Team-by-team look at Washtenaw County hockey teams

AnnArbor.com's first in a series of six winter high school sport previews focuses on Washtenaw County's boys hockey teams.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Luke Dwyer, Huron: A mainstay in Huron's net, the senior goalie (above) was voted All-State, All-SEC Red and All-Metro last winter. He finished with 722 saves on 808 shots for an 89-percent save percentage.

Seth Giles, Saline: The junior forward scored a team-high nine goals and dished seven assists for the Hornets last season as a sophomore. Giles is primed to lead the Saline offense once again.

Jarrett Pfeiffer, Lincoln: Pfeiffer tallied up roughly 40 points last season, helping the Railsplitters post the program's first winning record at 13-12. Pfeiffer is seeking to keep the program on the winning track.

Zach Reinholt, Pioneer: Serving as the catalyst for the Pioneer defense, Reinholt, a captain, is looking to lead the Pioneers to their fifth SEC Red title in seven years.

Matt Stirling, Dexter: Dexter's leading-scorer last season brings back 24 goals and 16 assists (40 points) to the Dreadnaughts. Defenses in the area certainly know who Stirling is.

TEAM-BY-TEAM CAPSULES

CHELSEA BULLDOGS Returning its entire defense, Chelsea should man one of the most experienced defenses in the area. However, they lost the state's two leading scorers in Randy Cox (graduation) and Drew Brown, who transferred to an East Coast prep school. It will be a season of filling the offensive voids for the Bulldogs.

Coach: Don Wright (10th year).

Last season: The Bulldogs won the Southeastern Conference White Division championship for the second year in a row, finishing with a 19-7-1 overall record. Lost in a Division 3 regional to Dearborn Divine Child.

Key returners: Dan Hudson (sr., F), Matt Darr (sr., GK), Jason Doyle (sr., F), Dylan Laidlaw (jr., D).

Key newcomers: N/A

Strength: Defense. Chelsea returns all of its defenders from last year, led by junior Dylan Laidlaw.

Weakness: Offense. Replacing six forwards from 2008, including the top two scorers in the state, is the challenge the Bulldogs face this season.

Outlook: Despite the question marks on offense, the Bulldogs should be the favorites to secure a three-peat as SEC White champs.

Coach Don Wright says: "The ultimate goal is to be the best team we can at the end of the year. That's our goal every year. But there's certainly good competition that will be a challenge to us to repeat (as SEC champions)."

DEXTER DREADNAUGHTS Bringing back 20 goals and serving as Dexter's leading scorer the past two seasons, Matt Stirling leads the Dreadnaughts into a promising 2009 campaign. With the majority of last season's starters accompanying Stirling, Dexter has its sights set on knocking Chelsea out of the SEC White top spot.

Coach: Gary Howell (4th season).

Last season: Dexter finished third in the SEC White. The Dreads' 2008 ended in heartbreaking fashion with a 3-2 double overtime loss to Jackson Lumen Christi in the first round of the playoffs.

Key returners: Matt Stirling (sr., F), John Brosch (sr., F), ake Gillis (sr., D).

Key newcomers: Matt Breitag (jr., F); Ian Wiesenerberg (so, F), Joey Barlett (fr., F).

Strength: Experience and defense. The Dreadnaughts bring back six defensemen and both goalies from last year's squad.

Weakness: Scoring goals. Dexter is in need of further scoring from all areas to add to Stirling's offensive output.

Outlook: Dexter certainly wants to erase the memory of their season-ending double OT loss, and will be primed to do so with most of that 2008 team returning. Defenses will be keying on Stirling, which will test his counterparts' impact.

Coach Gary Howell says: "Every year (the goal) is always to win the SEC title and try to get our team playing their best when our playoff time comes around. That’s the same thing going into this year."

GABRIEL RICHARD FIGHTING IRISH Gabriel Richard rolls into 2009 with the momentum of its program's best season last year, which included the Fighting Irish's first boys hockey conference championship. Steered by eight seniors, including three-year starting goalie Colin McMahon, the Fighting Irish have plans to top 2008's showing.

Coach: Tom O’Brien (2nd year).

Last season: The Fighting Irish finished with an even 12-12-1 record, highlighted by the program's first Catholic League championship after they topped Riverview Gabriel Richard.

Key returners: Matt Quinn (sr., F); Matt Kovelar (sr., F); Bobby Jones (sr., F); Joe O'Brien (sr., D); Colin McMahon (sr., GK), Tyler Staub (jr., D).

Key newcomer: Mark Theisen (jr., D).

Strength: Experience. Gabriel Richard's eight returning seniors make up the majority of the Fighting Irish's first two lines. Half of them were named all-conference players.

Weakness: The Fighting Irish will strive to develop a stronger third line, which will mainly be a group of underclassmen, according to coach O'Brien.

Outlook: Senior-ladened and full of starters from last year, the Fighting Irish will be looking to win their second straight Catholic League title. Gabriel Richard will also seek to win its programs first playoff game. Playing larger schools such as Huron and West Bloomfield in the regular season will only help Gabriel Richard come playoff time.

Coach Tom O’Brien says: "I think we probably would be a strong front-runner to win the Catholic League championship again this year. We'd like to improve upon the number of wins to bump us over the .500 hurdle."

HURON RIVER RATS Defense is often the primary focus for teams heading into a season. But few teams have a defensive anchor like Huron goaltender Luke Dwyer, who was voted All-State, All-SEC Red and All-Metro last year. “We have a pretty good shot every game with him back there," coach Bill DeGroot says. The key, however, will be backing up the D with some O.

Coach: Bill DeGroot (3rd year).

Last season: Huron finished 7-13-2 overall, ending its season with a 3-0 regional finals loss to South Lyon.

Key returners: Luke Dwyer (sr., GK), Micahael O’Connor (sr., D), Brad Christman (sr., F), Rob Keedy (jr., F), Oliver Owens (jr., D).

Key newcomers: Drew Bonnee (fr.), Justin Roose (jr.), Ryan Embree (so.).

Strength: Team defense and experience. The defensive end is where the River Rats will pride themselves, led by the upperclassmen, said DeGroot.

Weakness: Power play potential. Opportunities were lost on the power play last season, something Huron hopes to change.

Outlook: If history repeats itself, Dwyer will keep the opposing offenses in check this season. If Huron finds consistency on the offensive end, the River Rats could be a team to be reckoned with.

Coach Bill DeGroot says: "We have the opportunity to finish pretty high both in the SEC conference and Metro. We’re going to put up anywhere from 4-6 goals a night, as long as we keep our shots around 20-25 shots a game."

LINCOLN RAILSPLITTERS It was a hallmark 2008-09 season for the Lincoln/Milan co-op program, which had its first winning record. Nearly every player from that squad returns this winter, leaving the squad champing at the bit to improve upon last year's successes.

Coach: Mike Ferguson (5th year).

Last season: The Railsplitters posted the program's first winning record, 13-12, last winter. Additionally, Lincoln finished 2nd in the SEC White, notching the program's first four league wins.

Key returners: Jarrett Pfeiffer (sr.), Drew Harper (sr.), Corey MacIsaac (sr.), Justin Pfeiffer (sr.), Ryan Elkins (sr.).

Key newcomers: Ethan Lula (sr.), David Skeans (sr.).

Strength: Senior leadership. The Railsplitters tout 12 seniors this season, mostly forwards, including Jarrett Pfeiffer and Drew Harper, who scored roughly 40 points apiece last year.

Weakness: The defensive end. Lincoln's hints of youth lies in their defensive core.

Outlook: Not many teams can say they have a dozen seniors. There's no reason the Railsplitters shouldn't chalk a winning record and inch closer to a league title.

Coach Mike Ferguson says: "We expect to compete in the SEC and have as good a chance to win (the conference) as anyone else. I think it's wide open this year."

PIONEER PIONEERS The Pioneers will trot out a revamped 2009 lineup, returning only 7 players from a season ago. Underclassmen will be leaned on more than previous years, but coach Steve Armstrong sees promise in his young crop of players. Pioneer has won the SEC Red four times in the league six years of existence and is aiming to add a fifth.

Coach: Steve Armstrong (14th year )

Last season: Finished 13-11 overall, winning the SEC Red. In the Metro League West, Pioneer finished second with a 6-7 mark.

Key returners: Zach Reinholt (jr., D); Conor Graf (sr., F); Zach Freeman (sr.,F).

Key newcomers: Tommy Pokorney (fr.); Louis Marr (fr.).

Strength: Defense, led by standout Zach Reinholt, who coach Armstrong feels "may be the best player in the area." Adding, "I don't usually say that about a kid, but he is special."

Weakness: Inexperience. Pioneer graduated a mammoth senior class a year ago, so there are many voids to be filled, especially on the offensive end.

Outlook: The season may start slow for the Pioneers, but look for them to pick up steam once the newcomers find their footing. Another SEC crown is certainly in Pioneer's reach.

Coach Steve Armstrong says: "This year we replace 115 out of the 120 goals we scored last year. Not an easy thing to do. Thus far, we have been pleased with the kids’ learning curve and attitude."

SALINE HORNETS Coming off an even record in 2008, Saline's looking to tilt toward a winning record in 2009. The Hornets hope to vie for the SEC Red title, led by the sticks of seniors Paul Pearson (4 goals, 11 assists) and Seth Giles (9 goals, 7 assists).

Coach: Drew Denzin (7th year).

Last season: The Hornets finished with a .500 mark of 13-13-1. Saline's season ended in a regional final lost to Woodhaven.

Key returners: Paul Pearson (sr., C); Brandon Neeb (sr., D); Justin Owen (sr., F); Seth Giles (jr., F).

Key newcomers: Trevor Cari (so., F); Colin Cederna (so., F); D.J. Aben (so., F).

Strength: Defense. Saline brings back "a strong core of junior defensemen who have good experience," said Denzin.

Weakness: Scoring goals and getting shots on the net. No player hit double-digits in goals last season. Giles led with nine.

Outlook: A lineup blended of upper - and underclassmen, Saline's success may rely on how quickly the latter group can make an impact.

Coach Drew Denzin says: "We think we can compete and win the SEC Red. In the Metro League, we’re just looking to compete each night. It sets us up for nice experience heading into the playoffs."

WILLOW RUN FLYERS Due to the dissolving of the Michigan Mega Conference, the Flyers - a co-op program between Willow Run and Belleville - will compete as an independent. Coming off a 4-20 record with only 12 players last year, there's nowhere to go but up. The Flyers are already off to a good start numbers-wise with their 19-man roster, including their top two scorers in David Brouillette and Jacob Reed.

Coach: Scott Heister (11th year).

Last season: Finished last in the Michigan Mega Conference and 4-20 overall.

Key returners: Austin Basnaw (jr., GK), Jacob Reed (sr., C), Dave Brouillette (sr., D); Kyle Gibbs (jr., F); Zach White (sr., F); Alex Porzondek (jr., F); Matt Phillips (sr., D); Edward Calhoun (sr., F).

Key newcomers: Jeff Barton (sr), Cody Brown (so.), Derek Pryor (sr.). Strength: Numbers. Jumping from a dozen to 19 players will help any team. Flyers players will finally have chances to rest.

Weakness: Experience. Although the numbers are higher, experience still lacks for the Flyers.

Outlook: It will be a season of improvements for Belleville/Willow Run, which has its largest team in six years.

Coach Scott Heister says: "Going into the season - knock on wood - if everyone stays healthy and stays eligible, I look for us to probably have the best season we've ever had."