2021 Shore Conference North Division Ice Hockey Preview

NORTH DIVISION

Teams listed in alphabetical order

Christian Brothers Academy

Head coach: Andy Gojdycz, second season (12^th overall)

Career record: 131-117-24

2020 record: 20-4-3, Gordon Cup Champion, NJSIAA Non-Public Champion

Home arena: Jersey Shore Arena

Top returners: John Donohoe, Jr., Goalie; Colin Grable, Sr., Def; Zach Wagnon, Jr., Fwd; Robert Setteducati, Sr., Fwd; Lucas Salas, Sr., Def; Patrick Reilly, So., Def; Leighton Biesadecki, So., Fwd; Michael Gravina, So., Def; Aidan Guinnessey, Jr., Fwd; Raymond Cartigiano, Jr., Fwd; Thomas Atanacio, Jr., Def; Matthew Romano, Sr., Def; Justin Lidondici, Sr., Fwd; Ryan Howard, Sr., Fwd; Greg Findeisen, Sr., Fwd.

Captains: Colin Grable (C); Robert Setteducati (A); Lucas Salas (A).

The Colts are loaded once again with depth among the forwards, a veteran defense corps and the reigning New Jersey Player of the Year in goal. There won’t be an NJSIAA Tournament in 2021 but CBA will still have a chance to show its might within the elite Gordon Conference. Junior goalie John Donohoe was the state POY last season as a sophomore, posting a .928 save percentage and seven shutouts while leading the Colts to the Gordon Cup crown and the NJSIAA Non-Public state title to finish No. 1 in New Jersey. Senior defenseman Colin Grable was a second-team All-State selection last season and senior forward Zach Wagnon was a third-team All-State selection.

Manasquan/Point Beach

Head coach: Adam Houli

2020 record: 14-4-3, second in Class A North

Home arena: Jersey Shore Arena

Top returners: Mike Farinacci, Sr., Fwd; Tyler Watts, Sr., Fwd; Mark Rudo, Sr., Fwd; Braden Ryan, Jr., Fwd; Vincent Ferraro, Jr., Fwd; James Farinacci, So., Fwd; Chris Farinacci, Sr., Def; Trevor Wells, Sr., Def; Evan Dec, Sr., Def; Brendan Kearney, Jr., Def; Shay Keating, Jr., Def; Conall Dougherty, Jr., Goalie.

Top newcomers: Jonathan Vogel, Sr., Fwd; Patrick Ertle, Sr., Fwd; Dean Myklebust, Jr., Fwd; Matthew Barth, Jr., Fwd; Rory Mather, Jr., Goalie.

The Warriors lost two major players from last season with forward Matt Franzoni 25g, 28a) graduating and standout defenseman Anthony Dowd (15g, 23a) moving on to the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League. Luke McNamara, a 39-point scorer, also graduated and 28-point scorer Aidan Wiseman is also no longer on the team. Those are certainly some big voids to fill but the Warriors still have plenty of firepower remaining. Senior forward Mike Farinacci (9g, 12a) is the leading returning scorer and cousin Chris Farinacci is the leader on defense. James Farinacci, Mike's younger brother, had a nice freshman season with five goals and three assists and will be counted on to produce in an increased role. Junior Conall Dougherty is back as the starting goalie.

Marlboro/Holmdel

Head coach: Ben Bugge, first season

Career record: 0-0

2020 record: 7-9-3, second in Class A South

Home arena: Middletown Ice Arena

Top returners: Ethan Gelman, Jr., Fwd; John Spallin, Jr., Def; Dmitrii Kapranov, Jr., Goalie.

Ben Bugge takes over the reins of the Mustangs/Hornets co-op program that saw a good amount of success last year. Junior forward Ethan Gelman (5 goals, 7 assists) will look to pick up the scoring pace after the team graduated its top two scorers in Anthony Galante (21g, 6a) and Dante Balsamo (13g, 16a) and lost Justin Solvey as a transfer to Lawrenceville Prep. Junior goalie Dmitrii Kapranov was strong in net last season with a 2.33 goals against average and a .920 save percentage.

Middletown North

Head coach: Don Wood, third season

Career record: 19-24-5

2020 record: 9-13-2, fifth in Class A North

Home arena: Middletown Ice Arena

Top returners: Jon Miranda, Sr., Def; Aidan Cook, Sr., Def; Bob Fitzgerald, Sr., Def; Justin Dickinson, Sr., Goalie; Jesse Dickinson, Sr., Fwd; Zach Brady, Jr. Fwd; Andrew Gross, So, Fwd; Colin Delanzo, Jr., Fwd; Jimmy Mullarney, So., Fwd.

Top newcomers: Jace Koeningsmark, Jr., Fwd; Thomas Baron, So., Fwd; Mike Botti, So., Fwd; Luke Chrzan, So., Goalie.

Captains: Jon Miranda, Jesse Dickinson.

Depth will be the biggest asset for the Lions in 2021, especially among the forwards where senior captain Jesse Dickinson (6g, 11a) leads the way. Third-year head coach Don Wood praised the group’s size, speed and physicality. Senior captain John Miranda (12g, 7a) along with senior blueliners Aidan Cook (3g, 6a) and senior Bob Fitzgerald (9g)

spearhead a defensive unit that isn’t afraid to jump up and join the rush. Justin Dickinson returns in goal after posing a .915 save percentage a season ago. The team’s collective experience should also provide a boost as Wood was able to get junior varsity or backup varsity players meaningful shifts last season.

Middletown South

Head coach: Andrew Rosenbloom, first season

Career record: 0-0

2020 record: 14-8-4, fourth in Class A North

Home arena: Middletown Ice Arena

Top returners: Nate Block, Jr., Fwd; Michael Volpi, Sr., Fwd; Michael Ferlanti, Jr., Fwd; Andreas Forand, Jr., Def/Fwd; Nick Piscopo, Sr., Fwd; Aiden Cavendish, Jr., Fwd; Dylan Fallon, Sr., Def; Lucas Campos, So., Def; Luke Rohrmann, Jr., Def; Ben Gottlieb, Jr., Def; Kevin Bitterle, Jr., Def; Luke Finn, Jr., Fwd; Dan Trachtenberg, Sr., Fwd.

Top newcomer: Jack Collings, Jr., Goalie.

Captain: Michael Volpi.

Andrew Rosenbloom takes over behind the bench after serving as an Eagles assistant for the last six seasons. Middletown South has two big holes to fill after All-Shore defenseman Demetri Forand and starting goalie Sean Caswell graduated, but the Eagles have one of their deepest teams in several years and expected to top team. Last season’s leading scorer, junior forward Nate Block, leads the way up front after netting 22 goals and 13 assists last season. Middletown South’s top nine forwards all return, so the offense should be zooming right out of the gate. Senior captain Mike Volpi (10g, 17a), junior forward Michael Ferlanti (13g, 8a), junior defenseman Andreas Forand (7g, 14a), senior forward Nick Piscopo (9g, 8a) and junior forward Aiden Cavendish (4g, 9a) are among the players looking to lead the way in 2021. Junior Jack Collings takes over in goal after serving as the No. 2 netminder last season. The Eagles also have a promising freshman class that could contribute as the season progresses.

Rumson-Fair Haven

Head coach: Eric Zullo, second season

Career record: 16-3-3

2020 record: 16-3-3, Class B North co-champion

Home Arena: Red Bank Armory

Top returners: Ronan Hickey, Sr., G; Andrew Schmid, Sr., Def; Ryan Croddick, Sr., Fwd; Mike Juras, Sr., Fwd; Brett Fritchard, Jr., Fwd; Charlie Tallman, Jr., Fwd; Spencer Lee, Jr., Def; Casey Freeman, Jr., Def.

Top newcomers: Dominic Panke, So., Fwd; Ben Turozci, So., Def.

Captains: Andrew Schmid (C), Mike Kuras (A), Ryan Croddick (A), Ronan Hickey (A).

Despite graduating three of its top four point producers from last season, Rumson is looking to build on its breakout 2020 season under second-year head coach Eric Zullo. Among the forwards, senior Ryan Croddick leads the group after netting 15 goals and adding 10 assists last season. Senior captain Andrew Schmid (5g, 11a) anchors the defense and is coming off a season in which he earned third-team All-Public C and third-team All-Shore honors. Senior Ronan Hickey returns between the pipes after posting a 1.17 goals against average, .930 save percentage and 16 wins backstopping a unit that yielded just 28 goals all season.

St. John Vianney

Head coach: Mick Messemer, seventh season

Career record: 82-38-15

2020 record: 11-8-2, Class A North champion

Home Arena: Jersey Shore Arena

Top returners: SJ LeComte, Sr.,, Fwd; Colin Gartz, Sr., Fwd; Nick Colao, Sr., Fwd; Ryan Kulaszewski, Sr., Fwd; Pat Condello, Sr., Fwd; Joe Puglisi, Sr., Def; Alex Osher, Jr., Def; Dan Shallcross, Jr., Goalie.

Top newcomers: Rob Calice, Jr., Fwd; Luc Barnett, Jr., Fwd; Gio Fazio, Jr., Fwd; Jack Allen, Jr., Fwd; Mike Reed, So., Fwd; Nic Viola,  So., Fwd; Dom Mazella, So., Fwd; Pat Haines, So., Def; Dakota Vastola, Fr., Def; Sean Petrovich, So., Def; Joe Morris, Sr., Goalie.

The Lancers have been one of the Shore Conference’s top teams under seventh-year head coach Mick Messemer and that doesn’t figure to change in 2021. The Lancers did lost its top two goal-scorers to graduation and standout defenseman AJ Micalizzi to junior hockey, so there is some work to be done to remain near the top of the Shore. Senior forward SJ LeComte is a candidate to have a breakout year and is joined by Colin Gartz (8g, 9a), Nick Colao, Ryan Kulaszewski (1g, 8a) and Pat Condello as veteran forwards. Senior Joe Puglisi and junior Alex Osher are the returning anchors on defense and junior Dan Shallcross takes over as the starting goalie after seeing action in four games (two starts) last season.

St. Rose/Red Bank Catholic/Donovan Catholic

Head coach: Bob Gialanella, first season (12^th overall)

Career record: 115-98-11

2020 record: 9-6-6, third in Class A North

Home arena: Jersey Shore Arena

Top returners: Aidan Grant, Jr., Fwd; Ryan Butchko, So., Def; Tim Regan, Sr., Fwd; Jack Bilancione, Sr., Goalie; Cole Force, Sr., Def.

Top newcomers: Connor Harms, Fr., Fwd.

The Catholic High School tri-op has a new bench boss with the arrival of veteran head coach Bob Gialanella, who has previously been the head coach at Toms River East, Hopewell Valley and Stockton University. Aidan Grant had a very good sophomore season with 10 goals and 20 assists to finish second to his high-scoring brother Sean, who was a senior last year. Regan added four goals and 19 assists and will look to increase that production this season. Senior Cole Force and sophomore Ryan Butchko lead the defense in front of junior returning starter Jack Bilancione, who posted a .912 save percentage as a sophomore.

Managing editor Bob Badders can be reached at bob.badders@townsquaremedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Bob_Badders. Like Shore Sports Network on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel for all the latest video highlights.