League 2 will certainly be interesting, with three new teams (out of 7). It includes programs on the rise, trying to stop a slide, or hoping to make an impact in the playoffs. In alphabetical order.
Brewster (10-14-1 last year, 4-6 in League 2)
Last year: The Bears suffered three 1-goal losses to Yorktown, including 7-6 in double overtime of the Division II quarterfinals.
Fowards: Two of the three big scorers return, Mike Miller (60 points) and Ian Fleming (55). Both juniors see the ice well and are always moving and working hard. Sophomore Matt Benson, also a hard worker, should fit right in on the first line. Last year’s third line of Ray Bedarczyk, Jake Donelan and Joe Vitaliano will move up to the second line.
Defense: Seniors Kyle Ligos and Jesse Barone are an extremely fast first pairing. Returning junior Joe Rabino, freshman Mark Benson and junior Karl Volpe round out the defense.
Goalies: All three veterans return and are competing for the job. Mike Daley (664 minutes) got most of the time last year ahead of Ian Sampayo (283) and J.J. Lornejo (7).
Outlook: The team is very young and has a short bench, but it has the right work ethic. The team got 91 of its 108 goals from the forward line last year and will need more players to step up to get above .500.
Clarkstown North (1-22, 1-13 in League 1)
Last year: The Rams shut out Mahopac 2-0 on Jan. 18. They lost to League 4 Sleepy Hollow/Irvington 3-1 in the first playoff game hosted by the Palisades Center Ice Rink.
Fowards (with corrected info): Two years ago, Matt Willows led Section 1 in goals (55) and points (103), while Jake Shuman had 25 goals and 32 assists. Willows played at Morristown-Beard last year, where he was third-team all-state, while Shuman sat out, but both players, who are also travel linemates, are back with the Rams for their senior season. Junior Michael Kapnick and Spencer Cohen are the top returners from last year.
Defense: Evan Byrnes is a very strong sophomore who is always in position and has a great shot. Senior Mike Kozlin brings leadership and good size and quickness, while freshman Jake Dickson is a big guy with a slapshot “like you wouldn’t believe,” according to the coaching staff.
Goalies: Chris McIndoe is back to 100 percent after tearing his ACL playing lacrosse in the spring. To give you an idea of how well-respected he is, McIndoe was an all-state honorable mention despite winning just one game
Outlook: If anyone can make a White Plains-like sweep through the competition, it’s Clarkstown North. But is that too much to ask from a 1-win team last year? Then again, it was a 25-win team just two years ago.
Eastchester/Tuckahoe/Bronxville (13-7, 9-3 in League 3)
Last year: The Eagles were runner-ups in League 3 but proved they could beat League 2 competition, winning against Brewster (9-6), Fox Lane (4-0) and Scarsdale (7-6 in the Division I first round). They lost to Mamaroneck 13-1 in the quarters.
Fowards: Top two scorers Alex Hagen (55 points) and Ronny Sherding (44) are fun to watch together. Their puckhandling ability is uncanny and they always seem to find each other. Hagen, who played in the Empire State Games, has an unbelievable shot, while Sherding is big and strong. They could be joined by freshman Mark Luciano, a strong finisher. A big addition this year is a reliable second line with center Chris Bellotti and wings Nick Stefano and Ian Palfrey.
Defense: Juniors Brian McNamara and Mike Ciotta are great skaters and control the game well. They also provide offense, with a combined 14 goals and 47 points.
Goalies: Both Joe Donato (490 minutes) and Matt Lazzaro (329) return from last year and will battle for time. Freshman Will Ruppel may also crack the lineup.
Outlook: The Eagles have some of the area’s best young talent, and they can score with almost anyone. But they gave up at least six goals in half their games last season, and they will need to shore up their defense to compete in a higher league.
Mount Pleasant (7-12-1 last year, 2-7-1 in League 2)
Last year: After starting 4-1 (2-0 in league) the Ice Cats were hurt by injuries and didn’t win another league game. They lost to North Rockland 4-2 in the first round of the Division I tournament.
Fowards: Coach Mike Voron calls his lines the “green line” and the “red line.” The “green” scoring line of Chris Abramo, JoJo Pandolfo and Chris Yarrobino scored 40 of the team’s 79 goals last season. Abramo is the total package — a high hockey IQ, great passer, great defender, aggressive. The “red” line of Mike Belloli, Anthony Cassario and Matt Meleska has tremendous speed.
Defense: Brendan Marinelli, one of the injured players that the team sorely missed last year, is physical presence who does all the little things. Senior Ronnie Catucci is the ideal stay-at-home defenseman who leads by example.
Goalies: Starter Mike Ulley is back, but he will actually miss the start of the season because of an ankle injury suffered while playing football (he’s a wide receiver at Westlake). Brandon Jampol, who won the Clarkstown South game last year, will take over.
Outlook: The Ice Cats are a fast team, and if they can stay healthy they should avoid last year’s slide. A move into the WSA, which is closer to the schools Mount Pleasant represents, and a Saturday night slot for home games could also bring some added excitement to the program.
North Rockland (14-8-1 last year, 10-2 in League 3)
Last year: The Red Raiders closed 8-3 to wrap up a league title and make it to the Division I quarterfinals, where they lost to Suffern 5-0.
Fowards: Sean O’Connor (team-leading 30 goals and 33 assists), another ESG veteran, not only has excellent skills, but also has the ability to make his linemates better. He will likely be joined by returning players Max Hoehn and Michael Meigh. Two sophomores who only played travel year, Steven D’Alessera and Rob D’Bellonia, and St. Joe’s transfer Connor Callanan are also scoring options.
Defense: Craig Meany and James Eberhardt will be on the ice 2/3 of the game. Meany’s a bulldog who runs the point on special teams, while Eberhardt has more of a finesse game. Eberhardt missed half of last year with a concussion but is 100 percent now. Nick D’Amelio, Nick Finch (who will be out six weeks with a broken wrist) and Matt Moran will make the second line.
Goalies: Starter Alex Nestle and backup Joe Pane are both back. Nestle is consistent but also capable of making 1-2 big saves a game.
Outlook: North Rockland returns its top players and has a lot of depth at forward. But like most teams, they lost a lot role players who were integral to last year’s success, and of course they moved up a league, so it’s hard to guess where they stand.
Scarsdale (13-12 last year, 6-4 in League 2)
Last year: It was quite a 2008 for the Raiders—four straight wins, then four losses, then five wins, and then three losses, including a first-round exit.
Fowards: Leading scorer Matt Oliverio (58 points), John Felix (43) and Rye Country Day transfer Aelx Klein are all good skaters who can handle the puck, take good shots and have a good hockey sense.
Defense: Mike Constantinides and Patrick Johnson are experienced. Constantinides is a fast skater who handles the puck well, while Johnson is small in stature but very intelligent. Freshmen Jake Bank and Travis Misarti are an intriguing second line.
Goalies: Coach Jim Mancuso said that junior Jordan Gluck, sophomore Justin Halman and freshman Connor Wolfe are all competing right now, although Gluck (2.323 at RCDS) is the only one with varsity experience. Gluck shut out both Iona Prep and Clarkstown North last season (combined 32 saves).
Outlook: Like usual, Scarsdale doesn’t have much depth. But the Raiders do have a lot of talent, and with Gluck they are capable of beating anyone.
Yorktown (16-8 last year, 6-4 in League 2)
Last year: After a 6-5 start, Yorktown closed really well, beating Rye Town/Harrison in the regular season Brewster in double-OT in the quarterfinals before falling to Pelham 4-1 in the semis.
Fowards: Seniors Brett Cabriele, Michael Bonitatibus and James O’Donnell are end-to-end players who are strong across the board. Junior Joe Castellano, sophomore Matt Williams and freshman T.J. Mayterski should also step up and help.
Defense: Ryan Litwin, Mike Sullivan, Scott Schneider and Brian Shkolnik are all returning juniors who are strong defensive-minded defensemen.
Goalies: Will Parra, a four-year varsity player, is back in net. He had a 3.05 GAA last year.
Outlook: The team is full of great forecheckers and backcheckers and players that love to get their hands dirty. Is now the year they make the leap to the finals?