By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
Head coach Paul Donato has turned the Wellesley High School boys varsity ice hockey program into a strong power within the Bay State Conference, and the Raiders will look to continue their success in 2016-2017 with a core group of upperclassmen.
Captaining the 2016-2017 Raiders will be defenseman Zack Doughty (amazing last name for a hockey defenseman) and forward Nathan Brown.
Along with Doughty and Brown, coach Donato expects to see production from the Siemering brothers, Michael and Joey, both junior forwards.
“Michael and Joey will be counted on to create offense for us,” said Donato.
As far as expectations go, Donato says that the goal is to compete in every game and to make the state tournament, while also building a foundation for the future after losing a large group of seniors from a season ago.
“We hope to compete in every game playing sound defensive hockey with a team goal to make the state tournament,” said Donato. “There is a lot of opportunity for guys to contribute after we lost a large number of players from last season.”
In net, the Raiders will rely on the dynamic duo of freshman Andrew Hubbard and junior Ted Darcy, both of whom Donato says should see their fair share.
“Darcy and Hubbard are both competing for playing time. It’s a close battle.”
The black and red will begin their season on road in a non-conference match at Quincy on December 10, followed by their Bay State Conference opener at Weymouth on December 12.
