17 Seniors Will Provide Experience

By KEN HAMWEY
Staff Sports Writer

Derek Bedard’s first two years as Holliston High’s hockey coach have been difficult adventures — a 1-17-1 record in his first year, then a 3-16-1 mark last year. Those numbers seem to suggest he’s in for another tough campaign.

Third-year coach Derek Bedard is optimistic that his Holliston hockey team will use a variety of strengths to help the Panthers improve on last year’s record.

Perhaps, but consider his team goals for this season. 

“First, we want to be competitive,’’ Bedard said. “We also must be prepared and that occurs by improving daily. Plus, we’ve got to get close games to go our way.’’ Last year, the Panthers lost four one-goal games.

His objectives are low-key, realistic and definitely can be achieved. And, if they are, then, as an old song suggests: “This could be the start of something good.’’

The 27-year-old Bedard, who played hockey for four years at Holliston and was a two-year captain, firmly believes that achieving his goals “will get the Panthers to the next level in the near future.’’ Simply defined, the next level is battling for the Tri Valley League Large Division title and qualifying for the playoffs.

Team strengths sometimes offer clues about a squad’s future. Entering the season, the Panthers had assets that give Bedard cause for some optimism.

“We’ve got experience,’’ he emphasized. “Seventeen players return with different degrees of experience. We’ve also got a good work ethic, the kids are coachable and have built team chemistry. They’re mentally and physically tough and our defense should be effective.’’

Holliston’s three senior captains — defensemen James Givens and John Piselli, and wing Cole Sanara — provide talent and leadership.

“James is a four-year veteran who’s aggressive and relentless in his approach,’’ Bedard offered. “He competes hard on every shift, is a strong skater, and he leads by example and by being vocal. John is a three-year veteran who’s coachable and works hard. Calm, cool and collected, he competes in a controlled manner. Cole, who had five goals and five assists last year, is in his fourth year. A fast skater, he forechecks and back checks. I want his offensive game to get to the next level.’’

Another wing, junior Colby Ullmann, is a top-six forward. “Colby is big, not afraid of contact, and digs in the corners,’’ Bedard noted. “He’s aggressive and he’s got a good wrist shot.’’

Senior George Gabriel and junior Luiz Campos are centers who’ll be counted on.

“George is a smooth skater and a solid stick-handler,’’ Bedard said. “And, he’s got scoring ability. As a sophomore, he had four goals and showed promise. Luiz has a high hockey IQ and a nose for the puck. A three-year varsity player, he skates well and has a good, hard shot. A shoot-first player, he gets his shots on net.’’

A pair of defensemen — sophomore Grady Lukis and junior Evan Kuharich — are assets on the back line.

“Grady got lots of ice time as a freshman,’’ Bedard said. “A defensive defenseman, he has a high hockey IQ, is physical and rugged in the corners. He wins the one-on-one battles and is a top-notch penalty killer. Evan also got lots of time on ice last year. He’s physical, hits hard and handles the puck effectively. An assistant captain, he’s also a capable penalty-killer.’’

Sophomores Brogan Roche and Cullen Ford are wings who showed promise as freshmen.

“Brogan is a two-way player who had a goal and seven assists last year,’’ Bedard said. “He’s got a high hockey IQ, handles the puck well and can find the next quickly. Cullen is a utility player who can also play defense. He demonstrates good offensive ability, can skate well and has a hard wrist shot.’’

Junior Caleb Greenberg, who’s in his first varsity year, is handling the goal-tending chores. “Caleb has a great attitude and he’s working to sharpen his instincts,’’ Bedard said. “He’s very athletic and knows how to put his body in the right position.’’ 

The Panthers’ assistant coaches are Chris Johnson (defense) and Mike Donovan (special teams and defense) Both played hockey for Holliston.

Bedard’s athletic philosophy focuses on winning, reaching one’s potential and having fun competing. “Winning is important and if our players are realizing their potential, then we can win,’’ he emphasized. “And, if we’re winning, then they’ll be enjoying their time on ice.’’

Life lessons learned in athletics that Bedard hopes his players will embrace are being accountable, communicative and having a strong work ethic. “Accountability leads to being responsible,’’ he noted. “Communication is necessary on the ice and it’ll help in one’s future job. A strong work ethic, or going the extra mile, will always be a plus, especially in the workplace.’’ 

Bedard graduated from Holliston High in 2015 and has a solid hockey pedigree. His family’s hockey roots at Holliston also run deep. 

Competing at 5-9 and 170 pounds, he averaged 20 points during his final three campaigns. And, as a sophomore and senior, he was a prime contributor in helping the Panthers qualify for two tournament berths. His father (Mike) and his brother (Jason) both played hockey for Holliston.

“My father graduated in 1982 and my brother graduated in 2011,’’ Bedard said. “All three of us played defense and we all wore No. 2. I went to Merrimack College but was unable to play hockey because of knee and shoulder injuries I suffered in high school. I got my degree in business administration and graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2019.’’

Bedard works as a senior analyst for Tech Target, a marketing software company.

Before taking Holliston’s head-coaching reins, Bedard was a Panthers’ assistant for three years, working for Dan Geary and Mike Dutcher.

Now in his third season, Bedard labels this year’s team as “gritty.’’ The Panthers will be forechecking and back-checking and they’ll be deliberate. A possession game will define them.

The coach also is hoping that his squad will bounce back from a slow start, which left Holliston at 0-2, losing to Norton and Hopkinton at Local Town Pages deadline.