Here are 11 girls hockey players to watch in 2023-24

High school girls hockey in Maine is already under way, and games in New Hampshire begin this week.

The four Seacoast-area high school girls hockey teams are ready to compete, and while new stars will rise, there are a few established players looking to continue to make a name for themselves.

We took a look at 11 of the top girls hockey players to watch this season.

Keira Alessi, York/Marshwood/Traip/Noble, junior, forward

Alessi has been a key contributor for York/ Marshwood/Traip/Noble since her freshman year, and as a junior captain this season, her role will be even more prevalent on a fairly young team. Coach Sadie Wright-Ward said Alessi is one of only two returning players who played significant minutes last year.

“She’ll have a lot on her shoulders, but I am confident in her,” WrightWard said. “She is one of the hardest working kids you’ll ever see, and the other kids see that and feed off it.”

Wright-Ward said Alessi’s 10 goals and six assists last year don’t tell the whole story, as she is also a strong defender as a forward, and makes smart reads on the ice.

“She’s a great kid and a great leader,” Wright-Ward said.

Lilyan Blood, Exeter High School, senior, forward

Blood earned New Hampshire all-state honorable mention honors last season, and returns as a senior leader on a young Exeter team.

Exeter head coach Andrea Nichols anticipates Blood not only will set the tone on the ice for the Blue Hawks, but will also be a strong leader this season.

“I am looking for her to pick up where she ended last year,” Nichols said. “She goes hard to the net and will always be there to cause chaos in the offensive zone.”

Blood and her teammates will look to create opportunity from that chaos, and for Blood to take advantage with goals to help push the Blue Hawks even deeper in the playoffs after a firstround exit last year.

Chloe Fallon, York/Marshwood/Traip/Noble, senior, defense

Fallon, a team captain, is a steady force for York/Marshwood/ Traip/Noble, and coach Sadie Wright-Ward said Fallon’s leadership is just as valuable as her skill on the ice, where she tallied three goals and three assists last year.

“She has really stepped into that captain role and taken the leadership role seriously,” Wright-Ward said. “She is playing with three freshmen and one

returning junior, and she has been working to help bring everyone along.”

Fallon moved from a forward position back to solidify the defense, and Wright-Ward said it was a seamless transition because Fallon was already a stellar defensive player. Wright-Ward said Fallon’s defensive awareness and anticipation to make the right play is very strong.

Eliza Farwell, Oyster River/Portsmouth, sophomore, forward

Oyster River/Portsmouth head coach Jamie Long calls Farwell “a worker.”

“She’s a strong skater, she’s got a great hockey IQ, and she’s a very good puck handler,” Long said.

Farwell made her presence felt last year as a freshman, and with a young team around her, the ClipperCats will rely on her to create offensive opportunities this season as well.

“She can create scoring chances for herself, and for her teammates,” Long said. “She usually makes the right decisions with the puck in different circumstances.”

Marina Friedman, York/Marshwood/Traip/Noble, senior, forward

Friedman transferred to Marshwood High School from Cheverus this year and made her impact felt as soon as she showed up at practice for the Wildcats.

Head coach Sadie Wright-Ward said while some athletes may be timid coming into a new environment, Friedman quickly stepped into a leadership role.

“She has been phenomenal for us so far,” Wright-Ward said. “She works her butt off, and she is a great player who uses her body and body position well to create scoring opportunities.”

That has worked out well for the Wildcats so far this season, as the team scored eight goals in its first five games, with Friedman netting six of them.

Julianna Grella, St. Thomas/Winnacunnet/Dover, senior, forward/defense

Grella earned all-state second team honors last season with 14 goals and 12 assists in the regular season and three more assists in the playoffs.

“It’s no secret what Julianna brings,” coach Al Oliveira said. “Everybody knows she’s a great player. She always goes to the next level to be great, whether that is in practice, drills or the games.”

Oliveira said Grella also been a valuable leader for the team in addition to her strong play. He said Grella supports her teammates, especially the younger players.

“Her encouragement lifts the level of play of those around her,” Oliveira said

Kira Jakobs, Oyster River/Portsmouth, junior, forward

Jakobs left last year’s state championship loss with just one goal in mind – getting back there and winning this season. If Oyster River/Portsmouth is going to do that, she will need to play a big role. Jakobs has been a key contributor throughout her first two seasons with the ClipperCats. She returns this season as one of the most experienced players on the team, which has only one senior.

“If you watch KJ skate, she’s just phenomenal,” said Oyster River/Portsmouth coach Jamie Long. “She has good puck handling skills, whether it’s passing or stick handling, and she has an accurate shot.”

Long said Jakobs’ hockey IQ is also very high, and that allows her to really support her teammates while always working to improve her own play.

Brielle Kelly, St. Thomas/Winnacunnet/Dover, junior, defense

Kelly has been a defensive stalwart for the Saints in her first two years on the team, and her solid play and attention to detail will be relied on again this season to anchor the defense.

“In practice, (Kelly) is the one who makes sure everyone is doing the right things, the right way,” said STA coach Al Oliveira. “She’s a big cheerleader for her teammates, and is always asking questions looking for ways to get better. She protects the goalie and doesn’t let people in front of the net. She is strong and defends well, and she can block shots.”

That defensive energy will be key for a team that lost 10 seniors, but is looking to remain one of the top teams in the state.

Maddie Mann, Exeter High School, sophomore, forward

Mann burst onto the scene for Exeter last year as a freshman, and returns as a seasoned veteran looking to continue making plays for the Blue Hawks.

“She was one of the top players for us last year as a freshman,” said York coach Andrea Nichols. “She has the drive and competitiveness to be a force on the ice for us.”

Nichols added that Mann has a measure of poise that is unique for her age, as she acts as a calming presence for her teammates, in addition to her skills on the ice.

Meaghan Rinko, Oyster River/Portsmouth, sophomore, defense

Oyster River/Portsmouth coach Jamie Long said Rinko’s presence on the ice defies her youth. As just a sophomore, Rinko is expected to be a major defensive factor for the ClipperCats, and Long is confident in her ability to do that, based on her performance last year.

“You watch Meaghan play, and you’ll see, she does things that you don’t see, even at higher levels,” he said. “She’ll be turning to grab the puck before she even gets to it. She’s already thinking and anticipating what to do next.”

Long said that presence on the ice will be particularly important this year, as the team is young on the defensive side of the ice. Long knows Rinko will be up to the task, and that she will also raise the level of the play of those she shares the ice with.

Christi Trudel, St. Thomas/Winnacunnet/Dover, senior, forward

After proving she can contribute offensively with 15 goals and three assists last year, Trudel will be expected to pick up some of the scoring void left when the Saints graduated 10 seniors last year. STA coach Al Oliveira said Trudel’s value to the team comes both on the ice, and as a leader.

“Christi transferred here from Brewster Academy last year, and made an impact right away,” he said. “She’s a quick skater and a good puck handler. She keeps her head up and sees the ice well, so she is able to find teammates, especially in transition.”

Oliveira said Trudel’s joy and lightheartedness off the ice transforms into an intensity and passion for success on it. Oliveira said Trudel has one of the best shots on the team, and is always working to improve not only herself, but her teammates.

“She’s one of those kids who always has a smile and is a positive force for her teammates,” he said.