READING THE GAME: Princeton High boys’ hockey player John Reid heads up the ice in a game last winter. Senior forward Reid’s all-around game should be a big asset for PHS this winter. The Little Tigers start their 2014-15 campaign this week with games against Montgomery on December 2 and Nottingham on December 4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

With new head coach Terence Miller taking the helm last winter and the roster featuring a number of untested players, there was a sense of the unknown surrounding the Princeton High boys’ hockey team at the beginning of the 2103-14 campaign.

Exceeding expectations, PHS emerged as one of the pleasant surprises of the season, going 14-6-2 as it made the Mercer County Tournament semifinals and advanced to the second round of the Public B state tournament.

Coming into this season, the Little Tigers are buoyed by the experience they gained last winter. “We only lost two key seniors (Patrick McCormick and Spencer Reynolds) so we are coming back with a lot of confidence,” said head coach Miller.

“We have a full senior roster, we have a total of eight and six of those are returners. We had a lot of freshmen log minutes last year and they got lots of experience. By the end of the season, they had really improved. I feel like we might be a little deeper this year.”

That depth is evident at forward where the team welcomes back a quartet of proven scorers in seniors Jackson Andres, John Reid, and Connor McCormick along with Connor’s younger brother, sophomore standout Brendon McCormick.

“Andres found the score sheet a lot last year, he was our leading scorer,” said Miller, whose team starts its 2014-15 campaign this week with games against Montgomery on December 2 and Nottingham on December 4.

“He was a key piece last year and we are expecting him to be again this year. Reid is really establishing himself as a leader this year. He is a great all around player; he has a nice, simple game, he is good in all three zones. Both the McCormicks will be at forward. Connor is another senior who I am expecting to have a big year. Brendan played well last year as a freshman and is quarterbacking our power play.”

The team boasts offensive depth with the return of junior Nathan Drezner, senior Chris Munoz, and junior Matt Cirillo along with the addition of promising freshman Justin Joyce.

“Drezner, Munoz, and Cirillo will see time,” added Miller. “We have a freshman, Justin Joyce, who will add to our depth. He plays travel for Princeton bantams and is a strong player.”

On defense, the pair of sophomores, Tooker Callaway and Eamonn McDonald, will lead the way.

“Tooker Callaway is going to be a real mainstay; he is a big, strong kid with good range,” said Miller. “He is a good shooter and has a good hockey IQ. McDonald was a starter last year and really logged some minutes. He is looking confident. They both have played well in scrimmages.”

Miller is confident that freshman Max Garlock and sophomore Anthony Trainer will also play well on the blue line.

“Garlock is a new addition; he is a good player and a good skater,” said Miller. “He has a good puck-moving game and has good vision. Anthony Trainer didn’t see a lot of time last year but he plays for the Mercer Chiefs and came back a year bigger and a year stronger.”

Sophomore goalie Sawyer Peck has emerged as a strength for the Little Tigers.

“Peck looks really sharp; he logged lots of time last year and got better and better as the season went on,” said Miller, who will be using senior Joe Hawes as his backup goalie.

“He looks more confident. Technically, he looks good. He is a classic butterfly goalie. He just needs to work on being quicker and stronger.”

In Miller’s view, developing team chemistry will be a must in order for PHS to be one of the stronger teams in the area.

“Our leadership is going to be key, Pat McCormick and Spencer Reynolds were not only good players for us last year, they were great leaders,” said Miller.

“This year’s seniors need to step up. We have a good core group. We have a lot of good pieces. We will need to work on putting the pieces together in the best way. It is not going to be easy, we are not going to sneak up on anybody.”