Realignment has hit Division 3, with several teams moving into new conference homes this season – and one conference getting rebranded.
Salve Regina has departed the Commonwealth Coast Conference (which is now known as the Conference of New England), where it enjoyed some success, for the NEHC, which also added Albertus Magnus to bump its number to 11.
Former independents Anna Maria and Rivier have joined the MASCAC, increasing that league’s roster to 10. The 10-team NESCAC remains unchanged and a first-year Keene State program will compete as an independent.
The first pucks have dropped in New England. Here is our preseason Top 10.
1. TRINITY
Coach: Matt Greason | Conference: NESCAC
2023-24 result: 25-4-1 (16-1-1 NESCAC); won NESCAC championship; lost to Hobart in NCAA final
After raging through the NESCAC and then coming up one win shy of an NCAA championship, the Bantams have some new faces. Star goalie Devon Bobak (1.18 GAA, .946 save percentage) is a huge asset and leading scorer Richard Boysen (11-11-22) is back, but with 11 freshmen on the roster, there will be some different guys to lean on at forward and on defense.
2. CURRY
Coach: Peter Roundy | Conference: CNE
2023-24 result: 21-6-1 (15-3 CCC); lost to Hobart in NCAA quarterfinals
The Colonels bring back most of the team that lost to Hobart in a 4OT classic last March. Three players to watch are junior forward and leading scorer Gage Dill (12-18-30), junior defenseman Matt Connor (Nottingham, N.H.) and sophomore goalie Shane Soderwall (1.59 GAA, .949 save percentage), last year’s Rookie of the Year in the conference.
3. ENDICOTT
Coach: RJ Tolan | Conference: CNE
2023-24 result: 17-6-5 (12-3-3 CCC); won CCC championship; lost to Elmira in first round of NCAA tournament
The Gulls are poised to make another run at a league title and NCAA berth, with two proven goalies in the fold and their top three scorers returning, including Andrew Kurapov (9-19-28) and Jackson Sterrett (14-11-25), who are both back as grad students.
4. UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND
Coach: Kevin Swallow | Conference: CNE
2023-24 result: 17-6-4 (10-4-4 CCC)
The Nor’easters return most of their firepower, including captains Ryan Kuzmich (Norton, Mass.) and Anthony Sciucco (Winchester, Mass.). Middlesex School product Joey Stanizzi (Chelmsford, Mass.) gets first crack at the open goalie job after the departure of long-timer Billy Girard IV.
5. BABSON
Coach: Jamie Rice | Conference: NEHC
2023-24 result: 14-10-2 (12-5-1 NEHC)
The Beavers are on the short list of teams hoping to become the top challenger to league power Hobart. Leading scorer Ryan Murphy (8-16-24) is back, as is junior defenseman Will Holland, who’s already logged 52 games in green and white. Johnny McElaney (Walpole, Mass.) joins the forward corps as a grad student after wrapping up a strong career at Colby.
6. PLYMOUTH STATE
Coach: Craig Russell | Conference: MASCAC
2023-24 result: 24-3-2 (18-1-2 MASCAC); won MASCAC championship; lost to Utica in NCAA quarterfinals
The Panthers will try to make their last season in the MASCAC another special one before they move into the new Little East Conference. All-American Will Redick is among several key players back after he amassed 55 points on 26 goals and 29 assists. Any early concerns are defensive.
7. NORWICH
Coach: Cam Ellsworth | Conference: NEHC
2023-24 result: 14-8-4 (11-4-3 NEHC)
Four of the top five scorers are back for Norwich, a team that spread the points around enough to average 3.0 goals per game, up from just 2.5 the previous year. Senior Clark Kerner (8-12-20) led that group, and the sophomore tandem of Sami Molu and Bryce Walcarius is a plus in net.
8. TUFTS
Coach: Pat Norton | Conference: NESCAC
2023-24 result: 14-10-3 (9-7-2 NESCAC)
The Jumbos enjoyed a breakthrough season last winter, finishing third in the NESCAC and reaching the league championship game for the first time. Top threats Tyler Sedlak (15-16-31) and Max Resnick (9-19-28) are back to lead the attack.
9. SALVE REGINA
Coach: Zech Klann | Conference: NEHC
2023-24 result: 17-9-2 (10-6-2 CCC)
The Seahawks move into the loaded NEHC after enjoying success in what’s now known as the Conference of New England, and will have their work cut out for them after graduating leading scorers Matthew Fawcett and Johnny Mulera.
10. BOWDOIN
Coach: Ben Guite | Conference: NESCAC
2023-24 result: 14-7-4 (10-4-4 NESCAC)
Big defenseman Isaac Abbott and forward Bryce Bollman were last season’s impact freshmen for the Polar Bears, who finished second in the NESCAC before getting upset by Middlebury in the league quarterfinals. The 2023 league champs will try to push Trinity again.
@MikeZhe603
mzhe@hockeyjournal.com
