The big question before the 2025-26 CHSGHA girls’ hockey season was whether or not anyone could dethrone Darien and New Canaan. The two FCIAC powers have dominated Connecticut for the last decade. But after a week of this newest season, the gap between the Wave and Rams and the rest of the state appears to...
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The big question before the 2025-26 CHSGHA girls’ hockey season was whether or not anyone could dethrone Darien and New Canaan.
The two FCIAC powers have dominated Connecticut for the last decade. But after a week of this newest season, the gap between the Wave and Rams and the rest of the state appears to be shrinking.
Both reigning state finalists are undefeated — and hold the top two spots in our inaugural rankings.
But they were given real tests by teams below them, and in New Canaan’s case, they were very nearly defeated.
The defending state champions are off to a perfect start. A 2-0 win at Hall/Conard and a 9-1 victory over Stamford/Westhill/Staples have the Wave’s official record at 2-0-0 — star junior forward Adriana Gromelski already has two goals — but Darien’s two victories in a preseason jamboree are impressive, too. In a pair of 25-minute games, the Wave took down upstart Greenwich, 3-0, and defeated New Canaan, the defending state runner-up and Darien’s most obvious title challenger, by a 1-0 scoreline (exciting sophomore Ella Harrison scored the goal). Accordingly, Weicker’s team debuts in our top spot.
2. New Canaan
Conference: FCIAC Coach: Rich Bulan Record: 3-0-0 Next: vs. Wilton/Ridgefield/McMahon, Dec. 19, 6:10 p.m.
The Rams are 3-0-0 after the first week, highlighted by a 6-0 victory over the Mercy Co-op, but the other two victories were hardly walks in the park. New Canaan squeaked by Greenwich in the regular-season opener, a 3-2 victory that required a game-winning goal early in the third period from freshman Lina Kivikko. The Trumbull Co-op gave the Rams just as much trouble on Monday, too, but Bulan’s group emerged with a 2-1 win after freshman J.D. Natale scored with 48 seconds left. Senior Izzy Janiga, junior Izzy Hanna and freshman Lyla Ives all have two goals apiece so far.
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3. Amity Co-op
Conference: SCC Coach: John Peschell Record: 2-0-0 Next: vs. Woodstock Co-op, Dec. 17, 8 p.m.
The Amity Co-op had the makings of a team that could make a serious run before the season, and through two games, the Blades certainly look the part. Peschell’s team boasts a 6-3 win over Stamford/Westhill/Staples and a 7-4 victory against the Ridgefield Co-op. Amity’s top line of seniors Maybelle Caron and Emelia Brandi (both have three goals and three assists) and sophomore Caroline Barto (one goal, three assists) is dominating. The Woodstock Co-op and a solid Guilford team are up next before the Christmas break.
4. East Catholic Co-op
Conference: CCC Coach: Frank Usegglio Record: 1-0-1 Next: at Simsbury, Dec. 17, 6:10 p.m.
East Catholic opened the season with a 4-3 overtime victory over CCC rival Hall/Conard, with senior Charlie Laramee (two goals, two assists on the season) burying the winner in the extra frame. It was a big victory for Usegglio’s group in a matchup of teams coming off CCC semifinal and state quarterfinal appearances last season. EC followed it with a 2-2 overtime tie against East Green (Mamaroneck, N.Y.). Along with Laramee, freshman Ally Dudzinski (three goals) and senior captain Deirdre McKiernan (four assists) have led the way thus far.
5. Hall/Conard
Conference: CCC Coach: Jared Cohane Record: 1-2-0 Next: vs. Mercy, Dec. 17, 5 p.m.
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The Chieftains opened the season with two tough matchups against East Catholic and Darien, and though they emerged without a win, Cohane was encouraged, given Hall/Conard rallied from a two-goal deficit to force overtime against EC — courtesy of tip-in goals from senior Teagan Cohane and junior Paige Sweeney, both assisted by senior defender Fiona Campbell — and put up a solid effort versus the defending state champs. And on Monday, H/C got in the win column with a 3-1 victory against Simsbury. Campbell has a goal and an assist and Sweeney has three goals to lead the Chieftains so far.
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2. New Canaan
