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WINTER PREVIEW: Diman co-op, Somerset Berkley hockey ready for new year

steven sanchez, the herald news
·3 min read

FALL RIVER — The 2023-24 high school ice hockey season gets underway this weekend.

Two Fall River area teams — Diman/Durfee/Westport co-op and Somerset Berkley — are looking to make a deep run in the state tournament after disappointing endings last season.

The Bengals open up at home against Blue Hills on Saturday while the Raiders start their journey with a home game against Apponequet next Wednesday.

Here's a look at the previews for both teams:

The Diman/Durfee/Westport ice hockey team met Southeastern/Bristol-Plymouth on Wednesday, Feb. 8.
The Diman/Durfee/Westport ice hockey team met Southeastern/Bristol-Plymouth on Wednesday, Feb. 8.

Diman/Durfee/Westport Bengals

Head coach: Marc O'Connor (fourth season)

Last year's record: 17-2. Lost in the Division 2 preliminary round against Dartmouth

League: Mayflower Athletic Conference

Returning starters: Bryce Medeiros, C; Jacob Almeida, FW; Brady Sullivan, FW; Jared Martins, C; Landen Freitas, FW; Evan Camara, D;  Owen Vernon, D; Robert Leach; D.

Newcomers: Jack Bouchard, C; Matthew Almeida, FW; Kane Aguiar, FW; Gavin Peters; D.

Outlook: Head coach Marc O'Connor said the goal for the Diman co-op team, which includes Durfee and Westport, is to build and sustain a program for years to come. "It is starting to happen here in Fall River," said O'Connor. Numbers up are this season for the Bengals and the talent level is improving from year to year.

O'Connor said the team depth has gotten better which will help them be a better 5-on-5 team. Diman has solid power play and penalty kill units that can hold their own around the league. The Bengals enjoyed a sensational season last winter, including an area-best 14 game winning streak and 10-0 mark in league play. O'Connor said it's tough to say where teams will stack up. "It is a good league and the competition changes from year to year," he said. "I think the Mayflower is wide open and any team can make its way to the top. At the end of the day a positive mindset, hard work, and a no-quit attitude will make us a team that will always be hard to play against."

More: Nine Fall River area high school hockey players to watch this winter

The Somerset Berkley ice hockey team gathers at the net before the start of the game against Auburn on Wednesday, March 1.
The Somerset Berkley ice hockey team gathers at the net before the start of the game against Auburn on Wednesday, March 1.

Somerset Berkley Raiders

Head coach: Kevin Snyder (22nd season)

Last year's record: 19-1. Lost in the Division 2 Round of 32 against Auburn

League: South Coast Conference

Returning starters: Luke Gauvin, FW; Kien Stafford, FW; Liam Derocher, FW; Adyn Marcos, D; Mason Sullivan, D.

Newcomers: Dylan Messier, D.

Outlook: The Raiders look to build on their impressive season from a year ago. Longtime head coach Kevin Snyder said his team is coming along. "The team has shown improvement every day," he said. "The work is not easy but they are learning to improve every day."

Snyder said some of the teams battling for top spots in the South Coast Conference with his club are Dighton-Rehoboth/Seekonk, Bourne and Old Rochester. The Raiders, who were unbeaten in league play last year, are led by captains Luke Gauvin and Kien Stafford. Defensively, Adyn Marcos and Mason Sullivan are the leaders in front of the goaltender.

Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette sports editor Steven Sanchez can be reached at ssanchez@heraldnews.com. You can follow him on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @Chezsports.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Fall River area high school boys hockey season preview