By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — The Cape Ann League hockey coaches recently met to name their post-season teams. There are three levels in the league All-Conference, All-Star and Honorable Mention.
Four North Reading High players made the All-Conference team: Nick Ponte (junior–goalie), Pat Driscoll (junior–forward), Jared Potter (senior–forward), and Corey Collins (senior–defenseman). Potter and Collins were the co–captains.
Mike Driscoll (junior–forward), Nick Day (junior–forward), and Sean McGreal (senior–defenseman), all made the CAL All-Star team.
The three Honorable Mentions were John Merullo (forward–sophomore), Jared Valade (sophomore–defenseman) and Tyler Calos (junior–forward).
“It says a awful lot about the amount of talent we have here,” stated Hornets head coach John Giuliotti. “We have a lot of depth and I am proud of all of them.”
It was another strong year for the team as they reached the Div. 2 North semifinals before losing to Haverhill, 2–1, on March 4 at the Chelmsford Forum.
Overall, the Hornets finished at 18-5 overall. They went 9-3 in the league and finished in second place to Newburyport.
“We had a great year,” stated Giuliotti, who just completed his sixth year at the helm. “This is the most wins we have had since I started here.”
Along with Potter, Collins and McGreal, the team will also lose seniors Chris Onanian (forward), Griffin Paine (forward) and Zach Herman (forward) to graduation.
“The senior class was instrumental in setting the foundation for our program,” said Giuliotti.
North Reading will have nearly 20 veterans back next year. Pat Driscoll led the team in points with 31 (16 goals and 15 assists). His twin brother, Mike, was second (12-17-29) and Potter was third (13-13-26).
