The prep hockey scene in the state of Connecticut is loaded, so it takes a lot for Frederick Gunn School and its local rivals to keep up with each other on an annual basis.
Ninth-year head coach Craig Badger knows the difficulty of that task, but the start of a new season has changed nothing for his group. The Highlanders’ expectations are always high.
“We work hard down here. The kids work hard at it,” Badger said. “I think it’s always our hope to be in the mix for the postseason, and obviously the aim being the Elite Eight, which gets harder and harder every year as more and more schools are committed to putting a quality product on the ice. … I think we’ve got a really good squad down here this year.”
The Highlanders are in a great spot, and it doesn’t take more than a quick glance at the roster to see why.
After leading the team to 21 wins and an appearance in the Small School Tournament title game last season, Badger has a pretty full cupboard of returning players. Off the top, Frederick Gunn returns its top three scorers in now-seniors Alex LoGuercio (who paced last year’s club with 28 goals and 42 points in 35 games), Jacob Rothman and Mark Pizzo (Monroe, Conn.).
Add in one of the region’s best defensemen in Luke Calabria, senior goaltender Mitchell McCusker and several other under-the-radar stars, and there’s plenty to be excited about in Washington, Conn.
How important is that veteran presence? Badger could not understate it.
“Very,” the coach said. “I think it’s more in the way of how they approach the game. The Pizzo-Rothman-LoGuercio line, not much fazes them. They can play in the D-zone for 35 seconds, and as a coach, you’re kind of looking to bash your head in the wall a bit. But the next thing you know, they’re down the ice and the puck is in the back of the other team’s net.
“I think (the experience is) hugely important. A lot of times guys are putting a ton of pressure on themselves and things can spiral when they’re not going perfectly.”
The Highlanders are off to a 4-0-0 start this season, having picked up a 4-1 win last Wednesday at Hotchkiss and snagged a pair of 5-2 triumphs at this past weekend’s Exeter Invitational against the host Big Red and New Hampton. On Wednesday night, they edged out Berkshire, 5-4.
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Coaches are always looking for room for a team to grow, especially at this early juncture of the season. That’s no different for Badger.
“We’ve been able to show a willingness to grind and persevere a little bit,” he said. “I don’t think we’ve played our best game yet. … All three teams we’ve played make it really hard on you, especially on your D, and that’s something a lot of our new guys in particular aren’t all that used to. They’ve really had to grind and stay the course, and I think they’ve done a good job.”
Buying into a full team identity takes time, but the Highlanders know they can look to a top line that can lead the way. The dynamic forward trio has picked up where it left off a year ago, each banking six points across the first three games.
LoGuercio, who is in his second season at Frederick Gunn after transferring from Phillips Andover, started the new year with two goals and a three-point game against Hotchkiss before pouring in three goals during the Exeter Invitational — all while dealing with an ankle injury that nagged him during the fall.
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“His talent is off the charts,” Badger said. “His hands are elite, his release and his shot are as good as I’ve seen. He’s played well. I thought he played quite well on Sunday. … He’s not back to 100 percent yet, but as he gets healthier I think we can even see more from him.”
Badger was also impressed with the play of senior Antonio Donahue, who has made great strides with his physical strength and skating and created strong pressure while leading a forward line with two newcomers to the program.
There’s a lot to like about the Highlanders’ early returns — and as the coach noted, room to grow with an eye on playing at their best come 2024.
