We've reviewed the ISL Keller Division. Let's switch gears to the Eberhart.
In the past, the Eberhart has been a bit weaker than the Keller. St. Mark's has dominated in recent years, while other teams battled for relevance.
That is far from the case this season.
The Eberhart has a new look. While St. Mark's is still at the top, schools like St. George's and Rivers are positioned to challenge the Lions for No. 1. The other teams in the Eberhart project to be better than last season, too.
Here's a look at every team in the Eberhart.
Brooks
Coach: Dave Ries
2022-23 result: 14-8-2, lost to Holderness in quarterfinals of Piatelli/Simmons Small School Tournament
Players to watch: Joe Bucci, F; Griffin Bucci, F; Danny Valenti, F; Brendan Peck, F; Derek Yamatani, F; Scott Moritz, D; Thomas Lacoste, D; Tai Melton, D; Ethan Simpson, G; Ethan Roy, G
Outlook: Brooks lost its three leading scorers from last season’s team, but enters this season with more depth up front and on defense. “Our expectation is to compete with the top teams in the Eberhart and to find success through our depth,” Ries said. “We have a lot of solid hockey players who aren’t as heralded as some of our opponents but when we play our team game, we can be a tough out.” With two strong netminders, Brooks is a sneaky team to do some damage in a much tougher Eberhart division.
BB&N
Coach: Anthony Moccia
2022-23 result: 5-20-2
Players to watch: Manny Carvalho, F; Thomas Fulginiti, F; Brady MacCutcheon, F; Will Fuller, F; Noah Rosado, D; Diego Hotta, D; James Potter, G; Matt Angelino, G
Outlook: Last year marked the most wins for a BB&N team since the Knights won nine games in 2016-17. Moccia thinks this team can improve off of last winter: “This is a young and talented BB&N squad. We have a strong core of returning players, as well as some new folks ready to play some big roles. This team has the potential to be one of our strongest teams to date.”
PREP PREVIEWS: Kimball Union | Milton Academy | Taft | St. Mark’s | Nobles | Avon Old Farms | Belmont Hill | Salisbury
Groton
Coach: Bill Riley
2022-23 result: 6-14-5
Players to watch: Devin Fitzgerald, F; Allen Fang, F; Will Koukopoulos, F; Ryder Cavanaugh, F; Zach Baker, F; Angus Frew, F; Lucus Wu, F; CJ Armaly, D; Jason Mah, D; Alejandro Hassan, D; Elliot Wood, D; Ethan Ramonetti, G Outlook: Only four seniors graduated from Groton last year, so the Zebras will be competitive in the Eberhart this season. Ramonetti is the team’s glaring strength, as he posted a 2.41 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage last year. Along with the players listed above, the sophomore class of forwards Owen Cronan, Nolan Wilson and KJ Ni, plus defensemen Connor Wig, Kaiden Donia and Hassan are poised to make a greater impact.
Middlesex
Coach: Bobby Jay
2022-23 result: 10-15-1
Players to watch: Matt Egan, F; Teddy O’Keefe, F; Owen Crann, F; Jack Francini, F; Zach Miles, D; Caio Bernardini Outlook: The strength of Middlesex should be its forward core, which is led by Egan. The Waltham, Mass., native led Middlesex in both goals (17) and points (29) as a sophomore. In net, Bernardini will be the starter. He posted a 3.28 GAA and .916 save percentage as a sophomore. Middlesex should be a better team than it was last season.
Rivers
Coach: Freddy Meyer
2022-23 result: 10-12-3
Players to watch: Cayden Miceli, F; Jacob Kulas, F; Ryan Ferguson, D; Chris Sullivan, D; Brendan Nee, G;
Outlook: Rivers was a very young team last year that still hovered around .500. Meyer’s team didn’t lose much last season, so there are a plethora of freshmen and sophomores looking to take the next step and make an impact. “We have a great group of core players and it will be fun to watch the younger players mend into the fold,” Meyer said. Meyer’s sons, Freddy (an ‘07) and Carter (an ‘09) will be impact players, along with sophomores Justin Graf and Stephen Rousell.
Roxbury Latin
Coach: David Cataruzolo
2022-23 result: 3-17-3
Players to watch: Jake Novak, F; Brendan St. Peter, F; Nathan Rooney, D; Ben Dearden, D; Shane McGoldrick, D; Will Archibald, D; Evan Zhang, G
Outlook: Roxbury Latin will go as far as Zhang takes them this season. The Sherborn, Mass., native posted a .909 save percentage and was massive for a thin Roxbury Latin roster last season. This year, Zhang will be vital for a young defense. “His experience and skill will allow our young defensive corps to grow and develop over the course of the season,” Cataruzolo said. Novak and St. Peter will be the go-to scorers up front. “I would anticipate a very competitive team in what proves to be a deep and talented ISL Eberhart Division,” Cataruzolo said.
ON THE RISE: 23 breakout forward candidates in prep | 17 breakout defender candidates in prep
St. Mark’s
Coach: Carl Corazzini
2022-23 result: 22-6-1, lost to New Hampton in quarterfinals of Piatelli/Simmons Small School Tournament
Players to watch: Andrew Gibbons, F; Austin Borggaard, F; Jonathan Balzarini, F; Drew Carr, F; Evan Nee, F; Calvin Beard, D; Jack Taylor, D; Justin BriseBois, G
Outlook: Last season, St. Mark’s was far and away the best team in the Eberhart, as the Lions just missed a spot in the Elite 8. The gap has closed between them and the rest of the division, but Corazzini’s team is still really good. Gibbons and Borggaard down the middle is one of the best one-two tandems at center in prep and Beard is one of the better offensive defensemen in the region. The big X-factor for St. Mark’s will be its depth and how much the younger players are able to make real impacts.
St. George’s
Coach: Allie Skelley
2022-23 result: 15-13-0
Players to watch: Ryan Staples, F; Tate Pecknold, F; Colin Walsh, F; Ben Buckley, F; Danny Buckley, F; Max Donatelli, F; Everett Baldwin, D; Marco Senerchia, D; Ryder Shea, G; Matthew DellaRusso, G
Outlook: St. George’s had high expectations last season and didn’t really hit them, struggling midway through the season and failing to make any of the three postseason tournaments. With a new head coach and a motivated, talented and veteran core, that shouldn’t be the case this season. St. George’s will challenge for the top spot in the Eberhart and doesn’t appear to have a glaring weakness.
