ASSABET/MAYNARD
COACH: Dave Quinn (8th season)
2010-11 RECORD: 13-7-2 overall, 8-1-1 Russell (2nd)
IN 2011 POSTSEASON: Div. 3A Central semifinals (lost to Groton-Dunstable, 5-1)
HOME ICE: New England Sports Center, Marlboro
ABOUT THE AZTECS: Assabet returns two-thirds of its potent top line from a season ago in seniors Patrick Sharron and Cody Brier. Both topped the 40-point plateau and were named Russell All-Stars for their efforts. Senior Nate Stark also is back in net, but the Aztecs could be a bit thin after losing 11 players to graduation.
MILFORD
COACH: Mike Balzarini (1st season at MHS, 30-24-8 in three seasons overall)
2010-11 RECORD: 0-20-0 overall, 0-10-0 Russell
LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE: none
HOME ICE: New England Sports Center, Marlboro
ABOUT THE SCARLET HAWKS: After three seasons at Dover-Sherborn, where he helped the program end an 18-year tournament drought in 2010, Balzarini makes the move to Central Mass. and takes over a team where his son Jared is a sophomore forward. Jared Balzarini is coming off a Russell Conference All-Star season as a freshman. Other top forwards to watch include seniors Matt Rondeau and Matt Candini, along with junior Griffin Colpitts, while senior Kyle Coupe (Russell All-Star) and Joe DeAngelis are the top defensemen and junior Ben Rafus is in net. The early results have been encouraging and Balzarini sees big things for freshman forward Drew Wilde and defensemen Spencer Lawson and Sean Burns.
NORTHBRIDGE/NIPMUC
COACH: Greg Ostopowich (9th season, 69-76-16 overall)
2010-11 RECORD: 9-10-1 overall, 6-4-1 Russell (3rd)
LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE: 2009
HOME ICE: New England Sports Center, Marlboro
ABOUT THE RAMS: Two programs from last season have joined as one in a co-op effort, which could help push the Rams over the top and into the postseason. Senior co-captain Mike Fitman is among the Northbridge returnees, while Nipmuc has added the likes of co-captain J.T. Adee on defense, junior forward Tyler Peabody and senior goalie Ryan Porter, all Russell All-Stars a year ago. Evan Drainville, Jake Averka and exchange student David Beirhanzl are others to watch, along with Alex Lefort, Alex Gagnon and Nick Kadra. The program also gets players from Uxbridge and Sutton.
TYNGSBORO
COACH: Bryan Ronayne (8th season, 55-77-17 overall)
2010-11 RECORD: 0-20-0 overall, 0-12-0 DCL/MVC 3 (7th)
LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE: 2009
HOME ICE: Skate 3, Tyngsboro
ABOUT THE TIGERS: With the entire Tyngsboro athletic program moving to Central Mass., Tyngsboro gets a fresh start after struggling last season in a tough Dual County/Merrimack Valley. The Russell Conference should be a good landing spot, appropriately with senior captain Kyle Russell to lead the way. Junior Matt Broadley and sophomore Matt King are other top forwards, while junior Joey Williams and sophomore Sean Engel will anchor the defense for the Tigers.
WORCESTER/LEICESTER
COACH: Mike Vaughan (1st season)
2010-11 RECORD: 5-13-2 overall, 3-6-1 Russell (T 4th)
LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE: 2007
HOME ICE: Buffone Arena, Worcester
ABOUT THE WILDCATS: For many years the combined effort of Burncoat, Doherty, Worcester North and Worcester South, the team now goes west past the city limits to add players from Leicester, as well as a coach in Vaughan who works in the Leicester system. Senior forward Ryan O’Connor and junior defenseman Nick Herlihy return from their all-star campaigns and will be joined by scorers Alex Elkins, Ryan O’Connor, T.J. Cameryt, Seamus O’Connor and Brian Hurley. Joe McCarthy is in goal.
