This weekend marks the start of a new Division 3 hockey season, with 22 of the region’s 34 men’s teams gearing up for their openers (the NESCAC does not open until Nov. 19).
Many of those openers are intriguing ones, whether it’s a local rivalry (Endicott at Salem State), two-day tourneys (the Woo Cup and an event hosted by Curry), an early heavyweight fight (Babson at Plymouth State), or a game that features two head coaches who most recently served on the same staff (Westfield State at Western New England).
In the region’s four Division 3 leagues (plus three independents), there are several players to watch. Here are 10.
Note: This list does not include offseason transfers or graduate transfers from the Division 1 level. Those players to watch will be addressed in a separate post.
Myles Abbate (Norwell, Mass.), jr., F, Plymouth State
The Rookie of the Year in the MASCAC in 2019-20, the former Proctor Academy standout will be a centerpiece of a team that again enters the season as the team to beat in its league.
Coach Craig Russell (Northfield, Vt.) thinks his goaltending situation might be as good as it’s been in his tenure, and with guys like Abbate -- a point-a-game player since he arrived on campus -- this could be a tough team to beat.
Ryan Black (Pomfret, Conn.), sr., F, Babson / Mike Egan (Billerica, Mass.), sr., F, Babson
Sure, Nick Rosa has moved on, but when a team can return two-thirds of a fantastic top line it’s going to be in pretty good shape. Black (29-43-72) and Egan (29-32-61) have mirrored each other in production since arriving on campus.
They’re two of the 14 seniors or grad students on the 27-player roster.
“That group is senior-laden and pretty deadly,” said Norwich coach Cam Ellsworth.
Danny Eruzione (Winthrop, Mass.), sr., F, Curry
After producing 101 points in three seasons at Salve Regina -- and helping that program reach the NCAA championship game as a freshman -- the nephew of the Miracle on Ice hero joins the Curry program as a grad student.
The former Cushing standout sees the ice superb and has racked up more than 20 assists in each of his three full seasons, and will now try to click with new linemates.
Cale List, sr., D, Norwich
The Cadets have 16 new faces on their 31-player roster, but there’s good experience on defense, a group led by List.
The former UMass Lowell player checks in at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, and in addition to throwing heavy checks can produce at the other end of the ice. He’ll be a key as the young Cadets try to mature quickly up front and again have a say in the national landscape.
Zach Mazur, jr., F, Endicott
The Trinity-Pawling and Rochester Jr. Monarchs product was a big reason the Gulls won the Commonwealth Coast Conference in 2019-20, and he was named Rookie of the Year in the process.
His seven points in three games were a team-high in last year’s miniature season, and he’ll be primed for big numbers this winter.
Brian McGrath (Worcester, Mass.), sr., G, Fitchburg State
McGrath is back for another year after dominating between the pipes as a junior, when he posted a 1.97 goals-against average and .945 save percentage as the Falcons climbed up to second place in the MASCAC.
He was also in net the last time the Falcons won the MASCAC, in 2017-18, making 45 saves as they shut out UMass Dartmouth in the championship, 2-0.
Lucas Michaud (South Portland, Maine), sr., F, Trinity
As a freshman in 2018-19, Michaud centered the Bantams’ top line and was named NESCAC Rookie of the Year. This year as a senior, he’ll again center the top line for what should be one of the region’s best offensive teams. His career totals include 18 goals and 40 assists.
“He’s special for our level because he plays so strong and hard,” said Trinity coach Matt Greason (North Bridgton, Maine). “You can’t get the puck from him.”
Conor O’Brien, sr., G, Endicott
The defending champion Gulls were a unanimous choice among the league’s other coaches to win the Commonwealth Coast Conference again in the preseason poll released last week, and O’Brien is a big reason why.
The 6-foot-2 Floridian and Conn. Jr. Rangers product played two strong games in last year’s shortened season, but posted a 1.66 GAA and .944 save percentage in 2019-20 as a sophomore.
Nick Rutigliano (Upton, Mass.), sr., D, Hamilton
Another big and rangy defenseman at 6-foot-2 and 198 pounds, the former St. John’s-Shrewsbury (Mass.) standout is primed for another big season.
The Continentals are a team that should contend in the NESCAC behind a talented group of forwards and Rutigliano -- who burst onto the league scene after starting his career at Division 1 Bentley -- will anchor things on the back end.
@MikeZhe603
mzhe@hockeyjournal.com
