With another Massachusetts high school season set to begin this weekend, teams across the state have aspirations of carrying a trophy off the ice at TD Garden in March.
Only one team can do so at the Division 1 level.
Defending champion St. John’s Prep looks primed to repeat. A couple of other Catholic Conference behemoths, Xaverian and Catholic Memorial, will be nipping on the Eagles’ heels.
While it’s hard to argue against a Catholic Conference team winning the ultimate prize come March, there are more than a handful of teams that can win, especially in the new single-elimination format, in its second season.
PREDICTIONS: Preseason boys All-MIAA Teams
Here's the New England Hockey Journal preseason MIAA top 10.
1. St. John’s Prep
Kristian Hanson’s team lost a couple key contributors, but returns an abundance of talent from last year’s deep roster. Seniors Cole Blaeser, Will Van Sicklin, Ben McGilvary and Jimmy Ayers, and juniors Christian Rosa and Jake Vana should make up the top six. Senior defenseman Aidan Holland leads the group on the blue line. The experience, athleticism and buy-in of this group should help them win a lot of games. Goaltending could be the one question mark for SJP.
2. Xaverian
Like St. John’s Prep, Xaverian lost a handful of top players from the 2021-22 runner-up team. Senior forwards Joe DiMartino and Gavin Moynihan will be the catalysts for the offense. Junior blue-liners Cole Leblanc and Matt Dion are the horses on the backend. The Hawks received a major addition in transfer Cole Pouliot-Porter from Franklin. He’ll solidify the goaltending position.
3. Catholic Memorial
The Knights are loaded with top talent, including sophomore first-line center Tyler Hamilton. Freshman Joe Marchi and junior Connor Fryberger will also be threats to score each game. On defense, Bowdoin commit Finn Burke leads the way. Coach Larry Rooney’s team can go from really good to great if they can offset the loss of senior goaltender Dom Walecka. Sophomore Ryan Littlefield is the man tasked with taking over the starting job.
4. Pope Francis
Coach Brian Foley’s teams have gotten close, but haven’t been able to take home the crown at the top level, despite having big-time players, including John and Ryan Leonard. This year’s team doesn’t have any superstars, but forwards Josh Iby and CJ Watroba are talented and should produce.
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK: Preseason MIAA All-Freshman Team
5. Arlington
The Spy Ponders lost New Hampshire commit Jack Sadowski and Brendan Hirsch. Coach John Messuri’s team remains the most talented public school team in the state. Junior Jake Russell will be the top forward, but sophomore Liam Gore, junior Killian Wright and senior Drew Fecteau provide a secondary scoring threat. By the time the tournament rolls around, Arlington will be well-tested after the Middlesex League gauntlet.
6. St. Mary’s
This could be coach Mark Lee’s best team in a few years. The longtime bench boss of the Spartans will have a balance of experience and youth. Freshman goaltender Anthony Palmer is one of the best in the state. Senior Brady Bullock and freshman Aidan Fitzpatrick are two names to watch up front. St. Mary’s will play hard and forecheck with tenacity.
7. Hingham
The Harbormen are always in the mix under the leadership of head coach Tony Messina. Senior forward Aidan Brazel and defenseman Chase McKenna lead the way. There’s more depth with Hingham than the team is given credit for, including junior center Travis Rugg. Watch out for freshman forward Cam McKenna. Goaltending is a question after both of last year’s tenders left to graduation and prep.
8. BC High
The Eagles lost Holy Cross commit Ryan Flaherty and James Marshall to prep school. Looking to step up and fill the void are sophomore Joe Feinberg and freshman Mike Federico. Coach John Flaherty’s team gained some invaluable experience and played its best hockey down the stretch last winter. Can they keep the momentum going?
9. Malden Catholic
The Lancers lost a lot of key players to the USHL and prep school, including Muskegon Lumberjacks tender Owen Keefe, a Boston University commit. Defenseman Nick Evans will have some interest from college coaches. There isn’t the depth or experience of the top Catholic Conference teams, which could spell trouble for coach Chris Kuchar’s team.
10. Reading
Senior Evan Pennucci and sophomore Laz Giardina will be the offensive catalysts. Coach Mark Doherty’s Rockets always have plenty of talent to draw from. This year will be no different. Burbank Arena is always a tough place to play for road teams.
In the mix: Braintree, Belmont, Marshfield, St. John’s Shrewsbury
