Last season did not end the way the third-seeded Crimson Tide had hoped. They had a 14-4-1 record and reached the quarterfinals but were upset by No. 11 Exeter in overtime, 4-3.

The Tide hockey team suffered its first back-to-back regular-season losses in seven years and it was the team’s earliest playoff exit in eight years. This year, they are carrying the lessons learned to compete at a high level in Division I.

Head coach Dunc Walsh is entering his 35th year in charge of Concord boys’ hockey and is optimistic that his team will bounce back strong from last year despite graduating two All-State players, forward Dawson Fancher and defenseman Jack Shoemaker.

“We have a good group returning from last season and also a bunch of young kids that will contribute,” Walsh said. “We have high expectations. We need to work hard and get better as the season progresses.”

Among those returning are senior forwards Trevor Craigue, Rowan Arndt, Cam Chandonnet and Cam Roy. Junior forwards Chad Lariviere, Jack Gfroerer and Tyler Morin are also returning to complement the high-powered offense.

“I would say our strength is our depth at the forward position. We have a lot of options upfront. We have some talented forwards,” Walsh said. “On defense, we will work some new kids in to join the returning three defensemen to hopefully be solid. We have more depth in the goal.”

Senior defender Tyler Fennelly is returning alongside juniors Michael Barry and Brayden Beauregard complemented by freshman Finn Gfroerer. Last, but not least, junior goalie Luukas Mayer will start in goal with freshman Carter Heise backing him up.

Concord will try to compete for the title and has high expectations as always. The offense is experienced and clinical in front of goal, meanwhile the defense will continue to grow and improve from last season.

“It is an exciting time right now for CHS hockey with seven freshmen on the team,” Walsh said. “Our goal is the same as always, work hard, get better, play disciplined hockey and hopefully be in the hunt at the end.”

BOW

Division: I

Coach: Tim Walsh (25th year)

Last year: 11-8-0, reached prelims.

Top returners: Owen Webber, sr., F; Patrik Jurcins, sr., D; Massimo Palelli, jr., D; Luke Hartshorn, sr., F; Will Raisty, sr., F; Landon Wescott, sr., F; Kian O’Leary, jr., G.

Top newcomers: Colby Cloutier, fr., D; Jaden Lerch, sr., F.

Outlook: The Falcons will rely heavily on Webber and Jurcins for senior leadership and production, as well as strong play in net from O’Leary.

“We will need to get consistent contributions from players like Hartshorn, Westcott and Raisty in order to take a step forward this season,” Walsh said. “We have a lot of players that do not have a ton of experience that will be called on to play a lot of minutes like junior forward Brad Ekstrom and junior defenseman Alex Cheney, as well as sophomore defenseman Gavin Szafran, and sophomore forwards Ethan Herrick, Adam Lafferty and Sean Atwell. We should contend for a top-six playoff spot once again.”

Teams to beat: Concord.

BISHOP BRADY-
MERRIMACK VALLEY

Division: II

Coach: John Thomas (4th year)

Last year: 0-18-0 in D-I, did not make tournament.

Top returners: Jason Doyle, sr.; Anthony Dow, sr.; Tyler Carter, sr.; Travis Garcia, sr.; Colin Reardon, jr.; Chase Thomas, so.; Luke Bedard, so.; Ian Miller, jr.; Ronan Hetherman, jr.

Top newcomers: Chase Connor, fr.; Cam Carrington-Symons, fr.; Peyton Cone, so.

Outlook: After two seasons as a cooperative program, Brady-MV moves to D-II after back-to-back winless seasons in D-I, and are bolstered by the largest freshman class Brady has had join the team in recent years.

“I am looking forward to seeing how this year’s team shakes out,” Thomas said. “With several players returning from last year and new additions, this team should be competitive. These young men are working hard in preparation for this coming season. Our goal moving forward is to continue to develop our skills and tactical proficiency on both the player and team level. This team has a lot to prove to themselves and to the league.”

Teams to beat: Oyster River, Goffstown, St. Thomas, Merrimack/Hollis-Brookline/Derryfield.

SOMERSWORTH-
COE-BROWN

Division: II

Coach: Fred Strum (3rd year)

Last year: 7-11-1, reached prelims.

Top returners: Caleb Jobin, sr., G; Mateo Damren, sr., F; Bryden Mercier, sr., F/D.

Top newcomers: Miles Messier, so., F; Colby Strum, so., G; Hunter Rohr, fr., F

Outlook: After losing 12 players from last year’s team, the Bearcats will be much less experienced than they have been in the past, but, coach Strum describes his team as, “A young and hungry team, a team the is going to work hard, be tough to play against. A team that will be in your face. We are excited and looking forward to a great season.”

Jobin and Damren will serve as captains.

BELMONT-GILFORD

Division: III

Coach: Jason Parent (8th year)

Last year: 13-5-1, reached quarterfinals.

Top returners: Evan Guerin, sr., F; Nate Gerbig, sr., D; Jaxson Embree, sr., F; Carson McGreevy, sr., G.

Top newcomers: Thomas Murphy, fr., F; Tyler Mull, fr., F; Alex Rowley, fr., F.

Outlook: After getting upset in the quarterfinals last season by Kearsarge-Plymouth, the Bulldogs are eager to make a deeper playoff run in 2025. The Bulldogs have some stop talent returning, including Guerin, who was named an All-State First Team player, while McGreevy was an Honorable Mention.

“Our team goal is to have a deep run into the playoffs, stay healthy and compete on a daily basis to be better on the last day than we were on the first day of the season,” Parent said.

JOHN STARK-HOPKINTON-
HILLSBORO-DEERING

Division: III

Coach: Denis Kolehmainen (13th year)

Last year: 3-14-0, did not make tournament.

Top returners: Lucas Arlen, G; Cooper Twombly, F; Piper Twombly, D; Tad Stokes, D; Finan Murphy, F; Tyler Andrews, F; Kip Hedquist, F; Chris Gagnon, D; Jackson Lochmandy, D; Ryan Podsadowski, F; Daniel Brisson, F; Indy Madden, D; Nathan Gaines, F; Owen Buss, F; Ryan Andrews, D; Tanner Masewic, G; Gabe Mathieu, F; Trey Travers, F; Jackson Ouellette, F.

Top newcomers: Ollie Zahn, D; Ryder Manni, F; Asher Fernandes, F; Sam Scordo, D; Charlie Pierce, G; Finn Travers, F; Logan Willett, F.

Outlook: “After the first week of practices the players seem to have a different mindset from previous years,” Kolehmainen said. “We’re down 10 players from last year due to graduation and players not returning, but we have a solid group of freshmen joining the program, and we are junior and sophomore heavy. As this team gets more experience and success we should be prepared for the end of the season run in the playoffs.”

Teams to beat: Berlin-Gorham, Kingswood, Belmont-Gilford, Kennett.

KEARSARGE-PLYMOUTH

Division: III

Coach: Matthew Gallant (1st year)

Last year: 9-10-1, reached semifinals.

Returning starters: Magnus Nordhausen, sr., F; Gunnar Benedict, sr., D; Shea Curley, sr., F; Nolan Johnson, jr., D; Landon Custance, jr., F; Will Spanos, sr., F; Ryder Francis, so., F; Corey Fleury, sr., D.

Top newcomers: Jake Moreau, fr., F; Liam Duchesne, fr., G.

Outlook: The No. 6 Cats finished the regular season below .500, but upset No. 3 Belmont-Gilford in the playoffs to advance to the semifinals. The returning players from that team will need to step up into larger roles with the absence of 12 graduated seniors.

“With myself and my staff being new to the program, as well as a lot of new players taking on important roles, we are taking the time to build our team culture, institute new systems and find what works for us as a team,” Gallant said. “We have a really good group of returning guys to help us transition to a new era of K-P hockey. Our expectation is to be back competing in the state tournament come March and competing every time we step on the ice.”

Teams to beat: Berlin-Gorham, Belmont-Gilford.

LACONIA-WINNISQUAM-
INTER-LAKES

Division: III

Coach: Dave Saball (1st year)

Last year: 0-15-0, did not make tournament.

Returning starters: John Shea, Phillip Hubacher, Will Thayer, Aiden Wirth.

Top newcomers: Rock Londer, Alex Wilson, Levi Hubacher, Sawyer Evert.

Outlook: Shea and Phillip Hubacher will be counted on for leadership as the Lakers rebuild with a new coach after a winless 2023-24 campaign. Londer is a big addition to the blue line, Evert will immediately contribute as a goalie, Wilson will add skill and speed to the offense and Levi Hubacher is a strong two-way player.

“This year’s young team, through a lot of hard work, is continuing to move in a positive direction,” Saball said. “It’s going to take a big committment and a lot of dedication from each of them to keep the team moving forward. I like what I’ve seen so far.”

Teams to beat: Kennett, Kingswood, Belmont-Gilford, Berlin-Gorham.

PEMBROKE-CAMPBELL

Division: III

Coach: Marc Noel (24th year)

Last year: 15-5-0, D-III runner-up.

Returning starters: Trevor Lemaire, sr., F; Evan Purtell, sr., F; Brady Girardi, sr., F; Gavin Retkevicz, sr., D; Noah Reed, sr., D; Garrett Bishop, sr., G.

Outlook: PAC is coming off its best season in program history that ended with its first championship appearance. PAC fell to Berlin-Gorham, 2-0, in the final, but still had a program record 15 wins. A strong core of experienced players return, despite graduating 13 seniors from last year’s team.

Lemaire (five goals, 17 assists last season) is the team’s main playmaker and will be called on to lead the team offensively, while Purtell and Girardi add power to the forecheck. Bishop was the backup goalie last season, but posted an excellent .92 save percentage and a 1.25 goals against average between the pipes.

“We will have to learn a different system and work together,” Noel said. “We have a good core of returning experienced players and with everyone working together, PAC will be in the mix of things.”

GIRLS

CONCORD

Division: I

Coach: Kate Billings (2nd year)

Last year: 7-12-0, reached prelims.

Top returners: Abby Colby, sr.; Andie Moreira, sr.; Kaylee DelloIacono, sr.; Evianna Raimo, sr.; Ellianna Wing, jr.; Addison Twyon, jr.; Emelia Raimo, so.; Annabelle Norwalt, jr.; Hailey Pinette, jr.; Addison MacNevin, so.

Top newcomers: Brooke Nelson, so.; Claire Brown, sr.

Outlook: Four key players from last year’s team either graduated or transferred to prep school, so the Tide will have some gaps to fill with new talent early on. Colby and Moreira will lead Concord as captains, while DelloIacono and Evianna Raimo will be assistant captains.

“We have a full roster again this season which shows the excitement for hockey in Concord,” Billings said. “Our goals this season are to have a cohesive team on and off the ice, play with some passion and grit and look to build on what we worked on last year to advance further into playoffs.”

Teams to beat: Hanover, Oyster River-Portsmouth.

BISHOP BRADY-
TRINITY-BOW

Division: I

Coach: Dan Earley (14th year)

Last year: 9-10-0, reached prelims.

Returning starters: Kacey Yorston, sr.; Madeleine Sousa, so.; Alison Pelletier, sr.; Camdyn Despres, sr.; Kylee Dumais, so.; Khloe Perry, so.; Meghan Schmidt, sr.; Kylie Palmeter, sr.; Josie Whitson, sr.; Marcella Tonge, jr.

Top newcomers: Audrey Starr, jr.; Laney Ryan, so.; Kaylee Jacques, so.; Vera Virta, so.; Lyra Lydon, so.

Outlook: With 10 returning players and five new players, four of them from Bow, a new addition to the cooperative program, the team will have three lines of forwards and two goalies for the first time in several years.