2026-27 NCDC Season Preview: Metropolitan Conference

The 2026-27 NCDC Season Preview Series continues with a look at the Metropolitan Conference.

The Metropolitan features a mix of returning talent, experienced programs and players looking to take significant steps forward this season. Development and advancement remain central throughout the conference, while teams prepare for another highly competitive race toward the postseason and the Dineen Cup.

Here is a team-by-team look at the Metropolitan Conference entering 2026-27.

 

Boston Jr. Bruins

Head Coach: Nevin Hamilton
2025-26 Record: 25-17-6-6, 62 points

The Boston Jr. Bruins enter the season with a largely new group, but Hamilton believes the way the roster was built can help establish the team’s identity quickly.

“With all the new faces this season, our recruiting was based on talking to guys who wanted to be a Bruin,” Hamilton said. “I think with this we will have a loyal group who are ready to work and buy in.”

Defenseman Colin McCarthy is one returning player Hamilton expects to take on a major role. After a strong finish to last season, McCarthy will be counted on for significant minutes and leadership.

“Colin McCarthy was one of the best D-men in the league towards the end of last season,” Hamilton said. “I am excited to see him hit the ground running this season and lead the team with his veteran play on the ice.”

Boston focused on surrounding its veteran core with younger players who are hungry to develop and continue working toward their potential.

The Bruins expect to establish themselves through work ethic and continual improvement.

“Hard-working team that will be a better team each time you play us,” Hamilton said.

Consistency will be especially important in a conference Hamilton expects to provide difficult games throughout the season.

“Every game will be competitive and there will be no free points out there on the schedule,” Hamilton said. “Your team either enjoys the process of what it takes to stay relevant for six months or they pick and choose when they want to compete and get buried.”

For the Bruins, a successful season means remaining in the mix throughout the year.

“Staying in the conversation all year in what I believe to be the strongest conference in the league,” Hamilton said.

 

Boston Jr. Rangers

Head Coach: Rich DeCaprio
2025-26 Record: 36-13-3-2, 77 points

The Boston Jr. Rangers enter 2026-27 looking to build on their established identity while leaning on returning players who already understand what it takes to compete in the Metropolitan Conference.

“We are looking forward to another successful season,” DeCaprio said. “We have some key returners that understand the level of play in our division.”

The Rangers expect speed and skill to once again play a major role in their game, complemented by a strong commitment defensively.

“We will be fast and skilled again, with very solid defensive zone play,” DeCaprio said.

 

Boston Jr. Terriers

Head Coach: Cody Gonyeau
2025-26 Record: 15-30-6-3, 39 points (as Boston Dogs)

The Boston Jr. Terriers enter the season looking to establish themselves through physicality, grit and an ability to wear teams down over the course of 60 minutes.

“Based on our Main Camp, I was really impressed with how physical we were,” Gonyeau said. “A lot of guys we signed this offseason play with a ton of grit and a strong presence in battles.”

Wonjun Yun is expected to take on a larger role after showing the athleticism and versatility to contribute in a variety of situations.

The Terriers also added several newcomers who could make immediate impacts. Defenseman Mason Rizik joins the team from the Seattle Totems Premier program, while goaltender Cole Pouliot-Porter brings previous NCDC experience.

“I was really impressed with Mason Rizik,” Gonyeau said. “He’s a smooth-skating defenseman with high offensive upside in his game.”

Physicality was a priority throughout the offseason, and Gonyeau expects that to become a defining characteristic of this year’s team.

“I’m expecting this year’s team to be one that really wears down the opponent,” Gonyeau said. “From quick transition plays, using our speed throughout the ice, to heavy battles in the corners.”

Maintaining that level of energy for a full game will be crucial.

“Energy is going to be the biggest key for this conference,” Gonyeau said. “Having a team that can show high energy for a full 60 minutes is going to be key for us this year.”

The Terriers will ultimately measure their season through development and advancement.

“Wins will come, but we pride ourselves in player advancements,” Gonyeau said. “Having a team that really develops throughout each month of the season is my view of a successful year for the Boston Jr. Terriers.”

 

 

Islanders Hockey Club

Head Coach: Tim Kyrkostas

2025-26 Record: 39-11-2-2, 82 points

Islanders Hockey Club enters the new season with another roster built around developing players for NCAA opportunities.

Caden Barnard is expected to take on a larger role on defense, while Gustaf Egmar will be asked to provide increased leadership and production up front.

“I am expecting both players to play much bigger roles on the ice and especially in the room as leaders,” Kyrkostas said.

The newcomers include forward Luke Gallo, who has committed to Salve Regina, along with Quinn Metzger. Egon Isakkson, Pontus Bergstrom and Zach Berglin are also among the new additions expected to play important roles.

IHC’s recruiting philosophy remained consistent throughout the offseason.

“We took the same approach as we do every offseason, and that’s trying to find players we believe we can develop into NCAA collegiate players,” Kyrkostas said.

On the ice, IHC wants to establish itself through work ethic and structure.

“Hard working, well organized and hopefully hard to play against,” Kyrkostas said.

Consistency in both effort and execution will be critical throughout the Metropolitan schedule.

For Kyrkostas, however, the primary goal remains advancement.

“Getting as many of our players into solid NCAA schools so they can continue to play while earning their degrees,” Kyrkostas said.

 

New England Wolves

Head Coach: Tim Kunes
2025-26 NCDC Record: 16-9-0-0, 32 points

The New England Wolves enter their first full NCDC season with a young roster built around speed and a group hungry to establish itself at the Tier II level.

“We have a young team with a lot of team speed,” Kunes said. “We have a lot of hungry players who are excited to play in our first full season in the NCDC.”

Felipe-Miguel Miron, Cam Plumb, Tamerlan Zakaryanov, Madi Zhaparov, Clinton Sousa and Philippe Lepore are among the returning players Kunes is looking forward to watching take another step.

Newcomers Celian Magliocco, Vincent Gosselin and Dylan Perron are three forwards who could contribute immediately.

“They’re three forwards with a lot of offensive instincts,” Kunes said.

With the program preparing for its first complete NCDC campaign, the Wolves spent the offseason raising the standard throughout the organization.

“We’ve improved in everything, from the quality of players that we recruit, to the equipment provided and just the overall player experience,” Kunes said.

On the ice, New England plans to play a fast-paced and aggressive offensive style.

“The biggest key for us will be playing to our identity consistently against our conference opponents,” Kunes said.

Advancement and postseason competition will serve as the primary benchmarks for the Wolves.

“The goals for this season are for our players to advance to higher levels while improving their game in all aspects,” Kunes said. “And lastly, to compete in the playoffs in our first season.”

 

 

Northern Cyclones

Head Coach: Bill Weiand

2025-26 Record: 32-14-4-4, 72 points

The Northern Cyclones enter 2026-27 with a returning leadership group that will be expected to set the tone from the beginning of the season.

“We will have a good returning group of leadership,” Weiand said.

Weiand expects the entire returning group to make an impact, while the Cyclones are also eager to see which newcomers can successfully make the jump to the NCDC.

“We are excited about all of our newcomers and looking to see who makes the jump to the NCDC with success,” Weiand said.

One area where Northern believes it improved during the offseason is in goal.

“We believe we got stronger in net,” Weiand said.

The Cyclones expect to be difficult to play against, but consistency will ultimately determine how successful the group can be in a challenging Metropolitan Conference.

“We need to be consistent every night,” Weiand said. “We have a tough division and it’s going to be hard every game.”

Northern enters the year with two clear objectives.

“Winning the Dineen Cup and getting our age-out players committed to college,” Weiand said.

 

South Shore Kings

Head Coach: Tyler Holske
2025-26 Record: 44-7-1-2, 91 points — New England East Division Champions, New England Conference Champions, Founders Cup Champions & Dineen Cup Champions

The defending Dineen Cup Champion South Shore Kings enter 2026-27 with a strong returning core and expectations that several players will take significant steps in their second seasons of junior hockey.

“We have a strong core group coming back from our Championship team,” Holske said. “I expect this group to lead the way early on.”

The returning defensive group includes Drew Jensen, Michael Sciabarra, Fischer Niehaus and Louka Tremblay, while Tanner Petalas and Jake Pomichter return up front.

Jensen comes off a season in which he was named New England East Division Defenseman of the Year and played a major role in the Kings’ offensive and power-play success.

“I expect him to take a big step in Year 2 for us,” Holske said.

South Shore also added a number of newcomers, including Luke Dow, LT Wright and Colin Ward, all of whom bring previous junior hockey experience.

The Kings took a broad approach to improving the roster during the offseason.

“You are never satisfied,” Holske said. “It’s not necessarily all about getting the ‘best’ players. Having a group of 26 young men that are good kids and come from a good family is super important to us.”

South Shore wants to play with pace and possession while maintaining the detail and competitiveness that helped drive last season’s championship run.

“We want to play with a ton of pace and play a puck-possession game,” Holske said. “We will play with passion and a ton of detail. We want to be hard to play against every night.”

Despite entering as defending champions, Holske expects parity throughout the NCDC.

“Every opponent presents a challenge,” Holske said. “If you don’t show up in this league, you typically don’t win.”

For South Shore, development and advancement remain the primary organizational objective.

“Moving players on to top-notch NCAA programs is why we do this,” Holske said. “That is the No. 1 priority for us as an organization.”

 

Worcester Railers JHC

Head Coach: Sean Bertoni
2025-26 Record: 34-18-2-0, 70 points

Leadership will be at the center of Worcester’s identity entering the 2026-27 season.

The Railers return a deep group of experienced players, beginning in goal with Matteo Mueller and Mike Heinke.

“As you know, that is the backbone to any hockey team,” Bertoni said.

Up front, reigning NCDC Forward of the Year Noah Jimbo returns alongside Aidan Garced, Carter Williams and Jack Johnson.

“Noah Jimbo is a cerebral and highly competitive hockey player,” Bertoni said. “A man that leads with action.”

Garced returns after recording 25 points as a 2008-born player last season, while Worcester will also lean on experience along the blue line.

Matt Anderson enters his third season with the Railers, and Bertoni expects him to be among the league’s top defensemen. Andrei Dubchak also returns after continuing to develop both his offensive game and defensive responsibilities.

Worcester will additionally have six players moving up from its Premier team.

“This is the model of development we take a lot of pride in, and credit to these young men for putting the work in and trusting the process,” Bertoni said.

Team speed was an offseason priority, while the Railers expect structure and attention to detail to define their style.

Their ability to establish the forecheck, win races and battles and possess the puck will be key within the Metropolitan Conference.

For Bertoni, success will ultimately come down to development.

“Did the coaching staff do a good job teaching our players? Did our team play with confidence, and did each player develop from Day 1 until the end of the season?” Bertoni said.