Published in the March 17, 2016 edition

THE NRHS 2016 varsity hockey team had a season to remember, going 14–5–3 and advancing to the Division 2 North quarterfinals of the MIAA tournament. (Stephanie Tannian Photo)

THE NRHS 2016 varsity hockey team had a season to remember, going 14–5–3 and advancing to the Division 2 North quarterfinals of the MIAA tournament. (Stephanie Tannian Photo)

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

NORTH READING — Three members of the North Reading High boys hockey team were named to the Cape Ann League All-Conference team while four Hornets made the CAL All-League team.

The three Hornets to make the all-conference team are goalie Nick Ponte, forward Mike Driscoll and defenseman Jared Valade. It is the second time on the team for Ponte and Driscoll while it is the first time on the team for Valade.

Driscoll led the team in scoring this year.

The four Hornet all-stars are John Merullo (forward), Pat Driscoll (forward), Tyler Calos (forward) and Tyler Collins (defenseman). Pat Driscoll made the team for the second year in a row while it is the first time for the three other players.

“I was very proud of all of them,” said Hornets head coach John Giulotti. “We had a good balance of offensive and defensive players. All of them were instrumental to our success on and off the ice.”

It was another solid year for the Hornets who finished 15–4–3 overall as they lost to Lincoln-Sudbury in the Division 2 North quarterfinals, 5–4, in overtime. Lincoln-Sudbury ended up winning the North final on Monday night and will face Medfield for the state title this Sunday at the TD Garden.

North Reading finished in second place in the CAL behind Newburyport as they went 8–2–2.

Along with the Driscoll brothers, Ponte, and Calos, the team will also lose fellow seniors Justin Bruzzese (forward), Brian Cotter (forward), Jason Tannian (defenseman) and Andrew Shaw (defenseman).

“They were a great group of kids and had a lot to do with our success,” said Giulotti, about the senior class.