Belmont Hill was a relatively young team last season. After senior Jake McManus (Winthrop, Mass.), the roster comprised of juniors, sophomores and a handful of freshmen.
Even though the Sextants finished as the No. 6 seed in the Large School Tournament and fell in the quarterfinals, that younger core was a big reason why the Sextants were successful.
They gained the necessary experience to take that next step into Elite 8 territory.
"Because there was some individual growth last year and there were some injuries and some boys were going through sort of maturation and learning what their game is, you get to this place where OK, we've gone through a lot of growth," Belmont Hill boss Brian Phinney said. "Now, let's just go out there and play and play to who we are and have little bit of of 'It doesn't matter who or when, we're going to beat this team.' The more they focus on that, the more I think they're going to come together and have some success."
It comes down to finding an identity. What will this team look like? What are the strengths?
We won't know the answer to that first question for some time. But the answer to the second question: a lot of things.
A dynamic, young offense
Last season, Belmont Hill's offense was led by its top line of McManus down the middle with Jake Tavares (Belmont, Mass.) and David Bosco (Winthrop, Mass.) on the left and right. Tavares and Bosco were tied for the team lead in goals (18), while Bosco had 37 points and Tavares posted 32.
Both had an eventful spring and summer.
Bosco was invited to the U.S. National Team Development Program's Evaluation Camp. Even though he didn't make it, he earned an automatic bid to USA Hockey's Select 16 Camp, where he was tied for fourth in the camp in points (nine) and somehow didn't make the Five Nations team.
In the USHL Phase 1 Draft, Bosco was selected in the third round (32nd overall) by the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. He's a sophomore this season and remains one of the top locals for Division 1 colleges to recruit come Jan. 1 and commit come Aug. 1.
Tavares was eligible to commit this past Aug. 1 and did, choosing Dartmouth. That came after a nice showing at Select 17 Camp where he notched one goal and three points.
"They were able to have some success [last season]," Phinney said. "What does it look like when they've got a little bit more of the responsibility?"
While both have a ways to go in their development, both offer unique tools. Bosco is known for his high IQ, while Tavares is a natural finisher.
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"They've got some of that stuff that I find is a little tougher to teach in terms of IQ and the awareness and timing of things," Phinney said. "They can certainly add some of those other elements like play away from the puck and being people who influence the game defensively, too."
Bosco has always played center for the Boston Junior Eagles. Even though he played on the wing last season for Belmont Hill, Phinney is mulling the idea of putting Bosco back in the middle.
One of the potential forces at center is Patrick Woods (Charlestown, Mass.). As a sophomore '07 last season, he posted six goals and 17 points in 31 games running the second line. He dealt with an injury for most of last fall and didn't reach 100 percent again until mid-January.
A potential linemate could be senior Andrew Waugh (Norwell, Mass.) who notched 12 goals and 19 points last season.
"He's been someone that can put the puck in the back of the net for us," Phinney said.
Some other interesting names to watch are seniors Jin Lee (Natick, Mass.) and Michael Sullivan (North Andover, Mass.), as well as sophomore Andrew Giguere (Georgetown, Mass.). Sullivan broke his leg part way through last season.
"I think there are still some kids who have something to prove in a good way," Phinney said. "I think they're excited about that opportunity."
Stacked on defense
It's rare for Belmont Hill to bring in a transfer. Two years ago, the Sextants got Lenny Greenberg, then a junior '05, who posted 12 goals and 27 points in 30 games and committed to Sacred Heart. He was a big reason why Belmont Hill got into the Elite 8.
This year, it's Evan Jones.
The Arlington High School and Boston Junior Eagles standout committed to Dartmouth over the summer. At Select 17 Camp this summer, he ranked inside the top 20 in points with six. He's a smooth skater who moves pucks with poise and creates offense with ease. He would make a great power-play quarterback and breakout specialist.
Fortunately for him, he's far from the only show in town.
Grayson Cohen (Weston, Mass.) proved his worth last season as a legitimate No. 1 defenseman in prep, posting four goals and 18 points while playing in all situations as a junior.
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"He's been with us for a few years now," Phinney said. "He's rounding out his game and I think he's put a lot of work in the offseason to be physically prepared and continuing to figure out what's going to be effective in making him the most efficient defenseman."
In viewing Cohen at the Eastern Hockey Federation Showcase a couple of weeks ago, he was one of the best 18U defenseman there. His puck decisions, skating and two-way prowess helped him stand out. He is absolutely someone Division 1 programs should be after.
Another defenseman who should draw Division 1 attention is Brady Sloper (North Andover, Mass.). Now a sophomore '08, he played significant minutes last season. He's 6-foot-2 and 198 pounds and has long been one of the top '08 defenders in Massachusetts.
"He's had a nice summer and is starting to play to his identity a little bit more," Phinney said.
Belmont Hill is also fortunate to have some other seniors who can be impactful. Stephen Fabiano (Charlestown, Mass.) notched seven goals and 17 points last season. Evan Dresser (Everett, Mass.) and Jack Duffy (Walpole, Mass.) are two others.
"They're in a place now where they're the older guys on the team they've got a sense of responsibility," Phinney said. "I hope those guys can go out there and just play because when they do, they're really effective."
The tandem in net
The Sextants have a good problem to have: two starting goalies. It's the third year in a row.
"The more I go into coaching, you think you have a plan and then it just sort of organically happens," Phinney said.
In 2022-23, JJ Thibodeau (Waltham, Mass.), an '07, got the majority of minutes, while Keagin Wilson (Hingham, Mass.), an '06, still saw a good amount of time. Last season was a much more even split, with Wilson getting a majority of the minutes but Thibodeau starting the lone Large School Tournament game.
Thibodeau posted a .902 save percentage with a 2.50 goals-against average, while Wilson notched a 2.46 GAA and a .906 save percentage. Thibodeau also was at Select 17 Camp this summer. In six games, he had a 3.00 GAA and an .871 save percentage.
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So, how will Phinney handle this?
"Those are two competitive kids who work really hard," Phinney said. "I think they've both been really diligent in their training this summer. It's an organic process. Two really good goalies who have shown they can play at this level. If it's a situation where one separates, then that's going to be part of that process. We'll adjust accordingly.
"The philosophy is doing what's best for the team and I think part of that is sometimes going in without a cemented plan. It allows you to really read the situation and adjust accordingly."
No matter who plays, Belmont Hill looks like a group gunning for a spot in the Elite 8.
