The COVID-19 pandemic is throwing more than the usual hurdles at Upper Valley high school hockey programs.
With numbers on the decline, schools have had to get creative to fill their rosters. Vermont is allowing eighth graders on girls hockey teams for the first time, and Hartford’s new coach is taking full advantage. Some districts that have used the VPA’s member-to-member program before aren’t out of COVID-19 concerns, which could affect depth.
There are big challenges ahead, especially for a Woodstock boys team whose senior-laden roster — buoyed by one significant injury returnee — wants to give Division I a shot again. It’s all depending upon what the states will allow, and in some case when they’ll allow it.
Coach: Dick Dodds (39).
Last year: 12-10-0, lost to Pinkerton in first round.
League: NHIAA Division I.
Returnees: Senior — Tom Lyons (D). Juniors — John Hill (F), Curtis Rice (F), Spencer Lawe (D), Matt Walsh (F), Jackson Fisher (F), Alex Rockmore (F), Casey Graham (F), Luke Ives (G), Nick Lee (D). Sophomores — Jack Stadheim (F), Jack Gardner (D).
Newcomers: Seniors — Hank Trimble (F), Ben Wagner (F). Juniors — Ethan Derksen (D), Dill Eisendrath (G). Sophomores — Jack Lawson (F), Satch Bowie (D). Freshmen — Wyatt Seelig (F), Jack Wilkinson (F), Angus Frew (F).
Analysis: Allowing fewer than three goals a game is pretty good defense, but the Marauders may have to do better to help their D-I hopes. Hanover scored just 55 goals in 22 games last season, and the Marauders’ top two returning scorers (Jack Stadheim and Curtis Rice) both finished with 10 points. That puts an early onus on veteran goaltender Luke Ives and primary blueliners Spencer Lawe, Jack Gardner and Tom Lyons to keep opposing forwards in check so Hanover can grind out results.
“We have a large junior class, and they all have improved tremendously,” coach Dick Dodds said. “That coupled with some really skilled newcomers and great leadership from senior captain Tom Lyons gives us an optimistic outlook as the season nears.”
Coach: Todd Bebeau (23).
Last year: 15-7-1, lost to Harwood in semifinals.
League: VPA Division II.
Returnees: Seniors — Jackson Balch (D), A.J. DeBois (F, attends Rivendell), Bentley Boonyaharn (F), Colston Allen (F; out for season/shoulder injury), Jacob Dwinell (F). Juniors — Alex Mason (D), Aidan Boonyaharn (F), Simon Spaulding (D), Matt Derosier (F), Gordon Willey (F). Sophomores — Sean Kelliher (G), Blaine Gour (F), James McReynolds (F), Ozzie DeFelice (F), Joseph Barwood (F), Connor Tierney (D).
Newcomers: Sophomores — Matt Cooney (F). Freshmen — Ezra Mock (F), Lochlan Park (D), Nate Clark (F), Davey Bradley (G, attends Rivendell).
Ice Chip: Freshman Lochlan Park is the grandson of NHL Hall of Fame member Brad Park. Like his grandfather, Park plays on the blue line.
Analysis: Colby Boyce’s departure to Kimball Union Academy left a big hole in Hartford’s goal, but coach Todd Bebeau believes the Hurricanes have enough skating ability to give sophomore Sean Kelliher and freshman Davey Bradley time to adjust to high school goaltending. That will allow Hartford to use puck control to its advantage.
“This could potentially be one of the best skating teams I’ve had since the 2007-10 groups,” Bebeau said. “This should allow us to play a puck-possession, up-tempo game that will continually pressure our opponent.”
Coach: Jim Damren (4).
Last year: 8-12-1, lost to Keene in quarterfinals in overtime.
League: NHIAA Division III.
Returnees: Seniors — Andrew Duany (D, capt.), Joe Roberts (F), Jake Kriplin (D, asst. capt.), Hunter Robb (G), Aidan Yates (F). Juniors — Sebastian Yates (G), Luke Greene (D), Hunter Christian (F, attends Stevens), Liam Ouellette (D, attends Mount Royal), Griffin Auch (F), Nathan Stark (D), Toby Cromwell (G). Sophomores — Easton Wykes (D), Cesar Salcedo (F), Will McGee (F), Andrew Dannehy (D), Ryan West (D).
Newcomers: Sophomore — Griffin Urnezis (F). Freshmen — Paddy Mooney (F), Gabe Ouellette (D, attends Mount Royal), Tyler Christian (F, attends Stevens).
Ice Chips: Cromwell was chosen by Shawinigan in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s American player draft last summer, but he’s been unable to do anything with the team because of the pandemic-forced closure of the U.S.-Canada border. … Kennett is the only D-III member that isn’t a two- or three-school co-op.
Analysis: Jon Cloud’s speed, scoring and leadership will be missed, but in his place the Raiders possess depth at forward and experience in the goal. Lebanon improved considerably toward the end of last season, earning postseason qualification late and nearly pulling off an upset of No. 1 Keene in the semifinals.
“We will be very skilled and experienced at forward and should be able to roll three lines consistently,” coach Jim Damren said. “Defensively we will be solid, albeit a bit on the younger side. We also return all three goalies from last year.”
Coach: Jon Chamberlin (6).
Last year: 15-4-2, upset at home by Burr & Burton in VPA D-II quarterfinals.
League: VPA Division I.
Returnees: Seniors — Tommy Bissaillon (F), Chase Christensen (F), Daniel Drebber (G), Charles Greene (F), Andrew Gubbins (D), Mason Harkins (D), Gavin Huppe (D), Ethan Mello (G), Riley Shepherd (D), Field Willis (F). Juniors — Chase Conway (F), Evan Kurash (D), Keaton Piconi (G), Ryan Runstein (F). Sophomores — Michael LaCroix (D), Graeme McKeon (F).
Newcomers: Sophomores — William Coates (D), Ethan Dean (F). Freshmen— Ethan Havill (F), Griffin Piconi (F), Tanner Tarleton (F).
Ice Chip: Bissaillon returns to competitive hockey for the first time since sustaining a knee injury during his junior soccer season in 2019. The senior largely tended net during last fall’s soccer campaign.
Analysis: With seniors making up nearly half of the roster and returnees accounting for three-quarters of it, the Wasps have decided to join Division I this winter. Woodstock’s only other D-I season came in 2016-17, when the Wasps went 4-16-1. Nearly all of last year’s scoring is back, and there should be spirited competition between Woodstock’s three returning goalies for the minutes freed up by Henry Greene’s graduation.
“In reality, we had the option to stay (in D-II), but our senior group wanted to go for it, so we went with that,” coach Jon Chamberlin said. “We’re excited to do it with the group we have. We thought it was a chance to compete all of the way.”
Coach: John Dodds (16).
Last year: 12-7-2, lost to Concord in state semifinals.
League: NHIAA Division I.
Returnees: Seniors — Sage McGinley-Smith (F, capt.), Natalie Morhun (D/F, capt.), Rebekah Rudd (G). Juniors — Kaye Lindsay (F), Gail Morse (F), Danielle Rudd (D), Greta Schutz (F/D), Lily Seelig (D), Katelyn Smith (G). Sophomores — Sophia Brackett (F), Mackenzie Liu (F), Kali McDonnell (D).
Newcomers: Freshmen — Maeve Lee (F), Lorelei Seelig (F).
Ice Chip: At 743 students, Hanover is now the smallest school in NHIAA girls hockey.
Analysis: The Marauders don’t enter the season as defending state champs for the first time in a decade, but they do return plenty of talent for a bid at regaining their spot atop the state. NHIAA girls hockey has more depth than ever before, however, and the pandemic will prevent Hanover from playing the out-of-state foes who’ve helped beef up their schedule in past year. Just 14 players fill out the roster, so managing ice time will also be important.
Coach: Kylie Young (1).
Last year: 1-20-0, lost in D-II first round at Stowe
League: VPA Division III.
Returnees: Seniors — Isabel Stack (F, capt., attends Bellows Falls), Zoe Pfeiffer (G, capt.), Rylee Potwin (F). Juniors — Nora Knudsen (D, asst. capt.), Brianna Roberts (F). Sophomores — Addyson Holzer (F, attends Thetford), Nedra Dwinell (F), Julie McDermid (D, attends BF), Liv Hastings (F, attends Thetford), Sydney Stillman (G), Madelyn Durkee (F, attends Thetford), Ada Acker (F, attends Thetford).
Newcomers: Junior — Grace Bazin (F, attends Bellows Falls). Sophomore — Sophie Trombley (D). Eighth grade — Cordelia Durand (F), Emma Bazin (F, attends Bellows Falls), Emma Bazin (F, attends Bellows Falls), Madison Barwood (F).
Ice Chip: Young is among the most accomplished hockey athletes Hartford High has produced. She led the Canes to four trips to the VPA D-I finals, followed by four years of college play, three at D-I Sacred Heart.
Analysis: Bill Goldsworthy’s rebuilding efforts netted just four wins in three years, so Hartford went to alumna Kylie Young in the offseason. She’s deeply rooted in the game, as a player and a youth league administrator and coach. But things have changed since her Hurricane days: Numbers are much lower, necessitating a large member-to-member presence along with the arrival of eighth graders for the first time in state history.
“We have gained some experience and strong skaters with the help of our member-to-member program out of BF as well as some experienced eighth graders,” Young noted. “No incoming freshmen this season.”
Coach: Mike Sheehan (2).
Last year: 9-7-2, upset at home in first round.
League: NHIAA Division I.
Returnees: Seniors — Lily Barber (F, capt.), Lena Nowell (F, capt.), Makayla Maccioli (F, capt., attends Stevens). Juniors — Lilly Gogan (F/D), Emma Leute (F), Paige Hoegler (G, attends Kearsarge). Sophomores — Claire Falcone (F), Greta Barber (F/D), Elena Robb (D/F).
Newcomers: Freshmen — Sydney DeShane (G), Lily Hoegler (F, attends Kearsarge), Olivia Pollard (D/F), Abby Braley (F), Phoebe Ballard (D), Natalee Pettersen (F).
Ice Chip: Sheehan said there’s a distinct possibility that the Barber sisters, Lily and Greta, could end up on a line this season.
Analysis: Sheehan made a good impression in his first year as coach, producing a Lebanon team that throttled the teams it should and playing NHIAA Division I’s mettle well.
To take the next step up the ladder, the Raiders need another solid year in net from Paige Hoegler and hope that Lily Barber and Makayla Maccioli can continue scoring without the graduated Marissa Pickman.
“We are a group of hard workers trying to balance our experience with several new players who we are hoping will be able to step in and play key roles,” Sheehan said. “Our ability to adjust to the speed of the game and create offense will go a long way to determining our success this season.”
Coach: Ian Coates (8).
Last year: 7-13-1, lost at CVU in D-II quarterfinals.
League: VPA Division III.
Returnees: Seniors — Ava Dodson (G), Eliza Dodson (D), Sadie Gravelle (D), Novah Conway (G), Emily Dean (F). Juniors — Sophie Yates (F), Brighton Martsolf-Tan (F), Skylar Haley (F). Sophomores — Lily Gubbins (D), Emma Allegretti (F).
Newcomers: Sophomore — Norah Harper (F), Isabel Konijnenberg (F, transfer from Lexington, Mass. HS). Freshmen — Lila Beckwith (F), Celeste Belisle (F), Meridian Bremel (G), Hannah Gubbins (D), Garcelyn Laperle (F), Margaret Mello (F), Carter Willis (F). Eighth grade — Kassidy Haley (F).
Ice Chip: COVID restrictions actually allowed eighth-grader Kassidy Haley to join the Wasps. Haley would have skated with the Hanover Hockey Association this winter had not Vermont banned interstate travel.
Analysis: A school-issued moratorium on member-to-member participation for the time being will rob the Wasps of some talent, but a 20-player roster indicates a robust program.
Six graduations and the loss of Faye Stevens (Northfield Mount Hermon) and Allie Cimis (Proctor Academy) to prep school led coach Ian Coates to seek a drop to Division III, with the hope a lighter schedule will give all aspects of his team time to grow.
“Dropping down a division takes some pressure off to help rebuild the team,” Coates said.
“Not very loaded on veterans this season, but have some good new players to help reset the program for next season. Great group of kids with good team attitudes. Team is hungry to play and get better.”