Last year’s NJSIAA Public B Ice Hockey Champions, Middletown North felt the impact of graduation with the loss of many key contributors from the title team.
The Lions, who are currently 0-3-1 to start the 2023-24 campaign, are looking to gain momentum as the season goes on. This recipe might scare some, but the Lons used that formula last year on their way to capturing a state championship.
The Lions started last year’s run with a 1-4 record, but only lost just two more games in the regular season and playoffs. This year’s team, might have a more difficult task with all of last year’s seniors now out of the program. The Lions are hoping the experience in big games should help the returning Lions.
The Lions graduated 10 seniors from last year’s squad so Head Coach Don Wood will look for some new starters to contribute. “We will have to rely on playing team defense every shift, using our speed in all three zones,” said coach Don Wood. “We will be counting on guys who were on the team last year to step into bigger roles.”
The Lions return seniors: Ryan Cook, Joseph Wall, Jack Turner, Matthew Turrisi, Chris Imbriale, Nick Chaknis, Brady Gottchalk, Shane Harrison, Timothy Cherney, Gavin Eremus, Drew Scalice and Hayden Mattos. Sophomores Brendan Constello, Lucas Laranjiero and Landon Hopwood will look to have an impact as well.
The Lions, who featured one of the best goaltenders in the State of New Jersey last year with Luke Chrzan, will look to seniors Michael Carmody and Tyler Armagan to keep the puck out of the net. Sophomore John Galo will also look to compete at the goalie position.
Photos via Kevin Prefer
Schedule / Scoreboard
| DATE | OPPONENT | RESULT | |
| 12/7 | vs. Middletown South | L 4-2 | Game Details |
| 12/13 | @ Westfield | T 2-2 | Game Details |
| 12/14 | vs. St. John Vianney | L 3-2 | Game Details |
| 12/20 | @ Christian Brothers | L 4-1 | Game Details |
| DATE | OPPONENT | TIME | |
| 12/21 | vs. Cranford | 6:00 pm | Pre-Game |
| 12/27 | @ Wayne Hills | 7:00 pm | Pre-Game |
| 12/28 | @ Hunterdon Central | 3:15 pm | Pre-Game |
| 1/2 | @ Northern Highlands | 7:30 pm | Pre-Game |
| 1/3 | @ Princeton | 3:15 pm | Pre-Game |
| 1/5 | vs. Hillsborough | 3:15 pm | Pre-Game |
| 1/8 | vs. Livingston | TBA | Pre-Game |
| 1/9 | vs. Pingry | 5:00 pm | Pre-Game |
| 1/12 | @ St. Rose | 8:10 pm | Pre-Game |
| 1/15 | @ Rumson-Fair Haven | 8:15 pm | Pre-Game |
| 1/16 | vs. Brick Township | 5:00 pm | Pre-Game |
| 1/22 | @ Gov. Livingston | 8:35 pm | Pre-Game |
| 1/24 | vs. Wall | 3:00 pm | Pre-Game |
| 1/25 | vs. Manalapan | 6:00 pm | Pre-Game |
| 1/30 | @ Middletown South | TBA | Pre-Game |
| 2/2 | @ Monroe | 3:50 pm | Pre-Game |
2023-2024 Middletown High School North Ice Hockey Roster
4 Greg Bonczek
5 Dominiks Marnauza
9 Ryan Cook
10 Joseph Wall
12 Nicholas Chaknis
13 Caden Kirk
16 Gavin Eremus
17 Matthew Turrisi
21 Jack Turner
23 Brady Gottschalk
27 Brendan Costello
28 Timothy Cherney
29 John Gato
31 Tyler Armagan
33 Michael Carmody
34 Drew Scalice
36 Samuel Noone
39 Landon Hopwood
88 Christopher Imbriale
91 Lucas Laranjiero
91 Hayden Mattos
92 Shane Harrison