GRAFTON/VALLEY TECH
COACH: Mike Mazzola (4th season, 26-27-13 overall)
2010-11 RECORD: 4-12-4 overall, 0-8-2 Coughlin (6th)
LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE: 2010
HOME ICE: Buffone Arena, Worcester
ABOUT THE INDIANS: Grafton/BVT doesn’t figure to be a basement-dwellar in the league again thanks to a solid core of returning players. Players to watch according to Mazzola include seniors Ben Symes and Nick Manguson, juniors Mike Moran, Mike Palmer, Cory Hetu and goalie Ian Milosz, and sophomore Conner Byrnes.
GROTON-DUNSTABLE
COACH: Brian Payne (3rd season at G-D, 30-12-3; 68-49-8 in seven seasons overall)
2010-11 RECORD: 19-3-1 overall, 9-1-0 Russell (1st)
IN 2011 POSTSEASON: Div. 3A state finalist (beat Fitchburg/MT for Central title, 2-0; lost to Holyoke/SH in state final, 3-0)
HOME ICE: Groton School Rink
ABOUT THE CRUSADERS: It will be tough to repeat last season, when G-D won its first-ever sectional title before falling short in the state final. However, the Crusaders appear to have the horses to make another deep run after graduating just five players. Senior Steve Mullins and juniors Adam Kmetz and C.J Kenny will be the top forwards and all contribute in various aspects. Juniors Allan Haynes and Mike Keating are physical, puck-moving defensemen who thrive under pressure. Sophomore Justin Cole likely will play defense, but is capable of filling in at any forward position. Haynes was a Russell Conference All-Star a year ago and Kenny an honorable mention. The question is in net where Dylan Tardif has graduated, leaving junior Jack Niemoller and sophomore Jason Robes in competition.
LITTLETON/BROMFIELD
COACH: Howie Schneider (8th season, 82-49-16 overall)
2010-11 RECORD: 11-5-6 overall, 5-3-2 Coughlin (2nd)
IN 2011 POSTSEASON: Div. 3A Central semifinals (lost to Fitchburg/MT, 2-0)
HOME ICE: Groton School Rink
ABOUT THE TIGERS: After handing over the keys last season to assistant Mike Proulx, Schneider is back in the fold this season for Littleton. He will re-inherit a young squad that will lean heavily on senior captains Ryan Castro, Jack Landry and Mitch Williams up front and Patrick Rauker on defense. Another captain, Tyler Rauker, will miss the season with a shoulder injury suffered in football. Junior defenseman Derek Bolivar is another key player while senior Scott Broadbent and sophomore Tommy Angell will compete to replace standout goalie Kevin Dargin.
LUNENBURG/AYER
COACH: Eric Short (11th season, 84-80-23 overall)
2010-11 RECORD: 8-8-5 overall, 3-4-3 Coughlin (5th)
IN 2011 POSTSEASON: Div. 3A quarterfinals (lost to Fitchburg/MT, 3-0)
HOME ICE: Wallace Civic Center, Fitchburg
ABOUT THE BLUE KNIGHTS: After making the postseason with a senior-dominated squad two years ago, Lunenburg/Ayer was supposed to drop off last year, but surprised with a .500 finish and another playoff spot. Now Short has much of that squad back for another run at it, although he will need to replace his goalie and top two defensemen. The offense should carry the load early with junior leading scorer Pat Brennan on the top line with Dan Hughes and Geno Gaudet. Tom Wagner, Josh DeFazio and Mike Lamanna will carry the defense as the Blue Knights will have untested Alec McNamara and Damon Jones battling in net.
NASHOBA/CLINTON
COACH: Steve Kendall (12th season, 66-124-29 overall)
2010-11 RECORD: 10-8-3 overall, 5-4-1 Coughlin (T 3rd)
IN 2011 POSTSEASON: Div. 3A Central quarterfinals (lost to Littleton/Bromfield, 5-2)
HOME ICE: New England Sports Center, Marlboro
ABOUT THE CHIEFTAINS: Nashoba/Clinton ended a long playoff drought last season, but after losing a good chunk of the squad to graduation, Kendall will be leaning on senior goalie Ryan Lombardozzi to keep the momentum going. Senior Tanner Douglas and juniors Drew Foster and Mark Laskey are on defense. Goal-scoring was at a premium for the Chieftains a season ago (just over two goals per game), so senior Steve Saari and juniors Mike Charbonneau and Mike Lengieza will try to give the offense a boost.
NORTH MIDDLESEX
COACH: Brendan McNabb (4th season, 8-47-5 overall)
2010-11 RECORD: 4-15-1 overall, 1-7-0 Quinn (T 4th)
LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE: 2006
HOME ICE: Wallace Civic Center, Fitchburg
ABOUT THE PATRIOTS: McNabb is hopeful the lean years for the program are a thing of the past, citing strong senior leadership and hard-working young players as the key to a turnaround. It helps to have three senior captains on defense in Dan Casson, Dew McLeman (both returning all-stars) and Nate Kauppi, along with another senior in Paul Walter. A diverse group of forwards includes seniors Nate Barry and Joe Tierney, juniors Brett Estrella and Will Faulkner, sophomores Dan MacNamara and P.J. Dupre, and freshmen Ryan McCarthy and Jay Cobleigh. Moving down to the Coughlin and Division 3A also should give NM a boost.
