2017 HockomockSports Hockey Awards

Canton senior Jackson Maffeo has been named the 2017 HockomockSports.com Hockey Player of the Year. It’s the second straight year that Maffeo has been chosen for this award, becoming the first ever two-time winner. Only two other athletes have ever won Player of the Year twice and Maffeo is the first male to do so.

Maffeo was also voted as the Hockomock League MVP by the coaches after leading the Bulldogs to their seventh straight Davenport division title. This is the fifth year that the HockomockSports.com Hockey Player of the Year award has been given out.

“Jackson’s instincts, character and knowledge of the game really set him apart from the pack,” said HockomockSports.com Editor-in-Chief Ryan Lanigan. “When you add in how skillful he is, it’s clear why he’s won this award two times. It’s going to be a long time before this league sees someone like Jackson again.”

Not only is Maffeo the only player to win the HockomockSports.com Hockey Player of the Year twice, he’s the only defenseman to be selected. This season, he had two goals and eight assists for a total for 10 points.

“Jackson was one of the most defensively dominant players I’ve had the pleasure to coach in all my years behind the bench,” said Canton coach Brian Shuman. “His work ethic and compete level are unmatched, which is why he was asked to play big minutes for us.”

Oliver Ames head coach Sean Bertoni added, “Jackson is a smart, strong, physical defenseman. He’s clearly a stand out player that made it difficult for all opponents, this is a well-deserved award.”

Maffeo joins Franklin’s Ryan Spillane (2015), Oliver Ames’ Tyler Provost (2014) and Canton’s Brian Brooks (2013) as winners of the award.

Honorable Mention: Zach McGowan (North Attleboro), Matt Farragher (Mansfield)

Please note these are the HockomockSports.com Awards and are selected strictly by our staff.

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Quinn Gibbs – Canton – Goalie
Canton had a void in net coming into the season after graduating a three-year starter, but junior Quinn Gibbs stepped right in and got better each and every game. On the season, Gibbs turned away 320 shots and had a league-best 0.924 save percentage, allowing just 1.31 goals against per game. “Taking over for a three-year starter is never easy,” said Canton coach Brian Shuman, “but Quinn thrives under pressure. He steadily improved as the year went on, and his performance in the playoffs against Pembroke was nothing short of incredible and helped win that game.”

 

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Jackson Maffeo – Canton – Defense
Canton senior Jackson Maffeo had another dominant season, helping the Bulldogs clinch yet another league title. Maffeo was named HockomockSports.com Player of the Year for the second straight season, and was voted Hockomock League MVP by the coaches. He scored a pair of goals and had eight assists while anchoring a defense that allowed a league-low 32 goals against – 16 better than the next team. “He was a vital member of our defensive core for four straight years,” said Canton head coach Brian Shuman.

 

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Thomas Sicchio – Franklin – Defense
Coming into the season, the Franklin blue line was largely inexperienced and a point of concern, but senior defenseman Thomas Sicchio stepped in to solidify that position and provide leadership for the league champion Panthers. Sicchio led the Panthers in assists this season with 24 and chipped in with a pair of goals as well, but more importantly he stepped up to become a physical presence for Franklin defensively. Franklin coach Chris Spillane said, “Thomas was our leader on the blue line. Thomas has great ice vision and his passing skills are off the chart.”

 

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Zach McGowan – North Attleboro – Forward
North Attleboro senior center Zach McGowan was an integral member of the Rocketeers’ first line and helped North accumulate the most points of any season in program history and reach the D2 South quarterfinal. For the season, McGowan totaled 19 goals and 13 assists and was a reliable two-way player that could be counted on to help the defense with a strong fore-check. North Attleboro coach Steve Snizek said of McGowan, “Zach was the most reliable player we had this year. His ability to control the play (no matter the situation), his vision, shot, and hockey awareness is what makes him such a dangerous player for opponents.”

 

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Brendan O’Rielly – Franklin – Forward
After featuring regularly for the state title-winning team as a sophomore, Franklin junior forward Brendan O’Rielly had a breakout season for the Panthers this winter, emerging as the team’s leading scorer and helping the team secure another Hockomock League title. O’Rielly scored a team-best 20 goals this season and also added 11 assists for a team-high 31 points, as Franklin went 7-2 in the league to win the Kelley-Rex division and reached the Div. 1 South quarterfinal. Franklin coach Chris Spillane said of O’Rielly, “He has great skating ability, shoots very well, and has great stick-handling skills.”

 

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Matt Farragher – Mansfield – Forward
Mansfield senior Matt Farragher had a standout final season, leading the Hornets back to the playoffs. Farragher was one of the most consistent and offensively-talented players in the Hockomock League. He had 16 goals and 12 assists for a team-high 28 points on the season. “He has truly been the backbone of this year’s team,” said Mansfield coach Mike Balzarini. “He led by example and was depended on each and every game. He would always keep pushing himself and never got discouraged, no matter what the situation.”

 

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Ryan Warren – North Attleboro – Goalie
North Attleboro sophomore goalie Ryan Warren followed up his stellar rookie campaign with a strong second season in net for the Rocketeers. Warren had a goals against average of 2.37 and a save percentage of .892 (stopping 395-of-443 shots) this winter, as North reached the D2 South quarterfinal and recorded the most points in the program’s history. Warren was selected to the HockomockSports.com All-Underclassman team this winter. North coach Steve Snizek said, “He was the backbone of our entire team. His positioning, poise, and ability to control rebounds makes him such a great goaltender.”

 

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Tyler Oakley – Mansfield – Defense
Mansfield junior Tyler Oakley had a breakout year on the blue line for the Hornets, who qualified for the postseason and finished third in the Kelley-Rex division. Oakley made an impact on both ends of the ice, playing a role in the offense while anchoring a defense that allowed just 50 goals this season – the second least in the division and fourth best in the entire Hockomock League. He notched 10 assists and was a team-high plus-18. “Tyler was a strong presence for us on defense this year,” said head coach Mike Balzarini. “He logged a ton of minutes, and was a crucial part of both special team units.”

 

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Jack Maloney – Oliver Ames – Defense
Oliver Ames senior Jack Maloney followed up an strong junior season with an impressive senior campaign, anchoring the Tigers to a big year. Maloney was a part of a defense that allowed just 48 goals against this year, tops for the Kelley-Rex division. One of the most physical players in the league, Maloney also inserted himself on the offensive end. He scored seven goals and added 10 assists. “Jack is a solid skater with a big shot,” said head coach Sean Bertoni. “He was the top scoring defenseman for two straight years.”

 

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Jake Parker – Attleboro – Forward
Attleboro junior forward Jake Parker helped push the Bombardiers within one point of qualifying for the tournament after another strong season as the team’s focal point on offense. Parker led the Bombardiers with 20 goals and six assists, including a five-goal performance against Mansfield that brought Attleboro back from 5-0 down and a four-goal game against Ashland. Attleboro coach Mark Homer said of Parker, “Jake was a leader on the ice this season at practices and games. He consistently embraced the pressure situations for our club this season and committed himself to be the difference maker in those tight spots.”

 

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Brett Williams – Oliver Ames – Forward
Oliver Ames sophomore Brett Williams had a breakout year for the Tigers, who came within a point of the Kelley-Rex title. Despite being just a sophomore, Williams was one of the top offensive threats in the league and was near the top of the points leader list. He scored a team-high 12 goals and added eight assists for a total of 20 points. “Brett is a speedy right wing and has good hands,” said Oliver Ames head coach Sean Bertoni. “Brett had a great sophomore year and we expect great things from him next year.”

 

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Ryan Nolte – Canton – Forward
Canton sophomore Ryan Nolte exploded onto the scene with a terrific season, pacing the Bulldogs offense. After notching just two assists during his freshman year, Nolte had a team-high 15 goals and 12 assists, leading the Bulldogs with 27 points. When he got in the offensive zone, Nolte showed the ability to be in the right spot at the right time and finished with the best forwards in the league. “As soon as the calendar turned to January, Ryan became as our most consistent offensive player and never looked back,” said Canton head coach Brian Shuman.

 

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AJ Scott – Stoughton – Goalie
Stoughton sophomore AJ Scott followed up an impressive rookie campaign with another strong year for the Black Knights in 2016-2017. Scott saw a lot of the puck this past season, making 586 saves (eighth most in the entire state according to MassHSHockey.com). He also posted an impressive .890 save percentage with a 3.60 goals against average. In just two years, Scott has made 1,201 saves. “AJ has worked to improve his game and is driven to be the best he can be and is a pleasure to coach,” said Stoughton head coach Dan Mark.

 

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Jared Costello – Oliver Ames – Defense
Oliver Ames senior Jared Costello was a big part in a successful season for a young Tigers team. With the majority of forwards being underclassman, Costello – a two-time captain – was the vocal leader on and off the ice for the Tigers, who finished second in the Kelley-Rex. A four-year starter, Costello had five goals and seven assists during his senior campaign. “Jared has a lot of character and worked extremely hard during the off season, he will be missed,” OA head coach Sean Bertoni said. “Jared logged the most minutes on our team.”

 

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CJ Martin – Canton – Defense
Canton senior CJ Martin had an impactful final season for the Davenport division winning Bulldogs. Not only was Martin one of the top defensemen in the league, he was able to get forward and make an impact offensively. He finished the season with one goal and team-high 17 assists. “When CJ was on the ice, it was like having a fourth forward who could skate the puck the length of the ice at any time,” Canton head coach Brian Shuman said. “He was also dominant defensively, often being asked to shut down the opposition’s top line.”

 

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Erik Clements – North Attleboro – Forward
North Attleboro senior forward Erik Clements continued to build on his four-year experience on the varsity for the Rocketeers with another strong season. Clements, a strong, big winger, scored 11 goals and recorded nine assists for North, which reached the Div. 2 South quarterfinal and earned the program’s best-ever single season point total. North Attleboro coach Steve Snizek said, “Erik was a force on the ice this year. He is the true definition of a power forward. His speed, strength, and shot made him such a vital factor to our success. He has the unbelievable ability to create opportunities out of nothing.”

 

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Jacob Kelly – King Philip – Forward
King Philip senior forward Jacob Kelly was a bright spot for the Warriors this season. The Warriors had a lot of new faces on the ice this season and Kelly led by example. A team assistant captain, Kelly led the Warriors with 12 goals while adding 11 assists for 23 points. He was selected as the team MVP. “Nobody works harder then Jacob, he’s always in the gym,” said King Philip head coach Paul Carlow. “He can also really shoot the puck. He has a hard, accurate shot with a quick release. He’s a great kid and a pleasure to coach, we’re going to miss him.”

 

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Nick Terry – Taunton – Forward
Taunton senior Nick Terry capped a memorable career with another strong season. Playing for the Tigers since he was in 8th grade, Terry has a long list of accomplishments. A two-time captain and four-time Hockomock League All Star, Terry had 22 goals and 13 assists, and is the most decorated player in THS hockey history. “Nick epitomizes everything a coach would want a student-athlete to become…quality student, committed athlete, and displays excellent character,” said coach Kris Metea. “Nick might be one of the most mentally tough and resilient players I have come across in the last 10-12 years.”

 

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Canton sophomore forward Ryan Nolte has been selected as the 2017 HockomockSports.com Hockey Underclassman of the Year. This is the fifth year that the recognition has been awarded. Nolte was also selected to the HockomockSports.com Second Team.

“There were a lot of good young players in the league but Ryan really emerged as the top underclassman as the season went on,” said Editor-in-Chief Ryan Lanigan. “Canton has a history of great forwards and Ryan became a go-to player for the Bulldogs in the offensive end. He’s already shown he has the clutch gene too.”

Nolte had a team-high 15 goals and 12 assists, leading the Bulldogs with 27 points. He scored the game-winning goal in the Bulldogs’ 1-0 win over Pembroke in the First Round. He then added the game-winning goal in double overtime in a 3-2 win over Bishop Feehan in the quarterfinals.

“He played his best in big games, which included scoring the game winning goals in the first and second round of the playoffs,” said Canton head coach Brian Shuman.

Nolte is the third player from the Davenport division to win the award, and third straight Canton player to win. He joins Jackson Maffeo (2015) and Matt Lazaro (2014) along with North Attleboro’s Ryan Warren (2016) and Sean Young (2013).

Ryan Warren, North Attleboro – Warren, last year’s Underclassman of the Year, had another strong season between the pipes for the Rocketeers with a goals against average of 2.37 and had a .892 save percentage of the shots that he faced.

Will Yeomans, North Attleboro – Yeomans, a freshman defenseman, made an instant impact for the Rocketeers with his composed play and positioning on the blue line and he also chipped in with two goals and seven assists.

Colin Oppelt, Franklin – For the second year in a row, Franklin could count on a rookie stepping up to make plays at the blue line. Oppelt stepped right in to be a top-four defenseman and a physical presence, while adding five assists as well.

Chris Jenkins, Mansfield – Mansfield got a spark from freshman Chris Jenkins, who made a big impact on the offensive end during his rookie campaign. He netted 11 goals and notched 10 assists, tying for third on the team with 21 points.

Johnny Hagan, Canton – The Bulldogs were looking for offense this season and as a freshman, Hagan stepped right in to be one of the team’s top point producers. He scored eight goals and had 15 assists, second in points on the team to only sophomore Ryan Nolte.

Ryan Nolte, Canton – The 2017 Underclassman of the Year, Nolte emerged as one of the top offensive threats in the entire league. Playing on the team’s first line, Nolte netted 15 goals and had 12 assists for a team-high 27 points.

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Canton junior Quinn Gibbs has been selected as the 2017 HockomockSports.com Goalie of the Year. Gibbs is the fourth player to receive the honor in its fifth season being awarded.

“We knew Canton would have a big void in goal this season after losing three year starter and 2016 HockomockSports.com Goalie of the Year Justin Slocum to graduation,” said HockomockSports.com Editor-in-Chief Ryan Lanigan. “Quinn stepped in and seemed to get better every single game. By the end of the season, he looked like a seasoned veteran.”

Gibbs saved 320 of the 346 shots that he faced this season, notching a 0.924 save percentage. He posted a 1.31 goals against average this season in just under 20 games played. He was also selected to the HockomockSports.com First Team and was also voted a Hockomock League All Star by the coaches.

“Taking over for a three-year starter is never easy, but Quinn thrives under pressure,” said Canton head coach Brian Shuman. “He steadily improved as the year went on, and his performance in the playoffs against Pembroke was nothing short of incredible and helped win that game.”

Gibbs is the second straight goalie from Canton to win the award, following Justin Slocum (2016). He also joins Franklin’s Ryan Shea (2015) and Oliver Ames’ Jimmy Tierney (2013, 2014) as winners of the award..

Honorable Mention: Ryan Warren (North Attleboro), AJ Scott (Stoughton), Tony Rullo (Mansfield)

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Coach of the Year – Sean Bertoni, Oliver Ames

Oliver Ames first year head coach Sean Bertoni has been selected as the 2017 HockomockSports.com Coach of the year.

In his first year at the helm, Bertoni led the Tigers to an impressive showing in the program’s first year in the Kelley-Rex division. The Tigers compiled a 6-2-1 league record, finishing just one point shy of Bertoni’s alma mater Franklin for the division title.

Oliver Ames earned the the #8 seed in the D2 South tournament after finishing with a 13-6-1 regular season record. In the first round of the playoffs, OA took down Nauset before falling to eventual sectional champions Scituate. The Tigers were loaded with a lot of underclassman, especially on the offensive end, but still managed to score an impressive 68 goals while allowing just 48 goals.

“Oliver Ames came into the season with a lot of young forwards and that can be a tough task, but Coach Bertoni really made the Tigers a dangerous team,” said HockomockSports.com Editor-in-Chief Ryan Lanigan. “He really relied on the team’s defensive strength and trusted the young players to get things done in a very competitive division.”

Bertoni joins Franklin’s Chris Spillane (2016, 2015) and Canton’s Brian Shuman (2013, 2014) as winners of the award.

Honorable Mention: Mike Balzarini (Mansfield), Steve Snizek (North Attleboro), Brian Shuman (Canton)
 

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