Sr. heavy squad returns after a postseason campaign
MELROSE—The Melrose High boy’s hockey team opens their season next week with their home opener slated for this coming Wednesday, Dec. 13 against Belmont at 7:45 p.m. at Kasabuski Arena.
Melrose returns after a changing-of-the-guard season in 2022-23, when new coach Joe Ciccarello helped lead them to another Div. 2 playoff run. This year, they hope to build upon that momentum. Melrose has advanced to playoffs in the last three season despite sub .500 records, but with an incredibly tough schedule of primarily Div. 1 teams, Melrose has seen respected rankings send them to Division 1 and 2 playoff rounds. Rightfully, so.
This season Melrose will compete in Div. 3, a move designed by the MIAA in consideration of school size. It’s a unique switch for Melrose, who had long competed in Div. 1 and in more recent years, Div. 2. “Every two years the MIAA reevaluates based on population and here we are,” says Cicarello. Melrose will see company in that division with local teams such as Watertown Wakefield, Lynnfield and Danvers.
And with a senior heavy team, playoffs can be considered likely this year. Melrose returns with an experienced upperclassmen team including 12 seniors: Brendan Healy, Jackson Burdick, Jack Wright, Tyler Muse, Colin Fahey, Declan Baker, Alexander Sevastyanov, Will Ryan, Michael Fuccione, Joe Smith, Joe Kelleher and Ethan Burns.
“Two years ago, we won two games. Last year we won five,” notes coach Ciccarello. “Last year, we lost too many 1-goal games, and also had three ties, small factors that could have made the season a bit different. And this year we want to flip those.”
Returning starters include two-year goalie Matthew Fuccione and fellow goalie Joe Smith, who Cicarello contends will “push each other” over the season, along with defensemen Griffin Brady, Brendan Doyle, Joey Kelleher, Ethan Burns and Michael Fuccione.
Expect Melrose to pack a punch on offense behind the work of returning starters Justin D’Antona, who led the league in scoring, along with other scoring standouts Tyler Muse, Quinn Haggerty, plus Charlie Hoskins, Brendan Healy, Jack Wright, Declan Baker, Colin Fahey and Jackson Burdick. “I expect this group to ramp it up,” notes the coach.
But they also have a good underclass that includes new prospects Anders Guiliano (defense), Alexander Sevastyanov (offense), Will Ryan (offense), Aiden Barber (offense), Harrison Krygowski (offense) and Jackson Kendall (defense).
Last week Melrose had a first ever (in recent years) venture overnight to compete in a scrimmage tourney in Cape Cod to take on teams like Bourne and Falmouth, the former they beat 5-1. Says Ciccarello, “I know some of the coaches down there and thought it was a great chance to prepare for the season and also create some team bonding, which it did. These things help build trust. We’re creating a family here and seeing the results of it.”
Melrose is also taking part in a “sled hockey” charitable event to benefit a sibling of Melrose player Jack Feeney and helping stock a local food pantry. Melrose also has benefitted from a strong off-season weight-training program that keeps the team hockey-ready in the summer months. Those are certainly factors that could decide early how strong Melrose will compete in an always-tough Middlesex League.
As always, the Freedom League remains unpredictable. Last year Wakefield took the title, with Wilmington chomping at the bits. Over on the large side, Winchester and Reading are expected to be as strong as ever. And while Burlington, Stoneham and Melrose have some making up to do, they are historically strong programs that no league team can sit on. So when the puck drops next Wednesday, Melrose hopes to embark on a season that shows rivals there are no nights off when you play against the red and white.
Sums up Ciccarello, “We open with Belmont, Reading and Winchester, and it’s the iron of the league. It will be tough but we want to play together, tough, stay healthy and remain motivated.”
Melrose’s home opener is slated for this coming Wednesday, Dec. 13 against Belmont at 7:45 p.m. at Kasabuski Arena.