What’s obvious about this year’s Belmont boys ice hockey team: the first line sure can score. Senior captain Adam Bauer centers with junior Leo Packard to his right and sophomore Liam Guilderson left, all of whom scored double-digit goals last year.
What’s undetermined: who else? Coach Tim Foley thinks many Marauders could pack a scoring punch.
“I think we can spread out the scoring a little more this year,” Foley said. “A lot of the players worked hard over the summer and we can have more balance.”
Finding that balance is paramount to improving from last year’s 8-11-3 mark, which resulted in the No. 17 seed in the MIAA Division 1 Tournament and loss to No. 16 Wellesley in the first round. Six seniors graduated, but the electric first line, experienced defenders, promising freshmen and a developing sophomore goalie make for an interesting team to watch, loaded with potential.
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“We’re a force to be reckoned with this year. … We’ve got a lot of talent,” said Bauer, the team’s lone Middlesex League All-Star last year after a 13-goal, 21-assist season. “In my four years of being here, this is the most depth we’ve ever had.”
Look for Guilderson, who earned an invite to the 2024 USA Hockey National Player Development Camp in the offseason, to build off his impressive 10-goal, 8-assist freshman campaign. Junior forwards Packard (14 goals, 11 assists) and Nolan Kelleher (3 goals, 3 assists) bring valuable experience and a nose for scoring.
Bauer centers the top line, one Foley said will be “highly competitive with most lines in the state.”
“I hope they can continue to generate offense and build off of their year last year and play at the high-paced level that they can do,” Foley said.
Senior center Michael Mahoney (3 assists) is an experienced veteran and captain. He’ll center an all-senior second line with Kelleher and Zach Kefeyan, also a captain, or Brendan O’Connor rotating in.
Senior PD Dimas, sophomores Michael Rowan (2 goals, 3 assists), an alternate captain, John Connolly (1 goal, 1 assist) and junior David Kioumejian (1 goal, 1 assist) lead the defense. Freshman Henry Packard, Leo’s brother, will be in the mix. Fellow freshmen Thomas Courtney and Gabe Kioumejian are “ready to play” on the third line.
“These kids are good, very good,” Foley said. “I think we’re going to see a lot out of them to be honest with you.”
Sophomore goalie Ethan Bauer, Adam Bauer’s younger brother, is expected to start in net after starting most games as a freshman last winter. Junior Quinn Harrington will back him up. Both are alternate captains.
All of the familiar Middlesex League foes highlight the schedule, which also features contests at Pope Francis in Springfield and at BC High. Foley points to two league contests each against Arlington, Reading, Winchester, and Woburn, creating a challenging slate.
“There are no nights off in our league, believe it or not,” Foley said.
Bauer especially looks forward to playing Arlington on Jan. 11 and again on Feb. 7 on the road.
“We take every game seriously, but there’s an added pressure on that game,” Bauer said. “There’s bragging rights on that no matter how the rest of the season goes.”
