It’s hard to fathom how much times have changed since we last saw the Hanover Marauders boy’s competitive ice hockey team take the ice. Who could believe that since last year’s early March 7-0 defeat at the hands of the Pinkerton Astros in the state prelims our world would have been so upended…Chara leaves the Bruins, a team from Florida wins the Cup, and Bayreruther gets traded to Columbus. Crazy times we live in.
Fortunately, nothing has derailed the Marauders this year as they seek the 10th NHIAA Division 1 state title in program history (most of all New Hampshire schools) under 39th year and New Hampshire Legend of Hockey coach Dick Dodds. Joining Dodds behind the bench again this campaign will be former Hanover captains Dean Cashman running the offense and Alex Dodds on the D. Strength coach Wayne Burwell will also be a critical part of the campaign. The anti-hockey playing lobby was notably left off the coaching staff this year, as their plate was already too full with zoom meetings trying to save the world from their respective basements.
Fortunately, sanity prevailed and the Marauders will be kicking off the 2020-21 season January 18th with an away tilt against the defending state champion Concord Capitals. It will be the first of many for the locals, as current guidelines necessitate that Hanover play all its 12 games at away rinks, lest the virus sully the pristine Upper Valley environs.
But Dodds and his staff are ready. With social distancing in full effect, locker rooms closed down and masks as ubiquitous as bad hair on the boys, it has been a different type of pre-season for the veteran coach. “I am really excited about this group and the camaraderie that has already developed” said Dodds. “This is a solid group with lots of experience. It is nice combination of kids who have played a couple of years and new skilled players that have moved in. I can really tell that this group is going to keep improving.”
After a December of up-tempo tryouts, Dodds chose a roster this campaign smaller than the usual 20, going with 10 forwards, five blueliners and 2 goalies due to the pandemic. “We have smaller numbers than we usually do due to the limitations of COVID-19. It was the smart thing to do, but there were definitely kids on the JV who could have made this team.”
Leading the Marauders this year will be power defenseman captain Tom Lyons. A three year varsity veteran, it will be Lyons’s duty to promote the cohesiveness that is so critical to the team sport of competitive ice hockey. Said Lyons “We can’t have locker rooms and can’t have team dinners because we are being really safe with Covid. But I am really excited and we are working hard.” The captain sees the strength of the team being depth and the ability to move the puck. While wearing a mask makes it tougher to play, “we have adapted and are really looking good so far.”
Rounding out the leadership team will be alternate captains Curtis Rice and Jack Stadheim. Rice, with his monster wrist shot, will be switching to forward this season to anchor a power scoring line of fellow juniors Casey Graham and Alex Rockmore. All three have explosive power and toughness. The best of the brothers in the Lyme family hockey dynasty (no offense Owen and Seth), sophomore Stadheim will be a shifty scoring threat whenever he takes the ice. Senior Ben Wagner will anchor a beefy, big scoring line with junior wingers Jackson Fisher and Matt Walsh – both of whom can fly. Freshmen Angus Frew and Wyatt Seelig should see plenty of time paired with scoring machine junior John Hill.
On the blue line will be veterans across the board. Joining Lyons will be offensive-minded scoring threat junior Spencer Lawe, best flow on the team nominee junior Nick Lee, please give me the opportunity to check you sophomore Jack Gardner, and newcomer sophomore Satch Bowie. Hank Trimble, Jack Lawson, Ethan Derksen and Jack Wilkinson should also see some action as swing players.
Forget Paul Newman, the patent on the Cool Hand Luke name is owned by junior goaltender Luke Ives, who will be returning for his third season and looks to be one of the top goaltenders in the state. Joining him in the net will be junior Dill Eisendrath. Dodds is very high on his netminders “We have two solid goaltenders. Luke is very solid and Dill is a breath of fresh air who brings a great attitude.”
The pandemic has wreaked havoc all over the NHIAA landscape, and the boy’s hockey schedule is no exception. Rather than the usual 18 game season, this year the locals have a 12 game schedule. However, unlike in the typical season, there will be no stats-padding tilts. This year every game figures to be a dogfight, with home and homes (well I guess they now are away and…aways) against the likes of Concord, Exeter, Salem, Windham and evil-empire BG. Just to make sure complacency isn’t an issue, coach Dodds scheduled Pinkerton and Bedford for a few how-ya-doins to compete the season. As of press time, the state tournament is ON, so a 2021 NHIAA Division 1 hockey champion is expected to be crowned.
So there it is.
An experienced skating core, exquisite goaltending, and the best coaching staff your son will ever have. It’s hockey time in Hanover again and it couldn’t come soon enough. Sell those gold cards, set your alarm for 4:30 am, and tend to your lettuce…good luck you beauties.
See you at the (away) rink…
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