While new coach Ben Guite takes over the helm at Bowdoin College this season, he and the rest of the coaches in the conference are all wondering how to beat Trinity for the conference title. The Bantams have appeared in the last six contested title games, winning four including last season. Nothing can be taken for granted in a conference where the competition is fierce top to bottom and points are always at a premium every weekend.
“Trinity is certainly going to be there again.” Said Amherst coach Jack Arena. “It is hard to argue with success Matt’s teams have had in recent years and he has good group back that figured some things out last season after a slow start. I think Williams is always in the mix and Colby has really contended in recent years. This league always has some surprises and is very balanced top to bottom so there seems to be a team that emerges every season that catches fire and contends for the title. Not sure who that is this year – would like it to be us – but it is always an interesting race right to the final weekend of the regular season.”
The Favorites
While Trinity took awhile to find their game last season, the end result found them winning the conference title and playing in the NCAA tournament again. The loss of Lucas Michaud to graduation will be felt but Jax Murray and Gerard Maretta return to lead the offense while Teddy Griffin will display his puck prowess from the blueline. The roster is talented and deep and should be where they want to be in contending for the NESCAC title again.
Blaise MacDonald has his Colby squad on the rise having lost last year’s title game to Trinity. Andy Beran is among the best goaltenders in the league while Jack Sullivan leads a mobile defensive group in support of a deep and talented set of forwards including Alex Bourhas, Carter Breitenfeldt and Henry Molson. Scoring depth and balance will help the Mules contend every night.
The Dark Horses
It is almost an assured fact that Williams is in the mix every season. Coach Bill Kangas always has a club that plays fast and competes in all three zones anchored by great goaltending and this year is no different with Evan Ruschil returning to roam the blue paint. Staying healthy will be key for one of the smallest rosters in D-III hockey but never count the Ephs out of the hunt.
The Continentals are loaded upfront with the likes of Nick Hawkins, Grisha Gotovets and Matt Gellerman and will need to find the #1 man in the crease to replace the graduated Sean Storr. If the backend can play well, Rob Haberbusch’s team will be a challenge to play for anyone in the conference.
Players to watch
Amherst: Matt Toporowski – forward; Joey Verkerke – defense
Bowdoin: Ben Guite – coach; Chris Brown – forward
Colby: Andy Beran – goaltender; Jack Sullivan – defense
Connecticut College: Seth Stadheim – forward; Eric Fournier – defense
Hamilton: Grisha Gotovets – forward; Matt Gellerman – forward
Middlebury: Emack Bentley – forward; Jake Horoho – goaltender
Trinity: Jax Murray – forward; Gerard Maretta – forward
Tufts: Cam Newton – defense; Tyler Sedlak – forward
Wesleyan: Emmet Powell – defense; Go Uemura – forward
Williams: Sean Clarke – forward; Evan Ruschil – goaltender
USCHO Predicted finish
- Trinity
- Williams
- Colby
- Hamilton
- Wesleyan
- Amherst
- Bowdoin
- Connecticut College
- Middlebury
- Tufts
Always last to the party, NESCAC commences play right out of the gate with conference battles and points on the line after two plus weeks of practice and scrimmages against teammates. Different colored uniforms on the opponents raise the energy and adrenaline levels so look for some fast-paced play for the last conference to join the 2022-23 season. Colby* travels to Middlebury for opening night with the home team launching their 100th anniversary of hockey celebration this season joining fellow conference members Amherst and Bowdoin as programs that have already surpassed the century mark.
*YourHockey.com reflects Colby also beginning their hockey program in 1922 but at the time of this column there was no related information regarding the school’s recognition of their 100th anniversary.
