Most of the players who made the 2007-08 hockey season in this corner of the state so exciting are gone.
Michael Dillon, who scored 43 goals for Avon Lake in spite of being switched to defense midway through the year, has graduated.
Richie Baker, who capped a brilliant four years with Elyria Catholic with 41 goals in
’07-08, is at Baldwin-Wallace College.
Buddy Gerus, who led Olmsted Falls in scoring all four years of his prep career, won’t be on the ice this season.
The prolific scorers, who had been fixtures on the Greater Cleveland High School Hockey League’s western fringe for so long, now hold diplomas instead of hockey sticks.
The one who is still skating is Chad Murphy, who was probably the best of the bunch last season.
Murphy has one more season left at North Olmsted, where he has fashioned one of the finest high school careers in Ohio history and made life a lot easier for his coach, and father, Tim Murphy.
Murphy scored 70 points last year. He scored a state-leading 95 as a sophomore.
No doubt Murphy could have come close to his 2006-07 numbers had he not missed two weeks because of a shoulder injury. He had 86 points as a freshman, despite missing a few games because of mononucleosis.
Murphy’s totals through three seasons are 126 goals and 125 assists. He has 26 power-play goals and a remarkable 21 shorthanded goals. North Olmsted’s record during his tenure is 73-21-1.
Naturally, Tim Murphy wanted to talk about his son’s defense.
“Chad is one of the best defensive players I’ve ever coached,” Murphy said. “Chad’s defense is wildly overlooked. You can see it on special teams. He’s our best penalty killer. We need him on the ice when we have a man in the (penalty) box.”
Coach Murphy added that his team needs to avoid the problem of players expecting a superstar to do it all without any help.
“Having a player like Chad can be both good and bad,” Murphy said. “Sometimes the team just waits around for him to do it all. He needs to set up his teammates like they need to set up him.”
Opposing coaches see no downside to North Olmsted having a player that explosive. Murphy, as always, should be a marked man this year.
“Chad has dominated our division,” said Dave Phiel, coach of Elyria Catholic. “He’s a threat from anywhere on the ice. I haven’t seen all the teams, but Chad could be the top forward in the league. We always need an extra defenseman and another back-checker when we play North Olmsted.”
“He’s probably the best offensive player out there,” St. Edward coach Rob Whidden said. “He has great vision and he has great hands. He seems to always know where the puck is. You can’t teach that. He is best at the things you can’t teach.”
Most likely there will be other go-to guys on other area teams this year. Ryan Morris of Amherst scored 22 goals for the Comets in 2007-08. Elyria Catholic’s Pat DeSouza and Chris Andrews came on strong at the end of last season, finishing with 20 and 16 goals, respectively. Makz Galati at Avon Lake looks to make his senior season a big one after playing three years in the shadow of Dillon.
But the buzz on the west side of the GCHSHL will be mainly about the tall kid with the dark hair and the No. 7 on the back of his North Olmsted jersey.
Contact Steve Byrne at 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chad Murphy, North Olmsted

Quite likely the most powerful offensive player in the league is looking for his fourth straight season of at least 40 goals.

Pat Butterfield, Olmsted Falls

With Bay’s Kevin Figueira departed for the Junior Barons, Butterfield is probably the area’s best in the net. His goals against average has hovered near two a game for the last two seasons.

Matt Konyesni, North Olmsted

The Eagles are looking for the kind of defense they had two years ago. This veteran senior should help give it to them.

Ryan Morris, Amherst

A senior who was the Comets’ co-leader in points last year and is likely one of the strongest offensive threats in the White Division.

Pat DeSouza, Elyria Catholic

His offense took a lot of pressure off Richie Baker in the latter half of last season. He could be the Panthers’ go-to guy this year.

Makz Galati, Avon Lake

A four-year letterman, Galati should have a breakout season as the Shoremen look to rebound from a subpar year.

TOP TOURNAMENTS

Rocky River Classic, through Sunday

Olmsted Falls won this one with a dramatic 1-0 victory over the host club in 2007. Falls, Avon Lake and Midview will be in attendance again.

North Coast League, Dec. 8-11

The six hockey playing schools of the NCL meet annually at Elyria Catholic’s North Park Rink.

Benedictine Christmas Tournament, Dec. 12-14

Avon Lake, North Olmsted and Olmsted Falls will join Archbishop Moeller, Brecksville and the host school at Cleveland Heights Pavilion.

Parma Holiday Tournament, Dec. 26-29

Amherst, Bay and Olmsted Falls will be at this venerable tournament at Reis Arena.

Southwestern Conference, Jan. 17-20

Four teams will look to unseat the host school and defending champion North Olmsted.

AREA CAPSULES

Amherst Comets

COACH: Steve Morris
DIVISION: White
2007-08 RECORD: 14-14-3 (4-6 GCHSHL)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Tyler Branscum, sr., D; Anthony Montangnese, sr., F; Ryan Morris, sr., F; Brian Sochacki, sr., F; Matt Sochacki, sr., D; Matt Willard, sr., D; Kyle Bilancini, jr., F; Shaun Hunt, jr., F; Ryan Orseno, jr., F; Adam Ross, jr., G; Shamus Sorrell, jr., F; Jaron Smith, jr., D; Stephen Stropko, jr., F; Brandon Watson, jr., F; Sam Maple, so., D.
OUTLOOK: Amherst has a large and talented group of seniors and juniors. Morris tied ’08 graduate Bill Nagel for the team scoring lead at 53 points. Brian Sochacki (23) and Sorrell (21) are also reliable scorers. The big hole to fill is goalie. Ross and freshman Eli Branscum are candidates for the job. Expect the Comets to better last season’s record in the new, 10-team White division.

Avon Lake Shoremen

COACH: Brent Figueira
DIVISION: Red South
2007-08 RECORD: 9-22-1 (1-9 GCHSHL)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Makz Galati, sr., F-D; Tyler Jeske, sr., G; Adam Robertson, sr., D; Alex Cozier, jr., F; Nick Cozier, jr., F; Cody Griffith, jr., F; Jeff Rauch, jr., F; Matt Scott, jr., D; Craig Shaffer, jr., F; Zach Sherman, jr., F; Jordan Zwolinski, jr., D; Tom Batt, so., F; James Goodwin, so., Anthony Louis, so., D; John Schenkelberg, so., D.
OUTLOOK: Paul Dyczkowski, a junior defenseman who played for the Shoremen as a freshman, is back after a season with the Junior Barons. Josh Hanson is a junior who moved from Dayton (Springboro High School). Hanson, unfortunately, is sidelined with a broken arm. The Shoremen had a disappointing season in 2007-08, with four of their nine victories coming on the first weekend. They lost Michael Dillon (72 points last year), but three-year letterman Galati (25) and Sherman (21) could pick up the slack. The Shoremen also have the luxury of having many young defensemen who have been playing defense from the beginning. Jeske is battling freshmen Ben Sherman and Logan Galati for the goalie job.

Bay Rockets

COACH: Terry Chadwick
DIVISION: Blue South
2007-08 RECORD: 13-17 (2-8 GCHSHL)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Buddy Martin, sr., F; Matt McLaughlin, sr., F; Matt Notarberardino, sr., D; Dan Pailes, jr., F; Dominic Zappala, jr., G; Alex Harris, so., F; Luke Heberle, so., F; Dan Schuefler, so., G.
OUTLOOK: With numbers down, Bay is in the more manageable Blue South division for the coming season (with Canfield, Garfield Heights, Midview, NDCL and Orange). Martin scored 32 points last season and should be the big gun again. Two freshmen, Nate Notarberardino and Christian Nye, are expected to play big roles on defense.

Elyria Catholic Panthers

COACH: Dave Phiel
DIVISION: Red South
2007-08 RECORD: 16-12-1 (7-3 GCHSHL)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Chris Andrews, sr., F; Matt Fielding, sr., D; Mike Freeh, sr., F; Sean Muir, sr., D; Michael Petroff, sr., F; Pat DeSouza, jr., F; Andrew Field, jr., G; Joe Griswold, jr., F; Brad Oravets, jr., F; Justin Saunders, jr., F; Bryce Steindl, jr., F; Cody Toboz, jr., F; Bret Zifcak, jr., F; Kevin Andrews, so., D; Pat Fielding, so., D; Mitch Haszto, so., D; Dan Kuhman, so., F; Zac Sommer, so., D; Nick Williams, so., D; Steve Wisniewski, so., D.
OUTLOOK: There is more experience back for Elyria Catholic than for any other area team. Richie Baker (65 points last year) is gone, but the Panthers should still put a fine offense on the ice with DeSouza (50), Chris Andrews (36) and Freeh (28) on the No. 1 line. Andrew Field (2-1, 1.67 GAA) takes over in goal full time, behind a defense with some experience but still relatively youthful.   

Midview Middies

COACH: Paul McKito
DIVISION: Blue South
2007-08 RECORD: 4-21 (1-9 GCHSHL)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Nick Price, sr., F; D.J. Saylor, sr. F; Brad Weaver, sr., D; Erich Behler, jr., F; Nick Cruz, jr., F; Zack Nagle, jr., D; Tyler Williams, jr., F; Nathan Conner, so., F; Tyler Plas, so., F.
OUTLOOK: Getting kicked into a higher Blue division didn’t do the Middies any good. Things should be better this season, at least offensively. Saylor, last year’s best scoring threat, returns, as do most of the forwards. Defense and goaltending will be very young. Three freshman defenders are on the roster and the goal will likely be handled by ninth-grader Blake Sunagel.

North Olmsted Eagles

COACH: Tim Murphy
DIVISION: Red East
2007-08 RECORD: 23-7
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Jesse Gross, sr., F; Brandon Hammermeister, sr., G; Matt Konyesni, sr., D; Chad Murphy, sr., F; Ian Smith, sr., G: Ronnie Soltesz, sr., F; Dan McBride, jr., D; Sean McBride, jr., F; Mike Minch, jr., F; Casey Jones, so., D; Mike Konyesni, so., F.
OUTLOOK: North Olmsted is looking for its fourth consecutive 20-victory season. With Murphy (70 points) back at center, the chances for that are good. Third-leading scorer Soltesz (35) is back, and Coach Murphy says his experienced defenders are
“offense-minded.” Smith looks to step in for
all-league Zach Laughbaum in goal.

Olmsted Falls Bulldogs

COACH: Brian Thompson
DIVISION: White
2007-08 RECORD: 18-12-1 (7-3 GCHSHL)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Justin Bement, sr., D; Pat Butterfield, sr., G; Mike Sturm, sr. F; Colin Brady, jr., D; Eddie Gerus, jr., D; Hayden Jones, jr., F; Erik Kolar, jr., F; Ryan Petitti, jr., F; Josh Richards, jr., F; Nick Riolo, jr., F; Craig Cramer, so., F; Cory Daugherty, so., F; Sarah McClain, so., F; Max Norman, so., D; Matt Sokol, so., D.
OUTLOOK: The Bulldogs graduated a ton of offense from their second-place White West team of a year ago, including Buddy Gerus (60 points), Cam Brady (38), Jason Kolar (29) and Dave Turner (29). Three-quarters of all the goals scored last year were scored by the Class of 2008. The strength this year should be defense, with Butterfield back in goal and a seasoned group of defenders. Petitti, Sturm, Riolo and Jones look to provide the scoring punch. Ryan Rex, a junior transfer from Walsh Jesuit, could help up front, too.

– Steve Byrne

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