The 2025-26 ice hockey season is off and skating as several of the Colonial Valley Conference teams, Princeton Day and Lawrenceville opened the season last week and there were some promising showings. The Colonial Valley Conference has some very gifted talent returning in both the Colonial and the V alley Divisions. Hopewell Valley/Montgomery is coming off an amazing season, and although it might be hard to duplicate don’t take this team lightly. Robbinsville/Allentown has several key players back and will contend. Notre Dame is always a team that surprises and is always in the hunt. Princeton will be improved and is another team that no one should fall asleep on. The last several years the Valley Division has been between Paul VI/Camden Catholic and the West Windsor-Plainsboro Co-op. PVI/CC has a lot of depth and several returning players who are going to keep it in the chase and WW-P took some graduation hits and is a little light in the numbers, but Brian McGurney returns to the bench and his previous coaching experience will be a plus. Princeton Day has some solid veterans returning who should set the tempo, and the Panthers have some newcomers that are going to turn a few heads. Playing in the Gordon Conference is always tough, but it’s a tough team the Panthers always put on the ice. Lawrenceville and Hun are the two prep teams that will be looking to do some damage. Hun has a new coach this season as Nathaniel Welsh is behind the bench. The Big Red added some tough games and has a well-balanced squad on the ice and a good group of leaders, both on and off the ice.  He is now in his sixth season with Hun. CVC COLONIAL Hopewell Valley/Montgomery Coach: Jeff Radice (10th season) Last Year’s Record: 25-3, CVC Tournament Champion, Colonial Division Champions, Sectional Semifinalist Roster: Dean Kelly (Sr., F), Michael Sullivan (Sr., F), Anna Baumunk (Sr., G), Emma Seamon (Jr., G), Jack Riewe (Jr., F), Owen Thedinga (Jr., F), Dylan Wyckoff (Jr., F), Ayvan Dharia (Jr., D), Patrick Shine (Jr., D), Graham Carter (Jr., F), William Chess (So., D), Patrick Slajchert (So., D), James Thomas (So., F), Ryan Goodrich (So., F), Ryan Batcha (So., D), Adam Paitakis (So., G), Desmond Sullivan ((So., D), Lucas Harris (Fr., F), Bryce Kelly (Fr., D), Kaleb Bodnar (Fr., F), Connor Slajchert (Fr., F), Jack Fogarty (Fr., F), Nathan Camilleri (Fr., F). Outlook: It was an amazing season this co-op put together last year and although many of the key components have graduated there is still plenty of talent that gained valuable experience last year and it is going to keep Hopewell Valley/Montgomery in the division race and among the best in the conference. They will be looking to play fast, physical and disciplined hockey. Notre Dame Coach: Mike McVey (8th season) Last Year’s Record: 10-11-1 Roster: Grant Barush (Sr., F), Colin Beauchmin (Fr., G), CJ Bruno (Fr., F), Samantha Busa (Fr., F), Gavin Campbell (Fr., D), Colin Carbin (Fr., D), Tommy Carpenter (Jr., F), Mikey Casella (Jr., F), Chase DeAngelo (Sr., D), Danny Gaffney (Jr., D), Nate Halloran (Fr., D), Harrison Kochanowski (Fr., F), Tyler Kochanowski (Fr., D), Mike Kuzma (Sr., F), Emma McVey (Sr., D), Gigi Pawar (Fr., F), Nicholas Polly (So., F), Nick Raffaele (Jr., D), Nate Sevinsky (Jr., F), Colin Wright (Fr., F) Outlook: Overall it’s a young Irish team along with some key returners that will be looked upon to carry things until some of the youth get some ice legs. The offense will be led by Mike Kuzma, Mikey Casella and Tommy Carpenter. The defense returns a few veterans and ND lost both goalies so they will be young in the cage. Notre Dame has never been a team to look passed and this year will be no exception. Princeton Coach: Marik Johnson (4th season) Last Year’s Record: 7-12 Roster: Liam Campbell (Sr., F), Anders Hedin (Sr., F), Ryan Garlock (Sr., F), Quinn Solvibile (Sr., F), Evan Ftikas (Sr., F), Peter Pessutti (Jr., G), Emil Vecchi (Jr., F),  Oscar Klein (Jr., F), Jacob Rotenberg (Jr., F), Henry Wilhelm (Jr., F), Baptiste Demurge (So., F), Abe Arshan (So., F), Sam Gibb (So., D), PJ Ross (So., D), Dylan Hagt (So., F), Alex Sheng (So., D), James Zhou (So., D), Mason Merse (Fr., F), Rian O’Dell (Fr., D), Alex Shi (Fr., D), Oliver Li (Fr., F), Nathan Bansal (Fr., D), Jasper Block (Fr., F/D), Outlook: The Tigers have some depth coming back with some seniors that are ready to step into a leadership role Anders Hedin is the leading returning scorer with 11 goals and eight assists, but players like Ryan Garlock, Liam Campbell, Baptiste Demurge and Jacob Rotenberg are ready to lead the Tigers back to being a conference and tournament contender. If they can stay healthy it could be a banner year. Robbinsville/Allentown Coach: Dan Bergan (18th season) Last Year’s Record: 16-7; CVC Semifinalist Roster: Michael Buchanan (Sr., D), Reese Corneau (Fr., D), Ryan D’Auria (Sr., D), Carter Davino (Fr., D), Zack Guttormsen (Jr., D), Reilly Halpin (Sr., F), Marcus Johansson (Sr., F), Evan Kharitoniv (So., G). Thomas Krause IV (Fr., F), Jake Lachance (Sr., F), Dallas Laurent (Sr., F), Jack Lawrence (Sr., F), Alex Margolin (Sr., F), Couper Martinez (Jr., D), Cole Martinez (Jr., F), James Morino (Sr., F), Andrew Sabbatini (Fr., F), Shane Savola (Sr., D), Tyler Wagner (So., G), Britton Weltner (Fr., D), Jack Wilman (So., G). Outlook: This Co-op has been one of the most consistent for many years and despite some graduation losses this season should be no different. The Ravens bring back Lachance, who was among the best scorers in the state last year and Tyler Wagner had a great freshman season between the pipes. It’s a senior laden team that has some promising freshman and will be a contender right from the first game. Valley Division Hamilton Twp.  Coach: John Patterson (5th season) Last Year’s Record: 1-16-0 Roster: Liam Scolnick (So., D), Easton Williams (Fr., F), Mike Lawson (So., G), Austin Brier (Fr., F), Nikita Sein (Fr., D), Will Allen (So., D), Luke Smith-Gressia (Jr., D), Alex Bilinski (Jr., D), Evan Langevin (Fr., F), Zach Kreiger (Jr., F), Bailey Heying (So., F), Ryan Smith (Jr., F), Cole Langevin (Jr., F), Vince LaPiana (Fr., F), Colin Doan (Sr., D), Justin Hassan (Jr., F), Jordan Pierce (So., F), Tyrus Manning (Jr., F), Dusty Everson (So., G), Jonah Dixon (So., F), Matt Cullen (Sr., F), Josh Barrett (Fr., F. Outlook: It will be a very young group that the Hamilton schools (Steinert, Nottingham and Hamilton West) put on the ice, but John Patterson knows the exuberance of youth is often a good thing. The Tri-op lost Mason Caruso the top goalie to graduation and the young defense will be a work in progress for a few weeks. But, this will be a team that will continue to work hard and grow. Lawrence/Hightstown/Ewing Coach: Andrew Dudich (9th season) Last Year’s Record: 3-13 Roster: Nate Jones (So., F/D), Ian Charbonneau (So., F/D), Gage Damore (Jr., F), AJ Christie (Sr., F), Hina Poot (So., F), Grace Tyliczka (Sr., F), Rueben George (So., F), Emilija Pociute (Fr., G), Elliot Genge (Jr., F), Ben Como (Fr., D), John Fleming (So., F/D), Tristan Stibol (So., F), Brody Hanley (So., F), Kris Matano (So., F), Bendan Magrane (So., G), Emilia Achascoso (Fr., D). Outlook: Graduation took a toll on the Tri-op, so this season will be a young group and a work in progress as the season moves along. They have some depth and some talent and will be a team that will hope to contend in the Valley Division. While the forward line gets up to speed the Tri-op will look to the defense to hold things together. Paul VI/Camden Catholic Coach: Chalie Hall (6th season) Last Year’s Record: 8-8-1 Roster:  Mark Sigmund (Fr., F), Blaise Ligambi (Fr., F), Carter Hall (Fr., D), Domenic Lisanti (Fr., F), john Crumlish (Fr., D), Joseph Booth (Fr., F), Matt Capalbo (Fr., D), Jason Bloor (So., F), Brayden Hodges (So., D), Charles Kapusniak (So., D), Colby Wellens (So., F), Dom Hall (So., F), Frank Grande (So., F), Grah Walker (So., F), Joey Aversa (So., F), Lucas Cianfrani (So., F), Nicholas Kelleher (So., D), Ryan Cohen (So., G), Rocco Ricciardi (So., F), Ryan Halpin (So., F), Sean Hannan (So., D), Brock Mission (Jr., F ) Chris Bastian (Jr., F), Joey Marchiano (Jr., D), Nick Lento (Jr., F), Phoenix Beck (Jr., F), Riley O’Lano (Jr., F), Steve Tursi (Jr., F), Will Ciri (Jr., F), Brayden Mills (Sr., F), Johnny Walker (Sr., F), Luch Lisanti (Sr., G), Mason Jones (Sr., D), Matthew Shaw (Sr., D), Nick Aversa (Sr., F), Sophia Simpson (Sr., G) Outlook: There’s certainly plenty of depth on the Paul VI/Camden Catholic roster it’s going to allow veteran coach Chalie Hall to work a lot of players into the game. They have a great mi of veterans like Nick Aversa and Nick Lento to show a lot of leadership. PVI/CC has been a team that contends for the Valley Division crown each year and coupled with a tough schedule they will continue to watch the young players grow during the season. West Windsor-Plainsboro Coach: Brian McGurney (1st season with Co-op) Last Year’s Record: 10-9, Co-Valley Division champion Roster: Emma Barrandon (Fr., F/D), Louis Barrandon (Jr., F), Logan Bair (Sr., D), Russell Brunkovsky (Jr., D), Aarav Gupta (So., F/D), Koh Inoue (Sr., F), Pranav Kashyap (Fr., GK), Andrew Li (Fr., D), Ayan Patel (So., F), Kavya Patil (Jr., F), Aditya Rath (Sr., F), Anson Tang (Jr., F), Andrew Xu (Fr., F), James Yin (So., GK). Outlook: McGurney returns for his second stint with at West Windsor-Plainsboro as he previously coached South for 11 years from 1999-2010 and he adds former Robbinsville/Allentown standout Patrick Hartmann as an assistant. They return two of the CVC’s top players in Louis Barrandon and Rath. Barrandon had 16 goals and 17 assists and Rath had 17 goals and 14 assists. The do return a few players with some ice time from 2024-25. The numbers are not great but the players are skating hard and looking to stay in the Valley Division chase and they have to stay healthy. Gordon Conference Princeton Day Coach: Scott Bertoli (18th season) Last Year’s Record: 10-9-1; Non-Public Quarterfinalist Roster: Drew Picker (Jr., G), Xavier Hoekzema (So., G), Marc Galante (So., G), Tyler Nevrotski (Jr., D), Hubert Shin (Sr., D), Cooper Fang (So., D), James Morwald (Jr., D), Parker Delvecchio (So., D), Jonas Chia (Sr., D), Filip Kacmarsky (Sr., F), Fred Ringblom (Sr., F), Marshall Matyszczak (Jr., F), James Winkler (Jr., F), Connor Paulmann (So., F), Miles Matyszczak (Fr., F), Ryder Ewanchyna (Fr., F), Alex Trantalis (Jr., F), EJ Wiston (So., F), Grayson McLaughlin (Sr., F). Outlook: The Panthers graduated some key players, but the cupboard is not bare as they bring back some All-Gordon Conference performers to ease the loss. It will be players like Kacmarsky, Ringblom, Nevrotski and Picker to carry the load until the newcomers get the need experience to play the tough Gordon schedule. Kacmarsky and Ringblom had a great opening night in PDS 7-6 win over Gloucester Catholic. Kacmarsky had three goals and three assists and Ringblom has two goals and four assists. Expect the Panthers to be in the chase for a division title. Prep Schools Hun Coach: Nathaniel Welsh (6th season with program, 1st as head coach) Last Year: 5-17-2 Roster: Justn Bibeau (Jr., F), Eli Broomer Jr., D), Ezra Broomer (Sr., D), Andrew Cline (Jr., D), Andrew Darst (Sr., D), Jimmy Dolan (So., F), Blake Echternacht (Sr., G), Devin Espana (So., D), Aiden Honan (Fr., F), Luca Jean (Sr., F), Jacob Kelly-Lepage (Sr., F), Evan Koserowski (Sr., F), Conor Mulligan (So., F), James Stelmak (Sr., F), Nathaniel Trawinski (Sr., F), Elliot Trottier (Jr., G), Zachary Vallee (Jr., F), Anders van Raalte (Sr., F) Outlook: The Raiders battled through injuries last year and while it took a toll on the overall record in provided a lot of experience for many players. Echternacht comes over to Hun from a great time with the Hopewell Valley/Montgomery co-op and he will be a valuable asset. Andrew Darst, Luca Jean and Anders van Raalte all had 10 points and will be ready to step into a leadership role. Lawrenceville Coach: Keith Dupee (9th season) Last Year: 9-19-1 Roster: Miles Tranquuada (So., G), Justin Blades (So., D), Rich Cheng (Sr., D), Dom Zabat (So., D), Brady Lee (Jr., D), Jack Green (So., D), Aaron Shen (So., W), Donovan Richards (Jr., C), Thomas Hoh (So., D), Matty Nesterenko (Fr, C), Andrei Lumezanu (So., W), Vassar Tarumianz (Sr., W), Aiden Shou (So., W), Teddy Smart (Sr., D), Ayden Heron (Sr., C), Ethan Wei (Sr., D), Colton Stecchini (Jr., W), Alistair St. Hilaire (Jr., W), Bryan Aquino (So., C), Dylan Kolcun (Sr, W), Andy Zhang (Jr., F), Basil Hemberger (Sr., G) Outlook:  It might be hard to believe but the Big Red made their schedule even tougher this season with Taft, Deerfield and Salisbury. Lawrenceville has some solid players that gained valuable experience last season and Dupee will be looking for them to take a step forward as players and leaders. It’s a good balance of newcomers and seasoned veterans and another positive season is expected at Lawrenceville. ...read more read less