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The Winchester High boys hockey team finished up the regular season last year with a 13-10 record, and were the 11th seed heading into the Division 1 state tournament. They then won two straight postseason games against Shrewsbury, the 22nd seed, 4-1, and Middlesex League rival Belmont, the sixth seed, 2-1.
Those triumphs qualified the Red & Black for the Elite 8, where they dropped a heartbreaker to St. John’s of Shrewsbury, the 14th seed, 4-3.
Coach Gino Khachadourian certainly had no complaints with the overall season, while adding, “it built upon our success and culture (as a program),” which bodes well for this year that opens up today (Dec. 13, 2 p.m.) against Stoneham at Woburn’s O’Brien Arena.
Khachadourian, now starting his seventh season behind the Winchester bench, says he has a veteran squad of a strong senior class to rely on to get back to the postseason, and possibly go way beyond the state quarterfinals.
“Experience and leadership are two of our biggest assets this year,” the coach added.
Seniors Axel Osborn and Caiden Brady, and junior Greg Winn are this year’s varsity captains.
A total of 40 players showed up for tryouts the Monday after Thanksgiving.
“With so many returning players, we were able to get the wheels back in motion pretty quickly, because they are all accustomed to our system and style of play,” said Khachadourian. “Combined with the new players on the varsity, who are quick learners, they are all doing a great job working together.”
The Winchester boys have always prided themselves on their defense, before heading into the offensive zone, and this year won’t be any different. Knowing what to expect as an experienced team will make it easier to maintain this philosophy.
The Red & Black scrimmaged Archbishop Williams, Andover and Waltham to get ready for the season.
“These tuneups allowed us to get acclimated to the speed of the game once again, while working on the chemistry with one another,” said Khachadourian.
The Winchester coach knows that the Middlesex League will always be tough.
“Both divisions in our league are extremely competitive,” Khachadourian said. “You (as a team) cannot afford to take a night off. Everyone wants to beat you, so we need to make sure we are ready to go from the opening faceoff. We (as a coaching staff) also have to make sure that our players are well-prepared.”
After today’s opener against Stoneham, the Red & Black will head to Kasabuski Arena in Saugus to take on Melrose Wednesday night (Dec. 17) at 7:40 p.m. They will then close out the first full week of the season three days later on Saturday, Dec. 20, against Wakefield at the Stoneham Arena, beginning at 4 p.m.
Joe McConnell is a longtime, award-winning sports editor for numerous North Shore publications. He began covering Winchester sports for the News last November.
