Hockey notebook: Leonards setting records at Essex Tech
As the Essex Tech boys hockey team built up a lead over Newburyport in the season-opener, star senior Brady Leonard skated off the ice like he had any of the other times he scored or assisted on a goal. Over four years of focusing on helping lift the young program with wins instead of personal accolades, this game was no different.
Except this time, Brady had cracked 100 career points, and he had no idea. He found out once he got to the bench. Of course, he felt honored, just as he did when he became the program’s all-time leading scorer less than two weeks later. He just didn’t know beforehand.
But ahead of the Hawks’ Jan. 8 matchup against Pentucket, he knew exactly what he played for – scoring twice in a 3-1 win for father and head coach Mark Leonard’s 300th win between Peabody and Essex Tech.
“I was visualizing it before the game, hopefully scoring and you know, just getting that done,” Brady said. “Probably the 300th win (was more special) because of all he’s been through with Peabody. Getting fired, coming back here, and doing so well.”
Since his youngest of two was 6-years-old, Mark has been Brady’s coach in hockey. He watched him excel at every level of youth hockey alongside a crew of dynamic players that are still his teammates on the Hawks, and he’s watched him erupt at the high school level.
To have Brady be a part of his 300th win and to see him light up the stat sheet, to see him set an example as a leader and overcome the adversity and pressure that comes with being the coach’s son – it’s something Mark doesn’t take for granted.
“It’s a dream come true, really,” he said. “I get to coach my son. Which, a lot of guys do through youth hockey and stuff. But I played college hockey and I played professionally in Europe – to see your son excel, not just play but excel, he’s really worked hard, and it’s special. … To see where he has come, I’m just really proud of him.”
For Mark, this season was a long time coming. Not just for Brady, though.
After his firing from Peabody in 2019, Mark was disappointed he wouldn’t get to coach a talent-rich group he had been waiting for at the high school level – Brady’s class. Fortunately the stars aligned for Mark to quickly find a role at Essex Tech, and that group followed their longtime youth hockey coach.
In the 2021-22 season, the Hawks were focused on putting Essex Tech on the map. As it transitioned to the Cape Ann League last year, the expectations continued to rise, and the Hawks made the Div. 3 state quarterfinals for a second straight year.
Now, a deep lineup with a senior core of Brady, forward Jaydan Vargas, defenseman Andrew McKenna, defenseman Mason Sutcliffe, forward Anthony Bisenti and defenseman Riley Sobezenski looks for a deeper run to leave a lasting legacy at Essex Tech.
Two wins over Newburyport, wins over Wellesley, Falmouth, Winthrop and Triton are notable, as is the lead in the CAL Kinney race. Essex Tech is 11-1-1 entering the weekend, and ranks No. 3 in the latest MIAA Div. 3 power rankings.
“I’ve been anticipating this for a long time,” Mark said. “We’ve put ourselves in a good position. These kids, like I said, they’re a special group. I’ve had them for a long time. They have an unbelievable work ethic. They’re all very close, and they’re good hockey players.”
“I think we’re shooting for that state title,” Brady added. “We just have such a good group, tight group. Everyone’s close. All lines are meshing together, we’re playing some good hockey right now. I think we have the squad to get it done this year.”
Ed Burns Coffee Pot Tournament
Seeding, divisions and locations are set for the fourth annual Ed Burns Coffee Pot Tournament to begin Sunday afternoon, starting the three-round race between 16 of the state’s best public-school teams.
In a year with so many Div. 1 and Div. 2 teams capable of beating one another, this is about as good of a measuring stick as it gets.
“I think this is like the rest of the state – this tournament is pretty even,” said Arlington head coach and co-tournament director John Messuri. “I think it’s going to be a fun tournament, I think anyone can win it.”
The top eight seeded teams in the Peter Doherty division play the first round play at Ed Burns Arena, featuring Hingham-Winchester (noon), Reading-Braintree (2 p.m.), Arlington-Tewksbury (4 p.m.) and Belmont-Concord-Carlisle (6 p.m.). At Canton Ice House, Marshfield-Norwood (noon), Chelmsford-Walpole (4 p.m.), Canton-Wellesley (6 p.m.) and Weymouth-Franklin (8 p.m.) play in the Walter Brinn division’s first round.
Both division’s title games will be at Tsongas Arena, and Bentley is one of four venues in the second round.
“I think the kids like playing in the college rinks,” Messuri said. “Kids look forward to playing meaningful games in those rinks, and I think it’s part of the high school experience. I’m happy we can supply that to them.”
Blazin’ Billerica
Starting the year 13-0 with a 3.46 average margin of victory isn’t exactly what Billerica boys head coach Jim Egan expected. He did expect his squad to be one of the most competitive in Div. 2, and its top spot in the MIAA power rankings reflects that.
The statistic he’s most pleased with is the team’s 5-on-5 goals allowed average (around one or less), but the attack’s blistering start is a head-turner. Senior Danny Viscione (21 goals) anchors a group that’s scored at least five goals in nine of its 13 games, while nine others have at least three goals.
Timmy Murphy (eight goals), Ryan Johnson (six), Cameron Penti (six) and James Columbus (five) are the other leading scorers, but the difference-makers extend well beyond them.
“The leadership just isn’t just two, three guys in that room, it’s seven, eight, nine, ten guys that are really taking charge,” Egan said after Monday’s 5-2 win over Tewksbury. “And the success boils down to team chemistry. Guys understanding their roles, fulfilling their roles, and taking pride in what they do.”
One-timers
Wednesday was a big night for individual milestones for the boys, as Natick senior Sam Hubbard, Archbishop Williams senior Finn Kelly and Tewksbury junior Tyler Bourgea each eclipsed 100 career points.
The Belmont boys’ top line continues to score at an elite rate, as Liam Guilderson, Leo Packard and Adam Bauer have combined for four hat tricks and 18 goals in the Marauders’ four-game win streak since losing to Reading.
There must be something in the water in Hingham. The latest MIAA Div. 1 power rankings have the Harborwomen girls (No. 1), Harbormen boys (No. 3), and Notre Dame Academy of Hingham girls (No. 2) each slotted for paths to at least the Final Four.
Hockey notebook: Leonards setting records at Essex Tech
As the Essex Tech boys hockey team built up a lead over Newburyport in the season-opener, star senior Brady Leonard skated off the ice like he had any of the other times he scored or assisted on a goal. Over four years of focusing on helping lift the young program with wins instead of personal accolades, this game was no different.
Except this time, Brady had cracked 100 career points, and he had no idea. He found out once he got to the bench. Of course, he felt honored, just as he did when he became the program’s all-time leading scorer less than two weeks later. He just didn’t know beforehand.
But ahead of the Hawks’ Jan. 8 matchup against Pentucket, he knew exactly what he played for – scoring twice in a 3-1 win for father and head coach Mark Leonard’s 300th win between Peabody and Essex Tech.
“I was visualizing it before the game, hopefully scoring and you know, just getting that done,” Brady said. “Probably the 300th win (was more special) because of all he’s been through with Peabody. Getting fired, coming back here, and doing so well.”
Since his youngest of two was 6-years-old, Mark has been Brady’s coach in hockey. He watched him excel at every level of youth hockey alongside a crew of dynamic players that are still his teammates on the Hawks, and he’s watched him erupt at the high school level.
To have Brady be a part of his 300th win and to see him light up the stat sheet, to see him set an example as a leader and overcome the adversity and pressure that comes with being the coach’s son – it’s something Mark doesn’t take for granted.
“It’s a dream come true, really,” he said. “I get to coach my son. Which, a lot of guys do through youth hockey and stuff. But I played college hockey and I played professionally in Europe – to see your son excel, not just play but excel, he’s really worked hard, and it’s special. … To see where he has come, I’m just really proud of him.”
For Mark, this season was a long time coming. Not just for Brady, though.
After his firing from Peabody in 2019, Mark was disappointed he wouldn’t get to coach a talent-rich group he had been waiting for at the high school level – Brady’s class. Fortunately the stars aligned for Mark to quickly find a role at Essex Tech, and that group followed their longtime youth hockey coach.
In the 2021-22 season, the Hawks were focused on putting Essex Tech on the map. As it transitioned to the Cape Ann League last year, the expectations continued to rise, and the Hawks made the Div. 3 state quarterfinals for a second straight year.
Now, a deep lineup with a senior core of Brady, forward Jaydan Vargas, defenseman Andrew McKenna, defenseman Mason Sutcliffe, forward Anthony Bisenti and defenseman Riley Sobezenski looks for a deeper run to leave a lasting legacy at Essex Tech.
Two wins over Newburyport, wins over Wellesley, Falmouth, Winthrop and Triton are notable, as is the lead in the CAL Kinney race. Essex Tech is 11-1-1 entering the weekend, and ranks No. 3 in the latest MIAA Div. 3 power rankings.
“I’ve been anticipating this for a long time,” Mark said. “We’ve put ourselves in a good position. These kids, like I said, they’re a special group. I’ve had them for a long time. They have an unbelievable work ethic. They’re all very close, and they’re good hockey players.”
“I think we’re shooting for that state title,” Brady added. “We just have such a good group, tight group. Everyone’s close. All lines are meshing together, we’re playing some good hockey right now. I think we have the squad to get it done this year.”
Ed Burns Coffee Pot Tournament
Seeding, divisions and locations are set for the fourth annual Ed Burns Coffee Pot Tournament to begin Sunday afternoon, starting the three-round race between 16 of the state’s best public-school teams.
In a year with so many Div. 1 and Div. 2 teams capable of beating one another, this is about as good of a measuring stick as it gets.
“I think this is like the rest of the state – this tournament is pretty even,” said Arlington head coach and co-tournament director John Messuri. “I think it’s going to be a fun tournament, I think anyone can win it.”
The top eight seeded teams in the Peter Doherty division play the first round play at Ed Burns Arena, featuring Hingham-Winchester (noon), Reading-Braintree (2 p.m.), Arlington-Tewksbury (4 p.m.) and Belmont-Concord-Carlisle (6 p.m.). At Canton Ice House, Marshfield-Norwood (noon), Chelmsford-Walpole (4 p.m.), Canton-Wellesley (6 p.m.) and Weymouth-Franklin (8 p.m.) play in the Walter Brinn division’s first round.
Both division’s title games will be at Tsongas Arena, and Bentley is one of four venues in the second round.
“I think the kids like playing in the college rinks,” Messuri said. “Kids look forward to playing meaningful games in those rinks, and I think it’s part of the high school experience. I’m happy we can supply that to them.”
Blazin’ Billerica
Starting the year 13-0 with a 3.46 average margin of victory isn’t exactly what Billerica boys head coach Jim Egan expected. He did expect his squad to be one of the most competitive in Div. 2, and its top spot in the MIAA power rankings reflects that.
The statistic he’s most pleased with is the team’s 5-on-5 goals allowed average (around one or less), but the attack’s blistering start is a head-turner. Senior Danny Viscione (21 goals) anchors a group that’s scored at least five goals in nine of its 13 games, while nine others have at least three goals.
Timmy Murphy (eight goals), Ryan Johnson (six), Cameron Penti (six) and James Columbus (five) are the other leading scorers, but the difference-makers extend well beyond them.
“The leadership just isn’t just two, three guys in that room, it’s seven, eight, nine, ten guys that are really taking charge,” Egan said after Monday’s 5-2 win over Tewksbury. “And the success boils down to team chemistry. Guys understanding their roles, fulfilling their roles, and taking pride in what they do.”
One-timers
Wednesday was a big night for individual milestones for the boys, as Natick senior Sam Hubbard, Archbishop Williams senior Finn Kelly and Tewksbury junior Tyler Bourgea each eclipsed 100 career points.
The Belmont boys’ top line continues to score at an elite rate, as Liam Guilderson, Leo Packard and Adam Bauer have combined for four hat tricks and 18 goals in the Marauders’ four-game win streak since losing to Reading.
There must be something in the water in Hingham. The latest MIAA Div. 1 power rankings have the Harborwomen girls (No. 1), Harbormen boys (No. 3), and Notre Dame Academy of Hingham girls (No. 2) each slotted for paths to at least the Final Four.
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