St. John's Prep Hockey Has Clear Goals

As he embarks on his fourth season as head coach of the hockey team, Kristian Hanson knows this much to be true: positive results in December and January make it easier to achieve post-season goals.

This is especially true of a program that aspires to qualify for the elite Division 1A Tournament each season. Winning the Super 8, as it has come to be known, is the pinnacle of success in Massachusetts high school hockey.

"My first year we had an experienced senior team, but each of the last two years we were younger and got off to slow starts. Last year we came on strong and basically missed the Super 8 by a single goal. Now we have seniors and I expect a lot out of them. It's important for us to come out and play well early to get those early wins," Hanson said, whose club stood at 2-5-1 through eight games last season.

The Eagles rallied to finish a solid second behind Catholic Memorial in the Catholic Conference with a 5-2-1 league mark, but lack of success against non-league opponents left them on the outside when it came to Super 8 selections. St. John's qualified for the Division 1 North Sectional and finished with a 10-10-1 overall mark after falling in the first round to Waltham.

Thus far, Hanson likes what he's seen of this club.

"We've only been on the ice for a week and a half but I like the compete level. Practices have been high intensity and high tempo. Guys are competing for a limited number of spots and it's showing in how they approach practice. I hope that pays off early in the season," he said.

Senior forward Colin Blackwell, a 2012 commitment to Harvard, will lead the offense. He's joined by junior Sam Kurker, rated a Division 1 college prospect by Hanson, and senior Andrew Price. Seniors Derek Palm and Jon Farrow add veteran depth as the Eagles shoot to improve last season's output of just 54 goals scored.

"We didn't score a lot last year, but I think that will improve with the combination of veterans as well as some skilled newcomers," Hanson said.

An untested defense could cause some anxious moments early on as players learn under fire. Senior Joe Currie and junior Nick Pandalena return to anchor the unit that will front primary goaltender David Letarte. Dylan Blake gives St. John's a solid option in the goal.

Where do the Eagles fit in the Catholic Conference picture? The consensus is that Malden Catholic, which returns 14 players from last season and was further bolstered by the addition of two high-quality transfers from prep schools, is the team to beat.

"MC is probably the favorite. After that, it's truly impossible to tell. It's the best league in the state (Malden Catholic, Catholic Memorial and Xaverian all qualified for the Super 8) and you just can't predict it. Every team is talented, every team plays hard, and every game it seems is a one-goal game. Look at us last year – I don't think anyone thought we'd finish second in the league," Hanson said.

Prep is playing a typically tough non-league schedule, starting with its home opener against reigning Division 1A champion Hingham on Wednesday, Dec. 22 (Ristuccia Arena, 8 p.m.). The Eagles also face Super 8 qualifiers Austin Prep and Springfield Cathedral, defending Division 1 State Champion Arlington Catholic and St. John's of Shrewsbury, Central Catholic, Framingham and Woburn.

"We make every effort to play the strongest non-league schedule we can against the top teams from other leagues," Hanson said.

The puck drops Wednesday, Dec. 15 at Everett (Everett MDC Rink, 8 p.m.) when the Eagles take on Everett High. Prep begins league play at Catholic Memorial on Monday, Dec. 27 (B.U., 2 p.m.)