Preseason Guide: High School Hockey

12/13/2011by CHRIS BRODEUR

FIVE TEAMS TO WATCH

Ridgefield boys -- Shaun Gallagher's Tigers are an FCIAC favorite and are drawing early buzz as one of the state's best teams. With a slew of seniors and depth at every position, the Tigers are poised for a deep run in the Division I state tournament.

Newtown -- The Nighthawks make the leap to Division II off back-to-back quarterfinal appearances in Division III. Coach Paul Esposito notes that this year's talented senior class has been with him "since squirts" and is looking to capture a banner or two to cap its stay in style.

Barlow -- Yet another single-school SWC contender that's always a threat to reach the Division III state tournament under the direction of seventh-year coach Pete Maxfield. The addition of sophomore goalie Thierry Jean, a transfer from Maryland, is one Maxfield expects to pay instant dividends. The coach likes the mix of youth and veterans on this Falcons team, a formula he hopes can result in an extended postseason stay in 2011-12.

Watertown/Pomperaug -- The reigning Division III and SWC champions has jumped to Division II this year, a move that may not even slow coach Vic Vicenzi's Indians. Lost to graduation is Jack Murphy, along with his 28 goals and 28 assists, but senior right wing Ryan Borsari (17 goals, 20 assists in 2010-11) can ably fill the offensive void for a team that will once again flourish in open-ice, odd-man rush situations.

Ridgefield girls -- The Tigers welcome back quite a few players from last year's team, which made it to the state final and the FCIAC semifinals before falling, both times, to New Canaan. Senior left wing Cara Lockwood -- last season's top scorer with 19 goals and 10 assists -- is back to lead the offense along with junior center Dana Cerone (seven goals, six assists), senior center Allie Schiffer (four goals, 10 assists) and sophomore wing Vindhya Rao (four goals, six assists). Look for a productive rookie season from freshman right wing Kerry Sheehan-Delany, who scored a goal in her first varsity game, a 5-2 win over Fairfield on Friday. The Tigers are well-stocked on defense as well, led by senior Missy Hutchings, junior Anna Marcus and sophomores Meghan Galloway and Erica Guider. Guider had six goals and eight assists as a freshman last year. In goal, senior Maggie Philbin (2-0, 2.77 goals-against average) and sophomore Heather Ogden (4-0, 1.54) both saw significant action last year and form a solid tandem.

FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Michael Allwein, senior, Newtown -- The Nighthawks' senior goaltender enjoyed what one opposing coach called a "breakout year" in net in 2010-11, earning him a spot on the D-II/III All-SWC Second Team. Esposito says his veteran netminder "really shines when he's tested." Along with what Esposito calls "a strong defensive corps," Allwein's stability will be key as the Nighthawks try to navigate some strong early tests on the schedule.

Steven Segiet, senior, Brookfield-Bethel-Danbury -- The 5-foot-10 senior isn't the biggest forward in the SWC but is one of the league's strongest skaters and a born scorer. Should follow his All-State Second Team and All-SWC Second Team selections with a First Team nod on at least one list in 2011-12. Segiet's 25 goals led the IceCats a season ago.

Michael Mattson, senior, Barlow -- Look for this senior forward to once again appear near the top of the SWC in point production. His 24-goal, nine-assist campaign landed him on the D-II/III All-SWC First Team last year and also earned him an invite to the Junior Select All-Star Game. Maxfield expects similar production, along with strong leadership, from Mattson's final season.

Sean Wilkinson, senior, Ridgefield -- The All-FCIAC/All-State Second Team forward possesses dazzling stick-handling abilities and a knack for finishing. A top line that features both Wilkinson and junior Jack Christensen is one every team in the state should fear.

Ryan Borsari, senior, Pomperaug-Watertown -- Borsari buried 17 goals a year ago and should see a spike in his production when he becomes the Indians' primary threat this season. Look for the senior to make a run at the leagues scoring title, bolstering his chances for an All-First Team nod.

FIVE GAMES TO WATCH

Fairfield Prep at Ridgefield, Dec. 14, 8:30 p.m. (Winter Garden) -- Prep, the defending Division I champs and the state's No. 1 team as ranked by Hockey Night in Boston, take on the fourth-ranked Tigers on Opening Night. The two team's met two years ago in the D-I quarterfinals, a game Prep won 4-0.

Barlow vs. Pawling (N.Y.), Jan. 14 (Danbury Arena) -- For the first time in school history, the Falcons will do battle with an out-of-state foe.

Watertown-Pomperaug at BBD, Jan. 14 (Danbury Arena) -- A rematch of last year's SWC championship, in which the Indians dethroned the top-seeded IceCats

Ridgefield girls at New Canaan, Dec. 19 (Darien Ice Rink) -- The Tigers get an early chance to avenge last year's FCIAC tournament and state final losses to the Rams, a team that's always rife with talented scorers.

Newtown vs. Watertown-Pomperaug, 12/31 (Webster Bank Arena) -- New Year's Eve clash is an SWC semifinal rematch and begins a D-II doubleheader at the former Arena at Harbor Yard, the home ice of the American Hockey League's Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

NOTES

In addition to its strong crop of seniors, Newtown features talented juniors Tyler Hanley, a 6-foot-2, 225-pound defenseman, and Christian Blais, a First Team All-State center who Esposito hails as "an all-around stud."

BBD senior goalie Luiz Dibble is once again among the SWC's top netminders following a 7-0 in-conference mark in 2010-11.

Ridgefield sophomore defenseman Danny McMullan could be a breakout star on the heels of last year's nine-goal, 12-assist rookie campaign.