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2022-23 hockey watch list

chris lillstrung, the news-herald, willoughby, ohio
·6 min read

Nov. 28—PLAYERS TO WATCH

(in alphabetical order)

Brad Backston, Mentor: Already one of the premier two-way defensemen The News-Herald coverage area has ever produced, this Cardinals' senior program staple will hope to make one last run at an elusive frozen four, coming off a 21-goal, 21-assist campaign last winter.

Matt Bauman, Gilmour: The Lancers' senior captain etched his place in school lore with his game-winning goal in triple overtime in last year's state final thriller against Toledo St. Francis, and an improvement upon with 12-16-28 from 2021-22 with his puck skill and the quality around him is an achievable goal.

Will Genovese, University: This US senior defenseman logged a solid junior campaign, going 4-18-22 with a plus-18 to earn third-team News-Herald honors, and a further step forward leading the Preppers on the blue line is a reasonable expectation.

Anthony Jeffery, Mentor: With the Cardinals graduating so much scoring punch from a year ago among Matt Kish, Eric Toth and Tyler Wilkinson, the onus will be on this slick senior forward to exceed his 13-21-34 from last season's 26-win squad and lead the way, something for which he is capable.

Troy Krahe, Kenston: The Bombers' present and future is so exciting in part thanks to this returning second-team News-Herald and first-team White East honoree, who had 63 points last winter as a sophomore.

Michael Pelc, Benedictine: The most experienced netminder in The News-Herald coverage area ranks, this senior goaltender was a stabilizing influence for the Bengals a year ago with 569 saves and will be counted on once again.

2022 News-Herald hockey all-stars

Gavin Rowell, Kenston: Like Krahe, the promise with this program is prevalent because of good young forwards like this sophomore, who has nice size and zone sense for his age, coming off a 23-22-45 season a year ago.

Sam Wade, University: If you want a prime candidate for a breakout campaign, look no further than this tireless junior forward, who had 10-31-41 in 2021-22 and is a buzzer shift after shift.

Justin Wen, Gilmour: Back in the fold after a 13-11-24 season for the state champion Lancers, this senior's development on that title run, showing poise and savvy and seemingly in on every key board scrap, was fun to watch.

Henry Westendorf, Chagrin Falls: The Tigers will not be lacking in offensive-zone production once again led in part by this senior forward, a 2022 third-team News-Herald all-star who went 22-26-48 in the regular season last winter.

GAMES TO WATCH

(Note: This list may not include holiday tournament matchups for which schedules are not yet available.)

Olmsted Falls at Kenston (Dec. 3 at The Pond), Gilmour at Shaker Heights (Dec. 3 at Thornton Park), Toledo St. Francis at Gilmour (Dec. 4), Mentor vs. Bowling Green (Dec. 9 at Thornton Park), NDCL vs. Chagrin Falls (Dec. 9 at The Pond and Jan. 7 at Mentor), Avon at Benedictine (Dec. 10 at Cleveland Heights), Rocky River vs. Benedictine (Dec. 16 at Cleveland Heights and Feb. 4 at Rocky River), University vs. Toledo St. Francis (Dec. 17 at Strongsville), Kenston vs. Hudson (Dec. 17 at Kent State), University at St. Ignatius (Dec. 21 at Brooklyn), Mentor vs. Rocky River (Dec. 21 at Rocky River and Jan. 20 at Mentor), Benedictine at Mentor (Dec. 23), Mentor vs. Walsh Jesuit (Dec. 26 at Strongsville), North Olmsted at Kenston (Dec. 30 at The Pond), Benedictine at Hudson (Jan. 6 at Kent State), University at St. Edward (Jan. 8 at Winterhurst), Kenston at Chagrin Falls (Jan. 8 at The Pond), University vs. Gilmour (Jan. 20 at Gilmour and Jan. 29 at Cleveland Heights), Mentor vs. Hudson (Jan. 21 at Kent State and Feb. 3 at Mentor), Gilmour at St. Ignatius (Jan. 21 at Brooklyn), Canfield at Chagrin Falls (Jan. 21 at The Pond), University at Shaker Heights (Jan. 27 at Thornton Park), Mentor at Shaker Heights (Jan. 29 at Thornton Park)

ONE-TIMERS

—Obviously, the biggest offseason hockey news came when it was announced in October both Greater Cleveland district finals would be staged this season at FirstEnergy Stadium while the facility has an outdoor rink for Ohio State-Michigan, the Monsters' "Outdoor Classic" and other events. Both finals will be staged March 3, 2023. That will undoubtedly provide even more incentive for teams to make that elite-eight push.

FirstEnergy Stadium set to host HS hockey 'select' district semis, both district finals in 2023

—The Great Lakes Hockey League, which was losing St. Edward as it was with the Eagles electing to go independent starting this season, is now down to five teams as Holy Name went dormant. News-Herald coverage area squads Gilmour and University remain, along with Padua, Shaker Heights and Walsh Jesuit. Area-wise in regard to that issue, Brush remains dormant, as does Lake Catholic.

—As far as Greater Cleveland High School Hockey League addresses for News-Herald coverage area squads, Benedictine and Mentor are still in the Red Division. Kenston is still in the White East, Chagrin Falls and Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin are in the Blue East and Mayfield is in the Blue South.

—NDCL is under new management with Keith Abood taking over behind the bench for the Lions. With forwards Wyatt Dynes and Michael Mangelo and defensemen Chase Mrofchak and Charlie Johnson returning to the fold, among others, it would not be a surprise to see NDCL improve upon a 3-20 campaign a year ago.

—If University can find a new No. 1 goaltender to replace Evan Crawford and mold some further depth on the blueline, there are pieces in place to think the Preppers could push for 20-plus wins and threaten for the frozen four again. In addition to the aforementioned Wade, senior captain Kellen McGarry (8-18-26) and fellow senior Sammy Martin (10-20-30) are capable in the offensive zone among a forward group with balance to it.

—Mentor is intriguing, with the aforementioned Backston and Jeffrey returning, but also because the Cardinals have so much young forward talent. Coach Paul McKito has a blossoming group there, with Rowan Jakupca (12-18-30) showing a ton of potential as a sophomore, A.J. Trobenter coming in from the Barons' youth program and Bobby Ivancic (7-9-16) and Alex Jagger (6-13-19), who could also push for 20-plus points. On the blue line, Backston is a thoroughbred no doubt, but Jack Geduldig (5-22-27) and Connor Gravelle (2-9-11) are steady performers as well. The one big question that seemingly needs to be answered, in addition to who progresses at forward, is between the pipes. Sophomore Ryan Wilkinson had a 2.00 GAA in backup duty to 2022 first-team News-Herald all-star John Rampe. Can he put a vise grip on the No. 1 goaltender role?

—It's hard to envision the Top of the Crop complexion changing very much bridging the holidays, in part because the Gilmour-University GLHL series doesn't come this year until late January. Not that this is much of a spoiler, but Gilmour will start No. 1 in the Crop after its state title. Nos. 2-4, as always, will be — in no particular order except alphabetical for this purpose — Benedictine, Mentor and US. Kenston will be No. 5, and Chagrin Falls will be on the watch list until proven otherwise if applicable by NDCL.