First-year varsity hockey players may often feel trepidatious. The questions and self doubt can creep in quickly: Am I good enough to play at this level? What if I get beat badly on a play? What if I can’t keep up? Am I going to get smoked by someone bigger, faster and stronger than me?
This happens to a lot of players. Some, however, find a way to push those doubts aside and seamlessly make the transition while carving out a role for themselves with the big club. They could be green ninth graders or might be upperclassmen getting their first shot at the big time, but they grasp the opportunity and refuse to let go.
Based on my own observations this winter and talking to coaches in our readership area, here are some first-year, full-time varsity guys who fit this description and have made themselves an indispensable part of their respective hockey teams.
Listed in alphabetic order, they are:
BRANDON BERONE
Peabody-Saugus F
The Tanners’ leading scorer (8 goals, 12 points) has been on a tear as of late, with eight goals in his team’s last half-dozen contests. Included were hat trick performances against both Marblehead and Chicopee — the latter of those being a natural hat trick in the opening stanza, helping his squad to a 5-3 road win this past Sunday.
A 5-foot-9, 165-pound sophomore, he uses excellent skating, puck skills and confidence to continually create scoring chances. Playing on the team’s second line allows the top trio of Ryan Jones, Michael Ryan and Tyson Higgins to play more defensively.
CHRIS FERLITO and JOEY LeBRUN
Bishop Fenwick F’s
We’re including these two freshman forwards together not only because they’re similar in size (LeBrun, at 5-5 and 135 lbs., has two inches and 15 pounds on Ferlito), but also skill and compete level. Both have played up and down the lineup — currently riding the wings on the top line with senior captain Anthony Sasso — and seen power play time since the start of the season.
Ferlito, who plays with grit and determination, and LeBrun, a skilled passer with strong vision, needed to adapt to the speed and size of varsity hockey early on and were able to. Along with fellow freshmen Stephen Rizzo at forward and Warren Dubois in net, Bryan Churches and the Fenwick coaching staff are excited by their progress and what the future holds for them.
TOBY GRENIER
Marblehead D
A year ago on the junior varsity, Grenier showed a willingness to play a physical game and wasn’t afraid to make mistakes. Another trait that worked in his favor: Grenier wasn’t a player who second guessed himself; he played with confidence in himself and his game.
As a result, the 5-foot-9, 165-pound sophomore has made the adjustment to varsity and has refined his decision making. Rather than instinctually hit everything he sees, Grenier now smartly waits to make a pinch or join the offensive attack. The aggressiveness is still there; just dialed back a bit to suit the needs of the Headers. He scored his first varsity goal recently in a win over Peabody-Saugus, too.
MASON LUCIANO
St. John’s Prep LW
There were a few spots in the Eagles’ lineup that needed to be filled this season after one of the best graduating classes in program history left last spring. Thanks to an excellent freshman and junior varsity feeder system, they’ve been able to do just that — with Luciano a perfect example.
The Salem native is noticeable as soon as he hops over the boards because he never stops moving his feet; his speed, skating and acceleration only add to that. The 5-foot-9, 160-pound junior has earned his keep on the Prep’s second line because he can move the disc, sees the ice well, and hunts pucks around the net, which in turn has led to some big goals. Luciano has notched a pair of 2-goal contests, including one against Xaverian, and had a big one vs. Catholic Memorial to tie the game shortly after the Eagles had fallen behind early.
MILES MIREAULT
Masconomet RW
After missing the start of the season with an ankle injury, the 5-10, 158-pounder has been extremely effective playing the right side along with senior LW Gavin Dupuis and junior center John Miga on the Chieftains’ third line. But this isn’t a trio simply extended to go, cause havoc for 35-40 seconds and give the top six guys a quick breather; they can also put the puck in the net, as their combined 22 points thus far attest to.
Six his season began six games ago, Mireault has produced goals in four of the last five contests and added a like number of assists. A slippery skater with surprising burst, he owns a quick release and enjoys using defensemen as a screen to surprise goaltenders. Also in his bag of tricks: Mireault’s penchant for shooting while his feet are still moving, further frustrating opposing netminders.
DREW MURPHY
Beverly RW
A practice player only with the Panther varsity last winter, Murphy has stuck with the big club this winter because he keeps it simple. Full of boundless energy, the sophomore has gone from fourth liner up to the top unit because of his unselfishness and willingness to play any role (on any line, for that matter). More importantly, he understands his role: be aggressive, agitate the opponents, and use his skating ability. He can also take some defensive zone draws and kill penalties, adding to his effectiveness.
The 5-foot-6 Murphy — who also keeps all of the team statistics and creates the pregame line charts — forechecks well, can pick it off the boards to gain possession, and gets it to linemates Ethan Haight and Logan Bowen to create offense. He can also contribute (2 goals, 4 assists) and can knock home rebounds, but is cognizant that for his game to be effective, moving the puck off his stick quickly is just as important as having it.
BEAU OLIVIERI
Swampscott LW
The Big Blue have, out of necessity, had eighth graders on their team in the past (there are a half-dozen this season). But none have been quite like Olivieri, who has the size (5-foot-8, 130 lbs.) and strength that defy his age. Head coach Gino Faia said that Olivieri is bigger and stronger than his older brothers, former SHS stars Louis and Drew, were at the same age.
Olivieri sees the ice every other shift skating second line left wing on a squad without a lot of depth (and who has suffered their fair share of injuries). He’s the owner of a strong shot, skates well with speed, and has good hands, having scored twice and adding two helpers. Playing summer league against high school players has definitely helped the transition this winter.
SAM SANFLILIPPO
Gloucester D
Being a freshman hasn’t stopped Sanfilippo from having one of the best hockey IQ’s on the team. Watching him play multiple times shows why: he has a heightened sense of awareness when patrolling the blueline, is cognizant of what’s going on around him, where he needs to be in order to make the smart play, and anticipates what might happen very well.
At 5-9 and 135 pounds, he has gained confidence as the season has progressed. You won’t find him with his head down; his eyes are always up and he moves pucks quickly with a purpose. Head coach Derek Geary notes Sanfilippo’s good edgework, which allows him to elude forecheckers cleverly. He ripped the twine for the first time as a varsity member this past Saturday in a shutout victory over Peabody-Saugus.
OWEN SWANTON
Danvers RW
Swanton has benefited by playing under Falcons’ head coach Kevin Fessette, a staunch believer that talented freshmen players will get better playing at this level against older, stronger and better players. Swanton has done just that, tweaking his game to rise to the challenges presented before him. A 6-footer with a right-handed shot, he’s found great chemistry playing with the team’s leading scorer, center Mikey DeLisio, and LW Seamus Cary.
From the start of the season to the present time, Swanton has figured out not to over-handle pucks or believing he had more time and space with it, as he might against players his own age. That, and understands the speed it takes to be successful at this level, have benefitted him greatly in his ninth grade season.
GARRETT WHITE
Essex Tech G
There’s nothing saying a senior who has seen varsity action, however scant, can’t make our list. This is where White slots in; the netminder from Middleton was away from the game for a year-and-half after playing a meager 139 minutes total his freshman and sophomore years. After taking his 11th grade year off, he returned to the Hawks this winter and has shored up the sport’s most important position.
Good size (6-2, 170 lbs.) and athleticism allows him to play his angles well. With strong rebound control and a quick glove hand, White doesn’t shy away from the big moments, either. With 239 saves and a 2.49 goals against average against better competition than Essex Tech has ever previously played in the regular season, he’s been a revelation between the pipes.
HUDSON WOOD
Rockport F
Vikings head coach Garrett Stevens calls Wood “the greatest impact rookie I’ve had the fortune of coaching in my five years”. The young power forward from Manchester-by-the-Sea lives up to that hype; the sophomore leads the team with seven goals and skates on a line with two captains, senior Quinn Brady and junior Ryan Meaney, not only because he’s skilled enough to, but also to help elevate their play with his physicality, speed and shot.
A soccer goaltender for the Manchester Essex soccer team, Wood takes feedback and constructive criticism well, helping to further improve his game. His physicality led to some retaliatory penalties earlier in the season, but he’s learned to curb those, using that edge in his game plus natural speed to put himself and his linemates in scoring areas and stay away from the after-the-whistle stuff. There’s a high ceiling for this 5-9, 150-pound skilled scorer.
The Blue Line Report, a column on North Shore boys hockey, appears in The Salem News and Gloucester Daily Times each Wednesday during the winter season. Contact Phil Stacey at PStacey@salemnews.com and follow along on Twitter/X @PhilStacey_SN