DeRoche and Simpson named to All-League Team

Published March 20, 2019

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

LYNNFIELD — Two members of the Lynnfield High boys’ hockey team made the Cape Ann League All-League Team while three other Pioneers were named to the CAL All-Star team as the league coaches did their voting at the end of the regular season.

George DeRoche made the All-League team for the second-year in a row. The senior forward had 40 points this season with 20 goals and 20 assists to lead the team. He leaves Lynnfield High with 115 career points.

Jaret Simpson is the other CAL All-League player as he was an All-Star last winter. The senior defenseman, who is a co-captain with DeRoche, had eight goals and 23 assists.

Aidan Kelly made the All-Star team this season as the senior goalie had a goals against average of 2.30. He went 11-6-4 in net playing every game. 

GEORGE DEROCHE

Two first-time All-Stars were forwards, Will Garofoli and John Simonetti. Garofoli had 20 points as the senior had 10 goals and 10 assists. Simonetti, a junior, had 26 points with eight goals and 16 assists.

“All of them had great years and were very well-deserving,” said Pioneer head coach Jon Gardner, who just completed his seventh-season at the helm.

Along with DeRoche, Simpson, Kelly and Garofoli, the Pioneers will lose six more seniors to graduation: Chris Flannery (forward), Chris Fiorentino (forward), Jeff Floramo (forward), Rich Casaletto (forward), Mike Caruso (defenseman) and Leo Quinn (defenseman).

JARET SIMPSON

“The senior class was a great group of kids,” said Gardner. “They made the tournament in all four years they were here and it is going to be tough to lose them.”

Lynnfield lost to Tewksbury, 2-1, in overtime in the first round of the Division 2 North state tournament to end the year at 11-6-4. The Redmen made it all the way to the state championship game which they lost to Canton, 6-2, at the TD Garden on Sunday.

“It was disappointing to lose in the first round,” admitted Gardner. “We lost to a team that made it to the Garden and we had some ups and downs throughout the season.”

Gardner thought the high point was the seven-game unbeaten streak in the middle of the season against some tough opponents.

The Pioneers finished in third place in the CAL behind Masconomet and Triton as they went 7-2-3 in the league.

Lynnfield will have 12 players coming back next season.

“We have a good nucleus coming back,” said Gardner. “The guys have to step up to replace the seniors we lose.”