{"id":149404,"date":"2024-10-31T13:00:23","date_gmt":"2024-10-31T18:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uscho.com\/?p=149404"},"modified":"2024-10-29T20:05:29","modified_gmt":"2024-10-30T01:05:29","slug":"mascac-mens-hockey-season-preview-panthers-face-new-challengers-in-expanded-mascac-league","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uscho.com\/2024\/10\/31\/mascac-mens-hockey-season-preview-panthers-face-new-challengers-in-expanded-mascac-league\/","title":{"rendered":"MASCAC Men\u2019s Hockey Season Preview \u2013 Panthers face new challengers in expanded MASCAC league"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
Plymouth State forward Will Redick leads a potent Panther offense looking to extend their streak of MASCAC championships (Photo by Plymouth State Athletics<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Plymouth State has ruled the roost in MASCAC hockey for several years in a row and in their final season in the conference face new challengers in Anna Maria and Rivier who now make the conference a 10-team league for the upcoming season. The former Independents will bring a lot of enthusiasm to their first season competing in a conference with a championship and national tournament opportunity on the line.<\/p>\n

With many teams shifting to the Little East conference in the 2025-26 season, this year presents a unique opportunity to win the MASCAC in its largest ice hockey representation and the ten teams battling for bragging rights.<\/p>\n

The Favorites<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Panthers bring a lot of offensive firepower to the ice with Connor Tait, Will Redick and Will Pray lead a deep group of forwards who are well equipped for providing goals in any and every situation on the ice. Colin Tracy is back as captain to lead from the blueline as a troika of goaltenders look to fill the crease vacated by Kalle Andersson. Coach Craig Russell saw the Panthers earn their first ever NCAA tournament win last season over Cortland in the first round. This year\u2019s roster will be looking to build on that success starting with another MASCAC championship.<\/p>\n

Anna Maria joins MASCAC for the 2024-25 season and brings a history of playing repeat champion Plymouth State very tight having won the last time the teams faced each other as non-conference opponents. Last year\u2019s young roster will need to continue their development including goaltender Matthew Hennessey and forwards Matthew Byrne, Max Wennerberg and Brandon Della Paolera. Coach David McCauley has built a team that plays fast and physical which will keep them near the top of the MASCAC standings.<\/p>\n

The Dark Horses<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Fitchburg State under Dean Fuller\u2019s tutelage always seems to be in the hunt for the conference title and this year should be no different with a strong nucleus of players returning for the Falcons. Goaltending will be strong with Max Macchioni and Frederick Soderberg both demonstrating the ability to steal wins for their team. Up front there is depth and balance showcased by forwards Michael Imala, Toivo Kramer, Kristopher Zapata and Oliver Cookson. If the blueline can find consistency from its younger players, the Falcons will be a factor.<\/p>\n

Massachusetts-Dartmouth graduated a number of key contributors in each phase of the game. Goaltender Michael Davidson, defenseman Jake Maynard and forward Michael Perrone have all moved on from the Corsairs leaving ample opportunities for younger and new players to step up. Coach Erik Noack always has a roster with some exceptional talent and this year Collin Patterson and Tyler Stewart will be looked to for more production above and beyond their strong first-year seasons. If goaltending is established early in the season, the Corsairs will be a threat.<\/p>\n

Players to watch<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Anna Maria:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Matthew Hennessey \u2013 goaltender; Brandon Della Paolera – forward<\/p>\n

Fitchburg State:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Michael Imala – forward; Toivo Kramer \u2013 forward<\/p>\n

Framingham State:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Ashton Collazo \u2013 forward; Brady Rossbach – forward<\/p>\n

Massachusetts \u2013 Dartmouth:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Collin Patterson \u2013 forward; Michael Mania – forward<\/p>\n

MCLA\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Cade Herrera \u2013 forward; Charlie Addessa – forward<\/p>\n

Plymouth State:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Will Pray \u2013 forward; Will Redick – forward<\/p>\n

Rivier:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Cody Rumsey – forward; Jon Tavella – forward<\/p>\n

Salem State:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Zach Dill \u2013 forward; Keagan O’Donoghue – forward<\/p>\n

Westfield State:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Cooper Board \u2013 forward; Christopher Miraldo – forward<\/p>\n

Worcester State:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Brigham Neuhold \u2013 forward; Jakub Kubik – goaltender<\/p>\n

USCHO Predicted finish<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Plymouth State<\/li>\n
  2. Anna Maria<\/li>\n
  3. Fitchburg State<\/li>\n
  4. Massachusetts-Dartmouth<\/li>\n
  5. Westfield State<\/li>\n
  6. Rivier<\/li>\n
  7. Worcester State<\/li>\n
  8. Framingham State<\/li>\n
  9. Salem State<\/li>\n
  10. MCLA<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    While Keene State will be part of the Little East next season, their inaugural season in D-III will see them play a number of MASCAC schools including Westfield State and Massachusetts-Dartmouth twice in November, Fitchburg State with a game in December and in January, 2025 and Worcester State in February, 2025.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Plymouth State has ruled the roost in MASCAC hockey for several years in a row and in their final season in the conference face new challengers in Anna Maria and Rivier who now make the conference a 10-team league for the upcoming season. 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