A familiar squad rose to the top of the Maine high school mountain last winter as Thornton Academy added a second Class A state crown in the last three years.
Thornton Academy will certainly reload and be in the mix to defend that reign. But as it navigates adjusting to a large turnover from last year’s roster, there will be a handful of squads in the mix to compete for the championship.
Cheverus/Yarmouth — which has been promoted to Class A after two straight Class B state titles — has an impressive roster. The likes of Falmouth, Kents Hill, Lewiston/Mt. Ararat/Lisbon/Morse, Scarborough, Bangor/Brewer/Skowhegan/Narraguagus and Edward Little will, as always, be strong candidates to emerge come postseason time.
And in Class B, Cheverus/Yarmouth’s realignment makes room for a new victor. The John Bapst Co-op, Gorham/Massabesic and Kennebunk/Wells, among others, are early suitors to contend.
Here is our preseason top 10.
1. Thornton Academy
Class A
Last season: 14-3-1
Coach: Jamie Gagnon
There is perhaps a dynasty in the making at Thornton Academy. The Saco school is on the heels of its second state title in the last three years and is positioned to be just as competitive this winter. In a close game against Kents Hill, Thornton prevailed by a 3-2 margin to capture its fourth state crown in program history. It lost the ultra-talented Brady Pecora and Cam Cyr to graduation but returns Trent LeSieur (17-24-41) and Jake Skillings (21-19-40). However, there’s no doubt a void will be left between the pipes. Standout netminder Drew Johnson is off to the New Hampton School (USHS-Prep) after an illustrious career.
2. Kents Hill
Class A
Last season: 10-7-1
Coach: TBD
Not bad for its welcome-back campaign to the Maine Principals' Association (MPA). Competing in the league for the first time since 2005-06, Kents Hill dropped a heartbreaker to Thornton Academy for the Class A state championship. It ran through Bangor (6-0) and Falmouth (4-2) along the way and will be in the mix this season to return to the big game.
PREP: Our preseason boys top 10Â |Â Ranking the next 15 teams
3. Cheverus/Yarmouth
Class A
Last season: 15-2-1
Coach: David St. Pierre
Cheverus/Yarmouth has captured consecutive Class B titles and has been elevated to Class A for the 2025-26 campaign. The team skated to a 5-1 win over John Baptist last March to cement its second championship in as many years. It will certainly be tested in uncharted waters this season, but returning stalwart Colby Carnes — who tallied two goals in the championship game — is back for Cheverus/Yarmouth. Senior Ashton Additon is expected to return between the pipes behind a stingy defensive core of Riley Daigle, Joey Adams, Thomas Dillon and Jackson Nalli.
4. John Bapst/Hermon/Bangor Christian/Deer Isle-Stonington
Class: B North
Last season: 16-1-1
Coach: TBD
After making an appearance in the Class B state title game last year, the John Bapst Co-op is seeking a new bench boss. En route to its first-ever trip to the state championship, John Bapst knocked off Messalonskee in the North B finals after dispatching Houlton Co-op and Hampden Academy/Nokomis. There will certainly be plenty of motivation for John Bapst this winter after its 1-1 tie slipped away in the third period against Cheverus/Yarmouth in the final.
5. Lewiston
Class: A
Last season: 13-5-0
Coach: Sam Cloutier
Lewiston fell to eventual champion Thornton Academy in the semifinals last winter. While the Blue Devils have relinquished a lot of senior talent, the team has a history of regrouping and will look to do the same this winter. Aizyk Laliberte exploded for 29-13-42 last season and was a key cog in the team’s playoff run. He posted two helpers in Lewiston’s 5-3 rout over Marshwood Co-op in the Class A quarterfinals.
6. Falmouth
Class: A
Last season: 13-3-2
Coach: Hogan Tracy
Despite losing 12 seniors to graduation, Falmouth is expected to be in the mix in Class A yet again. The Navigators’ season came to a close in the semifinals against Kents Hill, and head coach Hogan Tracy is excited about his returning goal-scoring punch. That front will be led by seniors Cale Hanson (12-12-24) and Jacoby Porter (6-8-14). Anders Hesson, a pugnacious sophomore blueliner, will step into a power play role while anchoring Falmouth’s defensive unit. With the addition of Kyle Kaserman to the bench, the Navigators now feature a coaching staff composed entirely of Falmouth alumni.
PREP: 32 breakout forward candidates | 24 breakout defensemen candidates |13 breakout goalie candidates
7. Gorham/Massabesic
Class B South
Last season: 11-7-0
Coach: Shawn Sullivan
Joining forces with Massabesic for this winter, the newly minted co-op is primed to reload with an influx of talent after falling to Cheverus/Yarmouth in last year’s regional final. Its run to that stage was impressive, routing Greely and No. 2 Kennebunk/Wells. Senior Levi Wagner (12-9-21) is set to be complemented by Connor Rounds (3-9-12), Andrew Collins (4-6-10) and Zach McCormick (2-5-7).
8. Kennebunk/Wells
Class B South
Last season: 13-4-1
Coach: Bryan Page
Advancing to the regional semifinals against Gorham, Kennebunk/Wells enjoyed its most successful season in a decade last winter. The Rams knocked off a skillful Brunswick/Freeport team in the previous round and return a plethora of talent to this year’s depth chart. Senior goalie Richie Pocius is back between the pipes after starting every game last season behind blueliners Sean Taggart and Maddox Koh. Head coach Bryan Page has his eye on incoming freshman Dylan Page and Tyler Samson, who will be candidates to replenish Kennebunk/Wells’s offensive core.
9. Bangor/Brewer/Skowhegan/Narraguagus
Class A
Last season: 10-7-1
Co-Coaches: Quinn Paradis, Denis Collins
Banger and Brewer have officially merged for the 2025-26 season and will be co-coached by Quinn Paradis and Denis Collins. Players will return from both teams. Bangor posted a 10-7-1 record last season in Class A, while Brewer played to a 5-11-1 season in Class B. Chase Caron, Philip Moscone, Preston Karam and Zac Cota will compose a strong forward core with returning senior defenseman Ryan Beck. Senior goalie Cody McCue is also back.
READ MORE: 13 players to watch in Maine boys hockey
10. York/Biddeford/Old Orchard Beach
Class B
Last season: 13-5-0
Coach: Peter Douris
York skated to a strong season last winter in Class B and welcomes Biddeford and Old Orchard Beach to form a Co-op for 2025-26. Coached by Peter Douris — who played 11 NHL seasons, including four with the Boston Bruins from 1989-93 — is behind the bench for another campaign. Forwards Josh Neal and Brett Aceto are expected to make an impact with defenders Connor Parent and Connor Thibeault, in conjunction with a fresh crop of talent with the new Co-op.
