HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY / 2017-18 PREVIEW CAPSULES
Eastern Connecticut Eagles Coach: Randy Craig (5th year) Key returnees: Sr. F Kevin Close, Jr. F Ryan Huta, Jr. D Riley Jordan, Sr. F Quenten Dean, Sr. F Zach Bradley, Sr. D Han Sherman, Jr. F Trent Hughson.
Top newcomers: So. F Evan Tower, Fr. D Devan Jordan, So. F Kyle Jacobson, So. G Rylin Fowler, So. F/D Ashton Baltes, So. F/D Jake Verbridge, So. F Will Cannella, So. G Sean Buckley.
Outlook: The Eagles, a regional program with players from Fitch, Ledyard, East Lyme, Waterford, Wheeler, Stonington, Griswold and Hale-Ray, were 4-16 a year ago, but have the pieces in place to improve this winter. They have experience in depth up front and on defense, plus a talented sophomore class that will have an immediate impact and provide the Eagles will more speed. In goal, sophomres Fowler and Buckley are battling it out to replay Troy Moeller, a two-year starter who graduated. The Eagles play their home matches at Connecticut College’s Dayton Arena.
Redhawks Coach: Jim Motyka (3rd year) Key returnees: Sr. F Andrew Bannon, Sr. F Brayden Lo-Vetere, So. D Ryan Lo-Vetere, Jr. G Spencer Flynn.
Outlook: The Redhawks are a regional program with players from NFA, St. Bernard, Montville, Bacon Academy, Lyman Memorial and Killingly, and play their home matches at the Rose-Garden Ice Arena in Norwich. The Redhawks went 10-11-1 last season, reaching the quarterfinals of the Division III tournament, but graduating goalie Ben Amor and the bulk of their scoring. Flynn is the only goalie in the program, so keeping him healthy is paramount, and Motyka said, “we have to find scoring from some younger players.”