HOCKEY: 2011-12 season preview capsules for area teams- The New Haven Register on Astini News
CHESHIRE
COACH: Karl Sundquist
LAST YEAR: 16-6-2 (Division II champs)
TOP PLAYERS: Tyler Carbone, G, Sr.; Spencer Hackett, D, Sr.; Alex Vendetto, F, Sr.; Will Devine, D, So.; Joe D'Errico, F, Sr.; Tyler Violano, F, Sr.
OUTLOOK: Sundquist takes over for retired coach Jim Riccitelli. The Rams lost three key players to prep schools and move up to Division I for the first time since 1979. Despite the challenges, the Rams should be competitive with a strong defense led by Carbone, Hackett and Devine.
EAST HAVEN
COACH: Lou Pane
LAST YEAR: 13-8
TOP PLAYERS: Stephen Marisco, F, So; Rich Decarlo, F, Sr.; Matt Barcomb, F, Sr.; Frank Latella, D, Sr.
OUTLOOK: Marisco (19 goals, 20 assists last season) and Decarlo (13 goals, 25 assists) lead the Easties' high-powered offense, which makes them competitive with anyone. Continued...
FAIRFIELD PREP
COACH: Matt Sather
LAST YEAR: 21-3 (Division I champs)
TOP PLAYERS: A.J. Unker, F, Sr.; Tom Worsfold, D, Sr.; Evan Antisdale, F, Sr.; David White, F, Jr.; Matt Brophy, D-F, Sr.; Conor Peterson, F, Sr.; Patrick Hayes, F, Sr.
OUTLOOK: As usual the Jesuits are deep and experienced with 16 returning lettermen and are the team to beat for the D-I title before a puck is even dropped. Worsfold leads a fast and physical defensive unit. If there is a tiny smidge of a chink in the Prep armor, it is in goal with the graduation of Register All-Stater John Galiani. Senior Riley Wikman and sophomores Matt Beck and Chris Gutierrez, all talented, are competing for the starting job.
GUILFORD
COACH: Ralph Russo
LAST YEAR: 20-4-1 (lost in Division II final to Cheshire)
TOP PLAYERS: Billy Ring, F, Sr.; Derek Nelson, D, Sr.; Ryan Moore, D, Sr.; Jack Fitzgerald, F, So.
OUTLOOK: The Indians hope to be as competitive as last season when they reached the D-II championship game. Continued...
HAMDEN
COACH: Bill Verneris
LAST YEAR: 13-7-1
TOP PLAYERS: Brandon Daddio, D, Sr.; Connor Walsh, D, Sr.; Andy Varga, G, Sr.
OUTLOOK: The Green Dragons don't have superstars, but they have their usual speedy, hard-working and experienced group of players that will continue to make them one of the elite teams in the state. There is great anticipation to see the talented Varga, who has patiently waited for his shot to start, between the pipes.
HAND
COACH: Mark Andreucci
LAST YEAR: 12-11-1
TOP PLAYERS: Jarrett Rennie, F, Sr.; Nico Capone, F, Jr.; Joe Deane, F, Sr.; Mike Deane, D, Sr.; Eric Williams, D, Sr.; Dan Tagliarini, G, Sr.
OUTLOOK: The Tigers have good size and speed up front and on the back line. Another positive is the experience of Tagliarini in goal. The big question mark is with scoring goals, having lost 63 percent of their scoring output with the graduation of Tyler Bauer and Mike Berestecky.
LYMAN HALL
COACH: Tim Belcher
LAST YEAR: 7-13
TOP PLAYERS: Josh McCormick, F, So.; Kaden Batzinger, F, Jr.; Alec Lynde, D, Sr.; Kenny Cairns, G, Sr.; Steve Esposito, G, Jr.
OUTLOOK: Low roster numbers will make this season a challenge for Belcher with only 15 players on the team — 13 skaters and two goalies. Both goalies are experienced and will see action and McCormick and Batzinger can score. Belcher said it is crucial that all 15 players contribute for the team to have success.
MILFORD
COACH: Sal Follo
LAST YEAR: 6-13-1
TOP PLAYERS: Nick DePascale, F, Sr.; Craig Wargo, F, Sr.; Ricky Cyr, F, Sr.; John McLenithan, D, Sr.; T.J. Olsson, F, Sr.; Zach White, F, So.; Matt White, G, Sr.
OUTLOOK: Defense and goaltending are the strengths for the Indians. Follo believes if they can score goals they can qualify for the Division II state tournament.
NORTH BRANFORD
COACH: Ralph Shaw
LAST YEAR: 6-14
TOP PLAYERS: Sam Amendola, D, Sr.; Dylan Podbielski, F, Sr.; Kyle Deming, F Sr.
OUTLOOK: The Thunderbirds have the depth to improve on last season's record.
NORTH HAVEN
COACH: Tom Roche
LAST YEAR: 7-13
TOP PLAYERS: Mike Andreucci, F, Sr.; Ken Broccoli, F, Sr.;Tyler DeMartin, F, Sr.
OUTLOOK: First-year coach Roche said his team is mature, physical and quick and he "expects to win some games." Former Quinnipiac standout Bryan Leitch (ECAC Rookie of the Year 2005-06) and Bill Augur are the assistant coaches.
NOTRE DAME-FAIRFIELD
COACH: Marty Roos
LAST YEAR: 6-13-1
TOP PLAYERS: Scott Kline, G, Jr.; Christian LaCroix, F, So.; Dave Canfarotta, F, Jr.; Frank Sullivan, D, So.; Frank Zumbo, D, Jr.; Greg Ferris, D, So.
OUTLOOK: Kline was impressive in a limited roll last season with a 2.66 goals-against average and .910 save percentage. Defense is a strength. The key will be scoring, led by transfer Canfarotta (Salisbury) and LaCroix.
NOTRE DAME-WEST HAVEN
COACH: Bill Gerosa
LAST YEAR: 12-8
TOP PLAYERS: Colby Cretella, F, Sr.; Greg Zullo, F, Jr.; Eric Austin, F, So.; Darren Capobianco, D, Jr.; Ed Sherman, F, Sr.; Jeff Bausch, F, Sr.; Colin Conte, D, Sr.; Anthony Astorino, D, Sr.
OUTLOOK: The Green Knights have depth at every position, which Gerosa hopes to use to wear down opponents.
ST. JOSEPH
COACH: Marty Crouse
LAST YEAR: 21-6 (lost in D-I final to Fairfield Prep)
TOP PLAYERS: John Ferguson, F, Sr.; Christian Keator, F, Jr.; Matt Greenhut, F, Jr.; Ron Johnson, G, Sr.; Marc Van Etten, G, So.; Andrew Gore, D, Jr.; Dominic DeRosa, F, Fr.; Sean Smith, D, Jr.
OUTLOOK: The Cadets lost last season's 1-2 scoring punch to graduation (Pat Corcoran and Conor Crouse of West Haven, the coach's son). But Crouse, whose team moved to Division I last season and advanced to the final, hopes to build on that success and continue its competitive program.
SHEEHAN
COACH: Dave Festa
LAST YEAR: 10-10
TOP PLAYERS: Cody Albert, F, Jr.; Bill McNamee, F, Sr.; Ryan Kiernan, F, Jr.
OUTLOOK: Despite inexperience and a lack of depth, the Titans hope to at least match last season's record.
WEST HAVEN
COACH: Joe Morrell
LAST YEAR: 12-6-1
TOP PLAYERS: Kyle Leyerzapf, D, Sr.; Mike Troiano, F, Sr.; Adam Mink, F, Sr.; Josh Robichaud, D, Sr., Alex Scranton, D, So.
OUTLOOK: The big loss is graduated goalie J.P. Withington with Justin Shepard and Forest Schell competing for the starting position. The Blue Devils will have one of the strongest first lines in the state, led by Troiano (21 goals, 21 assists), and they have size on the back line. If the goaltending comes through they could emerge as a challenger to Prep for the D-I title.
XAVIER
COACH: Scott Gainey
LAST YEAR: 16-6
TOP PLAYERS: Dan Dupont, D, Sr; Nick Turner, D, Sr.
OUTLOOK: It's obvious by the duo listed above that defense is a strength for the Falcons this season. They could be hard-pressed to match last season's record with 75 percent of the team comprised of freshmen and sophomores.
