Hopedale Hockey adds Milford to its Co-op Program

Through the first three years of its co-op hockey program Hopedale (Millis-Douglas-Whitinsville Christian and now Milford) has posted 14 wins with its highest total of 6 in year one. This winter the squad is looking to improve upon that number, especially now that it has brought in Milford as another option to draw from. Hopedale, Millis and Douglas all have the same number of athletes competing on the time, while WC has only 2, but with the merger of Milford the squad gained an additional 13 hockey players to its roster.
“We lost a lot of senior talent with the graduation of last year’s team,” Hopedale Coach Greg LaBossiere said. “But after the first week of tryouts I liked what I saw; we have the most offensive skilled athletes that we’ve ever had.”
Although still early and things could eventually change, LaBossiere currently has three Milford players on its top line. Aiden Wilde will center Alec Gilliatt and Mike Harnett on the first line and the Coach has liked what he has seen from the three thus far.
“They’re probably our top three players and although they are playing on the first line right now, things could eventually change,” the Coach said. “So far all three have shown that they defiantly have the skills and are beginning to gel. We’ll be relying on them a lot and hope that they become our scoring line.”
Following the Milford line will be the trio of Hopedale’s Bryan Goldstein centering RJ Stansbury (Milford) and Jeremy McCLosky (Douglas). Goldstein, according to his coach, is one of the team’s smartest players on the ice, plays good defensive game as well as offensive and although he will not be countered on as a scorer her will be a significant playmaker in terms of assists.
The third line or the grinder line as LaBossiere calls it, will be made up of all Hopedale athletes. Jake Wollensak will be the line’s center while Alex Pittsley and Nick Fayad will control the wings. Although the line has limited varsity experience LaBossiere is hoping the playing time they did receive last year will propel the trio.
“I’m hoping that they can take their experience and run with it,” the Coach said. “They may be able to pop in some goals here and there, but my main objective with this line is to give the first two lines some rest.”
Defensively LaBossiere has three returners in Hopedale’s Dan Hollis and Millis’ Peter Sanchioni and Colin Burgess. The Coach is still working on the pairings, but Hollis and Sanchioni have offensive upside to their play while Burgess is a defensive defender. In addition to the three returners on defense LaBossiere has been impressed with Millis freshman Ryan Brooks.
“It’s early, but Ryan looks to be the team’s fourth defender. He has the defensive skills and is a solid skater with a good shot,” the Coach said. “You have to remember he’s a freshman and will go through the growing pains, but definitely has the potential.”
Minding the net Milford’s Matt Shaver will be the starting goalie with Jess Stansbury, also from Milford, as the back-up.
Before the season started the Coach considered his squad as one that would compete, but his mind has since changed since the start of training camp.
“I thought we’d be a middle of the pack team, but that was before I knew anything about those coming out for the team,” LaBossiere said. “Now I firmly believe that we have enough skill players to compete for the league title.”
With the merging of Milford, Hopedale seems to have acquired some true hockey players the team still needs to work on a few things.
“We still need to work on our defense as well as our penalty kill,” the Coach said. “I like our power play, it looks to be strong and our top line should be able to put the puck in the net.”
If the team can become one quickly, there should be no doubt that they can not only compete for the Russell Conference Championship, but should also be able to surpass the school’s season high 6 wins this winter.