MADISON DODGERS
Head coach: Joe Cecala, third season (17-14-1 career record).
Division: Halvorsen (moved from Mennen)
Last year: Madison finished 5-12-1, and did not qualify for either the NJSIAA or Mennen Cup tournaments. It finished 1-7 in the Mennen Division, which was last place.
Key losses: Cormac McNamara, F (10 g., 11 a.); Liam O’Hearen, D (4 g., 12 a.); Andrew Haralampoudis, F (3 g., 8 a.).
Top returners: Tyler Shannon, F, Sr. (8 g., 7 a.); Kyle Piechnik, F, Jr. (7 g., 6 a.); Sam Gero, F, So. (9 g., 13 a.); Jonathan Erickson, F, So.; Jack Hunter, D, Sr.; John Rusen, D, Jr.; Reilly Tomlin, D, Jr.; Luke Chayut, G, Sr. (.840 sv%); Bryan Worthington, G, Jr. (.900 sv%).
Incoming impact players: Thomas London, F, Fr.; Patrick Layng, D, Fr.; Jacob Thompson, D, Fr.; Modi Shi, F, Fr.
Burning question: Can Madison return to Halvorsen supremacy?
Madison moved up to the Mennen Division last season after winning the Halvorsen Cup in 2021, and struggled mightily, as it posted just one divisional win. The last-place finish sent Madison back down to the Halvorsen Division, where it has had plenty of success over the years. The hope will be that this young team will be right in the mix for the Halvorsen title.
Outlook: As already mentioned, this team has a very young core.
It has some talented returning forwards in junior Kyle Piechnik, sophomore Sam Gero, and senior Tyler Shannon, and those three will be counted on to lead the way up front. Defensemen in senior Jack Hunter and juniors John Rusen and Reilly Tomlin, along with a goaltending tandem in Luke Chayut and Bryan Worthington will all look to take a big step forward this season.
If recent history is any indication, last season was the exception and not the rule for Madison, and it should bounce back in a big way this year.
E-mail Mike Gurnis at michaelgurnis@gmail.com
The Morris-Sussex Hockey Report 