Cony/Monmouth/Hall-Dale Rams
Coach: Chad Foye (18th year)
Class: A North
Last year’s results: 14-6, lost in regional semifinals
Returning athletes: Seniors — Dalton Bowie (G), Logan Leadbetter (D), Tyler Dostie (D), Cole Lockhart (F), Avery Pomerleau (F), Riley Dowe (F); Juniors — Joe Arps (D), Gabby Benson (D), Reed Hopkins (F), Mike Boivin (F), Connor Albison (F), Vincent Manocchio (F); Sophomores — Sam MacFarlane (D), Collin Osbourne (F).
Key losses: Cam Wilson (F), Nate Foye (D), Thomas Arps (D).
Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Tyrell Lewis (F), Quincy Tobias (F), Duncan Hayes (F), Elijah Bezanson (D).
What to expect: Foye expects Class A North to stack up the same way it has in recent years, with Lewiston, Bangor and St. Dom’s at the top. But with continued improvement as the season goes on, he thinks the Rams can be competitive within the league.
Edward Little Red Eddies
Coach: Norm Gagne (first year at EL, 43rd year overall)
Class: A North
Last year’s results: 5-14, lost in regional quarterfinals
Returning athletes: Seniors — Alex Landry (D), Aaron Kane (D), Eli Thibodeau (F), Ben Feldman (G); Juniors — Cam Audette (D), Aaron Perkins (F), Ben Cassidy (F); Sophomores — Logan Alexander (F), Ben Lane Robichaud (F), Gavin Toussaint (G).
Promising newcomers: Senior — Keenan Alexander (F); Junior — Gage Doucette (F); Sophomore — Gunnar Winslow (F), Ryan Begin (D); Freshman — Marius Morneau (D).
What to expect: Gagne, in his first season at the helm of his alma mater, thinks his team has a lot of promise, but leadership and learning his system will be key. If the players buy in to his system and steadily improve as the season goes along, Gagne thinks the Red Eddies could do some damage in the playoffs. Surviving the stiff competition in Class A North will not be easy, however.
Lewiston Blue Devils
Coach: Jamie Belleau (10th year)
Class: A North
Last year’s results: 20-1, Class A state champions
Returning athletes: Seniors — Dustin Larochelle (F), Chad Lynch (F), Gunnar Wade (F), Ryan Bossie (D), Conrad Albert (G); Juniors — Alex Robert (F), Sam Frechette (F), Jack Leblond (F), Ridge Field (F), Tyler Marcoux (F), Jacob Story (D), Jacob Smith (G), Sean Michael Chabot (G); Sophomore — Owen Cox (D).
Promising newcomers: Seniors — Evan Cox (F), Cam Dionne (F), Jayden Wilson (D); Juniors — Billie Blanchette (D), Sam Payne (D), Sam Laroche (D), John Mathon (D); Sophomores — Kurtis Pelletier (F), Ben St. Laurent (F).
What to expect: While the Blue Devils lost some key names from back-to-back state championship teams, they bring back many players from last year, particularly skaters. All three goalies have spent time at the varsity level and will be vying for the top spot. Belleau will be looking for his veterans to lead the way, and for players previously in reserve roles to step up and be regular contributors.
Maranacook/Winthrop/Madison Hawks
Coach: Jack Rioux (first year)
Class: B South
Last year’s results: 0-18
Top returners: Seniors — Dan Shea (F), Eli Bulba (F); Junior — Will Hays (G)
Key losses: Matt Ingram (D), Bailey Stockford (F)
Promising newcomers: Seniors — Luke St. Hilaire (F), Cam MacDonald (D)
What to expect: Rioux takes over after being an assistant with the Hawks last year. He also has experience as the JV coach at St. Dominic Academy. Players from Madison are also a new part of a program that could use a fresh start. The Hawks will be young, with 15 of the 20 players on the roster being underclassmen. Rioux said the team already has good chemistry and is working hard. Hays is looking to have a big year in goal.
Mt. Ararat/Lisbon/Morse Eagles
Coach: A.J. Kavanaugh (third year)
Class: A North
Last year’s results: 7-11
Returning athletes: Seniors — Sam Alexander (F), Cam Grant (D), Matt Lawrence (D), Owen Kelly (F), Nick Austin (F); Juniors — Noah Austin (F), Cade Charron (G), Cam Poisson (F); Sophomore — Jacob Sargent (D).
Key losses: Ryley Austin (D), Tyler LaCascio (F), Mark Abreu (F), Tyler Halls (D), Parker Lacey (G).
Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Cal Davies (D), Noah Magda (F).
What to expect: The Eagles lost 12 seniors from last year’s team, but they are still hoping to rebound from a disappointing season. They return their top two scorers, in Noah Austin and Alexander, and Cam Grant provides offense from the point. Charron is a veteran in net.
Poland/Leavitt/Oak Hill/Gray-NG Kings
Coach: Joe Hutchinson (second year, three previous years with Leavitt)
Class: A North
Last year’s results: 11-7-1, lost in regional quarterfinals
Returning athletes: Seniors — Connor Cyr (F), Garrett Derocher (F), Brandon Michaud (F), Bailey Drouin (D), Parker Springer (D); Juniors — Austin Taylor (F), Dakota Soucy (G); Sophomore — Nate Marcotte (D)
Key losses: Ashton Dozois (G), Lucas Perry (D), Drake Goupil (F), Hunter Soucy (F), Theo Mahaleris (F)
Promising newcomers: Senior — Luda Anderhed (F); Junior — Jayson Martin (D).
What to expect: The Kings, complete with new jerseys bearing that moniker, lost a few key players from last season but overall are still a veteran group. They made the playoffs in their first season as a four-team co-operative, and they’re hoping to build on that experience and improve. Hutchinson said he has a solid defensive corps, but the team will have to get better in transition and finishing scoring chances to find more success than last season.
St. Dominic Academy Saints
Coach: Bob Parker (third year)
Class: A North
Last year’s results: 9-11, lost in regional semifinals
Returning athletes: Senior — Mack Pelletier; Juniors — Devon D’Auteuil (G), Ben Gosselin; Sophomores — Will Fletcher, Jacob Lewis, Jack Ouellette, Jaden Webster, Zack Pelletier, Michael Cilley
Key losses: Noah Toussaint (F), Kyle Welsh (G), Sam Blaisdell (D), Justin Keaney (F), Connor Samson (F)
Promising newcomers: Dominic Chasse (F), Derek Wolverton (D), Gaston Fuksa (G), Mathew Fletcher (F), Lucas Pushard (F), Alex Roy (G).
What to expect: The Saints lost some big names from last year and will be very young this season. But they have talent, both from returning players and from newcomers. How fast they mature will be key, but Parker expects his team to challenge the best teams in the league.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
