After Reaching Hockey Semifinals, Simsbury Places Third In Final Poll

CONNECTICUT — Another high school ice hockey season is in the books, and the Division I championship won by Notre Dame-West Haven continued the long-established tradition of that title going to schools from New Haven or Fairfield counties.

Since the CIAC debuted a hockey championship in 1948, there have been 64 tournaments played under the Division I banner. In those six-plus decades, teams from Hartford County have won just twice: Enfield High School in 1983, and Simsbury in 2003.

The Trojans had an outstanding season, placing third in the final poll of coaches and media members after making it to the Div. I semifinals at Quinnipiac University against the eventual champion Green Knights. It was just the fifth time in the past 15 years, and ninth time since the turn of the 21st century, that a "northern team" advanced as far as the round of 4 in Div. I. The others were Northwest Catholic in 2019, Glastonbury in 2015, South Windsor in 2011, Enrico Fermi of Enfield in 2009, Glastonbury and Conard in 2008, Suffield in 2003 and Conard in 2001.

Northwest Catholic capped a fine year by placing sixth in the final balloting. The only other team from the area to collect votes was Div. III champion Conard, which wound up 13th.

Here are the final top 10, as well as all other teams receiving votes.

1. Notre Dame-West Haven
2. New Canaan
3. Simsbury
4. Darien
5. Ridgefield
6. Northwest Catholic
7. Cheshire
8. Xavier
9. Fairfield Prep
10. East Haven co-op

Also receiving votes: Fairfield co-op, Greenwich, Conard.

Voters: Coaches: Mac Budd, Darien; Shaun Gallagher, Ridgefield; Dave Harackiewicz, Newington co-op; Larry Vieira, Notre Dame-West Haven. Media: Erik Dobratz, WTNH-8; Michael Fornabaio, GameTimeCT; Tim Jensen, Patch Media Corp.; Mike Madera, GameTimeCT; Pete Paguaga, GameTimeCT; Dave Stewart, GameTimeCT.
Compiled by Michael Fornabaio