Concord boys’ hockey has been the team to beat in Division I over the last few years. But entering the 2022-23 season, head coach Dunc Walsh isn’t going to have the same level of depth on his roster, after graduating nine seniors from last years’ 19-0-2 team that won the NHIAA Division I boys’ hockey championship.
Even still, the Tide return senior forward Brooks Craigue, last year’s D-I Player of the Year, who has totaled 120 points through his first three seasons.
“Just a really good player,” Walsh said. “Great skater, great forechecker, he can kill penalties, he does it all. He makes guys around him better.”
Walsh also highlighted two of his defenseman, senior captain Joey Tarbell (All-State Second Team) and junior Jack Shoemaker as the other players he’ll be relying on this season to help lead the way.
Junior forwards AJ Dow and Dawson Fancher both played on the second line last year and are returning this season.
Because so many players graduated from last year’s team, there will be plenty of opportunities for guys who don’t have a lot of varsity experience to expand their roles. Specifically up front, Walsh hopes to find players besides Craigue who can find the back of the net consistently.
“This year, we don’t have quite the depth,” Walsh said. “But guys have to fill in roles and get better, and we’ll see how that goes and progresses as the season goes on. That’s our goal, is to just get better week to week, and hopefully come tournament time, we’re playing our best.”
Contrary to the last few seasons, the Tide might not have the most talent in Division I, but they’ll certainly still have a target on their backs as the three-time defending champions.
“I wouldn’t say we’re the favorite by any means,” Walsh said. “But I think we got a chance to be a good team.”
Concord opens its regular season on Wednesday on the road against Windham. The Tide’s first home game is Saturday against Trinity at 5:30 p.m. at Everett Arena.
Other area teams open their seasons on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Division: I
Coach: John Thomas (2nd year)
Last year: 4-13-1, did not make tournament
Top returners: Tucker Townsend, sr., F; John Thomas, sr., F; Ethan Christerson, sr., D; Brady Ziegler, sr., D
Top newcomers: Ian Miller, fr., F; Tyler Carter, so., F
Outlook: Bishop Brady only has five returning players, but a new cooperative program with Merrimack Valley and Concord Christian Academy has allowed the program to maintain a full roster. Out of those five returning players, four of them are seniors.
“We are hoping that their knowledge and dedication will set the tone on the newer members of the team this year,” coach Thomas said. “We have a tough schedule a head of us, but this group is up for the challenge.”
Teams to beat: Concord, Bedford
Division: I
Coach: Tim Walsh (22nd year)
Last year: 4-13-0, did not make tournament
Top returners: Mason Marquis jr., G; Brodie O’Neil, jr., D; Blake Scarinza, sr., D; Finn Benoit, sr., F/D; Dom Jurcins, sr., F/D; Josh Billow, sr., F; Owen Webber, so., F; Billy Smethurst, jr., F; Ethan Tobeler, sr., F/D
Top newcomers: TJ Ingalls, fr., D; Julian Lerch, jr., F
Outlook: “This group is determined to get the program back on the rails and on the path to where it had been until recently,” Walsh said. “This group is more motivated and more together than most of our teams in recent time.”
Teams to beat: Concord, Bedford, Exeter, Bishop Guertin, Windham
Division: II
Coach: Fred Strum (1st year)
Last year: 11-8-0, reached semifinals
Top returners: Jonny Pelletier, sr., F; JR Norris, jr., F; Adam Lacerte, sr., F; Calvin Lambert, sr., F; Tully Keefe, jr., F; Jacob Potter, sr., F; Connor Strum, sr., D; James Sawyer, jr., D; Nick Miller, so., D; Owen Perra, jr., D; Rylye Coe, jr., G; Dylan Cossette, jr., G
Top newcomers: Aidan Tibbetts, fr., F; Reilly Quist, fr., G; AJ Kozlowski, fr., F; Kasey Siering, fr., D
Outlook: The Bearcats have strong core of returning players for new head coach Fred Strum (moving up from his previous role as assistant coach), especially on the defensive end of the ice, while the offense has a nice mix of veterans and youth. According to Strum, he is “looking to create a hard-nosed, tough to play against, competitive team with a positive culture.”
Division: III
Coach: Jason Parent (6th year)
Last year: 16-5-0, D-III runner-up
Top returners: Owen Guerin, sr., D/F; Carson McGreevy, so., G; Aidan McKenzie, jr., D; Adam Ribeiro, jr., F; Evan Guerin, so., F; Jaxson Embree, so., F; Jackson Collins, sr., F; Nate Gerbig, so., D
Top newcomers: Nolan LaFrance, so., G; Sean Ellis, fr., D
Outlook: The Bulldogs have skilled players, veteran leadership and good depth, with many players returning from last year’s team that fell to Berlin-Gorham, 3-1, in the championship game. “This team could go a long way if we can stay healthy and out of the penalty box,” Parent said.
Teams to beat: Pembroke-Campbell, Hollis-Brookline/Derryfield, Berlin-Gorham
Division: III
Coach: Denis Kolehmainen (11th year)
Last year: 9-10-2, reached quarterfinals
Top returners: Bobby Arnold, sr., F; Lucas Gagnon, jr., F; Nick Martel, sr., D; Thaddeus Maughan, jr., F
Top newcomers: Kip Headquist, Ryan Podsadowski, Soren Puc, Tad Stokes
Outlook: The General Hawks are coming off a rebuilding year and added 14 new players into the mix.
Teams to beat: Berlin-Gorham, Belmont-Gilford, Hollis-Brookline/Derryfield
Division: III
Coach: Dave Wheaton (4th year)
Last year: 2-14, did not make tournament
Top returners: Zach Spicuzza, sr.; Austin Keenan, sr.
Outlook: “I only have two seniors this year, but I’m looking forward to see how my young team can play together,” Wheaton said. “I lost three All-State players to graduation, but have three freshmen that skate well. I’m hoping that the other schools lost some good talent as well. I’m excited about this team and can’t wait to start the season.”
Division: III
Coach: Justin Garzia (5th year)
Last year: 8-9-2, reached quarterfinals
Top returners: Shea Curley, s0., F; Nolan Fullerton, jr., F; Lincoln Manson, jr., F; Chris Rubbe, jr., F; Brennan Johnson, jr., D; Cole Rozum, sr., D; Charlie Cushing, jr., D; Gunnar Benedict, so., D; Owen Garzia, jr., G
Top newcomers: Landon Custance, fr.; Nolan Johnson, fr.
Outlook: After nearly pulling off the upset over Hollis-Brookline/Derryfield, but losing 3-2 in overtime of last year’s quarterfinals, the Cats are eager to get back to the playoffs this season. Blue liners Rozum and Johnson will serve as captains.
Teams to beat: Belmont-Gilford
Division: III
Coach: Marc Noel (22nd)
Last year: 10-8-1, reached quarterfinals
Top returners: Liam Cripps, jr., G; Cameron Plumb, jr., F; Logan Daigle, jr., F; Trevor Lemaire, so., F; Patrick Chamberlain, jr., D; Cooper Fisher, sr., D
Top newcomers: Casey Fuller, so., F; Gavin Retkevicz, fr., D
Outlook: Lost to Lebanon-Stevens 4-3 in overtime of last year’s quarterfinals has given PAC “the drive to get better and stronger every day,” according to Noel. “We are four lines deep both, offense and defense, with strong goaltending. It is really fun to watch this team play. The entire team has a passion for this game and when they are presented with a challenge they look at that as an opportunity to get stronger.”
Teams to beat: Berlin-Gorham, Pembroke-Campbell, Belmont-Gilford, Lebanon-Stevens
Division: I
Coach: Tim Herbert (3rd year)
Last year: 14-5-0, reached quarterfinals
Top returners: Leah Beauregard, Sophia Branch, Abigail Colby, Greta Norton, Julia Kirrane, Ayva Walsh, Taylor Lamb
Top newcomers: Annabelle Norwalt, Addison Twyon
Outlook: After losing a narrow 3-2 game to St. Thomas-Winnacunnet-Dover in last year’s quarterfinals, the Tide are eager to get back to the ice. With senior goaltender Lamb back in net and an experienced blue line, Concord looks solid defensively, but players will need to get used to new roles and newcomers will need to learn the Tide’s systems.
“A number of younger players will be asked to step up in key positions and are progressing in their play,” Herbert said. “They will continue to improve no doubt as we get further along into the season.”
Teams to beat: Bishop Guertin, Hanover, St. Thomas-Winnacunnet-Dover, Berlin-Gorham-Kennett, Pinkerton, Oyster River-Portsmouth
BISHOP BRADY-TRINITY-LONDONDERRY
Division: I
Coach: Dan Earley (12th year)
Last year: 10-8-0, reached quarterfinals
Top returners: Kacey Yorston, so., G; Finley Hollenberg, jr., F; Meghan Schmidt, so., D; Kylie Palmateer, so., F/D; Madeline Souza, so., F
Top newcomers: Grace Orr, D; Bryana Sanuth, F; Josie Whitson, F; Evy Helper, F; Alli Pelletier, F; Ali Verani, D
Outlook: After having just 10 players on last year’s roster, “BLT” is bolstered by the addition of Londonderry players to the cooperative team.
“With the veteran core of returning players, joined by the group of outstanding new players, ‘BLT’ will be competitive,” Earley said.