By Ross Forman
New Trier Green skates into the 2021-2022 season with its familiar No. 1 ranking in the state, anchored on its championship game win earlier this month in the annual 4-day, 20-team Pre-Season Invitational tournament, held at Center Ice of DuPage in Glen Ellyn.
The Trevians defeated Glenbrook South 2-1 in the finals.
“It’s nice to be back to normalcy, for the most part,” said Stevenson head coach Tom Wood, whose team won its first 3 games in the Pre-Season Tournament over Fenwick, Glenbrook North and Waubonsie – outscoring those 3 foes a combined 24-3. The Patriots were ultimately eliminated from the tournament in overtime by the Trevians.
Green reached the finals with an overtime win over co-op PREP.
Glenbrook South advanced to the finals with a 5-0 semifinal win over Providence Catholic.
Glenbrook North is ranked No. 2, followed by Glenbrook South, Saint Viator and Loyola Gold. York is No. 6, followed by PREP, Providence Catholic, Saint Ignatius and Benet Academy to round out the top 10.
“There are no nights off, particularly this year,” said Wood, who brings the Patriots into the 10-team Scholastic Hockey League – with all teams ranked in the season-opening Top 20 rankings.
“Our league is extremely deep this year.”
The Patriots slipped past Saint Viator 3-2 on Sept. 18 in Mount Prospect. Sean Nutley scored twice in a 61-second span of the first period, giving the Lions a 2-0 edge. Stevenson scored the next three goals to grab the W. Dylan Jette scored the game-winner at 7:45 of the third period.
“Key early wins are important for the mental side of the game,” Wood said. “We definitely are optimistic for this season. Our JV team was in final four when (the season) was cancelled in 2020. We’re super talented. Our junior class is very deep. We have strong returning defensemen and a very solid returning starting goalie.
“It’s almost a perfect storm for us.”
Does that mean the Patriots are primed for a return to the United Center? Stevenson skated for its only varsity state championship in 2018.
“I think so,” Wood answered.
“I think we have more depth than anyone, but I don’t know if we have the best players on a line. Every now and then a team just has one really good team. I just think all four of our offensive lines are good. We also have very good depth on defense. And our goaltending is very, very solid.
“Overall, I think this team is more talented than the team that went to the United Center (in 2018), when we had a great goaltender, good offense and a young defense. This year, we’re more balanced.”
Jonathan Adler is starting in goal for Stevenson and Wood said Adler “is as good as anyone.”
The Patriots’ backup goalie is Andrew Smoller.
“We have two talented goalies,” Wood added.
The Stevenson defense is led by Zach Meyers and Will Harlow, both of whom “see the ice well and very skilled offensively,” Wood said.
Nolan Jones is as solid as any defenseman in the state.
Stevenson’s biggest strength is its offense – with depth on all four lines, Wood said. Dylan Jette and Davis Jegers are two of the most dynamic forwards in the state and they are joined on the ice by linemate Ethan O’Gradney. Rafael Biedron, Cam Schneider and Maximo Poretto comprise a lethal line, too.
“Poretto is a great forechecker, Rafi has a great shot and Cam is a good passer,” Wood said. “They’re just a really good line together.”
Stevenson’s third offensive line was the No. 1 line last season on the Stevenson JV team: Alan Wu, James Mendelson and Andrew Lermer.
The fourth line is Brandon Schultz, Spencer Harman and Zach Kulick.
“I feel confident putting our fourth line on the ice against anyone, and that hasn’t always been the case,” Wood said.
Here is the Illinois High School Hockey Top 20 Rankings (as of September 27), as compiled by Ross Forman
1. New Trier Green
2. Glenbrook North
3. Glenbrook South
4. Saint Viator
5. Loyola Gold
6. York
7. PREP
8. Providence Catholic
9. Saint Ignatius
10. Benet Academy
11. Naperville North
12. Glenbard
13. New Trier Blue
14. Carmel
15. Warren
16. Lake Forest
17. Barrington
18. OPRF
19. New Trier White
20. Maine Township
Others to watch: Wheaton West, Hinsdale Central, AWFM, BG/H/