Jets seek return to tournament

LYNN – The Lynn Jets missed qualifying for the state tournament last year and needless to say, addressing that situation is high on the list of things to do this season.”It was disappointing,” coach Joe Conlon said. “That’s something we hope to rectify this year.”The Jets will have a couple of key spots to fill with the graduation of goalie Mike Gately, who played every game last year, forward Steve Petkevitch and defenseman Kyle Devin.The good news is that the numbers (30 players tried out) give Conlon some options. Included in that number are four goalies.This year’ nucleus includes the four senior captains – Brett Erelli, Patrick Finnigan, Ryan MacDonald and Tony Uva. Erelli and Finnigan will give the Jets some experience on defense.”Brett and Pat give us a lot of toughness,” Conlon said. ‘They’re hard-working kids. They’ll give us big-time leadership.”MacDonald and Uva are both centers with MacDonald leading the team in scoring last year.”I expect some production out of Ryan and Tony,” Conlon said. “It’s good to have those guys back as centers.”Conlon will also be counting on a couple of other players who saw a lot of time last year – Eric Brazell, Mark Brazell and Dan Rustani.The Jets will once again be in the Northeastern Conference South along with Swampscott, Salem and Revere. Marblehead has moved up to the NEC/North. The Jets will play each South team three times and Marblehead, Peabody and Winthrop, once. Conlon also has non-league games lined up with Bedford, Weston, Somerville, Newton South and Latin Academy. One of Lynn’s meetings with Swampscott will come in the first game of the third annual Lynn Christmas Tournament. Everett and Northeast Regional will meet in the other game. The tournament will be held Friday, Dec. 27, and Saturday, Dec. 28, at Connery Rink.The Jets will test the frozen waters this Sunday when they play Marblehead in the Salem State Boys Ice Hockey Jamboree at 12:30 p.m. The first game will feature Swampscott and Winthrop at 11 a.m., followed by Lynn-Marblehead. The third game will pit Peabody against Revere at 2 p.m. Salem and Rockport play at 3:30 p.m.The Jets open their season Saturday, Dec. 14, against Latin Academy at Matthews Arena.”I think we’ll be competitive throughout the year,” Conlon said. “This is a good group of guys. They like being down the rink and they like going to hockey.”Conlon said this year’s team looks to have some depth which could make a difference. The numbers are also sufficient to allow for a 10-game junior varsity schedule.Conlon has his entire coaching staff back which includes Ron Gaudet, Mike Deering, Joe Gunning and D.J. Pinkham, who works with the goalies.