Alex Gertz, right, celebrates one of the biggest goals in the history of the Hollis Brookline-Derryfield Warriors in March of 2022, a goal that put HBDS in the semifinals. Gertz will be wearing a new uniform today as the new Merrimack-HB-Derryfield tri-op makes its debut vs. Goffstown at Manchester's West Side Arena. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

The landscape has changed a bit for area boys high school hockey.

The biggest change: The area no longer has any team that is the lead school of a co-op in Division III, and has a beefed up Merrimack in Division II thanks to the Hollis Brookline-Derryfield Division III co-op merging with the Tomahawks to form a tri-op. The new alliance quickly realized it had to petition to stay in Division II because the combined enrollment would have placed it in Division I.

Other changes: Nashua North-Souhegan no longer has its dynamic scoring duo of a year ago as Chase McBride graduated and North student Jacob Landry opted to play in juniors, not completely unexpected. And back in Division II, a team that reached the semifinals for the first time last season, Alvirne-Milford, has a new coach in Jason Dango.

Here’s a look as the season begins today at 4 p.m. for the new Merrimack tri-op with a home game at West Side Arena vs. Goffstown. Alvirne-Milford opens Tuesday at 5 p.m. vs. Lebanon-Stevens-Mascoma. The three local Division I teams open on Wednesday, including Bishop Guertin, which is the only local boys hockey team going it alone (no co-op),

DIVISION I

The Cardinals, who are at Salem Wednesday afternoon, got home ice for a quarterfinal playoff game last March but fell to Hanover to end last season.

One of the problems? The Cards needed a shot of offense, and that continues to be the issue going into this season. Senior forward Noah Cordiero is their leading returning scorer with eight goals and five assists, followed by senior James Mantone (5-7=12) and junior Dom Trepanier (6-5=11).

Other keys are forwards Jordan O’Hearn (junior) and Jordan Deluce (senior). The defense is anchored by seniors Bradyn MacLean and Mike Pronto, plus junior Gavin Santos. Back in goal will be senior Conor Hayes, (1.88 GAA last year), backed up by Ryan Bettencourt, a senior who played JV last year.

“It’s a strong returning group,” Bishop said. “We need to score more goals, and get consistent goaltending.”

Scoring goals may be an issue for the Saber-Titans, who barely missed the tournament last year. Junior forward Callen Cullity is the player back with the most points and will lead the offense, while first-year sophomore Connor Prunier will try to make an impact at center. Senior Christian Miller has led the defense the last three seasons but he may be asked to also play center. In goal, the Saber-Titans will likely have a freshman as first year high schoolers Dylan O’Neil and Tony Venezia are competing for the job. It’s a small roster with a short bench as the team hopes to improve on last year’s penalty-laden weakness.

“Depth will be tough,” Saber-Titans head coach Chris Zarlenga, only one of three coaches to return for back-to-back seasons in the co-ops 10 years. “So disciplined hockey and good decision making is key. The goal is to make the most of our chances and protect the defensive zone.”

It was a tough season for the Nashua South-Pelham Kings, but there may be light at the end of what has been a tough tunnel. There are some familiar names, led by senior defenseman Broden Landsteiner and senior forward Andrew Byrne. Another senior, Dan Byrne, anchors the defense. Three other key forwards are juniors Brendan Doughty and Gavin Asimakopulos, plus sophomore Kaden Cruze.

“I expect this year’s team to set a new standard for Kings hockey,” Kings coach Jordan Sarracco said. “We have a lot of talent, and very good chemistry. … And our schedule favors us pretty well. This year the goal is to get the Kings back to the playoffs (last time was 2021, the open tourney).”

DIVISION II

The Merrimack-HB-Derryfield tri-op will look to returning players from the two 2023-24 teams to set the tone, and that includes forwards Jackson Woods and Alex Gertz to help with the scoring. But defense is always the emphasis with head coach Dan Belliveau, so senior defensemen Blak Beaulieu and Caleb May will set the tone in front of goalie James Brew.

“Look for returners to give us an edge,” Belliveau said.

As for the Alvirne-Milford Admirals, they’re hoping that last year will have set a successful trend. There are some familiar names back, with keys on offense being forwards Braydon Atwood, Brndon Ganas, Bryce Larco, Brandon Callahan, Dylan MacLeod, Chris Bozza and Evan Pargas. Defensemen to watch are Ryan Ricard, Landon Briand, Mason Tomkins and Luc Pelletier.

“This team is hoping to build off last season’s success and have been working very hard to kick the season off in the right direction,” Dango said. “We’re going to be taking it one game at a time hoping to build towards a great season.”