Who's the best girls hockey player in the Patriot League? Local coaches weigh in

It's back by popular demand.

Followers of South Shore high school sports showed so much support for our recent Patriot League boys and girls basketball 'Coach Confidential' stories that reporter Eric McHugh ventured to the South Shore League with the exercise.

But many wondered, what about hockey fans? Fear not. We've got you covered.

We sent out a survey to the Patriot League boys hockey coaches (hailing from Whitman-Hanson, Quincy, North Quincy, Hanover, Pembroke, Silver Lake, Marshfield, Duxbury, Scituate, Plymouth North and Plymouth South) to dig deeper on an array of topics and superlatives.

Here are the questions we asked, and the anonymous replies we received.

Note: A boys hockey version of this story will be published on Thursday.

1. Which opposing Patriot League team has the craziest student section / best home ice advantage?

"Hingham at Pilgrim (Skating Arena): We happened to play them on their Senior Night, but they were the loudest crowd we've played against."

"Best home ice advantage goes to Plymouth with their 10 a.m. games on Saturdays. Their record the last three years in those games are 10-3-4, according to Arbiter."

"Duxbury: Good attendance."

"The Marshfield/Duxbury rivalry is strong, and the annual Green Cup games at The Bog are all well-attended by both sides and have great fan sections."

"For us, it’s the early game at 10 a.m. at Plymouth. They have really beaten us soundly the last two years in that game."

"Duxbury High School Girls at The Bog."

"Duxbury: Great rink and lots of room and big stands!"

2. Which Patriot League player/team has displayed the best sportsmanship?

"Quincy/North Quincy has a great group of coaches and their players work hard and are respectful of opposing teams."

"Plymouth South/Plymouth North."

"Whitman-Hanson/Silver Lake - Lots of team spirit. They work hard for each other on a short roster."

"Plymouth North/South players are disciplined in their systems. Well-coached, respectful and, to me, have demonstrated the best sportsmanship."

"Plymouth. They are always respectful whether they win or lose."

3. Who is the best overall player in the Patriot League?

"(Pembroke's) Jen Birolini: She consistently stands out each shift."

"(Caroline) Doherty, Hingham: Big, strong, fast, smart. Difficult to cover."

"No. 46 for Pembroke (Jen Birolini): Very good stickhandler, skater and can score from anywhere."

"Jen Birolini and Caroline Doherty: Both players are a must to know where and when they are on the ice. All teams take notice when they are on the ice and game plan for them."

"Marshfield's Sarah McIntyre is the best player in the league. She's a sniper, can pass the puck into the wheelhouse, beat anyone in a race, run a power-play, and is a short-handed threat. She does not give up on any puck or play."

"Maddie Greenwood, Duxbury: Big, strong, can shoot and plays 200 feet. Plays power-play and penalty-kill. Scores goals in the biggest games. Caroline Doherty of Hingham and Jen Birolini are also two players you have to game plan for."

"Jen Birolini, Pembroke: Jen has great skills and works well with her teammates. Sometimes she's the goal scorer and other times she's the playmaker."

4. Who is the best goaltender in the Patriot League?

"(Anna McGinty), Duxbury: She's very focused, tough to get a goal past her."

"Anna McGinty. Gabby Sidman, Plymouth could also get some votes."

"Anna McGinty, Duxbury: Well-positioned."

"Marshfield's Morgan Murphy."

"Gabbie Sidman, Plymouth: She has given her team a chance to win every game she has played in."

"Morgan Murphy, Marshfield: She competes hard every game."

"Mia Dunphy, Pembroke: She can win a game all by herself."

"Plymouth N/S goalie (Gabbie Sidman): Their defensive core also helps, as they are an overall very strong defensive team. Their goalie is a good blend of athleticism and technique."

5. Who is the best goal-scorer in the Patriot League?

"(Pembroke's) Jen Birolini: She can hit tough spots in the net."

"(Caroline) Doherty, Hingham: Big, strong, fast, smart."

"No. 46 for Pembroke (Jen Birolini)"

"The best goal-scorer is Jen Birolini of Pembroke. She has speed and strength. When she winds up, she can skate through your whole team then make a great pass to a wide open teammate because everyone is watching her."

"Jen Birolini, Pembroke ... 100 (career) goals early in her junior year."

"Caroline Doherty, Hingham. Always a threat with the puck on her stick. Quick release, accurate shot, big strong player that gets herself into scoring areas."

"Jen Birolini is always a threat to score."

"Jen Birolini, Pembroke: Jen works hard for every scoring opportunity she gets and always makes the most of it."

6. Who is the best defenseman in the Patriot League?

"Callie Baldwin, Hanover: Her plus-minus is outstanding, and she works hard to keep opposing players out of Hanover's defensive end. She's a great decision-maker and knows when to pinch and when not to. No one gets a clear shot when Callie is on the ice."

"Caitlin Dilley, Whitman-Hanson/Silver Lake: Has a complete game. Plays a ton of minutes against the other team's top line. Can contribute offensively and never gets beat defensively. Quick shot and knows how to find the net."

"CC Flynn (Hingham): Very good puck handler. No panic, she makes the correct play."

"Marshfield's Cameron Jordan: She is smooth with the puck, anchors the power play, kills penalties, blocks a ton of shots and rarely gets beat."

"Ava Dunphy, Pembroke"

"One of the starters for Plymouth. I'd also put in an honorable mention for Ashlinn Folan of Quincy/North Quincy."

7. Who is the most underrated player in the Patriot League?

"Ciara Folan, Quincy/North Quincy: She is a leader by example. It's always evident when she's on the ice."

"Callie Pineau, Norwell/Scituate/Abington: She plays a complete game and impacts the game every shift."

"The most underrated player is Gabby Reardon for Marshfield. She forechecks, makes things happen, backchecks and ruins your day."

"Jaclyn King, Hanover: Solid, smart player."

"Gabby Sidman, goalie, Plymouth. She keeps her team in every single game."

"Gracyn Monahan – Hanover's goalie."

8. Which Patriot League team will make the best push for the state title?

"Duxbury: Strong at both ends of the ice and strong goaltending."

"Duxbury in Div. 2: Depth, goal scoring, solid goaltending and experience. Hingham in Div. 1: High-end talent and a group hungry to make their mark."

"Duxbury: Battle-tested."

"Duxbury is always a threat for a title run. They have depth and experience."

"Duxbury. They have 4 solid lines."

"Hingham: They are deep in every area and control play in all types of situations."

9. Who involved with a Patriot League team doesn't get enough credit for their contributions?

"Parents. They have a lot on their plate getting their girls to all events for their team and then have to help their daughters deal with all the physical and emotional ups and downs of a hockey season."

"Jack Stordard from Duxbury, He is always at the games and supports Duxbury in a respectful manner."

"Any team manager who helps with film, helps players, helps coaches, helps parents. They do not get enough recognition for their efforts."

"Scott Paine, Scituate (athletic director): He put together the Norwell/Scituate/Abington co-op."

"Jeff Maidment, AD Duxbury: League admin that handles all the behind the scenes. Sherman Wallen, he assigns all of the games. The staffs at Rockland Rink, Hobomock Arena and The Bog. They host the majority of our league games and do an incredible job."

"Christa Monahan of Hanover is amazing! A teacher by day and team mom/booster at night. Christa is at every game taking photos and is our Facebook/Instagram social media rep. She doesn't just post scores, but beautiful graphics with a different player or group of players photos announcing game dates and times and rinks. After the game she posts a summary highlighting goals, assists and great plays. She works tirelessly with boosters as well organizing apparel for the team, team buses with pizza for the ride home, team dinners, and fundraising as well. She raises our team's morale immensely by all that she does!! We are so lucky to have her!"

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Patriot League coaches comment on South Shore high school girls hockey