RallyNorth.net

Methuen Boys Ice Hockey Preview

2006-07 record: 4-13-2, didn't make state tournament

Returning lettermen: Nick August, Sr., defense; Justen Bolognese, Sr., defense; Jarrod Burke, Sr., defense; A.J. DiNuccio, Sr., defense; Jared Haney, Sr., forward; Tim Howey, Sr., forward; James MacDonald, Sr., forward; Brandon Baldassari, Jr., forward; Jonathan Borden, Jr., goalie; Dan Loughlin, Jr., forward; Matt Perry, Jr., forward; Nate Robinson, Jr., forward; Greg Smith, Jr., goalie; Drew August, Soph., forward; Pat Flemming, Soph., defense; Tom Greene, Soph., forward;

Newcomers: Nick LeBlanc, Soph., defense; Pat Lucey, Soph., forward; Mike Lussier, Soph., forward; Devin Moore, Soph., forward; Pat O'Leary, Soph., goalie; Derek Pickles, Soph., forward

Candidates in all grades: 49

Captains: TBA

Returning leaders: Justen Bolognese (9-10|19), Dan Loughlin (4-7|11), Nate Robinson (1-7|8)

Returning honorees: Justen Bolognese, All-MVC-DCL

Assistants: Joe Robillard, John Deveau

Opener: Hosts North Andover, Dec. 12

Odds and ends: Jonathan Borden played every game in goal for the Rangers last winter. ... Dan Loughlin, a junior forward, will look to build on a strong 11-point sophomore season. ... Justen Bolognese is back at defense after moving to forward out of need last season. ... The Rangers hope to snap a streak of seven straight years not making the state tourney. ... Denny Egan takes over for Chris Hudon, who went 14-57-8 in four seasons. Egan, who teaches at the CGS in Methuen, suffered a heart attack in the spring but said he's doing fine. Egan had a 24-31-6 record at Gloucester and a 36-71-13 mark at Hamilton-Wenham. He was also an assistant at North Andover and Peabody. ... Longtime Ranger head coach Joe Robillard is one of Egan's assistants.

Coach Denny Egan (First year): "Last year was last year, but I know what I've seen this year. We've had two scrimmages, Masconomet and Wilmington. We are starting to improve a bit. Our goaltenders have been playing well in those scrimmages. I would say the key for us is concentration and trying to cut down on mistakes. If we can do that, we can have some success."