It was a milestone season for the Lynn Jets last year. The program won a Northeastern Conference/South title for the first time since the Lynn high schools combined to form one team for the 2007-08 season.
But the Jets? dreams of a long flight in the postseason came to a quick halt, with a quarterfinal-round loss to Wayland in the Division 3 North tournament. Now with a taste of success after a 13-win season, the team is back and ready to make another run at a title.
?Hopefully we can continue to play well,” said coach Joe Conlon, who had between 25 – 30 players come out when practices began. “We are going to need some guys to step up but if we can stay together, we will win some games.”
The Jets will have to plug a few holes on their roster as 10 seniors graduated. But there is still plenty of talent left for Conlon to work with.
Up front, the Jets will be led by senior Mark Brazell, who became one of Lynn?s go-to scorers in the second half of last season. Also returning are senior forwards Corey Wojewodzic, Tyler Craig, Kyle Morrill and defenseman Bubba Comeau.
The defense will have plenty of new blood with the graduation of last year?s starters Terry Finnigan and Brett Erelli. Conlon, however, doesn?t see that as a weakness but rather as a chance for people to make their marks.
?We definitely have to replace some good guys back there (on defense),” Conlon said. “But there is an opportunity for some new faces on the blue line and we think that we have some guys that can do the job.”
One place the Jets likely won?t have to worry is between the pipes as sophomore Jack Stafford returns after starting all 21 games for Lynn last season.
?Jack got some good experience for us but we also have some good depth there, too. So that?s a plus,” Conlon said.
The Jets lineup will be bolstered by a trio of transfers as Brett Molea, Ryan Clark and Owen Brazell are expected to come in and be solid contributors right away.
Lynn kicks off its regular season on Dec. 13, hosting Gloucester in an NEC/South battle. The Jets will also be in action this weekend when they take on Rockport Sunday at 11:30 a.m. in the NEC Hockey Jamboree at Salem State?s Rockett Arena.
Lynn?s schedule will also feature challenging non-league games against Division 3 North runner-up Newton South, Somerville, Shawsheen, Latin Academy and a pair of Dual County League powers in Weston and Bedford.
The Jets will host their annual Christmas Tournament on Dec. 28 and 29 with Swampscott, Everett and Northeast Regional also participating. Lynn also will have its slate of conference games along with crossover matchups with Peabody, Danvers, Marblehead and Winthrop.?Our schedule is definitely tough,” Conlon said. “We?re playing a lot of Division 2 teams and the NEC/South is going to be really good. Anyone can win a game against each other.”