Last Years number one ranked Team entering the Division 1A Tournament BC High lost a Heartbreaker in the Semi-Finals in the dreaded shoot out 2-1 to Austin Prep. Both teams look poised for a return to prominence as they both have a strong core of returning players ready to lay Claim to the Super Eight Championship. Malden Catholic is not going to relinquish their title easily, they too have many key returning players but they also have what could prove to be the top First Line in the State. Catholic Memorial battled MC hard for two games in last years tourney but their youth was overmatched by the more experienced and balanced Lancer attack. The Pre Season team to beat is Springfield Cathedral, this is a Team that made it all the way to the Semi-Finals last March with a Roster loaded with underclassmen. Basically, this same Team has just won the Massachusetts U18 State Tournament playing as the "Springfield Riflemen". Now, that is one heck of a way to enter a High School Season!
Another Team to keep an eye on is Xaverian, last years tourney experience should pay huge dividends and make them Team to be reckoned with!
Division 1 North had Saint Mary's of Lynn as the number one seed going into Tournament play but that ended in disappointment as they fell to Perennial Powerhouse The Reading Rockets. Legendary Reading Coach Mark Dougherty undoubtedly was able to use his Teams #12 Seeding as the Fuel to propel his Rockets to yet another State Championship! One of the best stories of the year however, was how well Wilmington played all Season and was able to go all the way to the Finals in just their First Season of Division1 play. By Beating such teams very rich in hockey history such as Matignon and Arlington is what made their run all the more impressive!
Braintree held the number one Seed and rightfully so as they marched right on to the Division 1 South Crown but would fall to Reading 4-1 in the D1 State Championship game. Archbishop Williams, Milton and Marshfield look to make a return to the playing for a championship this upcoming Season.