BRUNSWICK

The loss of players to graduation is something every program in high school and college deal with at some point.

But, when a high school program loses a dozen players, and another leaves to pursue junior hockey, that becomes a problem.

Enter first-year Brunswick High School coach Bill Bodwell’s world. Bodwell, who coached the Dragon girls to a few successful seasons during his tenure, takes over for Mike Routhier, who finished his second tour as the team’s coach by leading the Dragons to a 9-7-2 regular season last season. After defeating the co-op team of Lawrence/Skowhegan, 1-0, in the Eastern A quarters, the fifth-seeded Dragons fell to No. 1 Bangor, 5-1, in the semifinals.

Bodwell’s first boys team is led by a solid senior first line of forwards

Jacob McGowan, Jared Parent and TJ Sullivan, with goaltender Devin Allard expected to handle the load between the pipes.

“These players are working hard, and I have a good coaching staff that has the kids excited to come to the rink,” said Bodwell. “We want to skate with everybody. We don’t want to be out-skated by anybody, and we have to be physical. The guys do a lot of off-ice training, and they are committed to working hard.” Bodwell’s juniors are Jacob Towle (forward), Nate Granholm (defense), Matthew Deveaux (F), Jameson Cyr (F) and newcomer CJ Connor (goalie), while the sophomores are Alex Labbe (D) and Kyle Hartford (F). Freshmen who look to crack the lineup and contribute include Max Burtis (D), Michael Deveaux (F), Andrew Eno (D) and Jared Hummer (F/D).

Along the blue line, Brunswick has a young group, led by Granholm.

“We are going to rely on those freshmen and sophomores to play big minutes for us,” said Bodwell. “In a round robin at Auburn, we won one, tied two and lost one, and we beat Mt. Ararat. We have a physical group of defensemen, and I expect that we will get stronger as the season goes on.”

The Dragons open on Saturday at Winslow’s Sukee Arena against Lawrence/Skowhegan. Brunswick faces rival Mt. Ararat/Lisbon on Dec. 23 and Jan. 6.

Mt. Ararat

The good news for Mike Bishop’s Eagles is that they are coming off a 9-9 season. The bad news … Mt. Ararat/Lisbon missed out on the playoffs.

This year, the co-op team has a solid core returning, with two dangerous offensive lines and two pairs of experienced defensemen.

“I have a good, athletic team, and even though we don’t have a lot of upperclassmen, we have a good group of sophomores who played as freshmen last season,” said Bishop.

Seniors Ben Bishop (F), Tyler O’Connor (D) and Kyle Lussier (F) are joined by juniors Andrew Gardner (D), Austin Fournier (F) and Shane Pennell (F). Sophomores Tyler Halls (F), Tyler LoCascio (F), Ryley Austin (D), Mark Abreu (F), Parker Lacey (GK), Orion Sargent (F), Steven Schuman (F) and Bradley Boulet (F) gives the Eagles some depth, along with freshmen Cam Grant (D).

Senior newcomers in goal Jon Roux and Nate Brewer gives the coach some depth in net.

“If the top two lines can play like they can, we will do well,” said the coach, whose Eagles open on Friday at Sidney J. Watson Arena against Windham/Bonny Eagle at 8:30 p.m. “We can compete, but the key for us will be to defeat the teams like Cony (Dec. 9), Edward Little (Jan. 8) and Brunswick. And, we need to find that third line to sustain offensive pressure.

“In goal, Jon Roux, though a newcomer, has been very solid, and his goaltending experience in soccer has helped him to quickly take away the lower part of the net.”

Mt. Ararat/Lisbon has a couple tough early tests, visiting Bangor (Dec. 13) and hosting senior-laden St. Dom’s (Jan. 5). Key contests include home games with Leavitt (Jan. 12), South Portland (Jan. 15) and Poland/Gray-New Gloucester (Jan. 24).