By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
PEABODY — Last season, the North Reading -Peabody-Lynnfield High co-op girls’ hockey team reached the MIAA Division 1 Round of 16 game before losing, 2-1, at Arlington. With that result, the Tanners ended the year at 16-5.-1.
In the Northeastern Hockey League, they came in second place to Winthrop with a mark of 14-1-1.
Seven seniors graduated from that squad but eighth-year head coach Michelle Roach welcomed back 21 veterans when practice opened up on Nov. 28.
The four senior captains are Jenna DiNapoli (North Reading), Ella Chase (North Reading), Hannah Gromko and Catie Kampersal. DiNapoli is a center while the three other players are forwards.
DiNapoli is the team’s top returning scorer (16 goals and 12 assists) as she was an NHL All-Star last winter along with Kampersal, Gromko and Gromko’s sophomore sister Chloe, who is a defenseman. DiNapoli was an All-Conference player while the other three were NHL All-Stars.
“We have a core of sophomores with some seniors to anchor them,” said Roach.
Roach was pleased with the first week of practice as they scrimmaged Middlesex League powers, Woburn and Winchester.
Three key sophomores, all from North Reading, are Alyse Mutti (goalie), Alexa Pepper (forward) and Shirley Whitmore (forward).
Of the 28 players on the roster 15 are from North Reading.
The Tanners will play a 20-game regular-season schedule with 16 league games and four non-league contests. They will play Bishop Fenwick twice, then take on St. Mary’s of Lynn and Haverhill-North Andover-Pentucket once for the four non-league games.
“I feel that our biggest strength will be our depth,” said Roach.
PLNR opens the season on Dec. 8 as they visit Gloucester at Talbot Rink. Face-off is at 4 p.m.. The home opener is two days later as they welcome Beverly-Danvers to McVann-O’Keefe Rink with that game starting at 4 p.m. as well.
On Dec. 14, the Tanners host St. Mary’s at 5:15 p.m.