Last season's boys' hockey team went undefeated in the regular season with an 18-0-2 record - a winning season that hadn't been seen by the Patriots in roughly 15 years. But head coach Kevin Harrington, in his 14th year with the Patriots, is essentially driving a Zamboni across the 2009-2010 season and starting the 2010-2011 season on fresh ice.
"It's a completely brand new slate, a new opportunity," Harrington said. "This year we're Division 2 and I don't think it's healthy to go undefeated. You learn when you win and you learn when you lose. Teams have to know what it's like to learn from a tough loss."
The Patriots have already played two pre-season scrimmages; the first Saturday night at Saugus High School and the second Tuesday evening against Minuteman Regional High School.
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"Saugus we looked rusty. (Tuesday) was much better, crisper. I'm very encouraged," Harrington said. "You're doing things in scrimmages that you wouldn't normally do in games. Play 12 or 13 guys instead of 18 guys."
Harrington said the team is shaping up well and many seasoned returning players will be key to C-C's success.
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"We're pretty experienced in goaltending and on defense. Seniors and captains will keep us in line," Harrington said. "We're going to have to lean on them in tight games."
Junior forward Mike O'Brien and sophomore forwards Griffin Fadden and Steve Van Siclen will lead the way, coach said. As will senior defensive captain JC Winslow and senior defenseman Mike Anastos.
Harrington said the team has numerous young, inexperienced players, but they're learning and working hard for the start of the season.
"Up front, we're young. When you graduate that many forwards -- six out of our top nine forwards are gone -- you bring a lot of new kids in," the coach said. "It's a lot of teaching kids, just trying to get these guys as many game quality repetitions as possible in practice. Bite-sized pieces of games; the kids are great at that. Our job as coaches is to put it all together."
Putting the puck in the net is the team's focus.
"It's a really fun group to work with. We have the right amount of leadership, they just want to learn and get better. These kids work very, very hard," Harrington said.
Boys' Ice Hockey Season Preview Capsule
Coach: Kevin Harrington (14th season)
League: Dual County League/Merrimack Valley Conference
"Moving (from Division 3) to Division 2 was the right thing to do. Our school size really puts us in division 2. The (DCL) league wanted balance. It had five teams; we're the sixth team now. It balances much better. Every game is going be a great game. We will have to work a lot harder to work for what we had last year."
Last Year: 20-1-2. Lost 4-2 against Marblehead High School in the Division 3 North final.
Returning Players: Goalie: Steven Saul (senior), Graham Hunt (sophomore). Forward: James Terhune (senior), Brendan Canty (senior), Jack Michaud (junior), Mike O'Brien (junior), Jack Finigan (junior), Griffin Fadden (sophomore). Defense: JC Winslow (senior), Ryan Robinson (senior), Brendan Harrington (sophomore).
Key to Success: "(We'll be successful) if we can get enough offense to win games. I know the defense is there. Goal is there. Can we get the puck in the net enough games? It's going to be really tough. I think we can. We have a first line that's as good as anybody's."
Game to Watch: "Lincoln-Sudbury is going to tell us an awful lot about who we are and who we aren't. They're very, very passionate. We're huge rivals in every facet."
"We always seem to come up big against Tewksbury."
Coach's Take: "It's going to be how we come together in a very short period of time. If we come together and do the right things we will win hockey games."
