There is no Division 3 hockey in Rhode Island this winter, as those teams have been absorbed into one larger Division 2 league. Here is a look at some of the teams competing at that level:
CRANSTON WEST
Despite graduating 12 seniors, the Falcons return a core of players who saw some signifcant time in last year’s playoff run. They fully expect to compete in the D2 ranks.
Two seniors – Andrew Martin (15-10-25) and Thomas Harper (11-15-26) – will be called upon to fire up the offense for coach Matt Brannon.
West should be solid in goal with the return of senior goaltenders Matthew Corrente and Jacob Silva.
WARWICK CO-OP
The Warwick schools have combined into a new co-op arrangment fielding one squad, giving the team much more depth.
Leaders up front for veteran coach Mike Boyajian, Sr will be seniors Max Savaria, Sean Noel and Dan DeRobbio, junior Jacob Rianna and sophomore Jacob Pickering. Freshman Bryan Barlow looks for a role.
Experience abounds on the blue line with the return of seniors James Cook, William Morisette and Jacob Sock, and sophomore Ethan Pezzullo. Junior Nathan O’Keefe is a returning goaltender.
WEST WARWICK/EXETER/WEST GREENWICH
A power in Division 3 the last few years, the Knight-Wizards move up to Division 2 with no D3 league this winter, and fully expect to compete right away.
Key players for coach Justin Lake project to be junior forward Matt Dennison (13-13-26) and senior defenseman Egan Usler (8 pts).
COVENTRY
Coach Ray Lamont feels confident in his club, if they can play disciplined hockey in all three zones, communicate with each other and play as a team.
Senior captain Hayden Kearney and junior Michael Laroche project to be offensive leaders for the Oakers.
Defensively, senior Nick Kanaczet (assistant captain), senior Nick Steverin and junior Braden Morris will anchor Coventry’s blue line. Sophomores Sam Morse and Angelo Ciampanelli will compete for the starting goaltender’s job.
ROGERS/MIDDLETOWN/ROCKY HILL
RMR competed hard last season and is looking to crank up things offensively this winter.
That task of putting the puck in the net will fall on senior Caleb Leys, junior Kenny Firlings and sophomores Keaton O’Shea and Johnny Lopes. Newcomers James Gianitis and Kate Stahl add to the mix.
A trio of seniors are expecting to take care of things in the defensive zone for coach Johnny Sheil in Ben Dickenson, Liam Edward and Liam Marvell. Noah Leys is another defenseman to watch.
NARRAGANSETT/CHARIHO
The Gulls will focus on beefing up team defense, playing with a faster pace and generating more offense in the hope they can compete with the Division 2 heavies.
A host of skaters return in the forward ranks for coach Ryan Meade, including seniors Shaun Quirk and Jay Desrosiers, juniors Coco Keegan, Ben Avedisian and Rob McHugh, and sophomores Sean Lyons Jr., JD Abbot and Jacob Coreira.
Seniors Chase Riley and Caden Wilson and junior Adam Leander and Matt Beaudry all return on defense.
Among a host of newcomers to the program are freshman goaltenders Ryan Moricas and Kaiden Wild.
