AUBURN/MILLBURY
COACH: Glen Bombard (10th season, 112-61-19)
2010-11 RECORD: 10-6-4 overall, 5-3-0 Quinn (3rd)
IN 2011 POSTSEASON: Div. 3 Central quarterfinals (lost to Leominster, 1-0 in OT)
HOME ICE: Horgan Rink, Auburn
ABOUT THE ROCKETS: The Rockets always figure to be one of the better programs in Central Mass., and this season should be no exception. Bombard is counting on a hard-working crew led by senior captain Trever Standring (forward/defense) as well as forward Justin Huard (Quinn All-Star), defenseman Mike Revane and forward/defenseman Tucker Falk to keep the team among the elite.
HUDSON
COACH: Mike Nanartowich (22nd season, 244-176-34 overall)
2010-11 RECORD: 20-3-0 overall, 7-1-0 Quinn (1st)
IN 2011 POSTSEASON: Div. 3 state semifinals (beat Wachusett in Central final, 5-2; lost to Westfield in state semifinal, 3-2)
HOME ICE: New England Sports Center, Marlboro
ABOUT THE HAWKS: The Hawks ended a near 20-year championship drought with back-to-back Central Mass. titles, but falling short in the state semis both years leaves the team wanting more. Senior captains Alex Pantalone, Tim Murphy (Quinn All-Star, 47 points), Brian Fahey (21-36-57) and Tom Fahey are joined at forward by seniors Tyler Kirby (all-star, 29-33-62) and Blake Seymour (44 points), while senior Connor West has transferred from St. Mark’s and shores up the defense with junior Bryan Carter (honorable mention). Shane Barry played six games in net a year ago and now gets the call full-time. Nanartowich is hoping to see improvement in the junior and sophomore classes.
MARLBORO
COACH: Michael O’Brien (1st season)
2010-11 RECORD: 16-4-1 overall, 7-1-0 Roy (T 1st)
IN 2011 POSTSEASON: Div. 3 Central semifinals (lost to Wachusett, 3-2)
HOME ICE: Navin Rink, Marlboro
ABOUT THE PANTHERS: After 25 seasons and one state title, John Butler hung up the skates at the end of last season. Now the torch gets passed to O’Brien, a former Marlboro player (1989). He will have four solid captains and conference all-stars to lead his first team in forwards Kyle Griffin (17-27-44), Josh Hill (26-16-42), Ryan Azar (12-22-32) and defenseman Jordan Hanahan (3-14-17). Junior defenseman Kyle Carlson (5-11-16), another all-star, also is back for the Panthers, who move over from the Roy Conference this season.
SHREWSBURY
COACH: Stephen Turmblom (1st season)
2010-11 RECORD: 10-9-2 overall, 7-1-0 Roy (T 1st)
IN 2011 POSTSEASON: Div. 3 Central quarterfinals (lost to Wachusett, 5-2)
HOME ICE: North Star Youth Forum, Westboro
ABOUT THE COLONIALS: Another coaching era, although much briefer, came to a close when John Binkoski stepped down after last season. Now Turnblom, a former assistant, will lead Shrewsbury and he will lean on a pair of senior co-captains in forward Mark Bodley (12-11-23) and defenseman Bryan Parsons (2-14-16), both Roy Conference All-Stars a season ago. Senior Jimmy DeZutter returns in net and junior Michael Centerbar was second on the team in goals in 2010-11.
WACHUSETT
COACH: Matt Lane (7th season, 71-42-16 overall)
2010-11 RECORD: 16-5-0 overall, 6-2-0 Quinn (2nd)
IN 2011 POSTSEASON: Div. 3 Central final (lost to Hudson, 5-2)
HOME ICE: North Star Youth Forum, Westboro
ABOUT THE MOUNTAINEERS: The Mountaineers didn’t quite ascend to the top a year ago, but are in good position to try again with four of their top five scorers back. Senior captain Jeremy Bennie (13-16-29) is joined on the top line by his brother, junior Colin Bennie (10-8-18), while senior Dan Wisniewski (12-10-22) will provide a boost. Senior assistant captain Mark Baker is a strong defenseman who also added 6-17-23 totals a year ago and was a Quinn All-Star along with Jeremy Bennie. Ryan Fitzpatrick is expected to step up in goal, while Lane is looking to a pair of sophomores in defenseman Tucker White and forward Marc Happy.
