HIGH-SCHOOL

Who were top Seacoast boys and girls hockey players this winter? Vote now

Brandon Brown
Portsmouth Herald

The winter hockey season has come to an end, concluding with the Oyster River High School boys team capturing the program's first Division II state championship.

We are looking to recognize individual performances from some of the top student-athlete hockey players from across the Seacoast.

More:Who were top Seacoast boys and girls basketball players this winter? Vote now

Here are the nominees to consider for you to make your vote for Seacoast Player of the Year in both girls and boys hockey. Vote in the polls blow. Voting will close Monday, March 18 at midnight. The winners will be announced Tuesday, March 19 at seacoastonline.com/sports and fosters.com/sports.

BOYS HOCKEY NOMINEES

Luke Douris, senior, York High School

York's Luke Douris looks for an opening against Leavitt's Forrest St. Laurent during a Class B South semifinal at Troubh Ice Arena in Portland, Maine.

Yes, he's the son of York head coach and former NHL veteran Pete Douris, but Luke certainly carved out a name for himself over his high school career.

Douris had a great senior season, highlighted by a five-goal, one-assist performance in a 7-0 win over Mt. Ararat in early January.

Douris, a Class B South first-team all-conference selection, led the Wildcats to a 14-4-2 record, ending in a Class B South regional semifinal against No. 2 Leavitt.

Ryan Dube, junior, Spaulding High School

Spaulding's Ryan Dube helped the Red Raiders to the Division II state championship this season, and earned a spot on the Division II all-state first team.

Dube led the Red Raiders to the Division II championship game for the first time since 2015. The junior forward earned a spot on the Division II all-state first team.

“Very well deserved,” said Spaulding head coach Jamie Ferullo, who expects Dube to be a favorite for Division II Player of the Year next season.  

Dube scored the game-tying goal in Spaulding's overtime win over Somersworth/Coe-Brown in the Division II first-round. He had a goal and an assist in both the quarterfinal upset over top-seed Merrimack, and the semifinal win over Dover.

Cam Keaveney, senior, Exeter High School

Exeter's Cam Keaveney had 32 goals and 33 assists this season, and was named the Division I Player of the Year.

Keaveney was one of the top players to watch coming into the season, and all he did was deliver for the Blue Hawks.

The senior forward had 65 points this season for the Blue Hawks, including 32 goals and 33 assists, earning him the New Hampshire Division I Player of the Year award.

Keaveney finished his four-year career with 48 goals and 88 assists for 136 points, which ranks him third all-time in Exeter.

Ayden Lockard, junior, Marshwood/Noble/Traip/Sanford

Marshwood/Noble/Traip/Sanford's Aydan Lockard's 23 goals this season led Maine Class A.

Lockard scored 23 goals this season, the most in Maine Class A, and was named an all-state, first-team selection. This is the second straight season that Lockard led the KnightHawks in scoring, putting in 12 goals in his sophomore season.

Caleb Marasca, senior, Dover High School

Caleb Marasca was one of the top scorers this season for Dover, which advanced to the Division II semifinals.

Marasca shined all season for the Green Wave, highlighted by winning Seacoast high school athlete of the week in early February with a two-goal, two-assist game, including the game-winning goal in a win over Somersworth/Coe-Brown.

Marasca had 19 goals and 19 assists for 38 points this season, earning him a spot on the Division II all-state second team.

Cam Miner, senior, Oyster River High School

Oyster River senior defenseman Cam Miner (21) looks for the puck and helps goalie Cole Harwood during the Division II state championship game at Southern New Hampshire University Arena in Manchester.

Miner, a four-year varsity player, helped Oyster River to its first Division II state championship last weekend. Miner had a goal in the Bobcats' 3-0 win over Spaulding at Southern New Hampshire University Arena in Manchester.

Oyster River's season turned around when Miner switched from offense to defense, and led a dominant Bobcat defense in the final stretch of the season. Oyster River had four shutouts and didn't allow more than two goals in any of its final 11 games of the season, all wins.

Brady Thompson, senior, Winnacunnet High School

Winnacunnet senior captain Brady Thompson had 16 goals and 17 assists this season, earning a spot on the Division II all-state first team.

Thompson is a great example of a two-way player, and was a key piece for the Warriors this season. Thompson is as consistent as they come. He had 16 goals and 17 assists this season, earning a spot on the Division II all-state first team.

Highlight games include three goals in a win over Monadnock, two goals in a win over Portsmouth/Newmarket, and had multiple games with at least two assists.

Jackson Estes, junior, St. Thomas Aquinas High School

St. Thomas Aquinas junior Jackson Estes had 30 goals and 25 assists this season for the Saints.

Estes led the Saints this season with 30 goals and 25 assists for a total of 55 points, and was named to the Division II all-state first team.

GIRLS HOCKEY

Lilyan Blood, senior, Exeter High School

Exeter's Lilyan Blood had 39 goals and 16 assists this season for the Blue Hawks.

Blood returned to an Exeter team as one of the more experienced players on the squad and she led the Blue Hawks to a 14-6 season, ending in a 4-1 loss to Bishop Guertin in a Division I quarterfinal.

In Exeter's first-round win over Concord, Blood assisted on the game-tying goal, and scored the game-winning goal. For the season, Blood, who scored Exeter's lone goal in its tournament loss to BG, had 39 goals and 16 assists, both team highs.

Eliza Farwell, sophomore, Oyster River/Portsmouth

Oyster River/Portsmouth's Eliza Farwell scores one of her two goals in a Division I girls hockey semifinal against Pinkerton Academy in Concord.

Though just a sophomore, Farwell played like one of the more experienced players on the ice more times than not.

Farwell scored two goals in the ClipperCats' Division I semifinal win over Concord. Her season-high mark of four goals came in the team's season-opening win over Kingswood/Prospect Mountain.

Julianna Grella, senior, St. Thomas/Winnacunnet/Dover

Julianna Grella multiple two-goal games this season for St. Thomas Aquinas/Winnacunnet/Dover.

STA/Winnacunnet/Dover graduated many players from last year's team, and Grella was looked upon as one of the players who would be needed to step up for the team, and she did, something she's done consistently over the years.

Grella scored two goals in a 4-1 win over Bedford, and had a two-goal, two-assist game in a 5-1 win over Keene/Fall Mountain.

Kira Jakobs, junior, Oyster River/Portsmouth

Oyster River/Portsmouth's Kira Jakobs scored a goal in a Division I quarterfinal win over Berlin/Gorham/Kennett at Dover Ice Arena.

The ClipperCats' had a deep squad this season, and Jakobs was another player who delivered on a consistent basis.

Jakobs' highlight game included a three-goal, one-assist performance in a 7-6 win over Keene/Fall Mountain. She also had three goals, and one assist in a 7-0 shutout over Brady/Trinity/Londonderry.

Along with a great skating ability, and scoring ability, Jakobs' hockey IQ is one of the best in the state.

Christi Trudel, senior, St. Thomas/Winnacunnet/Dover

Christi Trudel was one of the top scorers for St. Thomas Aquinas/Winnacunnet/Dover this season.

Trudel did a lot of productive things for the St. Thomas Aquinas/Winnacunnet/Dover this season. The senior forward can score, but she also does well is find others and create scoring opportunities for her teammates.

Tudel scored a goal in a 5-1 win over Keene/Fall Mountain, and had a goal and assist in a win over Souhegan and scored a goal in a 7-0 shutout win over Con-Val.