FREEHOLD BORO/RARITAN
Head Coach: Corey Malley-Boehm, Fifth season (12-68-4)
Record last year: 6-14-0
Division/Classification: Class A Central/Public A
Home Rink: Jersey Shore Arena
OPENING DRAW: With a final record of 6-14-0 it was the most successful season in six years for Freehold Boro, as the trajectory continues to trend upward for the Colonials and fifth-year coach Corey Malley-Boehm, who has a core of four talented skaters to build around.
DIVISION RIVAL: Central Regional enters 2017-18 off winningest season in history
GABE ROMAN: Roman burst onto the scene as a sophomore, finishing as the Freehold Boro scoring leader with 30 points on 13 goals and a club-best 17 assists. The forward put his impressive skillset of speed and stick handling on full display in a Dec. 13 matchup with non-conference foe Edison, when he logged four goals and assisted on four more.
Roman’s emergence as top local player continued at the NJYHL level, where he notched 13 points and a team-high 11 assists for a Brick Hockey Club 16UAA outfit that clinched a Southern Division championship and made a state finals appearance.
CONNOR MORENO: Moreno is the senior leader of this Freehold Boro collective, and broke out in a big way last year with a career-high 27 points and a team-leading 17 goals. Moreno notched his first career hat trick on Dec. 27 in a non-conference bout with Nottingham, scoring four goals and assisting on another. Moreno’s strong play continued in the pre-season with the Red Bank Generals 18UAA program.
DIVISION RIVAL: Ocean Township turns to Haar, Sirianni & experienced core in 2017-18
SAM GIOVE: Alongside Roman is classmate Sam Giove, who also had a big sophomore season with 27 points on 15 goals and 12 helpers. Giove had a big night against Toms River South on Dec. 15 when he logged his first career hat trick, including the eventual game-winning goal in a 7-5 win over the non-divisional foe.
After landing a spot with the Jersey Shore Whalers 18U program — and helping the club capture an East Coast Classic College Cup Tournament title in October — Giove’s production should only increase.
JOE BARONNE: Baronne is the youngest of the bunch, entering his sophomore year off a strong freshman effort in which he registered 17 points on six goals and 11 assists. Barrone, who played the pre-season with the Jersey Shore Wildcats 16UAA program — will be counted upon for even larger contributions in 2017-18.
CLASS A CENTRAL ALIGNMENT
Freehold Township
Manalapan
Manasquan
Marlboro
