Boys Hockey: Delbarton vs St.Joseph (Mont.) Non-Pub Semifinal, March 5, 2025.
It’s official: the road to the Prudential Center has officially begun. It’s going to be a long three-month road to the state championship games, but we’ve decided to predict how everything will shake out in the end.
Our writers are kicking off the start to the 2025-26 season with their annual Crystal Ball predictions – players of the year, state champions, top goal scorers, and so much more. A lot will change throughout the course of the season, but it’s always fun to guess how things will look by mid-March.
Below, check out our attempt at predicting how the 2025-26 season will unfold.
Hugel’s Pick: Will LoSauro, Ridgewood
As just a freshman last season, LoSauro proved that there was no player more capable of completely taking over and flipping a game on its head. Simply put, there wasn’t much that opposing defenses could do to contain him and that showed in his stat line with 31 goals and 31 assists. Now a year older, LoSauro enters the 2025-26 season as arguably the most explosive player in the state. His ice time totals are going to be massive, which should give him plenty of opportunities to raise the ceiling of Ridgewood’s offense. He did that last season as the Maroons increased its goal totals to 104 from just 72 the year prior. If he can improve the level of play of all his teammates, most of which will be playing in elevated roles, while also generating goals on his own, there likely won’t be a more impactful player on the boys side in all of New Jersey.
Bobal’s Pick: Braydon Sisco, KJS United
KJS United got a big jolt of confidence when it learned Sisco was coming back. The junior was the only player in the state last year to hit 50 goals and happened to do so in the Public Co-op state final, which his team won. He’s always one of the most, if not the most, talented players whenever he steps onto the ice. KJS United enters the 2025-26 season as one of the favorites to get to Prudential Center. If the team can do that, and do a lot of damage in the Mennen Division, Sisco could be the easy pick here.
Hugel’s Pick: Reid Snyder, Morristown-Beard
Snyder can do it all for Morristown-Beard. The Amherst commit is one of the smoothest skaters in all of New Jersey, and will shut down opposing forwards just as much as easily breaking them down on the ensuing rush. When given a head of steam, you better hope that there’s forwards and defensemen working back to get on defense or else she’ll create a free lane herself to rush towards goal, or hit a dynamic forward like Sylie Sawale or Emma Fuchs for a scoring opportunity. Last season Snyder had 19 goals and 12 assists, which led the Crimson. Now that Julie Jasaitis has graduated, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see those numbers rise and give her a chance to take home this award.
Bobal’s Pick: Reid Snyder, Morristown-Beard
There aren’t any pure weaknesses to Snyder’s game. She effortlessly moves around on the ice and can stickhandle through just about anyone. She set a career-high as a junior last year with 19 goals and 31 points. Considering she’s going to be an integral part of Morristown-Beard’s offense once again, expect Snyder to push for her first 20-goal campaign. She also plays in every situation for her team. If Snyder can help Morristown-Beard capture a Librera Cup and/or state title, it’ll be hard to not give her this award assuming she’s fully healthy.
Hugel’s Pick: Delbarton
Similarly to the start of last season, it does not look like there’s one legitimate star on Delbarton’s roster. The Green Wave responded to that question last season by throwing out four incredibly balanced lines, and three defensive pairings that were as steady as they come and then walking to a Non-Public state championship. Bruce Shatel-coached teams always find their rhythm, and this year seems like it’ll be no different. Even with Jack Gerne and Dante Rodriguez graduating, back are Egor Andreev, Aidan Pasic, Ayden Puppe, Sean O’Gwen, Tommy Keough, Matteo Conte, Cole Hurst, and a whole host of returning talents to help fill those lines in. There is great experience within the Green Wave’s roster, and as a result a lot to be excited about in 2025-26.
Bobal’s Pick: Morristown-Beard
Since the Non-Public/Parochial tournament began in 1995, it has been dominated by teams currently within the Gordon Conference. In fact, Hudson Catholic is the only program that isn’t currently in the Gordon Conference that managed to win the tournament and that was back in 2000. Hudson Catholic doesn’t exist as a hockey program anymore, so maybe the time is right for Morristown-Beard to join that list. Like its Mennen Division rival KJS United got a boost when it learned Braydon Sisco is coming back, Morristown-Beard felt the same when Mason Hriczov returned. The stellar goalie is easily one of the best in the state and was drafted by the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League. Offensively, the team could have three 40-point scorers. Evan Redman and John Gonnella did it last year. Marcus Cassidy and Trenton Fei could get there. If this all comes together, it could be a special year for the Crimson.
Hugel’s Pick: Morristown-Beard
Is this the year that Morristown-Beard ends its state championship skid? It’s only been two years, but after the run the Crimson went on a few years ago it’s felt like a decade since it was last the No. 1 team in New Jersey. There’s a lot to like about this year’s team, specifically bringing back Reid Snyder, Hannah Mortazavi, Emma Fuchs, and Sylie Sawale. There are cornerstones at every position for the Crimson, and the defense is extremely well rounded with Keira Walsifer and Merilee Vartanian stepping up behind Snyder. This is also a young team that will be relying on many underclassmen to contribute right away. But after a tough finish last season, this upperclassmen group is motivated enough to carry the load while the younger group gets adjusted to a program that is hunting a state championship.
Bobal’s Pick: Princeton Day
This team is going to have some growing pains in dealing with its losses to graduation. But the Librera Division will get this team ready for a repeat run. Sammy Dandy is one of the more talented players in the state, good enough to be in contention for a Player of the Year spot. Kelly Stevens supplies strong goaltending and there’s nice balance in the forward and defensive cores. It’s not easy repeating, but this team looks like a great candidate to do so.
Hugel’s Pick: Jason Verdon, Toms River
This might not be a bold choice based on where things stand right now, but if Verdon can lead Toms River on a deep playoff run then he’ll have a legitimate case to win this award. The Raiders are lucky to return a great bunch of contributors headlined by Brady Verdon, Nate Danyo, and David Gawalis, but at the same time this is a program that has not associated itself with playoff success. Verdon can change that this season if the Raiders can make a deep run. With a senior-heavy team, history is on the line for Verdon as the Raiders chase a trip to the Rock.
Bobal’s Pick: Bill Daley, Howell-Matawan
This one is tough. There will be a lot of good candidates here. Daley’s squad had a four-win drop from 2023-24 to 2024-25 but this roster has plenty of talent and can bounce back. Aidan Garced, Matt Cartigiano and Hayden Nubile are three standout players and there is plenty of balance around them. If Daly can coach his team to appearances in both the Handchen Cup and South Jersey, Public Co-Op finals, he will be in a good position to earn this award.
Hugel’s Pick: Mike Wujek, Kent Place
Kent Place is making the jump to the Librera division. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Dragons advance to its first state semifinal in program history, as well as contend for the Librera Cup after losing in last season’s Cohen Cup final. With players like senior Molly Brozowski and sophomore Hayden Mulligan operating the pace of play every time she’s on the ice, the Dragons can score goals at a high rate and have its most successful season in history.
Bobal’s Pick: Damien Arnone, Hoboken-Weehawken-Secaucus
This tri-op enters its inaugural season hoping to win an Annis Cup crown. It’s not easy to jump right in with an entirely new program, but the belief is there that this team can accomplish great things. If Arnone is able to bring this team to that level, it would be hard to not pick him. Then, there’s also the fact that he will be coaching the Hoboken-Weehawken-Secaucus boys hockey team as well. It’ll be a busy winter for Arnone.
NOTE: We’re skipping the Dowd Cup and Big North Silver Cup
Hugel’s Pick: Bridgewater-Raritan defeats North Hunterdon-Voorhees
Bobal’s Pick: Bridgewater-Raritan defeates North Hunterdon-Voorhees
Hugel’s Pick: Robbinsville-Allentown defeats Hopewell Valley
Bobal’s Pick: Robbinsville-Allentown defeats Hopewell Valley
Hugel’s Pick: Ridgewood defeats Northern Highlands
Bobal’s Pick: Ridgewood defeats Ramapo
Hugel’s Pick: Pope John defeats St. John Vianney
Bobal’s Pick: Pope John defeats St. Joseph (Met.)
Hugel’s Pick: South-North Brunswick-Monroe defeats Old Bridge
Bobal’s Pick: Old Bridge defeats St. Joseph (Met.)
Hugel’s Pick: Delbarton defeats St. Joseph (Mont.)
Bobal’s Pick: Don Bosco Prep defeats St. Joseph (Mont.)
Hugel’s Pick: Westfield defeats Gov. Livingston-New Providence
Bobal’s Pick: Westfield defeats Gov. Livingston-New Providence
Hugel’s Pick: Verona-Glen Ridge defeats Frisch
Bobal’s Pick: Nutley-Columbia-Bloomfield defeats Verona-Glen Ridge
Hugel’s Pick: Bayonne-Belleville-McNair defeats West Orange
Bobal’s Pick: Hoboken-Weehawken-Secaucus defeats Bayonne-Belleville-McNair
Hugel’s Pick: Morristown-Beard defeats Randolph
Bobal’s Pick: Morristown-Beard defeats KJS United
Hugel’s Pick: Park Regional defeats Madison
Bobal’s Pick: Park Regional defeats Mo-Ho-Ha
Hugel’s Pick: Parsippany Regional defeats High Point-Wallkill Valley-Kittatinny
Bobal’s Pick: High Point-Wallkill Valley-Kittatinny defeats Parsippany Regional
Hugel’s Pick: Toms River defeats Middletown North
Bobal’s Pick: Middletown North defeats Howell-Matawan
Hugel’s Pick: Don Bosco Prep defeats St. Joseph (Mont.)
Bobal’s Pick: Don Bosco Prep defeats St. Joseph (Mont.)
Hugel’s Pick: Passaic Tech defeats West Milford-Pequannock-Pompton Lakes
Bobal’s Pick: West Milford-Pequannock-Pompton Lakes defeats Wayne
Hugel’s Pick: Westfield defeats Gov. Livingston-New Providence
Bobal’s Pick: Westfield defeats Gov. Livingston-New Providence
Hugel’s Pick: Princeton Day defeats Morristown-Beard
Bobal’s Pick: Morristown-Beard defeats Princeton Day
Hugel’s Pick: Trinity Hall defeats Chatham-Millburn-Livingston
Bobal’s Pick: Summit defeats Trinity Hall
Hugel’s Pick: Cranford defeats Randolph
Bobal’s Pick: Randolph defeats Cranford
Hugel’s Pick: Delbarton defeats Don Bosco Prep
For the second time in four years, we could see a repeat champion in the Non-Public group. Delbarton has the balance and firepower necessary to get back to the Prudential Center and win another title. Egor Andreev and Aidan Pasic are back to lead the forward group after scoring big goals in the playoffs last season. Sean O’Gwen and Matteo Conte headline a defensive unit that returns six players from last season. This is an experienced bunch that will be going up against a Don Bosco Prep team with a ton of size, but will need to first prove if it can score goals at a high enough clip to crack an experienced Green Wave defense.
Bobal’s Pick: Morristown-Beard defeats Don Bosco Prep
We could see a program not currently residing in the Gordon Conference win a state title for the first time in what would be 26 years. This is one of the most talent-laden rosters Morristown-Beard has put up in years. On the other side, Don Bosco Prep looks like a team poised to reach higher after coming up empty in all three tournaments it plays in (Bergen County, Gordon Cup, Non-Public). The Ironmen also bring plenty of size into the mix and significant experience. This would be one of the most intriguing state final matchups in recent memory.
Hugel’s Pick: Ridgewood defeats Middletown North
As things stand right now, there is no clear cut favorite in the Public group. Defending champion Westfield returns a very good core, as does Bridgewater-Raritan, but both teams also have questions about who will step up in the shadow of graduated stars. Ridgewood also will be relying on fresh faces to replace lots of production from last season, but at the same time the Maroons have the most sure thing of a strong goal scoring duo in Will and A.J. LoSauro. The firepower of those two alone is enough to predict that Ridgewood should make a deep playoff run and contend for a state title. If it gets through a tough North section alive, a rejuvenated Middletown North team could be waiting on the other side. The Lions retooled last season but return most of its production. It might just be a year too early for the Lions, but we will have to wait and see.
Bobal’s Pick: Ridgewood defeats Westfield
The Public tournament is a gauntlet, especially if you’re coming out of the North section. Ridgewood had to get through perennial powerhouses Northern Highlands and Randolph just to get to Prudential Center and that’s where its luck ran out last year. With that experience under its belt, this team has what it takes to win it all in the final year the LoSauro brothers will be playing together. Westfield, meanwhile, could come out of the South but our bold prediction here also includes that Westfield will do so by defeating Middletown North in double overtime. Westfield has plenty of firepower coming back from its title-winning squad from last March.
Hugel’s Pick: KJS United defeats Toms River
The Co-op group is always the most difficult to predict at the start of every season. One thing that is a certainty though is that Braydon Sisco will score goals, which will put KJS United in a position to succeed. Will Sisco pop off the same way this season that he did last? Who knows, but 17 goals in the state tournament to finish the season with 50 is a ridiculous pace that’s hard to keep up. Big players make big plays in big games though, and Sisco, alongside Eddie Brown and Cormac Gibbons, will make enough of them to get KJS United back to the Prudential Center. There it will be a tough battle against Nate Danyo, Brady Verdon, and stellar goaltender David Gawalis, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see it end in overtime.
Bobal’s Pick: KJS United defeats Toms River
Losing in their respective conference tournaments is going to drive both of these teams to deep playoff runs. KJS United is the team to beat in this section and will prove why once the state tournament begins. Having one of the best players in the state in Braydon Sisco helps in that regard. Toms River enters the season as a tri-op of all three Toms River schools for the first time. The team has strong goaltending with David Gawalis and a steady group of forwards and defensemen led by Brady Verdon and Liam Magovern, respectively.
Hugel’s Pick: Morristown-Beard defeats Princeton Day
There is no easy pick here. Morristown-Beard has the pedigree, and boasts an extremely well balanced team on paper. Princeton Day is the defending champion and returns a group that scored 40 of its 65 goals last season, as well as one of the state’s best goaltenders in Kelly Stevens. These two met last season in a semifinal that felt like a final, and hopefully we’ll see this matchup again at some point in the playoffs. The cherry on top would be at the Prudential Center, where the Crimson’s depth might be too much for the Panthers to overcome. This will be close though, and we’ll get a feel for where both teams stand in its two regular season matchups.
Bobal’s Pick: Princeton Day defeats Morristown-Beard
Finally, the much-anticipated state final bout. These titans met in the semifinal last year but this time a potential fourth matchup of the season will be for all the marbles. Princeton Day is 3-1-1 in its last five games against Morristown-Beard and that success will continue. Reid Snyder and Sammy Dandy will put on an absolute show on the ice at Prudential Center and it wouldn’t be surprising if overtime is required.
Hugel’s Pick: Christian Sherman, Nutley-Columbia-Bloomfield
There’s a hole to be filled on Nutley-Columbia-Bloomfield’s roster. The Raiders graduated one of the state’s most gifted goal scorers from last season in Alex Benkert, who finished with 42 goals. Lost in Benkert’s dominance was the rise of Sherman, whose totals leapt from 14 goals as a sophomore to 38 as a junior. Naturally, he is going to be the one who gets the scoring opportunities that Benkert got last season. His teammates will feed him more, whether it’s for a one-timer on a power play or in open space before he carves through a defense. He has shown that he’s capable of improving drastically from one season to another, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him go on a scoring rampage in his senior year. He’s already off to an incredible start through two games – six goals, 11 points, and two wins for the Raiders.
Bobal’s Pick: Braydon Sisco, KJS United
This really isn’t a bold prediction considering he led the state in goals last year. Not having Jake Prunty in the mix might lower Sisco’s ultimate goal total, but he still has the talent to finish at No. 1 in the charts. To do so for a second consecutive season while playing a Mennen Division schedule would be an astounding feat.
Hugel’s Pick: Jake Lachance, Robbinsville-Allentown
LaChance finished right on the cusp of 50 last season, and ended his junior season with 45. He had just two scoreless showings, as well as 15 multi-goal games compared to just five single-goal games. Respectfully to Robbinsville-Allentown’s schedule as well, there’s a chance that LaChance could go wild against teams like Notre Dame, Princeton, and Freehold Borough. He could even crack a team like Hopewell Valley-Montgomery, which faces defensive questions it did not have last season. Watch for LaChance to get hot early this season, and then potentially keep that pace as the Ravens look like a contender for the CVC Tournament championship.
Bobal’s Pick: Christian Sherman, Nutley-Columbia-Bloomfield
Sherman wrapped the 2024-25 season with 38 tallies, fourth most among returning players. His squad has the capability of contending for a Kelly Cup and experienced a bit of success in the state tournament. The taste and drive is there for more this time around. If Nutley-Columbia-Bloomfield can make a push for a Kelly Cup and go deep into the Public Co-op tournament, don’t be surprised if Sherman gets to this mark. His 67 career goals are tied for fifth among active players.
Hugel’s Pick: Alex Donoghue, Chatham-Millburn-Livingston
Donoghue gets the slight nod here over Kent Place’s Molly Brozowski, who she finished tied with for the state lead in goals last season with 41. After her numbers dipped as a sophomore, Donoghue got back to business last season with a career-high in goals and points, which started with a run of 17 goals through the first three games of the season. She’ll likely have multiple chances to pot multiple goals against the likes of Summit, Rockland Rockies (NY), and Westfield throughout the first few weeks of the season. There’s even the possibility she could pop in a few against Trinity Hall which has questions. After going scoreless against a tough Immaculate Heart team in the season opener, it should be expected that Donoghue will get up off the mat possibly as soon as Friday night.
Bobal’s Pick: Molly Brozowski, Kent Place
Brozowski, despite being a defenseman, was able to put up 41 goals last winter, which ties Chatham-Millburn-Livingston’s Alex Donoghue for most in the state for returning players. She’s a remarkably gifted skater with great hands and an exceptional hockey IQ. She also has 94 career goals in just three seasons. Expect another 40-goal and 50-point season from Brozowski.
Hugel’s Pick: Dante Mangarelli, St. Joseph (Mont.)
St. Joseph (Mont.) is making the jump up to the American division of the Gordon Conference. It will be a stiff test for the Green Knights to match last seasons win total (18), especially when taking into account that it could take time for its youthful forwards to find their groove a bit. During that time head coach Matt Juneau will have to rely on the players he knows best, one of which is Mangarelli. An All-State third team selection last season, Mangarelli will anchor the blue line early and help bide time for the forwards to gain chemistry and put the puck into the back of the net. The Green Knights boasted one of the state’s best defenses last season, and Mangarelli will help keep things steady early on in hopes that by midseason, the forwards are rolling and there’s less pressure on the d-unit. He and goaltender Gabe Florio will be crucial to any success it has this season.
Bobal’s Pick: Sean O’Gwen, Delbarton
O’Gwen certainly knows how to save some his best moments for when his team needs it most. He scored the final two game-winning goals in Delbarton’s run to a state title last March, the first coming in overtime in the state semifinals. He’s going to be a defensive anchor for one of the top teams in the state. O’Gwen will log plenty of ice time and play in all big situations for his team and head coach Bruce Shatel has confidence in him.
Hugel’s Pick: Reid Snyder, Morristown-Beard
There’s just too much to like in Snyder’s game that keeps her on top of this category for the time being. A combination of speed, skating, edge work, shooting, defensive motor, etc. keeps her the frontrunner here until further notice. There’s a real argument to be made for Kent Place’s Molly Brozowski, who is an explosive goal scorer from the blue line, but Snyder is the most well-rounded talent in the state as things stand right now.
Bobal’s Pick: Reid Snyder, Morristown-Beard
If she’s going to be my Player of the Year prediction, that means she will, by default, have to be the best defenseman. It’s not a long shot to see Snyder pegged as the top defenseman. She’s one of the more fun players in the state to watch and is certainly one of the best skaters too. She excels in every situation head coach Bruce Driver puts her in.
Hugel’s Pick: Mason Hriczov, Morristown-Beard
It was shocking to see Hriczov back on Morristown-Beard’s roster for this season. An All-State Third Team selection last season, he has been outstanding throughout his career with a .931 save percentage and seven shutouts. He signed an agreement with the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League in the offseason, but will still ultimately play high school hockey in his junior year. Morristown-Beard is still an incredibly talented team, but having Hriczov in between the pipes makes it much more dangerous than if he weren’t there. He was excellent last season with 26 saves in a near upset of Christian Brothers in the Non-Public quarterfinals. When Hriczov is at his best it’s not far fetched to say the Crimson could contend for a state championship, even as a non-Gordon team.
Bobal’s Pick: Mason Hriczov, Morristown-Beard
It’s hard to not go with a player who was drafted by an OHL squad. Hriczov has a wealth of talent but he’s also going to be a highly motivated goalie. His team nearly knocked off Christian Brothers in the state tournament last year. He also wants to do whatever he can to rise in the Kitchener Rangers’ depth chart. He enters his third year with Morristown-Beard owning a .931 career save percentage.
Hugel’s Pick: Katie Cisar, Trinity Hall
Let’s not ignore the obvious here – how Trinity Hall plays this season is going to depend on on Cisar’s performance. Gone for the Monarchs are the dynamic scoring threats of Lucy Mallgrave and reigning Player of the Year Sienna DeAngelis. With a career .940 save percentage and 10 shutouts to her name, Cisar is the only sure thing remaining on the Monarchs roster. She will keep the Monarchs in games it’s getting outshot in and will give it a chance to win almost every single night. In two games this season she’s already faced 53 shots… and has not given up a single goal. Trinity Hall is 2-0, and could remain a winner if Cisar continues to stand on her head in goal.
Bobal’s Pick: Katie Cisar, Trinity Hall
This seems to be a perennial coin flip between Cisar and Morristown-Beard’s Hannah Mortazavi. Now that Lucy Mallgrave and Sienna DeAngelis have transferred out of state, that puts more pressure on Cisar’s shoulders to help keep Trinity Hall in contention for a Cohen Cup and more. Cisar has never backed down when facing a big challenge and she won’t do so here. She’s also now just three saves shy of 2,000 for her career.
Donovan Hugel is a staff writer covering statewide high school sports for NJ Advance Media and NJ.com. He is on the high school football, ice hockey, and girls lacrosse beats and has been on staff since October…
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