PEABODY — It’s been nine years since the Peabody boys hockey team qualified for the state tournament, but the new head coach of the Peabody–Saugus–Swampscott co-op believes this season will be a different story.
“It’s been a long time and while we didn’t make it last year, I think this year is going to be different,” head coach Donnie Shaw said. “We’ve moved to Division 2 and we have a really good chance to make the tournament. Our seniors have been with us the whole time. They are an experienced group and they all think this is the year we’re going to make things happen. If we ever had a chance to make it, it’s this year.”
This year’s team will be led by senior captains Nathan Carne (Peabody), a defenseman; Brandon Barone (Peabody), a forward; and Dom Pappalardo (Swampscott), a goaltender.
“All three of my captains are great leaders on and off the ice,” Shaw said. “Dom is our goalie and he is a captain because he puts on a high performance every time he’s on the ice whether it’s a practice or a game, he’s always working 100%. Brandon and Nick are very vocal in the locker room. Brandon has great hands and is going to be an impact player. He and Nick really know how to use their voices to get the boys ready to go.”
Senior returners include forward Matt Scopa (Peabody), defenseman Ryan Lockhart (Peabody), defenseman Jason Rothwell (Swampscott), forward Larry Barrows (Saugus), forward Nick Morobito (Peabody), defenseman Tristan Joyce (Peabody) and goaltender Evan Tybinkowski (Peabody).
Junior returners include forwards Artie O’Leary, Brayden Verone and Demetri Breton (all of Saugus). Sophomore returners include goaltender Adrian Bander (Swampscott), forward Matvey Stupnikov (Peabody), forward Jake Kelley (Saugus) and defenseman Cameron Gold (Swampscott).
Shaw highlighted Rothwell and Stupnikov as two key players.
“Jason is great with the puck and has great vision. He’s really confident with the puck as well,” Shaw said. “Matvey is very fast and has great hands. He will also be a key contributor.”
Shaw spent three years as an assistant coach before assuming the role of head coach this season, succeeding Jason Marshall. A former Tanners’ hockey and lacrosse captain and two-sport Northeastern Conference all-star, the 2016 PVMHS graduate continued his hockey career at Anna Maria College. He said he’s been through good times and bad.
“The most important part about those years that I’ve expressed to the captains is we were always a unit,” Shaw said. “We always had a great time together as a unit and that’s what we want this team to be. We want to build a really strong sense of community on this team. We have a very tough, fast and hard-hitting team and already I can see they are very cohesive.”
All three captains share Shaw’s optimism heading into the season — and his players have full confidence in him.
“We’ve been with him for four years and know he is a great coach,” Barone said. “On and off the ice, he’s a great mentor. It’s fun to have a young group of coaches who are really good guys. They’re all Peabody natives, which is good, as they have that experience and know what the program is all about. Everyone takes them seriously and is buying into them. I think we’re going to get more wins this year, for sure.”
“I think we’re going to have a good season,” Carne said. “Everyone is trying their best during tryouts and we’re getting plenty of conditioning. This might be the best year yet.”
“Already I can see this is a closer team and we are having fun,” Pappalardo said. “We’re much more connected, so I think this year will be a good one.”
As far as the Northeastern Conference goes, Shaw said the top teams are Marblehead, Winthrop, and Masconomet.
“Marblehead is always tough for us. Winthrop is always tough and we always have a tough time against Masco,” Shaw said. “I’m not sure how Gloucester is going to be, but they usually are always tough. I think we’re going to be pretty competitive with every team we play this year.”
Shaw said he is determined to return the hockey program to its former success and improve on last year’s 6-10-2 record.
“I feel the whole goal this year is to build our hockey programs up,” Shaw said. “All of our cities and towns deserve to have a good program. Our numbers are up so we are hopeful to be able to do just that and become a winning program again.”
The Tanners open the season Dec. 13 against NEC rival Beverly at Raymond Bourque Arena.
“They’re always a well-coached team,” Shaw said.
