The Northeast Region preview, presented by LaxRecords.com features a four-part series. Part two looks at some of the big themes around the region.
Northeast Region Preview: Pt. 1: Milestones | Pt. 2: The Big Picture | Pt. 3: Random Region Notes | Pt. 4: Top 10
There are several defending state champions looking for another consecutive title in 2020.
La Salle (R.I.) goes for its ninth consecutive title in 2020. Head Coach Steve O’Donnell has won every Division I state title since 2012.
Champlain Valley Union (Vt.) and head coach Dave Trevithick have won seven consecutive titles in Division I. CVU won all but two of the state championship games from 2010 to 2019.
All three of New Hampshire’s 2019 champions look for their third-straight title this season. Pinkerton (N.H.), Derryfield (N.H.) and Hopkinton (N.H.) all won last year. Derryfield is going for its fifth-straight title while Hopkinton is going for No. 4. Pinkerton is looking for its third straight.
St. Joseph-Trumbull (Conn.) has won back-to-back Class S championships and returns all its offensive players from last year. First Team All-State selection Preston Kral (Stony Brook) along with Second Team All-State selections Declan McGinley and Jack Fearnley (Binghamton) all return. St. Joseph has appeared in the Class S finals in nine of the last 11 seasons. The Cadets are looking to accomplish something only three other teams in state history have accomplished - winning three-straight titles. Darien won three-straight Class L championships from 2014 to 2016. The Blue Wave also won five straight from 2006 to 2010, which is the state record for consecutive titles. New Canaan (Conn.) won three straight Class M titles from 2015 to 2017.
On the flip side, Victor (N.Y.) has a shot at doing what not New York Class B team has done since 2012/2013 by winning a second-straight title. The last decade started with Jamesville-DeWitt (N.Y.) winning Class B in 2010 and 2011. Garden City (N.Y.) followed by winning it all in 2012 and 2013. Since then, no team has won two straight championships. Victor has success in odd-numbered years - winning titles in 2015, 2017 and 2019.
Big Names, New Places
Xaverian Brothers (Mass.) will have a new coach for the first time in 19 seasons after Tim Gardner retired. Daggett Morse who was the defensive coordinator at Medfield (Mass.) and helped the Warriors win three straight Division 2 titles (2014-2016) takes over. Eighteen players, including six college commits return from a 16-4 team. Morse returns a strong defensive core with All-American goalie Teagan Alexander (Bryant) and defenseman Tanner Alexander (Bryant) as the anchors.
Streaking
Thornton Academy (Maine) enters the year with a 13-game winning streak after closing out the season with a state championship. Their only loss was an 8-7 overtime defeat at Cape Elizabeth (Maine).