The 2023-24 Division 1 MIAA boys hockey season ended in chaos.
With 4.1 seconds left in the game and the Division 1 state final knotted, 2-2, St. John’s Prep senior defenseman Brady Plaza threw the puck toward the Winchester net.
It bounced off Winchester goalie Aiden Emerick’s right pad and onto the stick of St. John’s Prep senior Johnny Tighe, who rifled in the rebound.
One problem: It went in after the clock hit zero. Still, the goal stood and St. John’s Prep took home the championship.
To prevent this from happening again, the MIAA voted 18-1 to allow the use of video replay of goals at MIAA state finals at TD Garden.
Now we’re onto this season, and it should be interesting. One early observation is that a lot of the top teams lost legitimate players, both to graduation and to prep. As we’ve seen over the past several years, play continues to slowly deteriorate in the MIAA.
Still, the MIAA isn’t short on rivalries. The battle for a championship come March will be tight.
Here is our preseason top 10.
1. St. John’s Prep
The reigning champs take the No. 1 spot without issue. That doesn’t mean SJP won’t be without some heavy hitters from last season. Gone are seniors Jake Vana, Christian Rosa, Tighe, Plaza and 10 others to graduation. So, too, are Ethan Goodrich and Cooper Hosmer, who both left for prep.
That sounds bad. But head coach Kris Hanson always has a strong next wave of talent. And with goalie AJ Farese leading the way, St. John’s Prep will be in contention for a championship all season.
2. Pope Francis
It was an odd season for Pope Francis last winter. It started with head coach Brian Foley suspended for one year due to his coaching of a Springfield Junior Thunderbirds team. The Cardinals, who were reigning champs, still put together a strong year, getting the No. 2 seed. But they were knocked out in the Sweet 16 by No. 18 Arlington Catholic.
There is reason for hope this season. While Nick Petkovich left early for Lovell Academy, both Michael McGrath and Matt Regan were secondary scorers who should now make that next step. And Nick Ritchie is back in net. This should be a strong team.
AWARDS: Check out who won our MIAA awards last season
3. Arlington
The highest-ranking public-school team, Arlington returns an exciting group of high-end talent despite losing star defenseman Evan Jones to Belmont Hill. JP Messuri is chief among them. Son of head coach John Messuri, JP made USA Hockey’s Select 16 Camp over the summer and totaled five points in five games. His skill, speed and compete make him a force. Nolan Russell likely will be his linemate and he, too, has high upside. On defense, Kurt Beck has the tools to be a No. 1 defenseman.
4. Hingham
The Harbormen always are a force and should be again this season. Juniors Cam McKenna and Conal Mulkerrin will lead the way for the forwards, while senior Logan Brennan will be an important player on defense.
Junior goalies Mike Karo and James Whitmore are back.
5. Xaverian
This is a somewhat low ranking for Xaverian. The Hawks are at No. 5 because of all they lost. Star goalie Cole Pouliot-Porter left because of graduation and will be at New Hampton this season. High-end forwards Colvin Callahan and Jack Fitzpatrick left for prep, too, but before graduation.
A piece of good news: Forwards Devin Gosciak and Jackson Morse should take a step up.
6. Catholic Memorial
Just like with Xaverian, this is a somewhat low ranking for Catholic Memorial. It’s in large part because of losing three of its most potent scorers from last year in Connor Fryberger, Michael Corbett and Nick D’Olympio. While Fryberger and Corbett graduated, D’Olympio left early for Dexter Southfield. CM will be motivated to make up for falling in the Elite 8 last March.
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7. Reading
Reading came oh-so-close to punching a ticket to the Elite 8 last season but fell to Marshfield in double overtime in the Sweet 16. Losing star goalie Chris Hanifan to graduation certainly will hurt. Forward Cam Fahey, one of the best players in the MIAA last season, also graduated.
But the Rockets have five of their defensemen returning and again should be a threat.
8. Marshfield
The No. 8, 9 and 10 spots in this ranking are the most debatable. There are several teams that could go here. Marshfield is at No. 8 in large part because head coach Dan Connolly always has his team in position to contend. Despite losing a fair amount of scoring, the Rams return senior forward Jack Doherty, who posted 29 points last season.
9. Winchester
Winchester gets the nod here due to its incredible run to the Division 1 state final. Head coach Geno Khachadourian’s team lost a lot, though. Emerick will be in net for Lawrence Academy this winter. Forwards Danny Collins and David Strong, as well as defenseman Jack Duncan, graduated.
RELIVE THE CHAMPS: 9 unforgettable moments from the boys MIAA championships
10. St. John’s Shrewsbury
St. John’s Shrewsbury got out to a hot start last season but fell hard, going 2-8-2 in its last 12 games. Losing Luke Gerardi to graduation and Chase Warsofsky to Cushing will hurt the offense. But the bright spot returning is forward Daniel Menyalkin.
