2023-24 hockey area watch list
Nov. 30—PLAYERS TO WATCH
(in alphabetical order)
Austin Andrews, Mentor: This senior forward and 2023 second-team News-Herald all-star showed flashes for the Cardinals as a junior with 14 goals and 25 assists, and after graduating some scoring punch, trending that goal total closer to 20 or more would be helpful.
Noah Caballero, University: There was initially some open-endedness as to whether the Mississauga, Ontario, native would return to US for his senior campaign — but after logging 490 saves and a sterling 1.40 goals-against average for the state finalist Preppers, he is indeed back and is The News-Herald coverage area's top goaltender.
From Canada to University via Germany, US goaltender Noah Caballero savoring unique journey
Colton Fairchild, Gilmour: The Lancers are typically a grinder in the offensive zone as it is, and that is especially true with the year-over-year turnover at forward this winter. But having this senior in the fold after a 9-24-33 campaign that netted second-team News-Herald distinction will aid that cause.
Rowan Jakupca, Mentor: After being such a dependable cog no matter the line as an underclassman, it really feels like with his zone-edge speed and knack for getting in front of the net that this could be a breakout season for this senior forward, who went 16-16-32 a year ago and was a third-team News-Herald selection.
Ryan Kehres, Benedictine: As a sophomore, this standout forward was ever-present for the Baron Cup I champion and Brooklyn District semifinalist Bengals, hitting for 22-20-42 and second-team News-Herald plaudits. He will be one of The News-Herald coverage area's most complete forwards once again.
Troy Krahe, Kenston: Perhaps the best compliment that can be paid to this senior forward, who had 41 goals and 51 assists last season and was a first-team GCHSHL White and News-Herald honoree, is his ice vision and puckhandling would translate well in any division, and the Bombers will welcome his services for one last go of it.
Luke Palmer, University: Coming off a 27-19-46 campaign and being one of The News-Herald coverage area's premier forwards as a junior, it doesn't seem unreasonable to believe he could push for 30 goals as a senior if line chemistry comes together right in Hunting Valley given his motor and ability.
A.J. Trobenter, Mentor: With hockey continuing to not be available at Lake Catholic, this standout junior will continue to ply his trade across town for the Cardinals. After netting 34 goals and assisting on 22 others and boasting such a strong all-around game, it would not be a surprise in the least to see him make a case for 2024 News-Herald hockey player of the year.
Sam Wade, University: The 2023 News-Herald player of the year enjoyed one of the better postseason runs of offensive-zone form you'll ever see as US made a state runner-up charge. The senior forward's shift consistency, intensity, leadership and big-stage prowess, off a 30-30-60 season, is right up there with some of the best to don a US sweater over the years.
2023 News-Herald hockey all-stars
Ryan Wilkinson, Mentor: As a sophomore, the Cardinals' No. 1 goaltender displayed glimpses of potential for the present and future, recording a 1.75 goals-against average. Another step forward between the pipes would go a long way this winter at Mentor as it looks to maintain its laudable trajectory.
GAMES TO WATCH
St. Ignatius at Gilmour (Dec. 1), Mentor vs. Walsh Jesuit (Dec. 8 at Thornton Park tournament and Dec. 27 at Walsh Jesuit tournament), Chagrin Falls-Mayfield (Dec. 9 at Mayfield and Jan. 12 at The Pond), University-St. Edward (Dec. 9 at Cleveland Heights), Benedictine-Hudson (Dec. 9 at Cleveland Heights and Dec. 30 at Kent State), Mentor-Rocky River (Dec. 15 at Mentor and Jan. 20 at Rocky River), NDCL-Chagrin Falls (Dec. 17 at The Pond, Jan. 13 at Mentor and Jan. 21 at The Pond), University-Gilmour (Dec. 22 at Gilmour and Feb. 4 at Cleveland Heights), Mentor-Rocky River (Dec. 26 at Walsh Jesuit tournament), University-St. Ignatius (Dec. 28 at Brooklyn), Benedictine-Mentor (Jan. 5 at Mentor and Jan. 6 at Cleveland Heights), Kenston-Amherst (Jan. 6 at The Pond and Jan. 27 at North Park), University-Shaker Heights (Jan. 7 at Cleveland Heights and Jan. 26 at Thornton Park)
ONE TIMERS
—The most significant on-ice news of the offseason came in August when it was unveiled Gilmour and University would join the newly formed Greater Ohio Hockey League that commences this season. While the concept of a statewide "freeway conference" had been bandied about for more than 20 years, its fruition is a welcome sight. That said, it will also be interesting to see what it means for the proverbial dominoes to fall with further league alignment in town.
University, Gilmour set to join newly formed Greater Ohio Hockey League
—As far as off-ice developments, the Greater Cleveland high school hockey community has rallied around longtime Mayfield coach Steve Bogas, who was diagnosed with liver cancer in the fall and is undergoing chemotherapy and eventual surgery amid that battle. Bogas is transitioning into an assistant role this winter as Jacob Macula takes over the lead spot behind the bench for the Wildcats. Mayfield will host a Bogas benefit amid its Dec. 9 game against Chagrin Falls at Gilmour.
Mayfield hockey coach Steve Bogas on liver cancer diagnosis: 'We'll fight with the best of them'
—University has all the makings to be a state title contender, despite some key graduation losses. The scoring punch, with Wade, Garofalo and Palmer, will be there. Caballero is an outstanding talent in net. Seemingly, the big key is going to be on the blue line. There is a steady group there, with Michael Matthews as the top defenseman and two promising juniors in Ryder Beegun and Mitch Langal. How that group comes along will make a big difference in the Preppers' aspirations.
—Gilmour will have a lot of new faces as far as significant ice time goes. Growth will particularly be necessary in the defensive zone with an almost entirely new-look group on the blue line and with goaltending. Not to be overly simplistic, but somebody will need to step up in that regard for the Lancers to be a league and district factor under veteran coach John Malloy.
—It feels odd to start a season at Mentor without a Backston, a McBride, a Jeffery or so many of the familiar names of recent years gone by. Their offensive-zone production should be steady, with Trobenter leading the way. Matt Friel and Joey Burger will be key cogs on the blue line. Mentor will be well-served to find another No. 1 two-way defenseman in the Brad Backston mold — not a full emulation, because that's asking a lot, but in that mold. Wilkinson is in line to progress further. So all told, while roster complexion will look different, the Cardinals will be a Red, Baron Cup I and Kent District contender again.
—Benedictine will lean younger this winter following its laudable 2023 Baron Cup I title run, its first since the inaugural edition of the city championship tournament in 1971, and getting to a Brooklyn District semifinal. The Bengals graduated some steady pieces at forward including Nick Desbin and Luke Parker, along with longtime No. 1 goaltender Michael Pelc. The aforementioned Ryan Kehres is a cornerstone at forward, with the hope being one of the returnees, between Ahmad Bates, Luke Dixon and Mason Rzepka, can develop into a second goal scorer. Lex Herr and Ben Trombetto is a solid first defense pairing and can contribute from the point. The biggest question will be who replaces Pelc, who logged a great deal of ice time in recent years for this program.
—The usual battles abound with roster numbers in the GCHSHL White and Red. Kenston has 13 skaters and a new goaltender, although that potent Krahe-Gavin Rowell-Luke Mack combo will keep the Bombers in play night in and night out. Those three could play in the Red or the GLHL/GOHL. Chagrin Falls is super young and has just eight skaters, but having Nathaniel Newton back between the pipes is a good start. Mayfield has a program building block in sophomore J.D. Sega (34-9-43), and bringing in seven freshmen is a big deal. NDCL has a roster of 11, with two solid forwards in Charlie Johnson and Patrick O'Brien. The Lions — and all of these teams, for that matter — will need to keep an eye on the long game so program numbers don't dwindle any further.
