
Falmouth goalie Brandon White posted a 1.66 goals-against average last season. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal
1. Falmouth. It’s been six years since a state champion repeated in Class A, and with Lewiston rebuilding under a new coach and replacing a number of key players, Falmouth could be a team that fills the vacuum at the top of the league. The Navigators also have a new coach, with Hogan Tracy taking over for Deron Barton. A former Falmouth player, Tracy takes over a talented, experienced team. It starts in net, where Brandon White returns after a Varsity Maine All-State season as a junior in which he posted a 1.66 goals-against average and .932 save percentage. Jack Turgeon (four goals, five assists), Jacoby Porter (seven goals, 10 assists) and Isaac Laliberte (two goals, three assists) are experienced defensemen who can jump into the offense. Henry Whiting is the top returning forward, coming off a seven-goal, 10-assist season. Thomas Healey is another returning offensive player who had a goal and five assists in the first two games of the season.
2. Cheverus/Yarmouth. The defending Class B state champion lost some key players to graduation but returns a talented group that has the experience and ability to contend again. Quinn McCoy (16 goals, 23 assists), Owen Walsh (nine goals, eight assists), Hakon Yeo (six goals, five assists) and Brady Martin (four goals, four assists) should lead the offense. Defensively, Owen Cheever returns after a five-goal, 14-assist effort as a freshman, along with Colby Carnes (two goals, 13 assists) and Johnny Weinrich (four assists). Goaltending will again be a strength. Ethan Tucker was among the top netminders in the state last season, with a 1.62 goals-against average and .910 save percentage. John Wallace will also see time in net. Class B South is a tough division, and Cheverus/Yarmouth may be hard-pressed to match last season’s 18 wins, but in its fifth season as a co-op, this team has established itself as one of the top programs in Class B.
3. Thornton Academy. Coach Jamie Gagnon calls Falmouth the team to beat in Class A, but his team should be among the contenders, too. Thornton advanced to at least the semifinals in each of the last three seasons, winning the state championship in 2023. The offense should be led by a trio of seniors: Brady Pecora (10 goals, 11 assists), Gavin Pellerin (eight goals, 11 assists) and Cam Cyr (five goals, five assists). Juniors Jake Skillings (six goals, eight assists) and Trent Lesieur (three goals, five assists) will also contribute, and senior Gavin Corson opened the season with a goal and assist in the first two games. Sophomore Brennan Tabor and junior Brayden Duane are the top returning defensemen. Goalie Drew Johnson had a strong junior season, posting a .924 save percentage and 1.77 goals-against average.
4. Windham/Bonny Eagle/Westbrook. The Trail Blazers won 11 games last season to reach the Class A quarterfinals. With a number of strong players returning, the team could see more improvement. Sam Foley (12 goals, 18 assists), Shaun Traina (12 goals, 12 assists), Philip Traina (15 goals, 16 assists) and Mason Caron (nine goals, seven assists) should provide scoring punch again. Massimo Massaro, Cole Heanssler, Shep Howard and Daniel Hancock bring scoring depth. Six players had a multiple-point game in the team’s season-opening 7-1 win over Biddeford/Old Orchard/Massabesic. Defensively, Ben Shaw, Colby Haskell and Erik Dupont lead the Trail Blazers. Sawyer Perkins will see time in net.
5. York. The Wildcats won 14 games in the competitive Class B South division last season, falling in overtime to Poland/Leavitt/Oak Hill/Gray-New Gloucester in the semifinals. York lost some talent to graduation, most notably goalie Aidan McQuaide and forward Luke Douris. Defense will be the Wildcats’ strength. Conor Fell and Bradley Carr, both seniors, have been on the York blueline since their freshmen season. Coach Peter Douris praised their competitiveness and poise, and expects both to handle the opponents’ top line each game. Up front, Shea Buckley (10 goals, seven assists) and Bronson Eldredge, who is strong on faceoffs and a solid two-way center, will be keys. Senior Maclean Douris makes the move from forward to goalie.
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