Morristown-Beard 2018-19 preview

LAST SEASON: It was another strong season for the Crimson, who finished 16-7-2 overall and saw their season end with a close, 3-2 loss to eventual Non-Public champion Delbarton in the quarterfinals. It also reached the Mennen Cup final, where it fell short of a four-peat with a 4-2 loss to Randolph.

HEAD COACH: Scott Greene, first year. Greene takes over for former New Jersey Devils defenseman Randy Velischek, who led the program for the past nine years and is now the head coach of the Metropolitan Riveters of the NWHL.

CONFERENCE AND CLASSIFICATION: MCSSIHL-Mennen Division; NJSIAA Non-Public.

KEY PLAYERS GRADUATED: The Crimson will have a lot to replace from last year's squad after losing eight seniors, including its top scorer in Brayden Patricia and its goalie in Anthony DelTufo. It also lost junior defensemen Thomas Dempsey and D.J. Layden to transfer after last season.

FORWARDS: Morristown-Beard tallied 3.4 goals per game last season but will have to replace some talented offensive players from last year. Leading the returning group of players is senior Connor Tartaglione (14 g., 11 a.). Junior Tommy Matthews (8 g., 9 a.) and sophomore Seth Kaplan (12 g., 5 a.) are also key players that will be back up front this year. While those three can be counted on to put the puck in the net, it also has a pair of two-way forwards in Dylan Dertouzos and Evan Sanford who will be able to help the team out defensively.

DEFENSE: Senior Matt Dertouzos will be counted on to lead the Crimson blue line in 2017-18. Seniors Colin O'Connor and Joe DePoalo will also be instrumental for the defense, which surrendered 2.6 goals per game last year.

GOALTENDING: Senior John Cohen will be counted on in 2018-19 after seeing limited time last season. The team has several options though, which include junior Paul Detre, as well as sophomores Chili Connel and Luke McManus.

OUTLOOK: It's going to be a bit of a transition this season for Morristown-Beard with a new coach in Greene leading the program. There is a lot of talent to replace from last year's squad, but this program has perennially been near the top of Morris County for a reason over the years, and this is a team that finds a way to constantly reload year-after-year. This group should be hungry to recapture the Mennen Cup after failing to win it for the first time in three years last winter, and as always- it should be in the mix to win that title.