GILL ST. BERNARD’S KNIGHTS
Head coach: Chris Wiggins and Greg DaSilva, seventh season
Division: Haas
Last year: Gill St. Bernard’s finished 6-5-2, with a 4-5-1 mark in the Haas Division. It did not qualify for the Haas Cup and did not participate in the NJSIAA Non-Public tournament.
Key losses: Christian Mote, F (13 g., 19 a.); Logan Mote, F (13 g., 14 a.); Alex Steinberg, G (.940 sv%).
Top returners: Michael Scarpati, F, Jr. (13 g., 10 a.); Porter Clark, D, Jr. (7 g., 10 a.); Henry Smith, D, Jr.
Potential incoming impact players: Julian Tramontano, F, Jr.; Luc Jansson, G, Fr.; Trey Sanford, D, Fr.; Brendan Binder, D, Fr.
Burning question: How will the Knights replace the Mote brothers and Steinberg?
Gill St. Bernard’s may have only graduated a handful of seniors from last season, but it was quality, not quantity with last year’s senior class. It lost Christian and Logan Mote, who were the team’s top two scorers, as well as one of the best goalies in the Haas Division in Alex Steinberg.
Outlook: This figures to be a bit of a transition year for the Knights, which will have its hands full in trying to replace the scoring it lost in the Mote brothers as well as an outstanding goaltender in Steinberg.
With that said, it does have some impact players returning, with Michael Scarpati back at forward and Porter Clark back to lead the defense. The question is who will step up around those two? Junior Julian Tramontano figures to play a big role up front, while freshmen Trey Sanford and Brendan Binder will see heavy minutes on the blue line. Freshman Luc Jansson is set to take over from Steinberg in net.
The Haas Division figures to be very tough this season, with the likes of Bernards-Somerville-Middlesex, West Morris, Roxbury, and Park Regional all primed for solid seasons. If Gill St. Bernard’s is going to be a factor along with those teams, it will need big performances from its newcomers to take the pressure off of the rest.
E-mail Mike Gurnis at michaelgurnis@gmail.com
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