2017-18 SEASON PREVIEW

The 2017-18 edition of the Hanover Marauders boy’s ice hockey team is young, skilled and anxious to get started after a very strong ‘16-17 which saw them reaching the Division 1 quarterfinals where they were ousted by Bishop Guertin in a tough 6-2 loss at Campion rink.

Having lost 11 seniors from last year’s team and with six new varsity skaters, this year’s Marauder team is young, but 36-year coach Dick Dodds has been impressed with his team thus far.

“We (the assistant coaches and myself) have have been impressed with this groups’ ability and desire to improve every day.  One of our goals this year is to try to get better every day and so far we have done that.  Our veterans have given us solid leadership both on and off the ice and have so far been good leaders and mentors to our younger skaters.”

Assisting coach Dodds this year for the second straight year will be assistant coaches Pat Doherty, Dave Sutton and Dean Cashman.  Dodds believes each coach brings strengths to the team.  “I was told by Jack Turco when I first started to surround yourself with quality folks and we’ve outdone ourselves with this group of coaches.  They embody everything that we want – they are passionate about hockey, they are passionate about Hanover hockey, all three were Hanover hockey captains, and all three have made a difference on this team and in the community.”

Doherty and Cashman will be handling primarily the offense and Sutton the defense.  Doherty brings the experience of being a standout player at St. Lawrence and a professional hockey player for two seasons.  Cashman brings a very strong knowledge of the game (“A great X’s and O’s guy” per Dodds) and a passion for the game with a positive message that keeps the players motivated and engaged. Sutton brings a toughness and work ethic to the defense epitomized by the legendary story of having his chin sewn up without anesthesia in high school in the locker room so he wouldn’t miss his next shift.

This year’s Marauder team is anchored by three-year varsity players and co-captains Braxton McNulty and David Lehmann.  Both have extensive experience playing in the rigor of New Hampshire Division I hockey and both are ready to push toward a state title for Hanover in March.

Captain McNulty believes “We have a relatively young team but a lot of depth on the back end.  We can roll three solid lines.  We have four solid coaches.  So far, the kids are really passionate.  Preseason has gone well.  We won’t be as big hitting as we were last year but will be moving the puck more.  This team is much more about speed than it is about size.”

Lehmann agrees.  “Our biggest challenge will be getting to know the new guys.  At first I wasn’t sure how we were going to replace 11 seniors.  But after skating with them I see they have completely different styles.  Not all are huge.  All of these kids will bring a new perspective and new skill set as we move toward a more skilled game.”

Dodds like the leadership his veterans bring to the team and also the infusion of energy with the new players.  “The new players have brought a great boost of positive energy to the rink.  We feel that energy on the ice and in the locker room.”

The offense will feature seniors Lehmann and Peter Warhold, juniors Hans Williams, Elias Zinman, Charlie Plottner, and Joey Goff and sophomores Owen Stadheim, Toño Correa, Rowan Wilson and Cameron Woods.  Dodds is looking to play a quicker, up-tempo game with a focus more on possession and skill with everyone contributing.

The defense will be led by McNulty with juniors Sam Seelig and Duncan Bailey, sophomore Sy Oberting and freshman Matty Gardner seeing action.

In the net will be senior Harris LaRock and sophomore Henry Bernard.

Dodds see his biggest challenge as helping the players adjust to their new roles.  The team’s success will hinge largely on how quickly these players can adjust to their new roles and style of play that is very different from last year.

Division 1 should be very competitive this year according to Dodds, with perennial powers Bishop Guertin, Concord, Bedford and Pinkerton all being in the mix.  However, Dodds is cautiously optimistic about his teams’ chances.  “Anyone can beat anyone – we have the possibility of beating anyone on our schedule.”

“I am really looking forward to the season.  We need to stay healthy and committed to our goal to get better every day.  So far I am very happy at how the team is looking this year.”