Last year marked the best season this area has ever seen in New Hampshire high school hockey. On one glorious day at the Verizon Wireless Arena, Timberlane won the Division 2 state title, and Pinkerton followed that up by winning the Division 1 crown.

Neither team had won a state title in program history. Now the question: Can they do it again?

Both have reloaded and appear primed for another run at a championship.

The Astros return Eagle-Tribune Player of the Year goalie J.J. Solloway and his 14-3-1 record, 1.55 goals-against average and .934 save percentage. He is joined by forward Teddy McCarran (13 goals) and top defenseman Andrew Stefanelli. The Owls suffered tough losses in Eagle-Tribune All-Stars goalie Ryan Rothwell and forwards Nick Bundzinski and Trevor DeVitto.

But Timberlane does return top center Zach Fox (18 goals) — likely the area's top scoring threat. Can Fagan, the Owls' top defender from last season, is also back along with forward Dave Evans. Junior Brett LaPerriere, Rothwell's backup the last two years, will look to fill the whole in net.

Londonderry suffered a tough loss when Eagle-Tribune All-Star Tommy Thompson opted for juniors.

But the Lancers gained firepower in Tilton transfer Cody Marquis and Eric Fedorchuk, who had left the program to play juniors.

The Lancers also feature a new coach in Peter Bedford, who spent the last five years as the head coach at Goffstown. His clubs went 43-43-8 overall and 30-19-8 in the last three years. Bedford, who played with the great Acton-Boxboro (Mass.) teams in the early '80s, also coaches the Manchester Junior Monarchs' Midget Minor 93 team.

Salem returns just six varsity players from last season, but one is dangerous Mike Frahm (8 goals).

New faces around CAL

Cape Ann League hockey fans will see a pair of new head coaches behind area benches this season.

Most noteworthy is the departure of Frank Golden from North Reading, replaced by John Giuliotti.

Golden was suspended for the second half of last season for making contact with a game official and was facing an additional 10 games off this season.

"I was unhappy with that decision so I decided to resign," said Golden, who is now coaching the Boston Jr. Bulldogs of the Atlantic Junior Hockey League.

Replacing Golden is North Reading guidance counselor Giuliotti.

A graduate of Dom Savio and North Adams State College, he served as an assistant hockey coach at Wentworth Institute of Technology (1996-2002) and was the interim head coach for UMass Boston for the 2005-06 season.

He then spent three seasons working with the Harvard JV team.

A familiar face takes charge of the North Andover program as former assistant Brian Keenan takes over on an interim basis for five-year veteran Denis Barrette, whose work schedule wouldn't allow him to coach this season.

"I've been out of state working for six months now," Barrette explained from Philadelphia during a recent phone call. "There's no way I could come back and coach."

Barrette, who is so removed from hockey that he hasn't skated since last April, left open the possibility of returning in the future as he's "definitely missing it, but if Brian does well ..."

Keenan is an Arlington native who played at famed Matignon (Class of '95). He lives in Windham and owns Mass. Wall Corp., a drywall company.

New Hampshire

Londonderry

2008-09 season: 9-12-1, lost in Division 1 prelims

Returning lettermen: Andrew Robillard, Sr., forward; Andrew Robitaille, Sr., forward; James Dunn, Sr., defense; Colby Ruel, Sr., forward; Sean Griffen, Sr., goalie; Kurt Isaak, Sr., goalie; Scott Morrison, Jr., forward; Jeff Parker, Jr., forward; Phil LaTorre, Jr., defense; Joe MacNicoll, Jr., forward; Steve Devereaux, Soph., defense; Sam MacNicoll, Soph., defense; Josh Bell, Soph., forward

Newcomers: Cody Marquis, Sr., forward; Eric Fedorchuk, Sr., forward; David Donovan, Soph., forward; John Dunn, Frosh., defense; John Gomes, Frosh., defense; Mike Bears, Frosh., forward; Sean Moody, Frosh., forward

Captain: Andrew Robillard, Andrew Robitaille, Scott Morrison

Returning leaders: Jeff Parker 5 goals

Returning honorees: None

Assistants: Pat Turcott, Matt Davis

Fast fact: The Lancers lost their two top returning goal scorers, 2009 Eagle-Tribune All-Star Tommy Thompson (23 goals) and Ryan Callahan (13 goals) to juniors.

Coach Peter Bedford (first year): "The loss of Tommy (Thompson) and Ryan (Callahan) hurts. But we have gained Cody Marquis (transfer from Tilton) and Eric Fedorchuk (juniors) who are both outstanding players. James Gunn and Steve Devereaux should lead our defense and Sean Griffen has looked great in net."

Pinkerton

2008-09 season: 17-6-1, Division 1 state champ; first time in finals in nine-year history of program

Returning lettermen: J.J. Solloway, Sr., goalie; Andrew Stefanelli, Sr., defense; John Cebula, Sr., forward; Jake Dion, Sr., forward; Mark Kissel, Sr., forward; Teddy McCarran, Jr., forward; Cam Romano, Jr., forward; Alex Desrosiers, Jr., forward; Eric Clark, Jr., forward; Billy Johnston, Jr., defense; Kevin Kent, Jr., goalie; Mike Shea, Jr., defense; Andrew Walsh, Jr., forward

Newcomers: Zach Sanford, Frosh., forward; Mitch Moran, Frosh., defense

Returning leaders: Teddy McCarran 13 goals, Jake Dion 4 goals, Mark Kissel 3 goals, J.J. Solloway 3 shutouts

Returning honorees: J.J. Solloway Eagle-Tribune MVP

Fast fact: J.J. Solloway became the first goalie to win the Eagle-Tribune hockey Player of the Year since North Reading's Bill Moss in 1999.

Coach Casey Kesselring (7th year, 83-50-3): "We are working from the start of the year to the end of the season to make sure we are playing our best hockey come tournament time.''

Salem

2008-09 season: 13-9, lost in Division 1 quarterfinals

Returning lettermen: Mike Frahm, Sr., forward; Bryan Thibodeau, Sr., forward; Dakota McKenzie, Sr., forward; Ken Frazier, Sr., defense; Chad Livingston, Jr., goalie; Nick Barreira, Jr., defense

Newcomers: Mike Bujnowski, Sr., forward/defense; Nick Albert, Sr., defense; Brian Shea, Sr., defense; Sean Cullinan, Sr., forward; Josh Cavallaro, Jr., forward; Tristan Malone, Jr., defense; Matt Hemmerdinger, Jr., forward/defense; James Willis, Jr., forward; Mike Johnson, Jr., goalie; Matt Barbin, Soph., forward; Brandon Traviglini, Soph., forward; Connor Lyons, Soph., defense; Tyler Phair, Soph., forward; Mike Downing, Soph., forward

Captain: Mike Frahm, Ken Frazier

Returning leaders: Mike Frahm 8 goals, Dakota McKenzie 4 goals, Bryan Thibodeau 3 goals

Returning honorees: none

Assistants: Chris Ford

Fast fact: Eagle-Tribune All-Star goalie Rob Liberatore has left to play for a Midget team.

Coach Mark McGinn (11th year, 143-73-5): "Mike Frahm and Dakota McKenzie are both dangerous scorers. We have four very good defensemen who can really play (Brian Shea, Ken Frazier, Nick Barreira, Connor Lyons). Chad Livingston is still very untested in goal, but he will develop as he learns and is doing well."

TIMBERLANE

2008-09 season: 20-4, Division 2 state champ; first time in finals in nine-year history of program

Returning lettermen: Jordan Marchetto, Sr., center; Matt Walsh, Sr., defense; Cam Fagan, Sr., defense; Ryan Lynch, Sr., forward; Joe Morin, Sr., forward; Dan Ferreira, Sr., forward; Zach Fox, Sr., forward; Luke Ouellette, Jr., defense; Ross Ferullo, Jr., forward; Jarred Diorio, Jr., defense; C.J. Bouchard, Jr., forward; Dave Evans, Jr., forward; Brett LaPerriere, Jr., goalie; Brendan Heinze, Soph., forward; Nolan Dow, Soph., defense

Newcomers: Mike Dube, Jr., forward; Ross Thornton, Jr., forward; Alec Grenier, Soph., goalie; Mike Canniff, Frosh., defense; James McCoy, Frosh, goalie; Brett Boyer, Frosh., forward; Eric Thornton, Frosh., forward; Shane Branca, Frosh., defense; Ryan McCarthy, Frosh., defense

Captain: Cam Fagan, Ryan Lynch

Returning leaders: Zach Fox 18 goals, Dave Evans 8 goals, Joe Morin 6 goals, Ross Ferullo 5 goals

Returning honorees: Cam Fagan All-Division 2, Zach Fox honorable mention All-Division 2

Assistants: Matt Rothwell, Randy Campolini

Fast fact: Cam Fagan's lone career goal sparked Timberlane's rally in the Division 2 semifinals last season.

Coach Andrew Merrick (5th year, 56-32-2): "Having Zach Fox and Cam Fagan, our best goal scorer and defender, back is huge. Dave Evans and Ross Ferullo both have to step up to take pressure off Zach. Matt Walsh and Jarred Diorio both look good on defense, and Brett LaPerriere has worked hard and will have the first shot to replace (two-time Eagle-Tribune All-Star goalie) Ryan Rothwell."

Cape Ann League

North Andover

2008-09 season: 9-7-5, lost in Division 2 North first round

Returning lettermen: Jack Hyman, Sr., forward; Matt Hogan, Sr., forward; John McGrath, Sr., forward; Brian O'Connor, Sr., defense; Tyler Morandi, Sr., goalie; David Messina, Jr., forward; Daniel O'Connor, Soph., defense; Ernie Guerra, Soph., defense

Newcomers: Michael Cusack, Soph., forward; Ryan Sweeney, Soph., forward; Jake Silk, Frosh., forward; Paul Hunter, Frosh., forward; Nick Pino, Frosh., defense; Tyler Sifferlen, 8th grade, forward

Captains: Jack Hyman, Brian O'Connor, Matt Hogan (assistant)

Returning leaders: Jack Hyman 21 goals; nobody else with more than two goals

Returning honorees: Jack Hyman CAL All-Star

Assistants: Jerry Manchester, Chris Kuchar, John Armstrong

Fast facts: First-time high school coach Jerry Manchester and former long-time Haverhill assistant Chris Kuchar join three-year assistant John Armstrong on staff of new head coach Brian Keenan. Keenan was an assistant at North Andover for the prior two seasons. ... Tyler Sifferlen, whose brother is one of the Knights' all-time greats, got a waiver and made the team as an 8th grader.

Coach Brian Keenan (1st year): "Jack Hyman is definitely the leader of our offense. Not just getting into the postseason but going deep is a goal that is high on our list."

north reading

2008-09 season: 9-10-2, lost Division 2 North first round

Returning lettermen: Ricky Schaffer, Sr., defense; Derek Marenholz, Sr., forward; Christopher Leslie, Sr., forward; Mark Moran, Sr., forward/defense; Dylan Desrosiers, Sr., defense; Christopher Leslie, Sr., forward; Timmy Corcoran, Sr., forward; Eric Sokolski, Jr., forward; Kyle Shiner, Jr., defense; Steven DiBono, Jr., defense; Ben Harrow, Jr., goalie; Nick Moscaritolo, Jr., forward; Eric Morrison, Soph., defense

Newcomers: Kyle Anderson, Sr., forward; Marc Nazzaro, Sr., defense; Ryan Warnock, Sr., goalie; Jon Gravallese, Soph., forward; Eric Valenti, Soph., forward; Tyler Kelleher, Soph., forward; Cody Carbone, Soph., forward; Kevin Houde, Soph., forward; Nick Pascucci, Frosh., defense; Mike Moscaritolo, Frosh., defense; Mike Rogers, Frosh., goalie; Tommy Potter, Frosh., forward; Cameron Knight, Frosh., forward; Jeremy Buckley, Frosh., forward; Bill Sexton, Frosh., forward

Captains: Ricky Schaffer

Returning leaders: Eric Sokolski 3 goals

Returning honorees: None

Assistants: Todd Flynn, Brian McAuliffe, Mike Parrow (JV)

Fast fact: John Giuliotti's father, Joe Giuliotti, was a Boston sportswriter who covered the Red Sox for 30 years.

Coach John Giuliotti (1st year): "We're starting to click. Mark Moran is someone that we are looking for to really step up (as a goal scorer) along with Eric Sokolski, Kyle Anderson and some younger kids. On defense, we're really looking to Ricky Schaffer and Kyle Shiner. Ben Harrow has looked very good in net."

Pentucket-Georgetown

2008-09 season: 5-13-2, didn't make state tourney

Returning lettermen: Andrew Mueskes, Sr., goal; Matt McCarthy, Sr., defense; John Gavin, Sr., forward; Mike Nolan, Sr., forward; Cote McMinoway, Sr., forward; Alex Connolly, Sr., forward; Garrett Dubina, Jr., defense; Ethan Curtin, Jr., defense; Max Mangano, Jr., forward; Mac Cavanaugh, Soph., forward; Ryan McCarthy, Soph., defense

Newcomers: Tom Pingree, Frosh., forward; Ian Mitchell, Frosh., forward; Joe Mangano, Frosh., forward; Samantha Bomba, Frosh., goalie

Captains: Matt McCarthy, John Gavin, Andrew Mueskes, Mike Nolan (assistant)

Returning leaders: Max Mangano 9 goals, Mac Cavanaugh 7 goals, Matt McCarthy 7 goals

Returning honorees: Max Mangano All-CAL

Assistants: Bill Brown, Alex Roberts (JV)

Fast fact: Freshman goalie Samantha Bomba moves from the Pentucket Youth Hockey program to become the first female on the Sachem varsity in Bill Burns' 13-year tenure.

Coach Bill Burns (13th year, 75-138-28): "Andrew Mueskes is a third-year senior and played Hockey Night in Boston all summer. He came in raring to go and we expect him to carry us as far as we can go. It's nice to have young kids like Tom Pingree, Joe Mangano and Ian Mitchell whose skill levels are above average and will contribute for us. Our seniors are mostly four-year starters and it's do-or-die for them to make the tournament."

Prep Schools

Brooks

2008-09 season: 6-15, didn't make New England Prep tourney

Returning lettermen: Nick Galanos, Sr., forward. Atkinson; Josh Kirkman, Sr., defense; Matt Geremia, Sr., forward; Danny Conway, Jr., forward, Andover; John Choroszy, Jr., forward; Tyler Stillings, Jr., goalie; Nick Potter, Soph., forward; Zander Buttress, Soph., defense, North Andover; Marty Hackler, Soph., defense; Ryan Farmer, Soph., goalie; Hayden Lynch, Soph., forward

Promising newcomers: Jeff Barnes, Jr., forward; Phil Pratt-Vaugois, Jr., defense; Brendan McDonough, Soph., forward; Ryan George, Soph., forward; Connor Frazier, Frosh., defense; John Gratton, Frosh., forward

Captains: Danny Conway; assistants Josh Kirkman, Nick Potter and Nick Galanos

Returning leaders: Nick Galanos 16 goals, Nick Potter 6 goals, John Choroszy 4 goals

Returning honorees: Nick Galanos All-ISL

Assistants: Willie Waters, Craig Geragosian

Fast fact: Nick Galanos is being highly recruited by Division 1 Hofstra for lacrosse.

Coach Dave Ries (4th year, 14-45-3): "We definitely have a hard-working team which can skate. Galanos, Potter and McDonough are impact players up front. Tyler Stillings played most of our minutes and Farmer is significantly improved in net.''

phillips

2008-09 season: 17-5-4, lost in New England Prep A semifinals led by Chris Kreider, who graduated a year early and is playing at Boston College

Returning lettermen: Trevor Braun, Sr., forward; Garnet Hathaway, Sr., forward; Charlie DiGiulian, Sr., forward; Brian Safstrom, Sr., forward; Redmond Colson, Sr., defense; Eric Yoon, Jr., goalie; Peter Nelson, Jr., forward, Andover; Tyler Kirsch, Soph., goalie

Newcomers: Will Gray, post-grad, forward; Keaton Cashin, post-grad, defense; Keith MacDonald, post-grad, forward; Anthony Baldassari, Jr., defense; Tommy Shannon, Soph., defense, Andover; Seamus O'Neill, Frosh. forward; Eddie Ellis, Frosh., forward; Connor Light, Frosh., defense

Captains: Brian Safstrom; Garnet Hathaway (assistant)

Returning leaders: Garnet Hathaway 15 goals, Brian Safstrom 7 goals, Trevor Bran 3 goals

Assistants: Matt Hession, Jon Morin

Fast fact: Chris Kreider, a first-round pick by the New York Rangers (19th overall), graduated a year early (actually from Masconomet Regional) and is now playing at BC.

Coach Dean Boylan (10th year, 121-86-18): "We've obviously lost a lot of kids and some we didn't plan on. Garnet Hathaway and Brian Safstrom will have to have big years.''

Prep School Girls

Brooks

2008-09 season: 9-13-2, didn't make New England Prep tourney; fourth straight losing season

Returning lettermen: Marina Moschitto, Sr., forward, Andover; Liv King, Sr., forward, Georgetown; Alex Villa, Sr., defense; Paige Murray, Sr., defense, Andover; Christy Donovan, Sr., forward; Alice Grant, Sr., defense, Andover; Erin Barlow, Soph., goalie; Jackie Kelleher, Soph., forward; Kelsey Hendrickson, Soph., forward

Newcomers: Jill Doherty, Frosh., forward; Whit Jones, Frosh., forward/defense; Izzy Munro, Frosh., forward/defense; Kate Haslett, Frosh., defense

Captains: Marina Moschitto; Christy Donovan (assistant)

Returning leaders: Marina Moschitto 17 goals, Christy Donovan 4 goals

Returning honorees: Marina Moschitto All-ISL

Assistants: Brittany Forgues

Fast fact: AD Lori Charpentier is filling in for Jenelle Ries, who had a baby. Charpentier built a dynasty in 10 years at Berkshire School and was a big star at Dartmouth (104 goals, 96 assists). There is a chance Ries could return this year.

Coach Lori Charpentier (1st year): "We're a bit thin in numbers (13 on varsity). Think it will be a great year. Everybody will play a big role.''

phillips

2008-09 season: 11-8-2

Returning lettermen: Avery Stone, Sr., forward; Katherine Sherrill, Sr., defense; Lauren Glynn, Sr., forward; Katie Riley, Sr., forward; Catherine McLaughlin, Sr., goalie, Andover; Kellie Walsh, Jr., forward, Andover; Ann Doherty, Jr., defense; Mariana Walsh, Jr., forward

Newcomers: Sarah Schuchartt, Jr., goalie; Natalee Sohn, Jr., forward; Summer Washburn, Jr., forward, Andover; Brooke Van Valkenburg, Soph., forward; Catherine Anderson, Soph., defense, Andover; Alex Donovan, Frosh., defense; Cara Daley, Frosh., forward; Emily Jia, Frosh., forward; Sarah Marcotte, Frosh., forward

Captains: Avery Stone, Lauren Glynn

Returning leaders: Mariana Walsh 8 goals, Katie Riley 7 goals, Lauren Glynn 6 goals, Avery Stone 5 goals

Assistants: Lee-J Mirasolo

Fast fact: New assistant Lee-J Mirasolo is a former Boston College captain.

Coach Martha Fenton (14th year, 136-135-12): "I think it will be a building year for us. We've got a lot of ground to cover.''

Mass. Girls

Andover

2008-09 season: 16-5-1, lost in Division 1 first round; MVC-GBL co-champ

Returning lettermen: Sarah Oteri, Sr., forward; Nicole Giroux, Sr., forward; Laura Cahill, Jr., defense; Lea Macheras, Jr., forward; Jill Manning, Jr., forward; Meghan Pierce, Jr., defense; Alicia Nader, Jr., forward; Erika Van Andel, Jr., forward; Kyla Mosquera, Jr., goalie; Morgan Muggia, Jr., forward; Kendra Dargoonian, Soph., defense; Lauren Thiele, Soph., defense; Emily Appleton, Soph., defense; Ciearra Riendeau, Soph., forward; Michaela Olson, Soph., defense

Newcomers: Inez Bouzon, Frosh., forward; MacKenzie Dutton, Frosh., goalie; Emma Keefe, Frosh., defense; Megan Keefe, Frosh., forward; Meaghan Leary, Frosh., forward; Morgan Manning, Frosh., forward; Melissa Newton, Frosh., defense

Captain: Sarah Oteri

Returning leaders: Sarah Oteri area-leading 24 goals, Nicole Giroux 10 goals

Returning honorees: Sarah Oteri Eagle-Tribune All-Star, Nicole Giroux MVC-GBL All-Star

Fast fact: Andover girls lacrosse coach John McVeigh alerted Phil Rowley, Central Catholic's lax coach, of a job opening for the Golden Warriors' girls hockey team.

Coach Phil Rowley (1st year): "Freshman Emma Keefe will see ample ice time on defense and freshmen Megan Keefe (no relation) and Meaghan Leary will be seeing some significant time on the second line with Lea Macheras. Junior Kyla Mosquera has some big shoes to fill (in graduated all-star Megan Pettoruto) and hopefully she's up to the task."