A talented lineup returns this winter
Published December 14, 2018
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose Red Raider hockey team kicks off their 2018-19 campaign this week looking to put together another playoff-bound season. They open on the road against Lexington on Wednesday, Dec. 12 (post deadline) before their home opener on Saturday at 11:45 against Arlington at Kasabuski Rink.
The Red Raiders advanced to the Div. 1 North playoffs last season after an 11-8-1 year, then fell in a heartbreaker to Belmont, 5-4, in the opening round. And while they graduated talented seniors, Melrose returns with a good number of experienced players, including their top two scorers, goalie and senior defensemen.
“That will bode well for us,” said Melrose coach Vin Mirasolo. “We have several returning starters and that will help us immediately.”
Mirasolo notes the team’s skilled hockey players. “There’s been a bit of an evolution that I’ve seen as some younger players make their way up the system. We hope to be a team that can capitalize on that speed and creativity.”
THE MELROSE Red Raider hockey team returns this week to start their winter campaign. Picture is Brendan Fennell. (file photo)
Their defense, meanwhile, will be their calling card. Senior Mark Dewling will return to the net as goalie in a role he has held for a few years. And they will be led by senior linemen like Liam Crovo, Adam Bain and junior Malden Catholic transfer Joe Lucien. Others on defense include Sam Shippee, Gavin Crowley, Nolan Castergine, Anthony DelGenio and Will Brandon. Says Mirasolo, “Our defense can stack up along with anyone in the league. It’s definitely our strong suit. They will be formidable and will make a big difference.”
Lucien, paired with teammate Will Pierce, is a player Mirasolo is eager to get on the ice. “I expect tons of minutes from him, and that he will bring his skill to our defensive line,” he says.
With defense locked and loaded, it’s smooth sailing for Melrose’s highest scorer, junior Brendan Fennell, who earned 40 points last season, along with junior teammates Cam Marks (30 points) and Andy Calvert (20 points). “I expect big numbers from these guys,” says the coach.
Except their first line to be manned by Calvert, Fennell and Marks, their second line to include Charlie Haggerty, Quinn McCarthy and Sean Senier and third line of Ryan Morris, Jake McNeely and Cam Gorman, while Gavin Crowley and Pat Maher are forwards who should see play. New freshman Thomas Sullivan is also getting his skates wet this year on the squad.
Melrose has played solidly in pre-season, including a competitive game against the three-time state champ team of Lewiston, Maine. “It was a solid effort from this team who’s is getting better every day,” says the coach.
As always, when you play in a brutally tough Middlesex League, there’s never a night off. “The Middlesex League is the toughest public school league in the state,” says Mirasolo. “In the Freedom, I’d say Burlington is always tough to beat, and I suspect that Wilmington and Wakefield to be up in talent. Stoneham went about as far as you could go last season. So we have to play our best every game so we can compete for a league title. And that’s our goal for sure this season. We’re capable of it.”
Melrose looks to start with a “W” when they travel to Lexington on Wednesday. On Saturday, they will host a competitive Arlington team at 11:45 at Kasabuski Rink.
