Paolatto, Raider hockey ready to impress

By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor

A new era is underway in Dover-Sherborn. Beginning this 2018-2019 season, the Raiders will be teaming up with Weston High School for a three-town varsity boys hockey program.

After a 10-8-2 regular season, DS was awarded the No. 15 seed in Division III South last winter. With several key impact players back, along with the addition of some talented newcomers from Weston, expectations for DS boys hockey heading into this season are pretty high.

Leading DS-Weston hockey this season are four senior captains: center Matt Paolatto, right wing Henry Kenney, defenseman Max Tjen, and right wing Greg Nemrow.

Before DS-Weston can even begin to think about postseason play, Paolatto says the goal for now is to jell as a group. If DS is able to do that, the success will follow.

“One of our main goals this season is to connect as a team,” said Paolatto. “We have a lot of talented players coming over from Weston, so we want everyone to mesh, on and off the ice. If we can play as a team, we believe we have the talent to win.”

When it comes to putting the puck in the net, Paolatto says there are a number of names to watch out for.

“A couple guys to look out for offensively who are coming over from Weston are George Herlihy and Cooper Griffin,” said Paolatto. “They are both talented players who can create plays. Another couple of guys we expect to have a big impact on offense are Standish Carothers and Henry Kenney. Henry has improved a lot over the offseason and is a fast player with good hands. Standish was a big part of our success last year and we’re hoping he can build on it this year.”

Defensively, the Raiders will look to Max Tjen to lead by example as the team’s top lockdown defenseman, while sophomore Billy Rooney provides an offensive spark with his puck-moving abilities. Freshman Liam Falvey is another name to keep an eye out for.

“A couple of key defensive players are Max Tjen and Billy Rooney,” said Paolatto. “Max is a senior who knows the game very well, and Billy is a dynamic two-way defenseman who can play defense and be effective when he takes the puck up on offense. Liam Falvey is a big and physical player. We’re excited to see what he can do.”

DS/Weston will open up their inaugural season together on December 12 against Bellingham before taking on Norton on December 15.

For funny and incisive sports analysis, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter at @fLAno0.