This is the 18th entry of The Morris-Sussex Hockey Report’s 27 teams in 27 days, where each day there will be a team preview of each area team (boys and girls) leading up to Opening Day on December 7.
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MORRIS KNOLLS-HILLS (Morris Knolls-Morris Hills co-op)
Head coach: Tim Kepler, eighth season (95-52-18 career record)
Division: Mennen
NJSIAA Classification: North, Co-op
Last year: Morris Knolls-Hills finished with an 11-6-6 overall record, and a 4-3-1 record in the Mennen division. It finished third in the division, and lost, 4-3 to Chatham in the Mennen Cup semifinals. It qualified for the Public C state tournament, where it defeated Ocean Township-Shore in the first round before dropping a heartbreaker in a shootout to Verona-Glen Ridge in the quarterfinals.
Key losses: It graduated some key pieces from last year, highlighted by goalie Aidan Marvin, a three-year starter and Second Team All-Mennen pick (.920 sv%). Defensemen Bryan McCarter (first team All-Mennen, 1 g., 12 a.) and Ryan Walter (second team All-Mennen, 5 g., 5 a.) led the team’s blue line. Forwards Ryan Manz (4 g., 8 a.) and Alan Williams (1 a.) will also need to be replaced.
Top returners: Morris Knolls-Hills returns a very strong group of forwards, led by two of the best scorers in the division in senior Luke Dickerson (first team All-Mennen, 20 g., 19 a.) and junior Jake McCloud (20 g., 18 a.). Seniors Jack Martinez (16 g., 9 a.) and Michael Simone (12 g., 12 a.) will both provide scoring ability and leadership. Senior Brendan Gleason (4 a.) and junior Dylan Williams (4 g., 3 a.) are also returners up front who will be counted on.
Defensively, it will be led by senior Tommy Ryerson (1 g., 4 a.) and sophomore Brandon Strunck (3 g., 3 a.).
Potential impact newcomers: Kepler will look to senior forwards Tyler Brookes, Wyatt Dunn, and Eli Singley to break through this season. A trio of juniors in Ben Battista, Marek Kazik, and Daniel Onufer will be counted on to jump in on the blue line. Sophomore Ryan Nevins is another newcomers who could have an impact up front.
Burning question: Who will step up to replace Aidan Marvin in goal?
“Money Marvin” lived up to his nickname for the last three years for this team, leading the team to a state final in 2022 before posting an impressive .920 save percentage last winter with Second Team All-Mennen honors. Who will step up to take his spot in goal is still to be determined at this point. Whoever is called upon will have no varsity experience, as Marvin started every game last season. Sophomore Reid Kisch and senior Benjamin Blender were both on the roster last season and figure to be competing in camp this year.
Outlook: Morris Knolls-Hills is a strong program within the state year-in and year-out, and this season should be no different. This team has a ton of talent and experience up front with Dickerson, McCloud, Martinez, and Simone all back, and it should have no issue finding the back of the net.
Keeping the puck out of its own net will be what ultimately makes or breaks this team. With only two returning defensemen and no experience in goal, figuring out that area of the ice will be of utmost importance.
But this is a program that prides itself on strong defensive play, so expect that to be sorted out sooner rather than later. This is a team that should be once again in contention in the Mennen division as well as for a Co-op state title.
E-mail Mike Gurnis at michaelgurnis@gmail.com
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