2023-24 girls hockey preview capsules

EDWARD LITTLE/LEAVITT/POLAND RED HORNETS
Coach: Dana Berube (seventh year)
Region: North
Last year’s record: 2-16
Returning athletes: Seniors — Kylee Spugnardi (F), Grace Ducharme (F), Haleigh Moon (F), Ella Label (D), Mackenzie Grenier (D).
Key loss: Alyssa Prosser (Sun Journal second team).
Promising newcomers: Senior — Izzy Jalbert (G); Sophomore — Avery Cologna; Freshman — Kaydance Jolin (G).
Season outlook: The Red Hornets have senior experience but coach Dana Berube said that overall they will be a young team. He said the team has built some early chemistry during the preseason. Kylee Spugnardi will be one of the go-to goal-scorers for the Red Hornets. The team has added the services of Edward Little girls soccer goalie Izzy Jalbert to be a goaltender, along with freshman Kaydance Jolin. Berube expects the Red Hornets to improve as the season goes along.

GREELY/GRAY-NEW GLOUCESTER RANGERS
Coach: Meg Finley (second year)
Region: South
Last year’s record: 0-18
Returning athletes: Seniors — Allie Dominski (F), Katie Dubbert (F); Junior — Zoe Trepaney (D).
Promising newcomers: Freshman — Charley Louie (G).
Season outlook: Coach Meg Finley said the Rangers will continue to develop in 2023-24. The goal this year is to get a win. Finley said puck control and competitiveness will be important to pick up a victory.

LEWISTON/OAK HILL BLUE DEVILS
Coach: Scott Laberge (second year)
Region: North
Last year’s record: 10-9, lost in the regional quarterfinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Fiona Landry (F), Taylor Melvin (F), Tatum Hunt (G); Juniors — Courtney LaChance (F), Avaya Desjardins (D), Sarah Mack (D); Sophomore — Crew Langley (F).
Key loss: Kim McLaughlin (Sun Journal Player of the Year), Alyssa Marcoux (Sun Journal first team).
Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Emma Berube (F), Alexia Castonguay (F), Madison Doucette (F), Kylie Dulac (F), Lila Theriault (F).
Season outlook: The key to success for the Blue Devils this season will be a more balanced scoring attack up front. Fiona Landry tallied 12 points a year ago and Crew Langley had 11 points. Coach Scott Laberge said the influx of freshmen up front will provide scoring depth. After four years of Kim McLaughlin guarding the goal, Tatum Hunt switches positions from defense to goalie. Laberge expects the Blue Devils to be in playoff contention again.

MT. ARARAT/LISBON/MORSE/MEDOMAK VALLEY EAGLES
Coach: Dave Hunter (second year)
Region: North
Last year’s record: 11-8, lost in the regional quarterfinals.
Returning athletes: Senior — Allie Hunter (F); Sophomores — Sophia Cote (F), Riley Walters (G).
Promising newcomers: Freshman — Val Swenson (D).
Season outlook: The Eagles are a small team this year with only 11 players on the roster, and five of them are newcomers. Second-year coach Dave Hunter said the Eagles have been making progress during the preseason and are looking forward to the start of the regular season.

ST. DOM’S SAINTS
Coach: Paul Gosselin (12th year)
Region: North
Last year’s record: 6-12
Returning athletes: Seniors — Georgie Davidson (F), Lauren Hanlon (D); Juniors — Gabby Allen (F), Emily Andrews (F); Freshmen — Abby Titus (F), Aiva Dorman (F), Moira Craig (D).
Key losses: Bella Pelletier (Sun Journal second team), Maddie Weymouth (Sun Journal second team), Abrianna White (Sun Journal second team).
Promising newcomers: Eighth-graders — Alana Wheeler (G), Lilly Fortin.
Season outlook: The Saints expect to be a well-balanced team. Coach Paul Gosselin is looking for Georgie Davidson, Gabby Allen and Emily Andrews to pace the offense this season. Lauren Hanlon has been a key cog on the blue line for the Saints, and she should be a steadying presence in front of eighth-grader Alanna Wheeler, who will be St. Dom’s goalie.

WINSLOW/GARDINER/MESSALONSKEE/ERSKINE/LAWRENCE/MT. BLUE/MARANACOOK/CONY/WATERVILLE BLACK TIGERS
Coach: Bill Boardman (third year)
Region: North
Last year’s record: 14-6, reached the regional semifinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Abby Allen (F), Hannah Daignault (D), Evelyn Rousseau (D), Lily Berard (G); Juniors — Sophia Sullivan (F), Kate Nichols (F); Sophomores — Katie Bedard (F), Molly Hambrick (F), Leah Michaud (D), Alexa Caccamo (D).
Key loss: Kylie Boardman.
Promising newcomers: Junior — Zoie Ward (F); Sophomore — Ellie Podey.
Season outlook: After a solid season, the Black Tigers are looking to be contenders once again in Northern Maine. Katie Bedard will be the driving force of the offense after putting up 39 goals in 2022-23, but coach Bill Boardman expects the team to build scoring depth this season. Goalie Lily Bedard has a goals-against average of just under two. Improvement in special teams will be the key to the Black Tigers’ success.