POPE JOHN LIONS
Head coach: Ryan Brown, 18th season (211-136-44 career record)
Division: Gordon Conference-National Division; Egan Conference
Last year: The Lions put together a really nice year in 2023-24, as it finished 17-7 with a 5-4 mark in the Gordon-National. It also won the Egan Cup with a 4-1 win over St. John Vianney. It fell to Don Bosco, 3-0 in the quarterfinals of the Gordon Cup, before reaching the quarterfinals of the Non-Public state tournament where it fell to Don Bosco once again, this time by a score of 3-2.
Key losses: Pope John graduated its two best forwards in Matt Hughes (12 g., 20 a.) and Robbie Myshkoff (13 g., 16 a.), along with defensemen Declan Murphy (5 g., 6 a.) and Johans Bars (6 g., 5 a.).
Goalie Anthony Conetta, who had a big season last year as a sophomore and posted a .920 save percentage, has moved on to Rice Memorial Prep in Vermont. Conetta was Second Team All-State by NJ.com last year.
Forwards: The offense will likely be centered around senior Luke Jarosiewicz (8 g., 16 a.), the team’s top returning scorer, as well as junior Hunter Parrillo, who posted 12 goals as a sophomore. Senior Jack Jarosiewicz also should be in line for a big year after missing half of last season due to an injury. Junior Nick Colatrella (6 g., 4 a.) will also be a key part of the team’s top-six. Junior Aidan Perry (2 g.), junior Cameron Guerra (3 g., 1 a.), sophomore Nicholas Moschello (1 g., 1 a.), junior Alex Mizak (1 a.), and junior Ethan Barnette (1 a.) will all be returning to fill out roles up front as well.
Defense: Senior Magnuss Bars (3 g., 6 a.) and sophomore Liam Amabile (1 g., 4 a.) will be the leaders on defense this season, along with an incoming transfer in sophomore Sean Hughes, who posted 11 goals and 16 assists for West Milford-Pequannock last year. Senior Alex Slater (1 g.) and junior Jacob McCullough (1 a.) will also be counted on.
Goaltending: This is the big question mark after Pope John lost one of the best goalies in the state last season in Conetta. Sophomore Mason Giordano, who saw very limited action last season, is expected to be the team’s starter this year.
Outlook: Pope John is a team that has its eyes set on repeating as Egan Cup champions, as well as qualifying for both the Gordon Cup and state tournament once again. One thing you can always expect from this program is that they are going to defend well and are going to give a great effort every night, no matter who the opponent is. That’s the culture that Ryan Brown has established at the Sparta school during his long tenure leading the Lions. Part of that culture has included outstanding goaltending, with several terrific netminders coming through this program over the years, with the latest being Conetta. If this team can receive solid goaltending from Giordano in his sophomore campaign, this team has plenty of experience in all areas to be one that can achieve the above-mentioned goals it has set out for itself.
E-mail Mike Gurnis at michaelgurnis@gmail.com
Morris-Sussex Hockey Report 