Since moving from Division II to Division III two seasons ago, the Johnston/North Providence Co-op hockey team has encountered nothing but success.
Two seasons ago, it earned the No. 3 seed for the playoffs before sweeping top-seeded West Warwick/Exeter West Greenwich Co-op in the title series.
Last winter, the balanced Panthers posted another winning season, compiling a 9-6-2-1 record while making it to the postseason semifinals.
Fast forward to this season, and it’s tough for JNP co-head coach David Centracchio to get a feel for where his team stands with the new division landscape, but he’s confident that his team has what it takes to compete.
“It’s kind of up in the air,” Centracchio said when asked where he thought his team fits in among the other D-III teams. “Pilgrim consolidated with Warwick Vets and they’re down in Division III, and Ponaganset moved up to Division II. With some hard work, we should fall in the playoff hunt. We have a couple of good forward lines that will be able to put the puck in the net. I think we’ll be fine.”
There’s no question that JNP’s biggest strength will be up front.
Junior Brandon Tanguay, an assistant captain for this season, will be back to center the top line after leading JNP in goals (17), assists (16) and points (33) during his sophomore campaign.
He’ll play between senior captain Justin Harvey and fellow junior Nathan Nye, a pair of key contributors from a season ago.
“They’re going to have some good production,” Centracchio said of his top line.
Junior Michael Flori will center the second forward line, and freshmen Ryan DiLorenzo and Christian Campbell will occupy the wings.
Defense and goaltending, on the other hand, will be more of a question mark.
JNP will return two defensemen with experience, senior Andrew Costa and sophomore Zachary Morin. But, other than that, Centracchio will be looking for players to step up and log big minutes.
In net, junior Jacob Frezza will start between the pipes after two-year starter David Kelly bolted to play junior hockey.
Frezza will have some sizable shoes to fill, as Kelly helped to lead JNP to a championship and two consecutive winning campaigns.
“It’s a big loss,” Centracchio said of Kelly moving on to the junior ranks. “He’s a solid goaltender and we’re going to miss him.”
Centracchio did note that Frezza played for roughly half the season last winter, so his transition into a full-time starter could potentially be seamless.
Other players who should contribute for the Panthers are Ana Tonucci, Brad Townsend, Ryan Sandbach and freshman Thomas Jones.
Stephen Morrison will also serve as a co-head coach for JNP, and Manny DaCosta will return behind the bench as an assistant coach.
JNP will open its season on Saturday, when it hosts Woonsocket/Scituate Co-op at the Rhode Island Sports Center at 7:05 p.m.
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