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Central Catholic Boys Ice Hockey Preview

2006-07 record: 18-4-3, lost in round robin of the Super 8 Tournament

Returning lettermen: (18): Sean Bradley, Soph., defense; Steve Balsamo, Soph., forward; Bill Helinski, Sr., defense; Shane Leonard, Soph., forward; Mike Holland, Soph., defense; Matt Alesse, Jr., forward; Justin Kurek, Sr., forward; Brendan Slein, Sr., forward; Brendan McCarron, Jr., defense; Mark Brien, Sr., defense; Brandon Giblin, Sr., forward/defense; Cam Fisichelli, Jr., forward; Ross Sarmento, Sr., forward; Cody Jaskot, Soph., forward; Tim Houston, Sr., forward; Patrick Russell, Sr., defense; Evan Rurak, Sr., goalie; Mike Alesse, Sr., goalie

Newcomers: Conor Murphy, Soph., defense; Jonathan Daniels, Frosh., forward; Josh Gallagher, Frosh., defense; Nick Leonard, Frosh, forward

Candidates in all grades: 82

Captains: Justin Kurek, Bill Helinski, Tim Houston (assistant), Mark Brien (assistant)

Returning leaders: Tim Houston (22-30|52), Mark Brien (4-19|23), Justin Kurk (10-11|21), Cam Fisichelli (9-5|14), Mike Alesse 1 shutout

Returning honorees: Mark Brien, Eagle-Tribune All-Star; Tim Houston, All-MVC-DCL; Bill Helinski, MVC-DCL All-Star; Patrick Russell, MVC-DCL All-Star; Mike Alesse, MVC-DCL All-Star

Assistants: Ken Cronin, Brian Cronin, Paul Cronin, Ryan Dugan, JV; Chris Cullen, JV

Opener: At Rice Tourney (University of Vermont), Dec. 15, 7 p.m.

Odds and ends: Became the first area team to compete in the Super 8 Tournament in its 17-year history. ... Eagle-Tribune All-Star defenseman Mark Brien scored four goals and added 19 assists last season as a junior despite not recording a single point as a sophomore. ... Sophomore Cody Jaskot is the brother of 2007 Eagle-Tribune Player of the Year Paul Jaskot. ... Goalie Mike Alesse is in his third year as starter. ... Highly touted Nick Leonard is the brother of Raider sophomore forward Shane Leonard. ... The three coaching Cronins are two brothers and a nephew.

Coach Mike Jankowski (7th year, 70-55-12): "We lost a lot of firepower, but we have a great group coming back. ... Mike (Alesse) is back and he is a proven backstop. He's been here for a while and it's his time to shine. (Tim) Houston will pace the offense and Mark Brien will lead the defense. They are both exceptional at their position. Brendan Slein and Justin Kurek are part of the core group that will be counted upon to score and Ross Sarmento and Brandon Giblin are great character guys."