Kimball Union and Holderness have been regulars in the Elite 8 conversation for a while. They often steal all the Lakes Region headlines. Tilton had a fantastic year last winter, getting into the Small School tournament. The Rams should be back in playoff contention. But the same is true for St. Paul's and New Hampton,...
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Kimball Union and Holderness have been regulars in the Elite 8 conversation for a while. They often steal all the Lakes Region headlines.
Tilton had a fantastic year last winter, getting into the Small School tournament. The Rams should be back in playoff contention. But the same is true for St. Paul's and New Hampton, as well as Proctor.
Brewster Academy and Vermont Academy have something to prove, too.
Here's a team-by-team breakdown of the Lakes Region.
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Brewster Academy
Coach: Ed RonanÂ
2024-25 record: 2-22-0Â
Players to watch: Brayden McKenna, F; Max Rusov, F; Evan Ashton, F; Gabe Visnicky, F; Logan Wood, D; Luke Smolan, D; JR Bonia, GÂ
Outlook: Brewster is coming off a rough season, but returns a handful of nice core pieces. McKenna, who led Brewster in goals (8) and points (12) last season, is back. Bonia, an '08 junior, should be stable in net. Brewster's lone wins last season were against Berwick and Hebron.
Coach: Alan ThompsonÂ
2024-25 record: 22-7-1; lost to Berkshire in semifinals of Small School tournamentÂ
Players to watch: Henry Colbert, F; Viktor Samal, F; Jack Welby, F; Sawyer Graubins, F; Henry Prowse, D; Tegan Gregory, D; Brody Nies, D; Mark Bierwirth, G Outlook: The Bulls have become a team vying for the Elite 8 every year. Despite losing its top seven point-getters from last season, Holderness has enough up front to inspire confidence, while boasting a stout, hard-to-play-against defensive group. Bierwirth in net will be the team’s biggest difference maker. He was fantastic in his first year. What does he have in store for his senior year?Â
Kimball Union
Coach: Tim WhiteheadÂ
2024-25 record: 27-8-2; won Small School tournamentÂ
Players to watch: Josh Phillips, F; Xander Boutilier, F; Alexis Gagne, F; Jackson Kimelman, F; Jack Ross, F; Conal Mulkerrin, F; Charlie MacLeod, F; Anthony Leech, D; Thomas Ojard, D; Nasean Faria, D; Lucas Hannay, D; Cam Ingram, G; Luca Campo, G Outlook: Kimball Union just missed the Elite 8 last season and responded by having its way with the Small School tournament field. The Wildcats are typically Elite 8 regulars and have the roster to get back there. Phillips is one of the best uncommitted prospects in prep and should lead a deep group of forwards. Campo was good in his limited time last season and projects to do so in an expanded role as a junior.Â
New Hampton
Coach: Connor Gorman
2024-25 record: 12-19-2
Players to watch: Dylan Podergois, F; Matt Homer, F; Johnny Niemela, F; Gavin Burley, F; Preston Abbott, D; Keegan Hunt, D; George Kavanaugh, D; Richard Jenkins, D; Sam Zygulski, G; Drew Johnson, G
Outlook:Â New Hampton has a tough schedule, but the Huskies have depth up front and on defense with experienced players. They've been playing together throughout the fall, which should give them a boost once the prep season begins. "The group is hungry to get into the New England tournament again after missing it the last two seasons," Gorman said. This season will likely come down to how many players can break out.
Coach: Mike Walsh 2024-25 record: 12-17-1Â
Players to watch: Tim Sullivan, F; Dylan Jordan, F; Miles Sobky, F; Luke Long, F; Garrett Aceto, F; Owen Dutton, D; Eddy Bevel-Tourmel, D; Ethan Tucker, G;Â
Outlook:Â Proctor returned a solid, experienced core and added older newcomers. Life won't be easy in the Lakes Region, but Walsh expects to "be deeper in all positions this season." He also expects the goaltending to be much better.
St. Paul's
Coach: Scott HarffÂ
2024-25 record: 12-18-1Â
Players to watch: Harry Dermody, F; Anderson Kilbourne, F; Fin Kilbourne, F; Mitch Smith, F; Ryan Vohra, F; Quinn Brandell, D; Blake Truchon, GÂ
Outlook: St. Paul's should be an improved squad this winter. The forward group is older and established, the core on defense is deep and Truchon gives the Pelicans a difference-maker who should have his team in every game. St. Paul's has been playing together in the New England Fall Prep Hockey League this fall, which should give it a leg-up on a lot of the competition.
Tilton
Coach: Brooks McQuadeÂ
2024-25 record: 19-9-2; lost to St. George's in quarterfinals of Small School tournamentÂ
Players to watch: Max Gagnon, F; Bryce Turmel, F; Zachary Gay, F; Griff Halecki, F; Tedy Hannon, F; Ryan Shanahan, F; Connor Long, F; Hayden Hunter, F; Matt McLellan, F; Edward Hannan, D; Brady Guenther, D; Evan Gardner, D; Colin Reilly, D; Michael Nerich, D; Chris Marques, D; Hunter Marshall, G Outlook: Sure, the Rams lost a lot of players from last year’s roster. But McQuade replaced many of them with older players, which should set up Tilton to be a tough out in the Lakes Region again. The key to beating Kimball Union and Holderness will be with Marshall in net.Â
Coach: Dustin WalshÂ
2024-25 record: 7-21-1Â
Players to watch: Levi Jones, F; Blake Postles, F; Kevin Summers, F; Xander Robertson, F; Hayden Postles, D; Leyton Riendeau, D; Jake Hedman, GÂ
Outlook: Vermont put up seven wins last season and lost several key players. Walsh, the new head coach, will need forwards like Jones, Postles, Summers and Robertson to step up their scoring.
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