LYNN — Summer league, fall league, captains’ practices, and twice-a-week workouts – it sounds like hockey’s back.
Let’s throw out some numbers: first-year St. Mary’s coach Matt Smith has been coaching for 23 years (11 with the Spartans), and says there are 15 forwards and 10 defensemen with starting talent at the school.
That sounds like a lot of potential coursing through St. Mary’s veins, but Smith admits, “It’s the hardest schedule we’ve ever had.”
That includes games against Xaverian, St. John’s Prep, Hingham, and Pope Francis.
“I’m super excited for tomorrow (tryouts),” said a chuckling Smith, who replaced longtime coach Mark Lee. “I can’t wait.”
He’s also excited about his staff, which includes Doug Surette, Don Collins, Mike Roberts, Bailey McBurnie – “maybe the best goalie who’s come out of St. Mary’s” – Daniel Nachbaur (whose father coaches in the NHL), Brendan Mageary, Dante Maribito, and Devin Anno.
“I feel like I’ve built my resume for this moment in time and I’m so excited for this moment. I’m also really excited for the staff I have,” said Smith, who began coaching when he was 22 years old.
But it all starts with the players.
“What really put me over the edge is that, two weeks ago, we got Aidan Fitzpatrick (last season’s second-leading scorer behind Brady Bullock) back,” Smith said. “He left for an academy before returning… it was nice to get him back.”
Smith went on to call him a “gifted player. If you ask me who’s the most talented forward, it’s obviously Aidan.”
Then there are captains Cam McGonagle (15 points with a “hammer of a shot”), Jaiden Driscoll (“doesn’t make mistakes on the ice”), and Benjamin Fry.
“I want to see him (Fry) have a great year. I think he had 10 points last year and I’d love to see him double that,” said Smith, who recently took the trio out to lunch. “The three captains we have are the best we’ve had in a little bit – maybe since the 2017 championship team.”
He spoke highly of speedy Joey Calder, who returns in mid-December from an injury, and “tough” Nick Thornton. Breakout seasons could come from Finn Racki (seven years playing for Smith) and Jack D’Alelio, according to Smith.
“There’s a lot of them, because we were very young last season,” he said.
Between the pipes for St. Mary’s, well, he’s close to home.
“My son (Matthew Smith Jr.) had a great year last year backing up (Anthony) Palmer,” Smith Sr. said. “He should have a solid year in yet. He’s super focused and goes really hard. He goes to goalie training and all of that.”
When asked of his expectations, Smith didn’t point to mistake-free hockey. Instead, to defensive depth, buying in, discipline, controlling emotions, and being respectful to referees.
“You’re going to make mistakes. You’re a high school kid,” he said. “I’m a big accountability guy. I’m not a screamer or a yeller. We’re going to try and keep the culture that Lee had going.”
