2021 Shore Conference South Division Ice Hockey Preview

SOUTH DIVISION

Teams listed in alphabetical order

Previews based on information provided by each coach

Brick

Head coach: James Murphy, sixth season

2020 record: 5-12-4, third in Class B South

Home Arena: Howell Ice Arena

Top returners: Ty Nicol, Jr., Fwd; Mike Pfeister, Jr., Fwd; Thomas Johnston, So., Fwd; Dylan Jannarone, Sr., Def; Shane O’Neill, Jr., Def; Robbie Blair, Sr., Fwd; Logan Donnelly, So., Def/Fwd; Kevin Toye, So., Goalie; Joe Scamardella, Jr., Goalie.

Top newcomers: Ryan Panuska, Jr., Fwd (missed last season with an injury); Aidan Rozell, Fr., Fwd; Jake Toye, Fr., Fwd.

Captain: Dylan Jannarone

The Dragons aren’t a team that’s going to overwhelm teams with size and physicality, but they are hoping to make up for it with speed, scoring depth and goaltending. Brick lost its top scorer, Zach Rozell, to graduation so replacing his 30 goals will be a collective effort. Junior forward Ty Nicol is the leading returning scorer after posting 10 goals and 11 assists as a sophomore. Senior Dylan Jannarone (5g, 5a) is the captain and defensive leader for the Dragons while sophomore Kevin Toye will reprise his role in net after winning the starting job as a freshman last season.

Brick Memorial

Head coach: Chip Bruce, 38^th season

2020 record: 3-15-2, fifth in Class B South

Home Arena: Howell Ice Arena

Top returners: Dan Aulisi, Jr., Fwd; Nick Barroqueiro, So., Def/Fwd;  Trent Burton, Sr., Fwd/Def; Chris Clayton, Sr., Fwd/Def; Joe Kearney, Jr., Def; John Kuhn, Jr., Fwd; Belle Wurmser, So., Fwd; Aidan Purcell, Sr., Fwd; Andrew Vella, Jr., Fwd.

Top newcomers: Tyler Oliveria, Fr., Fwd; Sam Stulic, Fr., Goalie 

Losing several key players to graduation, including leading scorer Mark McDermitt and his 44 goals and 77 points, means Brick Memorial will be in rebuilding mode in 2021. The Mustangs will gear their system to a more defensive approach as they find out which players will step forward. Seniors Trent Burton (5g, 11a) and Chris Clayton (7g, 4a) and junior Dan Aulisi (5g, 1a) will look to lead the way, offensively. Freshman Sam Stulic will start in goal behind a defensive unit that includes junior Joe Kearney and sophomore Nick Barroqueiro. One major issue appears to be a short bench. Brick Memorial has just 11 players on its opening day roster.

Central

Head coach: Joe Pelliccio, 10^th season

2020 record: 13-8-1, Class B South champion

Home Arena: Winding River Ice Rink

Top returners: Trevor Coltenback, Sr., Center; Brady Steller, Sr., Def; Joey Klutkoski, Jr., Wing; Dom Competello, Jr., Center; Mark Competello, Jr., Wing; Dom Wiatrowski, So., Wing; Nick Bilinski, Sr., Goalie

Top newcomer: Corey Vangerberg, Jr., Fwd.

Captains: Trevor Coltenback, Brady Steller.

Considering this season’s South Division features the same teams as least season’s Class B South division plus the addition of the Ocean/Shore/Monmouth tri-op and the fact that Central returns many of its top players from that division championship squad, the Golden Eagles have to be considered the favorite to repeat. Senior center Trevor Coltenback (18g, 26a) and junior winger Joey Klutoski (17g, 24a) lead a balanced group of forwards that also includes junior center Dom Competello (12g, 11a), junior winter Mark Competello (9g, 11a) and sophomore winger Dom Wiatroski (6g, 10a). In the back end, senior Brady Seller leads the way in front of goalie senior Nick Bilinski, a returning starter.

Lacey/Barnegat

Head coach: Chris DiMicco, third season

Career record: 3-40

2020 record: 2-20, sixth in Class B South

Home Arena: Winding River Ice Rink

Top returners: Jacob Turrin, Jr., Goalie; Don Kirk, Sr., Fwd; Frank Hubscher, Sr., Fwd; Quinn Waters, Sr., Def.

Top newcomers: Cole Strecensky, Fr., Fwd; Aidan Devaney, Fr., Def; EJ Simmonson, Fr., Fwd.

Captains: Quinn Waters, Jacob Turrin, Don Kirk

Now in the program's sixth season and third under head coach Chris DiMicco the Lions are hoping to continue their growth and building of a foundation. Unfortunately, Lacey suffered exposure to COVID-19 and won't be able to open its season until Jan. 25. Junior goalie Jacob Turrin leads the way and enters this season with over 1,000 career saves. Don Kirk and Frank Hubscher will look to lead the offense with senior Quinn Waters as the top defenseman. All three are three-year starters. Lacey has more year-round players than it has in the past, so that is an encouraging sign for a program looking to improve.

Ocean/Shore/Monmouth

Head coach: Dave Smith, 10^th season (18^th overall)

Career record: 215-178-40

2020 record: 9-15-1, sixth in Class B North

Home Arena: Jersey Shore Arena

Top returners: Ryan Convery, Sr., Def; Laszlow Simon, Sr., Fwd; Dylan Bennett, Sr., Fwd; Tony Macaluso, Jr., Goalie; Vlad Gorelov, Jr., Fwd; Pat Olenski, Jr., Fwd; PJ Schwartz, Jr., Def; Landon Bennett, Jr., Fwd; Nico Edwards, Jr., Goalie; Alex Haar, So., Fwd; Aiden Mumm, So., Fwd.

Top newcomers: Biaggio Pugliano, Dylan Lazar, Owen Mumm. 

Moving into what should be a competitive South Division, Ocean will look to continue its growth in the program’s 12^th season. Veteran head coach Dave Smith has plenty of talent at back this season as the Spartans return their top three scorers and their starting goalie. Sophomore Alex Haar had a great freshman season with 19 goals and 20 points for a team-high 39 points. Juniors Pat Olenski (19g, 14a) and Vlad Gorelov (13g, 13a) also provided consistent scoring and Aiden Mumm added five goals and six assists as a freshman. Defensively, senior Ryan Converty anchors the blue line group and also chipped in with four goals and seven assists. Junior goalie Tony Macaluso is back as the starter in net.

Red Bank/Henry Hudson

2020 record: 8-10-1, fourth in Class B South

Home Arena: Red Bank Armory

Toms River East/Toms River South

Head coach: Jason Verdon, fourth season

2020 record: 12-8, second in Class B South

Home Arena: Winding River Ice Rink

Top returners: Vito Pecorella, Sr., Fwd; Vinny Servis, Sr., Def; Chris Dineen, Jr., Fwd; Jake Verdon, So., Def; Jarrod Dye, So., Def.

Captains: Vito Pecorella, Vinny Servis, Chris Dineen.

The Raiders/Indians co-op returns much of its offensive output from a season ago when they finished second in Class B South. Senior forward Vito Pecorella (11g, 10a), junior forward Chris Dineen (10g, 11a) and sophomore defenseman Jake Verdon (7g, 14a) tied for the team lead in scoring last season and their return gives Toms River good scoring depth. The uncertainty lies in goal where senior Dominick McKeon will take over as the starter. Last season’s starter, Mark Bish, and backup, Sean Cook, were both seniors so McKeon will look to provide stability in net.

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.