By: Quinn Donovan

The Westborough Rangers boys hockey team is looking forward to the upcoming 2017-18 season. The Rangers are coming off a difficult 4-15-1 season a year ago, but after graduating just two seniors the team is preparing for success. However, these two graduates are not to be overlooked as the squad lost their two captains in starting goalie Jon Ashton and starting defensemen Trevor McNamara.

The varsity team will be led by four captains:  seniors Jon Rodenbush and Griffin Barriere as well as juniors Vincent Pascale and Kevin Flahive. Experience will certainly be a strength this year, despite the roster consisting of numerous underclassmen and only a few seniors. Given the large contingent of current freshmen who gained valuable varsity experience as eighth-graders, the team already has solid chemistry and is ready to roll.

The boys have worked out together during the offseason and are looking to turn the fortunes of the program around this year.

Rodenbush remarks that they are “looking to make the playoffs after a few down years. We want to go out on top for our senior year and make some noise.”

Barriere echoed that sentiment, explaining that “we need to keep working hard and we’ll be able to prove ourselves to Central Mass.”

The team will look to junior Will Schiffman to take over the goaltending duties from Ashton. Eager to contribute now in his third year with the program, Schiffman is looking forward to proving himself on the big stage.

Out on the ice, senior defensemen Brian Melanson will also be looking to carve out a role for himself after transferring to WHS last year.

Although experience is certainly a benefit, the unpredictability of this year’s team could create great dividends as the season progresses.

The Rangers open their season Monday, December 11 in a 4 p.m. game against Nashoba at the New England Sports Center in Marlborough.