Preseason All-Shore hockey team, Top 10 teams, 17 Players to Watch

The Shore punched above its weight in the 2022-23 high school hockey season as Middletown North took home the Public B state title and CBA was one of the top three teams in the Gordon Conference. Beyond those high-profile successes, the area teams demonstrated their tenacity as St. John Vianney knocked off several strong non-public programs from across the state and other clubs put together tremendous resumes. And with an incredible amount of talent returning, there is well-founded optimism that the league could see even more postseason success in 2024.

Below is the preseason ranking of the top teams in the Shore Conference and the six members of the preseason All-Shore team. There is also a watch list of 18 players who are likely to be candidates for the All-Shore team by season's end. One note: CBA is absent from the team rankings because the Colts compete in the Gordon Conference - but the Colts' players are eligible for All-Shore selections.

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The parity and depth across the league are immense, and the Asbury Park Press will be there to track the journey of what's sure to be an exciting season.

Preseason Shore Top 10

1. Middletown North

The Group B state champion went on a remarkable run to end the season after starting the season 4-4-4. The Lions are one of the few area teams capable of posing a challenge to CBA, and this year’s matchup between the teams on Dec. 20 is a way-too-early candidate for game of the year. Midd North will have to contend with some key losses as they lose three of their top four point scorers and their goaltender, but they return All-Shore selection Ryan Cook in addition to key contributors Jack Turner and Joseph Wall.

2. St. John Vianney

The Lancers took home the Handchen Cup to win the Shore Conference last season, avenging their loss to Midd North in the 2021-22 league final with a 3-0 victory over the Lions. They further validated their success with two solid victories in the highly competitive non-public playoffs before losing to top-seeded Delbarton in the quarterfinal round.

SJV loses its top two-scorers from last year but is buoyed by this year's junior class that saw significant action last year as sophomores. They still retain excellent depth on the defensive end with James Lucosky and Dakota Vastola, and forwards Nick Kasich and Blake Fischer should step into bigger roles after productive seasons last year. The Lancers are definitely capable of winning back-to-back conference titles.

3. Brick Township (co-op with Brick Memorial)

The combined team of Brick Township and Brick Memorial returns most of the key contributors from last season’s 18-4-1 team. That team notched several big wins while getting off to hot 16-2-1 start. This year's squad will be determined to make a deep playoff run after last year’s campaign came to an abrupt end in the Public C playoffs against state runner-up Colonia.

This group has the experience and talent to go deep in the postseason given that they return All-Shore forward Jake Toye and junior Division I commit Peter Morris. They also have up-and-coming sophomore Brody Acropolis.

4. Toms River East (co-op with Toms River South)

Toms River South-East had a breakthrough 18-6 season last year and should carry that momentum into this season. There are some major losses from last year's senior-heavy group, including All-Shore defenseman Jake Verdon. The good news is Verdon's younger brother, Brady, was also an All-Shore selection as a freshman and returns after leading the team in scoring last year. The team also returns prolific scorer Joseph Taliercio, who was third on the team in points last season.

5. Rumson Fair-Haven

Rumson got off to a rocky start last season, and had a record of 6-6-6 at the end of January. But the Bulldogs got hot at the right time in February, winning five straight games including a victory over Midd South to take home the Dowd Cup. They won one playoff game before falling to top-seed Northern Highlands in the Public B state tournament.

The group is contending with some key losses that will affect their depth, but they return top scorer Nik Doumas along with Andrew Croddick and coach Eric Zullo has plenty of condidence in returning goaltender Alex Baret. Rumson is a perennial contender and this year will be no different.

6. Manalapan

The Braves are truly primed for a breakout season. They return their top six scorers from last season, including two 40-point forwards in seniors Michael Schmelzer (an All-Shore selection) and Josh Kushnir. The team's most significant loss from last year was at goaltender, but coach Matt Inzerillo is very excited about newcomer Christian Esposito. The junior goalie had previously focused on club hockey with the Mercer Chiefs but will join Manalapan this season to compete in the Shore. After a 9-2-2 start, the team did not finish the season with the kind of postseason success they were hoping to achieve. After that unceremonious end, this year's group is experienced, talented and motivated.

7. Howell (co-op with Matawan)

Like Manalapan, Howell returns almost all of last year's talented team that finished the year 13-6-5. Headlining the squad are the top three scorers from last season, seniors Matt Gresko, Tony Brandl, and Nico Galandra. The Rebels have not one, but two experienced goaltenders in senior Robert Petillo and junior Jack Elias. They also added former CBA defender Matt Cartigiano to the mix.

Longtime head coach William Daley, who has been with the program since its inception, is just four wins away from 200 career victories. Howell should finish with plenty more victories than that, but they will try to avoid last year's fate of an untimely playoff exit in the opening round. They have the talent and experience to compete for the conference title.

8. Middletown South

The Eagles played an absolute gauntlet of a schedule, finishing with a 12-10-4 record. After a late-season push, they fell to Rumson in the Dowd Cup final and lost in the NJSIAA playoffs to rival Middletown North. Midd South is facing the prospect of several key losses from that tenacious group, but the team returns top-scorer Justin Ferlanti. The Eagles have depth, but they'll need some underclassmen to step up in a big way if they're going to contend in the postseason.

9. Manasquan (co-op with Point Pleasant Beach)

Despite a 10-10-1 overall record, the Warriors won the Central with a 6-1 record against divisional foes. 'Squan recovered from a 1-6 start to finish the season with a record of 9-4-1 in its remaining games. This team is built around depth and toughness, and returns a multitude of key contributors from last year's team.

Manasquan has six players who accumulated more than 20 points last season in seniors Sam Ianella, Brendan Shaughnessy, Connor Kelly and Jack Buonato along with juniors Dylan Vowteras and Giovanni Scaglia. If this year's group can carry over the momentum from the end of last season, they'll once again be a stealth contender to win the division.

10. Ocean (co-op with Shore and Monmouth)

Ocean compiled a very impressive 15-5-3 record last season, but unfortunately fizzled out in their key late season matchups. The Spartans suffered an opening round loss to Manalapan in the Dowd Cup and fell to Morris Knolls in the first round of the NJSIAA Public C tournament. They are also facing the daunting task of replacing star forward Alex Haar, who compiled 87 points last season.

Aside from the loss of Haar and second-leading scorer Aiden Mumm, the team is in great position as they return the bulk of their roster. Owen Mumm, Liam Forster and Giovanni Tritto have demonstrated they're capable of taking on bigger roles given their solid production. They also return goaltender Roman Leonardi, who started as a freshman last season.

Preseason All-Shore

MATT GRESKO

Team: Howell

Position: Forward

Year: Senior

On a Howell team loaded with scoring talent, Gresko was the top performer in total points as he amassed 30 assists and 17 goals. The Rebels' incredible trio of forwards is sure to produce again this season and each of them is sure to compete for a spot on the All-Shore team to end the season.

MICHAEL SCHMELZER

Team: Manalapan

Position: Forward

Year: Senior

Manalapan has two excellent senior forwards in Schmelzer and Josh Kushnir, their two leaders in points last season, but Schmelzer gets the nod at least coming into the season. He led the Braves in goals (25) and overall points (45) as a junior last season and is sure to spearhead the offensive attack again this season.

JUSTIN FERLANTI

Team: Middletown South

Position: Forward

Year: Senior

There are just so many talented and productive forwards in the Shore this winter, but Ferlanti gets the final spot on the preseason team. Midd South had a talented and productive group of seniors last year, but it was Ferlanti who led the team in goals with 21 in addition to 24 assists. He'll now be entrusted with even more of the offensive production as he leads an Eagles squad that needs to see younger players step into bigger roles.

DEREK FIORE

Team: Christian Brothers

Position: Defense

Year: Senior

It goes without saying that CBA has elite talent and depth as it competes in the Gordon Conference, and will likely have several candidates for All-Shore by season's end. For now, it's Fiore who is the lone representative of the powerhouse program. With the graduation of two elite defenders from last year's team, Fiore will step in to an even bigger role even after logging an impressive 14 points last season. Alongside RJ Sun, he forms an elite defensive tandem for the Colts.

JAMES LUCOSKY

Team: St. John Vianney

Position: Defense

Year: Junior

Even after losing star defenseman Pat Gaines to graduation, the Lancers retain that elite defensive identity that makes them a perennial force in the Shore. Lucosky was part of that elite unit that produced three shutouts while also adding 18 points on the offensive end. Fellow defender Dakota Vastola is also sure to contend for a spot on the All-Shore team by season's end, but for now Lucosky gets the spot.

BRENDAN ALLEN

Team: St. John Vianney

Position: Goaltender

Year: Junior

The one position where the Shore doesn't return a lot of experienced and accomplished players is goaltender, but there are certainly several dark horse candidates that could emerge. It would be a surprise if anyone is better than Allen, who split time in the goal last season as a sophomore but had two of the team's three shutouts. He also finished last season with an impressive .921 save percentage with 222 saves.

All-Shore Watch List

• Brady Verdon, Toms River South, So.

• Brody Acropolis, Brick Township, So.

• Dakota Vastola, St. John Vianney, Sr.

• Hayden Nubile, Freehold Township, So.

• Jake Toye, Brick Township, Sr.

• Joe Talliercio, Toms River South, Jr.

• Josh Kushnir, Manalapan, Sr.

• Liam Forster, Ocean, Jr.

• Nico Calondra, Howell, Sr.

• Nik Doumas, Rumson, Sr.

• Owen Mumm, Ocean, Sr.

• Peter Morris, Brick, Jr.

• RJ Sun, CBA, Sr.

• Robert Petillo, Howell, Sr.

• Ryan Cook, Middletown North, Sr.

• Sean Guinnessey, CBA, Sr.

• Tony Brandl, Howell, Sr.

Preseason scrimmage & season-opening schedule

Tuesday, Dec. 5 scrimmages

4:00PM Ocean vs. Brick — The Ice Palace

4:30PM Freehold Township vs. Mountain Lakes — Mennen Sports Arena

4:30PM Point Pleasant Boro vs. Mountain Lakes — Mennen Sports Arena

5:00PM Monroe Township vs. Middletown H.S. South — Middletown Ice World

5:50PM Wall vs. St. John Vianney — Jersey Shore Arena

Wednesday, Dec. 6 scrimmages

4:45PM Malvern Prep vs. Christian Brothers Academy — Jersey Shore Arena

Thursday, Dec. 7 (Opening night of regular season)

5:00PM Marlboro H.S. Freehold Township H.S. — Howell Ice Arena

6:00PM Middletown H.S. South Middletown H.S. North — Middletown Sports Complex

6:25PM Red Bank Regional Ocean Twp. — Jersey Shore Arena

Friday, Dec. 8

4:00PM Ocean Twp. Lacey H.S. — Winding River Arena

5:15PM Toms River North H.S. Brick Township H.S. — Ice Palace

6:00PM Christian Brothers Academy Don Bosco Prep — Ice Vault Arena

Saturday, Dec. 9

6:25PM Ridge Wall Township — Jersey Shore Arena

6:45PM Old Bridge Howell H.S. — Howell Ice Arena

6:45PM Old Bridge Matawan Regional High School — Howell Ice Arena

7:30PM Manasquan Manalapan — Jersey Shore Arena

8:40PM Marlboro H.S. Freehold Boro High School — Howell Ice Rink

Sunday, Dec. 10

5:00PM Freehold Boro High School Manalapan — Howell Ice Arena

7:30PM Middletown South vs. Northern Highlands — Sport-O-Rama

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore hockey preseason All-Shore, preseason Top 10 teams 2023