Natick High Six Qualifies for Another Tourney Berth

Eric Kaplan is in his third year as Natick High’s hockey coach and he’s delighted that it’ll be three straight seasons that he’ll be calling signals in tournament play.
The Redhawks were 9-6-2 at the “Natick Local Town Pages” deadline, a record that qualifies the Redhawks for a playoff berth. Last year, Natick went 15-4-2, won the Herget Division title, then advanced to the sectional semifinals before losing in overtime to Marshfield.
“Our goals in pre-season were to repeat as Herget Division champions and earn another berth in the sectional tourney,’’ Kaplan said. “Walpole will win the Herget crown, but we’re pleased about post-season play. I’m optimistic about the playoffs because we’ve got depth, skilled players and we’re a close-knit group that has good chemistry. We lack superstars but we’ve got solid kids who know their roles.’’
Although the Redhawks lost all-star goalie Joe Sharib, who posted nine shutouts last year, to Cushing Academy (Ashburnham), they remain a focused squad with experience, balanced lines, speed and quickness. “We can improve going forward by being more consistent on offense,’’ Kaplan said. “We’re okay scoring against weaker teams but we can be much better against stronger opponents.’’
Natick’s four senior captains are quality leaders, and they all have specific strengths. They include forward Sean Harney, center Robbie Pini and defensemen Scott Reynolds and Matt Sullivan.
“Sean is our top scorer (9 goals, 11 assists through 17 games),’’ Kaplan said. “He’s strong, skilled, quick and solid around the net. Robbie (9 goals, 8 assists) is our most consistent player on offense and defense. He works hard and he’s used on penalty-killing and face-offs. Scott (3 goals, 8 assists) is a great team leader who’s an all-around defenseman. He’s strong on power plays and penalty-killing. He carries the puck well and we lean on him heavily. Matt is physical, a strong defenseman who is a very effective skater.’’
A pair of twins — juniors Dillon Arno at center (2 goals, 10 assists) and Al Arno on the wing (7 goals, 5 assists) — team with Harney to give the Redhawks a high-caliber first line. “Dillon is recovering from an injured shoulder,’’ Kaplan said. “He’s solid on face-offs, quick, and hard to defend. Al moves the puck, has a high hockey IQ and uses his body to his advantage in spite of his lack of size. The entire line can pass and works hard in the corners.’’
Sophomore goalie James Herring has filled in admirably in Sharib’s absence. He’s got a goals-against average of 2.09, a save percentage of .917 and two shutouts. “James is from Toronto,’’ Kaplan noted. “He tracks the puck, gets into good position, has good ice vision and is instinctive. His technical ability is very strong.’’
Freshman defenseman David Mega complements Reynolds nicely as Natick’s top corps on the backline. “David has good size, always using it to his advantage,’’ Kaplan emphasized. “His hockey IQ is high and he’s not timid.’’
Junior wing Charlie Mulholland, who’s been injured, has missed most of the season but his twin brother Tim (another wing) and sophomore forward Ryan Haswell have been quality contributors. “Charlie injured his shoulder,’’ Kaplan said. “Tim is quick and can shoot. He’s on the varsity for his first year, having been on the jayvees last season. Ryan is our most physical player. He works hard in the corners and gives 100 percent all the time.’’
Assistant coaches have helped the Redhawks’ development and Kaplan is quick to credit Mark Knapp, Pat Prendergast and Matt Lodi, the jayvee coach. Kaplan’s sons, Tyler and Trevor, who were hockey captains at Natick, are helping out as assistants at the jayvee level.
Focusing on a philosophy of competing hard, reaching one’s potential and having fun, Kaplan said he stresses to his players “the importance of discipline and accountability on and off the ice.’’
“We try to develop good young men whose priorities are family, school and hockey,’’ Kaplan said. “And, it’s very important that our kids learn valuable life lessons from athletics — like setting goals, working as a team and overcoming adversity.”
Natick’s hockey team is heading for tourney play for the third straight year, and it’s easy to understand why. The players know the meaning of discipline and accountability. And, they’re acutely aware of their priorities.