AMHERST COMETS

COACH: Steve Morris

DIVISION: White West

2008-09 RECORD: 11-20-2 (2-6-1)

RETURNING LETTER WINNERS (14): Kyle Bilancini, Sr., F; Shawn Hunt, Sr., F; Ryan Orseno, Sr., F; Adam Ross, Sr., G; Jaron Smith, Sr., F; Shamus Sorrell, Sr., D; Steve Stropko, Sr., F; Brandon Watson, Sr., D; Drew Ashton, Jr., F; Josh Bobkovich, Jr., D; Shelby Neidert, Jr., D; David Bartizal, So., D; Eli Branscum, So., G; John Reid, So., F.

NEWCOMERS: Kyle Hill, Jr., F; Jarad Andolsek, So., D; Dakota Dill, So., F; Caleb Gannelli, So., D; Michael Kuhn, So., F; Kevin Burgett, Fr., F; Paul Miller, Fr., Connor Morris, Fr., F; Jordan Reynolds, Fr., F.

OUTLOOK: Depth and a stronger defense could help the Comets improve over last year. Bilancini (35 points) and Sorrell (27 points) are back to supply some scoring ability, but Morris thinks this is a better balanced team than last year’s. And the coach likes the depth. “In the past we’ve struggled when we have had to go to a third line. We can come with more kids this year. This could be the best depth we’ve seen ever in this program.”

AVON LAKE SHOREMEN

COACH: Ken Mitskavich

DIVISION: Red South

2008-09 RECORD: 5-24-1 (1-9)

RETURNING LETTER WINNERS (14): Anthony Aerni, Sr., F; Alex Cozier, Sr., F; Nick Cozier, Sr., D; Jeff Rauch, Sr., F; John Schenkelberger, Sr., F; Craig Shaffer, Sr., F; Zack Sherman, Sr., F; Tommy Batt, Jr., F; James Goodwin, Jr., F; Justin Housley, Jr., D; Ryan Till, Jr., D; Alex Dillon, So., F; Austin Miller, So., D; Ben Sherman, So., G.

NEWCOMERS: Ricky Tomer, So., F; Dan Ward, So., F; Jordan Herrera, Fr., F; George Quinn, Fr., D.

OUTLOOK: The Shoremen come into the season with a new coach determined to better last year’s 1.93 goals-per-game average. Mitskavich was formerly an assistant coach at St. Ignatius in charge of defense, but has offense on his mind now. “Our biggest job is to get our positioning down,” the coach said. “We’re puck watchers. We need to limit the shots on us and get the puck to the other end, whatever it takes.” Mitskavich added that the Shoremen must stay out of the penalty box as much as possible.

BAY ROCKETS

COACH: Terry Chadwick

DIVISION: Blue South

2008-09 RECORD: 25-6-2 (9-0-1)

RETURNING LETTER WINNERS (11): Dan Pailes, Sr., F; Corey White, Sr., F; Dom Zapalla, Sr., G; Alex Harris, Jr., F; Luke Heberle, Jr., F; Dan Kozar, Jr., F; Dan Schuefler, Jr., G; Chris Henke, So., F; Nate Notarberardino, So., D; Christian Nye, So., D; Matt Stone, So., F.

OTHERS TO WATCH: Jack Jordan, Sr., D; Tim Hughes, Jr., D; Fred Blain, So., F; Tim Figueira, Fr., G; Jake Kirk, Fr., D.

OUTLOOK: The Rockets scored a ton of goals (193) last season. They will miss Buddy Martin and his 50 goals (73 points), but the well is hardly dry. Pailes (70 points), Harris (67), Heberle (60) and White (41) give Bay another strong offense. The Rockets went with two freshmen, Notarberardino and Nye, on defense, and those two will anchor the first-line defense this season. “They’re veterans as far as I am concerned,” Chadwick said. The team also welcomes back Jordan, who lettered in his sophomore year but missed all of last season because of injury.

ELYRIA CATHOLIC PANTHERS

COACH: Dave Phiel

DIVISION: Red South

2008-09 RECORD: 18-15-1 (3-7)

RETURNING LETTER WINNERS (15): Pat DeSouza, Sr., F; Andrew Field, Sr., G; Joe Griswold, Sr., F; Brad Oravets, Sr., F; Justin Saunders, Sr., F; Bryce Steindl, Sr., F; Cody Toboz, Sr., F; Brent Zifcak, Sr., D; Kevin Andrews, Jr., F; Paul Case, Jr., D; Mitch Haszto, Jr., D; Zac Sommer, Jr., D; James Baker, So., F; Dustin Myles, So., F; Luke Williams, So., D.

NEWCOMERS: Nick Williams, Sr., D; Steve Wisniewski, Sr., D; Bryce Prescott, Jr., F; Alex Neilson, So., D; Seth Wechter, So., F; Michael Vetrano, Fr., G.

OUTLOOK: All signs point to a strong campaign. The senior class is experienced and talented with scoring punch from DeSouza (33 points), Saunders (21), Oravets (19) and Toboz (19). Andrews (29) is also an offensive threat. Zifcak and Haszto are a strong first-line defense and Field is one of the league’s better goalies. EC should earn a Baron Cup berth and a division championship isn’t out the question.

MIDVIEW MIDDIES

COACH: Paul McKito

DIVISION: Blue South

2008-09 RECORD: 4-18-2 (4-5-1)

RETURNING LETTER WINNERS (8): Erich Behler, Sr., F; Nate Conner, Jr., F; Tyler Plas, Jr., F; James Dubois, So., D; Jason Pickering, So., F; Blake Sunagel, So., G; Dom Szpak, So., D; Hayden Van Dyke, So., D.

OTHERS TO WATCH: Brandon Benton, So., F; Brock Behler, Fr., F; Casey Kudela, Fr., F; Chris Nagle, Fr., F; Austin Steindl, Fr., F.

OUTLOOK: Things are looking up for the Middies. Speed and quickness are the team’s strong suits, and McKito says his players worked hard in the off-season so they don’t have to work so hard now to look like a better team. “They’ve done well in scrimmages,” McKito said. “I think they are much improved. This looks like a smarter team. They’re doesn’t seem to be a big learning curve, which is good.”

NORTH OLMSTED EAGLES

COACH: Tim Murphy

DIVISION: Red East

2008-09 RECORD: 24-8 (6-4)

RETURNING LETTER WINNERS (10): Chad Cullinan, Sr., D; Dan McBride, Sr., G; Sean McBride, Sr., F; Mike Minch, Sr., F; Thomas Mooney, Sr., F; Kyle Swansegar, Sr., F; Ricky Henley, Jr., D; Casey Jones, Jr., D; Mike Konyesni, Jr., F; Ryan Sutton, Jr., F.

OTHERS TO WATCH: Tim Musat, So., F; Brandon Schmitt, So., F; Alex Arendec, Fr., F; Michael Shackleton, Fr., D.

OUTLOOK: For the first time since 2005 North Olmsted is facing life without Chad Murphy, one of the greatest offensive hockey players in Ohio history. “That’s going to make things tough,” said Tim Murphy, the head coach and Chad’s father. “We have to find guys who can get it in the net for us.” Expect those guys to be Sutton (20 goals in ‘08-09), Sean McBride (17) and Minch (12). The defense is led by Jones and Cullinan, and Dan McBride, who had a 2-0 record in goal last season, has that job full-time now.

OLMSTED FALLS BULLDOGS

COACH: Brian Thompson

DIVISION: White West

2008-09 RECORD: 11-16-2 (1-7-1)

RETURNING LETTER WINNERS (15): Collin Brady, Sr., D; Eddie Gerus, Sr., F; F; Hayden Jones, Sr., F; Erik Kolar, Sr., F; Ryan Petitti, Sr., F; Ryan Rex, Sr., F; Nick Riolo, Sr., F; Craig Cramer, Jr., F; Cory Daugherty, Jr., F; Pat Devine, Jr., F; Sarah McClain, Jr., F; Max Norman, Jr., D; Braden Smith, Jr., G; Matt Sokol, Jr., D; Evan Fried, So., D; Tony Green, So., F.
OTHERS TO WATCH: Mark Zattosky, Jr., F; Kevin Petitti, Fr., D.

OUTLOOK: The offense should be strong. Although the Bulldogs had no super scorer last year, the top six scorers return. Kolar, Riolo, Petitti, Daughtery and Brady were all in double figures in goals. Thompson describes the defense as “a little inexperienced,” but sees no drop-off in goalie play with Smith replacing all-division Patrick Butterfield.

TOP PLAYERS

Pat DeSouza, Elyria Catholic

He’s been scoring at a good clip since he was a sophomore. Now, in his senior year, expect him to carry a big load for an improved Panthers team.

Dan Pailes, Bay

The Rockets have a bunch of potent scorers. With 70 points last season, Pailes is the leader of the pack.

Shamus Sorrell, Amherst

He’s listed as a defenseman, but Sorrell was the third-leading scorer on the Comets last season. A true dual threat.

Collin Brady, Olmsted Falls

Another defenseman with strong offensive abilities. Brady is expected to anchor a young defense for the otherwise veteran Bulldogs.

Casey Jones, North Olmsted

He could be the best athlete among the area’s hockey players. Jones is a big, rugged, aggressive defenseman and still a junior.

Andrew Field, Elyria Catholic

The most well-seasoned goalie among the GCHSHL’s West Side teams, Field was tough to score against in the second half of the 2008-09 year.

TOP TOURNAMENTS

Anderson Memorial, Friday-Sunday

North Olmsted is in this tournament for the first time. Elyria Catholic has been here for years. Defending champion Brecksville, Massillon Jackson and host Normandy round out the field at Parma’s Reis Rink.

Rocky River Classic, Friday-Monday

Another long-running season kickoff tournament. Avon Lake, Midview and Olmsted Falls will be at Hamilton Arena to attempt to knock off host and tourney champion Rocky River.

Cleveland Heights Holiday, Dec. 27-29

Elyria Catholic is defending champion of this between-the-holidays tournament at Thornton Park. Bay will also be there.

Southwestern Conference, Jan. 16-18

Brecksville won the five-team gathering last season, as host North Olmsted had to play without superstar Chad Murphy. The field should be more wide-open this year.

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