SAUGUS — Back to back 6-9-5 seasons mean there’s only one goal on the Saugus’ boys hockey team’s radar: qualifying for the Division 2 North state tournament.
In 2016, the Sachems reached the sectional semifinal. Since then, the Sachems haven’t found their way back to the postseason.
But reaching that goal won’t happen overnight and it won’t come easy. It’s a game by game approach as the new season gets underway.
“We have a young, inexperienced team but they’re working hard right now,” Saugus coach Jeff Natalucci, entering his 10th season, said. “We’re going game by game. I know our seniors want to get a crack at getting back to the tournament. But right now we’ll go period by period, game by game. As the year goes on, this group will get better.”
Saugus graduated 10 seniors from last season’s roster, including defensemen CJ Graffeo and Joe Cross, and leading scorers Ronnie Paolo and Adam Rodrigues.
If the Sachems are looking to build their team from the goalie on out, they’re in a good place. Senior goalie Jack Devereaux returns after a solid junior campaign last winter.
“Jack competes,” Natalucci said. “He’s real athletic in there and he gives you a good chance to win every night.
“We’re going to have play well on our own end. We’re going to start with Jack. We have to play good defense every night. Jack will give us a good chance to win but we have to make sure we’re doing the right things in front of him.”
Senior forwards Lorenzo Keegan and Richie Nauro also return. They’ll co-captain the team alongside Devereaux.
“They’re working extremely hard,” Natalucci said. “Richie and Lorenzo are both real good skaters. The key for them is to stay within themselves. I think that if they can do that, they can have some real good success.”
Sophomore forwards Jason Caron and Massey Ventre are also projected to step into big roles. “Those two guys played well for us last year,” Natalucci said. “They got some experience last year. We’re looking for both of them to step up. They both worked extremely hard. We’re going to rely on them this year.”
Natalucci believes the Northeastern Conference South will be a balanced division this winter.
“We’re new to NEC South this year,” Natalucci said. “It’s us, Peabody, Lynn and Swampscott. We have to show up and if we don’t we’ll be on the losing end of things. It’s going to be a battle. The NEC has always been like that.”
Saugus opens the season Saturday afternoon (12:30) with a road game against Swampscott at Salem State’s Rockett Arena.
“The guys are excited,” Natalucci said. “They’ve been working hard in practice. They’re excited to get after it. We’re a young group but they’re excited to get out there and see what they can do.”
