2022-23 boys hockey preview capsules

CONY/MONMOUTH/ERSKINE/HALL-DALE/WINTHROP RAMS
Coach: Shawn Johnson (sixth year)
Class: B North
Last year’s record: 7-8-1, lost in the preliminary round.
Returning athletes: Juniors — Luke Johnson (F), Tyler Pelletier (G), Landon Foster (G), Brandon Smith (D), Ray Dineen (D); Sophomore — Zack Waddell (F).
Key loss: Jacob Godbout (Sun Journal All-Region third team).
Promising newcomers: Senior — Nick Keezer (D); Junior — Oliver Rodrigue (F); Sophomores — Ben Platt (F), Caleb Larette (F), Lincoln Dawbin (F), Ethan Fortin (D); Freshmen — Kyle Lepage (F), Cooper Clark (F).
Season outlook: Cony’s depth has increased through the addition of a few schools to the co-op program from the defunct Capital Hawks team — senior defenseman Nick Keezer is the lone upperclassman from that group. Luke Johnson and Zach Waddell will be two key forwards for the Rams this season, Brandon Smith and Ray Dineen are experienced defensemen, and the team has a pair of returning goalies, Landon Foster and Tyler Pelletier.

EDWARD LITTLE RED EDDIES
Coach: Norm Gagne (sixth year)
Class: A
Last year’s record: 17-3, reached state semifinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Campbell Cassidy (F), Tate Morse (F), Gavin Levesque (D), Caleb Albert (D), Gage Ducharme (G), Brody Keefe (D), Brennan Anthoine (F); Juniors — Payton Dyer (F), Joe Martel (D), Drew Smith (D), Brooks Hefty (D), Cam Dufour (G); Sophomore — Andrew Clements (F).
Key losses: Jack Keefe (Travis Roy finalist, Sun Journal All-Region Player of the Year), Wesley Clements (Sun Journal first team), Aiden Gonzalez (Sun Journal third team).
Promising newcomers: Juniors — Daulton David (D), Tanner Berry Hart (F), Kellen Labelle (D); Sophomores — Hayden Brown (F), Joey Samson (F), Nico Ferraro (F), Connor Dufour (D).
Season outlook: With the graduation of Travis Roy Award finalist Jack Keefe, the offense will be led by Campbell Cassidy, Tate Morse and Andrew Clements as Edward Little aims for another long playoff run. The Red Eddies also bring back their top four defensemen from last season — Brody Keefe, Gavin Levesque, Brooks Hefty and Joe Martel — and have one of the top goalies in the state, Gage Ducharme.

LEWISTON BLUE DEVILS
Coach: Jamie King (second year)
Class: A
Last year’s record: 10-9, reached the state quarterfinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Ben Cloutier (G), Evan Greaton (G), Rocco Landry (D); Juniors — Dylan Blue (F), Cody Dionne (F), Ethan Blue (D); Sophomore — Colton Daniels (F).
Key losses: Tanner Anctil (Sun Journal All-Region first team), Evan Knowlton (Sun Journal second team), Andon Cox (Sun Journal honorable mention).
Promising newcomers: Senior — Luke Pomerleau (D); Sophomore — Gabe Pomerleau (G); Freshmen — Jacoby Oliveira (D), Aizyk Laliberte (F).
Season outlook: The Blue Devils went through a rebuilding year in 2021-22 with a large group of freshmen in the lineup. This season they are aiming to contend for the Class A state championship once again. Lewiston will be led by juniors Dylan Blue and Cody Dionne along with sophomore Colton Daniels. Last year’s leading scorer, Tanner Anctil, transferred to North Yarmouth Academy. Defensively, the Blue Devils return veterans Rocco Landry, a senior, and juniors Ethan Blue and Nate Metivier. Ben Cloutier and Evan Greaton are returning netminders, and Gabe Pomerleau will also push for playing time in net.

LAKE REGION/FRYEBURG/OXFORD HILLS ICE CATS
Coach: Wayne Neiman (third year)
Class: A
Last year’s record: 12-7, reached the state quarterfinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Owen Galligan, Caleb Micklon (F); Juniors — Kadan Neureuther (F), Jacob Lemery (F), Brenan Ellis (D), Nathan Metcalf (G); Sophomore — Marshall Tibbetts (D).
Key loss: Wyatt Knightly (Sun Journal All-Region third team).
Promising newcomers: Junior — Blake Small (D); Sophomore — Myles Willimann (D).
Season outlook: The Ice Cats are expecting to build upon the success they had last season. Returning are seniors Caleb Micklon and Owen Galligan, both key players in 2021-22, along with Kaden Neureuther, who made solid contributions a year ago. The Ice Cats will be a little young on defense, with junior Brenan Ellis and sophomore Marshall Tibbetts the lone returners. The squad did add a pair of defensive transfers, Myles Willmann from the Cheverus/Yarmouth program and Blake Small from Gardiner. Junior Nathan Metcalf is expected to be the No. 1 goalie this season.

MT. ARARAT/LISBON/MORSE/HYDE EAGLES
Coach: A.J. Kavanaugh (eighth year)
Class: A
Last year’s record: 6-13, lost in preliminary round.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Zander Kirk (F/D), Bryce Poulin (F/D), Johnny Hole (F); Juniors — Jacob Fullerton (F), Jameson Fowler (D); Sophomores — Gerek Theriault (F), Dylan Richards (F/D).
Key loss: Sean Moore (Sun Journal All-Region third team).
Promising newcomers: Senior — Sam Young (G); Junior — Jason Wolf (F); Sophomore — Oscar Nelson (F); Freshman — AJ Ward (F).
Season outlook: The Eagles have solid returners at the forward and defensive positions. Senior Bryce Poulin scored nine goals and distributed seven assists, while fellow senior Johnny Hole had four goals and seven assists, and junior Dylan Richards tallied nine goals and two assists last season. Coach AJ Kavanaugh expects newcomers Oscar Nelson, AJ Ward and Jason Wolf to contribute offensively. The Eagles will have to replace goalie Sean Moore, and Kavanaugh anticipates that senior Sam Young will take over the workload.

POLAND/LEAVITT/OAK HILL/GRAY-NEW GLOUCESTER KINGS
Coach: Jason Rouleau (first year)
Class: B South
Last year’s record: 10-8-1, reached regional quarterfinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Kasey Berube (F), Jamison Bergeron (D), Nic Michaud (F), Michael Phillips (D); Juniors — Hunter Bussiere (F), Talen Langevin (F), Ian Guerin (G), Parker Pelletier (D), Luke Gladu (D), Kade Knight (G).
Key losses: Blake Springer (Sun Journal All-Region first team), Vincent Lupardo (Sun Journal second team), Kaden Trenoweth (Sun Journal honorable mention), Reese Collins (Sun Journal honorable mention).
Promising newcomers: Juniors — Will Keach (F), Evan Manchester (F).
Season outlook: First-year coach Jason Rouleau said defense will be key for the Kings, and they return four blueliners: Jamison Bergeron, Luke Gladu, Parker Pelletier and Michael Phillips. They also have a solid core of forwards returning in Hunter Bussiere, Nic Michaud, Kasey Berube and Tanner Langevin. Newcomers Will Keach and Evan Manchester will provide depth up front. Two juniors, Ian Guerin and Kade Knight, will share netminder duties this season.

ST. DOMINIC SAINTS
Coach: Daniel D’Auteuil Jr. (fourth year)
Class: A
Last year’s record: 1-18, lost in preliminary round.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Erik Jones (F), Colby Levasseur (F), Miles Frenette (D); Juniors — Ethan Pelletier (F), Timothee Ouellette (F), Ridge Dionne (D), Thomas Casserly (D), Jayden Lynn (G); Sophomores — Curtis Wheeler (F), Luke Davidson (D).
Key loss: Colin Casserly.
Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Riley Daigle (D), Ben Dumais (F), Spencer Morgan (F), Colton Dionne (F), Joseph Adams (D), Ashton Additon (G), Kessel Lynn (G).
Season outlook: The Saints are looking to have a bounce-back season after losing only one player to graduation. Coach Dan D’Auteuil expects the defense will be the strength of the team with the return of juniors Ridge Dionne and Thomas Casserly, senior Colby Levasseur and sophomore Luke Davidson, all of whom played a pivotal role on the blue line last year. Jayden Lynn is back as the No. 1 goalie, while forwards Timothee Ouellette, Miles Frenette and Erik Jones will be the go-to offensive threats.