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Monday, November 3, 2008
Lace 'Em Up
Fort Worth, TX
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Besides high school football, fall also means the start of another popular sport in the Metroplex, high school hockey. Here’s a preview of the 2008-09 season in the Varsity Gold and Silver Divisions of the AT&T Metroplex High School Hockey League.
GOLD DIVISION
Plano West finished last year atop the Varsity Gold standings with a 20-6-2 record, but lost its top two scorers. Back is an experienced group of seniors including captain Stuart Freiner (15 points) and G Chris Overton (4-1, 1-60 GAA in Varsity Silver).
Jesuit was second in the Gold standings but area coach of the year Mark Campbell lost all-time leading scorer Chris Schnurr. He returns a talented core including senior blueliner Will Leedy (11 points) and winger Grant Johnson (17 points). Campbell also has high hopes for incoming forward Chris Boe.
Another team to watch is Frisco, who last year, was the Silver Division’s top team and fell in the city title game to Colleyville Heritage. Top scorer Chris Murray (35 points) makes the jump for the Raccoons but newcomers Chris Chandler, Brennan Donovan and J.J. Hart are also expected to be key additions.
Mansfield returns only three seniors but retains a strong defensive core and a talented stable of forwards. Newcomers to watch include Jimmy Nemeth (18 points in JV Gold) and Hunter Woody (26 points). State runner-up Plano returns senior winger Justin McDowell (30 points) and Taylor Baranowski (17 points) should also provide some firepower. The Wildcats will benefit from great depth.
Allen brings back all-area player Ryan Holloway (29 points) and Garrett Master (22 points). Senior Trent Ritchie returns from Canada and front-line newcomers Taylor Jones (19 points in JV) and Grayson Master (20 points) should be ready to roll.
Highland Park lost its top two scorers, but the Scots return Brandon Nugent, who posted 17 points in just nine games with the varsity squad. Jake Newton (37 points) returns to lead Flower Mound along with Sean O’Connor (17 points) for a team that could experience early struggles on defense. McKinney returns just five players from last year’s team but senior Andy Weyrens, Dillon Kaiser and Milton Trevino are a solid core to build around. Newcomers in the fold include Alex Heger, Matt Raimondi and Hunter Stafford.
For Keller, Braxton Mills (15 points) returns while Brendan Gawronski (21 points), Chase Woods (19 points), and goaltender Tanner Cruce (6-5, 2.43 GAA, 2 SHO) are up from JV. Experience and goaltending are strengths for Coppell, which returns top scorers Austin Mayrath and Jordan Sellars with talented newcomers Charlie Busch (20 points in JV) and Brandon Harley (14 points).
Marcus has a new head coach and figures to be solid in goal with the addition of Brian Scherer, who didn’t play high school hockey a year ago. Patrick Price, David Reed and David Wirth are the top three returning scorers. One team that could be improved is Southlake Carroll, which returns Connor Gildenblatt (19 points) and G Nick Wang (7-2, 0.92 GAA, 4 in JV Gold). New faces to watch include Tim Hennesy, Zack Hale and Marcel Toure.
SILVER DIVISION
One of last season’s top teams was Frisco, but much of that squad that went 23-3-1 now plays in Varsity Gold. Geoffrey Giacoman (13 points) moves up from JV and should be a solid offensive threat.
Colleyville Heritage won the first-ever state title for the division and new coach Bob Pulley inherits a team minus its top four scorers. Tommy Buffano (24 points) and Tanner Burson (17 points) are back with JV standouts Chance Summers (27 points) and G Hayden Tree (13-3, 0.93 GAA, 6) new to the mix.
Last year’s third-place team was Richardson, which has Alex Aiello (31 points) and G Jason White (11-2, 1.85, 1) back. Defensively, the Rampage should be tough to crack.
Arlington Martin is counting on captain Brett Jacobson (29 points) and Michael McKinney (27 points). Matt Dow (7-2-0, 1.94, 1) returns in goal. State runner-up Birdville returns star scorer Sean Hickey (59 points) and should be stellar in net with Colten Reece (8-4-0, 3.06, 1). Newcomer Gustav Norin could also turn some heads.
Grapevine has a new coach and will be young. Alex Rife (14 points) returns alongside Nick Aldi (11 points) but newcomers Robbie Cooper and Taylor Fleming could have quick impacts. Bishop Lynch should be set offensively with Brandon Holy
(21 points) and Hassan Makke (26 points) back. Nick Earhart (22 points in JV) is a nice addition.
Size and speed should benefit a young Plano West team returning Alex Howe (11 points) and Drew McComas. The Wolves lost five to their Gold squad and chemistry could be an issue early. Rockwall has nine seniors, including Chris Thirion (28 points) but depth is a concern with nine players gone from last year’s team.
Plano seeks to keep the opposition off the power play by committing fewer penalties. Key holdovers include Brandon Early (11 points) and Matt Fulcoly (19 points). The Arlington Wild will have solid veteran leadership from captain Steven Slezak (10 points) and offense from Derek Kaufman (16 points).
A speedy front line is an asset for Plano East, which returns captain John DeMuth (12 points) and Josh Ringering (10 points). Newcomers Mark Linksy and Steve Reynolds could also contribute. Moving up from JV Silver is Midlothian, who went 21-3 there. Top returning scorers include Matt Bassett (49 points), Tyler Hervey (33 points) and Trent Newman (33 points) with newcomer Micah Koutros joining the fray.
Up from JV Gold is Marcus, a team featuring returnees Wes Brown (15 points) and Bo Fulton (26 points) and newcomer Zac Engel (28 points in JV Silver). Holdovers for North Crowley include William Atkinson (9 points) and Jon Helton (25 points) for a team that has a solid core of eight seniors. Another senior-laden team is HEB with Austin Echols (11 points) and Brandon Thomas (13 points). They will have a new coach and newcomer Josh Wotila will add some punch up front.•
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