With five state championship, including the last two years in Division I, the Bedford High boys have quickly established themselves as an elite force on ice in the Granite State.

Making it three in a row won’t be easy.

The Bulldogs, on their way to 19-1-1 title season in 2016-17, had five players gain first or second team All-Division I status.

Four of those graduated, including state Player of the Year Griffin Gagne. The fifth, junior goalie Erik Voloshin, moved on to prep school at Milton Academy, while his classmate and brother, Colin, made the jump to Brooks School.

Those losses represent 184 points, not to mention the void left by Voloshin in the cage.

Kyle Greer is the top returner with 20 points a year ago on 6 goals and 14 assists. Tim Spencer (1-11-12), Zach Bayer (5-9-14), Nate Musgrave (4-7-11) and Jack Silvain (4-6-10) will all be asked to pick up the scoring slack.

GIRLS STEP UP

TO VARSITY LEVEL

Coach Glen Fifield welcomes two seniors, six juniors, six sophomores and a freshman on to the Bulldogs’ first-ever girls varsity ice hockey team.

“Both goalies are new to goaltending in hockey but are putting tremendous effort in developing their game,” said Fifield. “Every goal scored and every game won or tied will be a new milestone in the storied beginning of this team. The girls are truly committed to each other and the program and in short order will define what success of unified group girls can bring.”

Judging by the impact made by most sports at BHS, and the dedication to them, it shouldn’t take these girls long to make their own noise.

BULLDOGS DEFENDING TITLE ON HILLS TOO

The Bedford High boys own the last five Division I state ski championship and coach Philip Akstin’s bunch doesn’t appear to be lightening any time too soon.

“We have a great group of very well versed athletes this year in both slalom and giant slalom,” said Akstin. “They are all great kids with a lot of positive energy. I believe we are going to have a really fun year.”

Akstin has hopes that adding Jessa Fahey, a former Meet of Champions winner for Bedford High, as an assistant coach, can help the girls take the next step and win a title.

“She brings a lot of racing experience to the table,” said Akstin.

Alpine Skiing

HEAD COACH: Philip Akstin

ASSISTANT COACH: Jessa Fahey

LAST YEAR’S RESULTS: Boys five-time defending state Division I champion; girls, second in Division I

RETURNING VARSITY STARTERS: Victoria Pratt, Sr., Captain; Bryce Laurendeau, Sr., Captain; Ella Cibotti, Sr; Emma Kneissl-Williams, Sr.; Makayla MacDermott, Jr.; Kaitlyn Laurendeau, Jr.; Whitney Fitzgerald, Jr.; Turner Brown, Jr.; Jessica Rioux, Soph.; CJ Ladue, Soph.; Mykenzie Kyle, Soph.; Lauren Burns, Soph.; Sydney Berube, Soph.; Michael Akstin, Soph.

RETURNING LETTERMEN: Brandon Bernson, Jr.; Zach Strimling, Jr.; Aiden Wolfinger, Soph.

PROMISING NEWCOMERS: Mary Norris, Jr.; Kevin Owens, Jr.; Alba Lturriagagoitia, Soph.; Ella Erwin, Soph.; Trevor Soden, Soph.; Riley Wolfinger, Frosh.; Avery Manni, Frosh.; Gray Theodore Frosh.; Cameron Climer, Frosh.

TOP RETURNERS: Pratt, B. Laurendeau, Berube, Akstin, all MOC qualifiers.

Bedford High Varsity Boys Hockey Roster

No. Name Year Position

2 Kyle Greer Sr. Forward

5 Tim Spencer Jr. Defense

7 Lucas Debonville Jr. Forward

9 Parker Joyce Jr. Defense

10 Kambal Vaidya Jr. Forward

11 Matt Mirabile Jr. Forward

12 Cameron Wasylak Soph. Forward

14 Jake Sanclemente Jr. Forward

15 Zach Bayer Sr. Forward

19 Dominic Marlowe Sr. Forward

20 Jack Sylvain Jr. Forward

22 John Giroux Soph. Forward

26 Nathan Musgrave Sr. Forward

27 Eric Flynn Sr. Forward

29 Brian Greer Soph. Forward

33 Conner Laurendeau Sr. Goalie

37 Joseph Sanclemente Sr. Forward

39 Parker Roberto Jr. Forward

Bedford High Girls Varsity Hockey Roster

No. Name Year

1 Lilly Kollmorgen Soph.

3 Danielle Lucey Jr.

4 Madison Lucontoni Jr.

5 Kendall Cassidy Frosh.

6 Carly Ciechon Jr.

7 Natalie Rago Jr.

8 Kira Rapp Sr.

9 Cammy Justic Soph.

10 Hailey Dearborn Soph.

11 Ariah Twine Soph.

12 Anna Caron Soph.

14 Abigail Mangiafico Soph.

15 Nikita Kubicki Sr.

17 Mallory Newman Jr.

27 Rachel Noble Soph.

30 Hanna Paradis Jr.

31 Hannah Feldman Jr.

Bedford Girls Varsity Hockey Schedule

Home Games at Everett Arena

Dec. 13, vs. Concord, 7:15

Dec. 20, vs. Keene, 7:40

Dec. 23, vs. OR/Portsmouth, 7:40

Jan. 2, at Berlin/Gorham, 6 p.m. (Notre Dame)

Jan. 6, at Bishop Guertin, 8:10 (Skate 3)

Jan. 10, at BB/Trinity/West, 3 p.m. (Tri town)

Jan. 13, vs. Souhegan, 5:40

Jan. 15, vs. Exeter, 3:25

Jan. 16, at Central, 4:30 (JFK)

Jan. 20, at ConVal/Conant, 10 a.m. (Winchendon)

Jan. 25, at Lebanon/Stevens, 7:20 (Campion)

Jan. 31, vs. Hanover, 7:40

Feb. 3, at Kingswood, 7 p.m. (Pop Whalen)

Feb. 10, at Exeter. 7:30 (Rinks at Exeter)

Feb. 17, vs. Bishop Guertin, 3:40

Bedford Boys Varsity Hockey Schedule

Home Games at St. Anselm

Dec. 11, vs. Central, 7:15

Dec. 13, vs. Concord, 7:15

Dec. 20, at Bishop Guertin, 7:50 (Skate 3)

Dec. 23, at Hanover, 4:30 (Campion)

Jan. 5, at Londonderry, 3:30 (Tri-town)

Jan. 6, vs. Salem, 7:45

Jan. 13, vs. North/Souhegan, 12:45

Jan. 18, vs. Bishop Brady, 7:15

Jan. 20, vs. Pinkerton, 7:45

Jan. 22, at Memorial, 4:30 (JFK)

Jan. 25, vs. Trinity, 7:15

Jan. 27, vs. Exeter, 6:45

Feb. 3, at South/Pelham, 3:40 (Conway)

Feb. 6, at Central, 4:30 (JFK)

Feb. 12, vs. Londonderry, 7:15

Feb. 14, at Exeter, 4 p.m. (Rinks at Exeter)

Feb. 19, at Pinkerton, 6:20 (Ice Den)

Feb. 25, vs. Memorial, 7:15