Boys Ice Hockey Team Prepares for Season of Growth

It'll be a different type of season for the boys varsity ice hockey team.

Coming off the heals of a strong year, having  in a victory over league rival Medfield in March, the team went on to see seven of its players move on as league All-Stars last season.

But several of those players went on to graduate in May, and where the will have the advantage of returning experience this winter season, the boys team will be looking to advance the talent of both growing and seasoned players.

"It's certainly going to be a different year, losing 15 seniors, many of whom contributed at varying levels," Head Coach Mike Welby told Westwood Patch. "Losing those guys really hurt us."

But where the team lost several players to graduation, Welby is looking at the upcoming season as one of growth and development of the players who will take to the ice.

"We do have a strong nucleus of defensemen coming back," said Welby, last season. "Each day it's going to be learning something new or teaching something new. Instead of flying out of the gate like we did last year, it'll be a developmental process, and it'll take some time to get the kids going in the right direction."

Among those returning this year will be Brendan Dalton and Diarmuid Gallagher, as well as incoming freshman Ken Mackin, Welby said, and Jake Drew will be returning on defense. 

The Wolverines finished last season at 19-4-1, and despite , the team ultimately fell 3-2 in overtime to Pembroke.

Now, the team looks ahead with a fresh start at such challenging opponents as Canton and Medway. 

"Medway will be the team to beat," Welby said. "They'll be tough to play against."

Westwood takes on Olver Ames High School in a home scrimmage at the Metropolis Skating Rink in Canton today at 6:30 p.m. 

The official season begins Saturday at home against Auburn at 4 p.m.

"They did pretty well last year," Welby said of Auburn. "We're looking forward to it. It's certainly a different challenge than it was least year."