After reaching the Frozen Four of Division II last postseason, there was a gut-check moment early for the North Branford hockey team, when it sat barely above the .500 mark in early January. Yet the T-birds swallowed that early-season adversity and metabolized it into a steady surge up the standings.

Last season, the T-birds sat only a victory away from playing for a Division II state crown–falling by a slim 1-0 margin to top-seeded North Haven in the semifinals. Additionally, after a 9-9-2 regular season, 12th-seeded North Branford defeated No. 5 Wethersfield 5-4 in the first round, before dispatching 13th-ranked East Haven by a 3-1 quarterfinal round decision in the prior rounds of states. The team finished the season 11-10-2 overall.

This campaign, North Branford has posted another healthy mark of 9-3 through its first dozen regular season duels. The T-birds have also found their midseason form, taking five straight contests following a Jan. 8 loss to Guilford that placed them with a 4-3 record.

While looking to return to the states draw and earn the opportunity to vie for a state title, Head Coach Ralph Shaw explained the club would like to additionally return to the SCC/SWC league bracket it missed out on last March. The top four clubs qualify for the dance, and the Thunderbirds are certainly within striking distance.

“We have two main goals for the season. The first is to make the SCC/SWC Tournament.The second goal is to play for a state title, and this team worked very hard in the offseason to set a course to achieve these goals,” said Shaw. “Our conference games will be key matchups for us this season. One of our team goals this year is to make the SCC Tournament. Currently, we are in fifth in the SCC with a 4-3 record.”

A senior four-man front comprises the captain’s log for North Branford this winter. Collin Augur and Nickie Ryszczyk are on the back end of the ice as defensemen and now two-year captains. Along the front line are forwards Jack Maley and CJ Sherwood, both of who can rip rubber with a stick in their hands, while being cerebral competitors.

“Collin is a solid player and a good leader. He is just a big and strong player. Nickie is a solid defenseman as one of our more physical guys,” said Shaw. “Jack is a beast on the ice. He is big and fast with a heavy shot. He is solid both in the classroom and on the ice. CJ has a great hockey IQ with tremendous skill. He is a very crafty player with great hands and a quick release. He is such an exciting player to watch.”

Additionally within the senior ranks is a speedy skater and forward of Mike Matteo, plus a jack of all trades in forward/defenseman Jake Pedersen. Goalie Austin Fruin has solidified his position as the squad’s top stopper after stonewalling East Haven.

“Mike is so quick and shifty on the ice. He just gives 110% on every shift on both ends of the rink. Jake is my utility player and a solid player, because whatever is needed for us, I can count on him to handle the task,” Shaw said. “Austin has really stepped up in taking the top spot in goal. He put together an impressive shutout against East Haven with 46 saves [3-0 triumph on Jan. 20].”

Backing Austin up between the circles and the blue line are a tandem of senior defenders of Connor Stoner, taking precocious care of the puck, and Brady Martinik, who has made marked and marvelous progress over the past 12 months.

“Connor is one of the best defensemen we have. He makes smart plays with the puck and has the ability to lug it up the ice when needed,” said Shaw. “Brady is one of the most improved players on the team from last year. He worked hard in the offseason, and he really gives it all he has got on the ice.”

Not to be outdone, a couple of rousing rookies have emerged offensively with freshman forwards. Endurance man Max Becker has shown a great tenacity when gaining possession, and Chris Maisano can swindle his adversaries by creating a great deal of deception.

“Max is very fast and aggressive with the puck. He has an unbelievable stamina level, and I have been impressed with his play so far,” Shaw said. “Chris is a very deceiving player with a good hockey IQ. He is quick and crafty, and I cannot wait to see him grow and develop.”

The accomplishments and winfalls for the T-birds are not simply confined to the rink or the locker room. The boys have served an active and charitable hand in the community, including a very successful fundraising contest against rival Branford for cancer research.

“This team made another goal this year to pay it forward. We have participated in the North Branford Community Round-up, which is a food drive for the North Branford food banks. We raised funds for Senior class Project Graduation with skate with the T-birds night. We also hosted a ‘Hockey Fights Cancer’ game with Branford, in which we raised over $3,000. I am very proud of this group and what we have accomplished off the ice as a team.”

The 2023-2024 North Branford boys’ ice hockey team roster is comprised of seniors Augur, Ryszczyk, Maley, Sherwood, Martinik, Stoner, Lucas Vollano, Matteo, Pedersen, Aiden Hutchinson, Fruin; juniors Gregory Galasso; sophomores of TJ Connelly, Tyler DeAngelo, Massimo Palma, Nico Falcigno, Chico Jara, Nicholas Maher; plus freshmen Becker, Luca Angiollo, and Maisano.

Shaw has now been with North Branford for 14 years at the helm. His assistant coach Ryan Connelly has also been with the T-birds for 14 seasons.

2023-2024 North Branford Boys’ Ice Hockey Regular Season Results and Schedule

Dec. 12: North Branford 5, West Haven 3

Dec. 16: North Branford 5, Trumbull 3

Dec. 23: Watertown-Pomperaug 4, North Branford 2

Dec. 27: Hamden 4, North Branford 2

Dec. 30: North Branford 6, Eastern CT Eagles 5

Jan. 3: North Branford 3, North Haven 1

Jan. 8: Guilford 4, North Branford 2

Jan. 13: North Branford 2, South Windsor 1

Jan. 17: North Branford 5, Lyman Hall 2

Jan. 20: North Branford 3, East Haven 0

Jan. 24: North Branford 6, Branford 1

Jan. 27: North Branford 2, East Catholic 1

Wednesday, Feb. 7: vs. Amity at 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 10: vs. New Milford at 2:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 14: at Cheshire at Lou Astorino Rink at 8 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 17: at Glastonbury at Trinity College at 7:30 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 19: at Wethersfield at Newington Rink at 1:40 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 21: at Hand at Northford Ice Pavilion at 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 24: vs. Masuk at 2:30 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 26: vs. Hand at 3:15 p.m.