 | |
| 8 | Salem | 11 | 12 | 1 | |
| 9 | Londonderry | 10 | 10 | 1 | |
| 10 | Bishop Brady | 6 | 12 | 0 | |
So, right off the top, here’s the disclaimer: Formulating pre-season polls is a tricky business. You’re armed with a working knowledge of how you think the season may unfold for a particular squad but there are unforeseen intangibles and injuries that can send any season careening off track.
That said, here’s a shot at the HNIB News New Hampshire Division I Pre-Season Top 10. Don’t hold us to it though – with three Week One marquee match-ups involving our Top Six clubs, the first regular-season poll could look very different.
No. 1 Bishop Guertin (15-8-0) returns roughly 70 percent of its offensive production from last season. Coach Gary Bishop has veterans in key spots including forward Ben Young, defenseman Mike Schaff and goalie Chris Sullivan. For what it’s worth, the Cardinals scrimmaged several Massachusetts Division One schools, including public power Hingham, a perennial qualifier in the Bay State’s elite 1A Tournament.
Should defending State Champion No. 2 Bedford (17-3-2) go back-to-back for the second time, as it did in 2016 and 2017, it would give the Bulldogs four State titles in five D1 seasons. Ten seniors graduated and coach Marty Myers considers this among his younger teams. He will count on key veterans such as forward Cam Wasylak, defenseman John Groulx and goalie Shea Guimont.
Don’t sleep on No. 3 Trinity (14-6-1) – only one senior graduated from last year’s State finalist. Coach Mike Connell’s crew of seasoned upperclassmen include junior forward Anthony Dizillo, an All-State pick a year ago, senior forward Marc L’Hereux, senior goalie Ryan Brewitt and senior defensemen Andrew Reed and Ryan Glass.
No. 4 Concord (17-6-1) will dress a dozen freshmen and sophomores, making it one of Crimson Tide Coach Dunc Walsh’s youngest teams. Expect the Tide to be better later than at the start and ready for March. Senior Matt Hauschild leads the forwards and senior goalie Parker Taylor anchors a veteran defense.
Paul DiMarino takes over at No. 5 Exeter (15-8-0) following the retirement of Jim Tufts after 42 years. The Blue Hawks have abundant offense with senior Brendan Doyle leading the attack. Senior goalie Jude Rogles and junior defenseman Sam Perry anchor the defense. Exeter opens with BG and Concord in the first week.
No. 6 Pinkerton (16-3-0) welcomes back a large core group of seniors and juniors after getting surprised in last year’s quarterfinal.
Ten players return for No. 7 Hanover (14-7-1), including sophomore goalie Ben Plottner (1.87 gaa, .910 save pct.)
No. 8 Salem (11-12-1) will shoot to build on its surprising run to last year’s semifinals.
No. 9 Londonderry (10-10-1) has its sights set on moving back into the upper half of the division.
No. 10 Bishop Brady (6-12-0) hopes to make a move under first-year coach Josh Vega.
