Hamden’s Sam Carignan (7) tangles with Prep’s Brendan Killoy (24) and goalie Matt Beck last year.
East Haven
Coach: Lou Pane
Last year: 8-12-1 (lost first round D-I)
Top players: Mike Falanga Jr., F (48 points last season); Matt Longobardi, Sr., F (46 points); Tristan Goodwin, Sr., F (46 points); Jake Delguidice, Sr., D; Nick Latella, Sr., D.
Outlook: The Easties’ high-scoring first line, their talented depth and strength/experience on defense has Pane thinking SCC-SWC Division I tournament title this season, followed by a solid run in the CIAC D-I tournament.
Fairfield Prep
Coach: Matt Sather
Last year: 23-1 (D-I champion)
Top players: Chris Gutierrez, Sr., G (1.49 GAA last season); Matt Beck, Sr., G (1.76 GAA); Matt Wikman, Sr., F (29 points last season); Kenny Kochiss, Sr., F; Dean Lockery, Sr., F (28 points); Brandon Powell, Jr., F; Matt McKinney, Sr., F; Jack Quinn, Jr., F; Ryan Deering, Jr., F; Steven Bayles,Sr., D; Bryan Connell, Jr., D; Brendan Killoy, Jr., D; Mike Ventricelli, Jr., F.
Outlook: Jesuits will look to Ventricelli, McKinney, Lockery, Kochiss and Wikman to replace the offense lost to graduation with support from Quinn, Deering and Powell. Killoy, Bayles and Connell lead a rebuilt defensive unit. Prep will be solid in net with Gutierrez and Beck who will also get time in net.
Hamden
Coach: Bill Verneris
Last year: 10-11
Top players: Sam Carignan, Sr., F; Dan Chicoine, Sr., F; Anthony Rascati, Sr., F; Stephen Pantera, Sr., F; Matt Barnett, Sr., F; Michael DeMatteis, Sr., F.
Outlook: Hamden’s top four scorers who combined for 74 points last season are gone, including Tyler Carangelo, who is at Avon Old Farms, and Joe O’Connor at Westminster. The returning players are expected to make an impact but Verneris is hopeful someone will step up and consistently put the puck in the net.
Notre Dame-Fairfield
Coach: Steve Hetherman
Last year: 10-11
Top players: Christian LaCroix, Sr., F; Jonathan Suporn, Jr., F; Greg Ferris, Sr., D; Garrett Gintolli, Sr., F; Dan Walsh, Sr., F; Nick Carloto, Jr., F; Craig Hessenius, Jr., D; Justin Krochko, Sr., G.
Outlook: The Lancers are considered one of the teams to beat for the CIAC Division I title with their experience (13 seniors) and depth with talent front to back.
Notre Dame-West Haven
Coach: Tim Belcher (first year)
Last year: 18-6-1 (lost to Prep in D-I final)
Top players: Matt Dumas, Sr., F (20 points); Eric Austin, Sr., F (21 points); Kyle Lynch, Jr., F (20 points); Ryan Lynch, Jr., F (29 points); Casey Hoban, Sr., F.
Outlook: The Green Knights lost some key players, including goalies Luc Amatruda and Paul Sliwinski to graduation and Register All-State forward Bill Vizzo to junior hockey. The Green Knights also have a new coach as former Lyman Hall mentor Tim Belcher, who played at Notre Dame, takes over for longtime coach Bill Gerosa. Scoring is a strength but the key will be how long it takes for the players to conform to Belcher’s new style of play.
St. Joseph
Coach: Marty Crouse
Last year: 16-5-1 (D-I quarterfinals)
Top players: Ryan Corcoran, Sr., F; Sean Hurley, Sr., F; Colin Powell, F, Jr.
Outlook: The Cadets lost a lot on defense to graduation and transfers. Corcoran, Hurley and Powell should help provide enough offense to keep the Cadets competitive.
West Haven
Coach: Joe Morrell
Last year: 8-11-2
Top players: Jaeson Puleo, Sr., F (8g, 6a last season), Alex Scranton, Sr., D; Pete Lynn, Sr. F (5g, 4a); Mike Savino, Jr., G; Joe Ayala, Sr., D; Devin Hines, Jr., D; Don Froelick, Jr., D; Matt Kelly, Sr. F.
Outlook: Defense is the strength with the return of four defensemen and a goalie. The key to success will be improved scoring.
Xavier
Coach: Dan DeConti (first year)
Last year: 13-6-2 (D-I quarterfinals)
Top players: Andrew Meoli, Sr., F; John Burkinshaw, Sr., D; Bryan Stanton, Sr., F; Ben Guidobono, Jr. G.
Outlook: Xavier could be rebuilding after losing players to graduation, prep school and junior hockey. The Falcons will be the deepest offensively with three lines. DeConti expects to have a winning record and qualify for both the SCC-SWC and state tournaments.
