By Joshua Boyd / NCDCHockey.com
The NCDC will be previewing each of the 21 teams set to hit the ice during the 2024-25 season in a continuing series up to the Sept. 19 start of the new campaign.
Utica Jr. Comets
New England Division
Home Arena: Utica University Nexus Center
Head Coach: Louis Educate
Having their best season in their seven-year history in the NCDC was a great step for the Jr. Comets, but until they’re holding up the Dineen Cup and sending every advancing player to the college of their choice, there is no end to the mission for Utica. The Jr. Comets are tireless in their dedication to their athletes and the pursuit of all of their on-ice and advancement goals.
While the goals may remain the same each year, the 2024-25 Jr. Comets team will look very different from previous incarnations. They do have a tough act to follow, after the 2023-24 team went 30-17-4-1. That was good for sixth overall in the league, but only third in a New England Division as tough as the granite on which much of the Northeastern U.S. is built.
“We have a much different team than last season when it comes to the group of players. However, the feeling is that we have a lot of the same character guys who are excited to be here because of the success we had last season,” said GM/Head Coach Louis Educate. “We do have some core returners, but we have a lot of guys who came in late and/or only played a partial season for us last year. All of the guys that are back are back because they understand what we are building in Utica, and they want to be a part of the development and culture that defines our program.”
The work that goes into creating the development and culture of the Jr. Comets happens 24-7-365. Educate is proud of the time and resources that the Jr. Comets put into all aspects of recruiting and player development.
“Every season is a bit of a grind in the summer when it comes to drafting, tendering, and figuring out who is going to be a part of your team for the upcoming season. At the end of the day we are looking for guys who want to be in Utica and who are willing to compete and work everyday to be the best player they can,” said Educate.
He couldn’t be happier to know that they’ll be going up against very tough teams throughout the season to sharpen Jr. Comets’ players skill sets, hockey IQ and ultimately their upside as college hockey prospects.
“Last season, our division was extremely tough and I would expect the same this season. South Shore and the Islanders Hockey Club aren’t going anywhere and you have everybody else working this summer to make sure that they are able to compete with them for the top spot in the division,” Educate added. “Certainly, our division has some changes with the three new teams coming into the league. They are teams that you can’t take lightly just because they are new. The last few seasons the parity in the league has been very good and when you take a day off you end up going home pretty unhappy.”
Luckily for the Jr. Comets, they have a very experienced and focused staff to guide every player every day. That starts in the executive office with owner Robert Esche.
“We have a great ownership and staff that is very dedicated to making our program as professional as a Junior organization can be. Rob Esche has obviously been around the game for a very long time, spending time in the NHL and playing for Team USA. He’s the reason we do what we do in Utica,” Educate added.
Jason Shaya is another front office gift to the NCDC and other Jr. Comets teams, as the 20-plus-year broadcaster and communications director with a long AHL and other pro hockey career.
“He brings in a little bit of everything to our team from a pure professional experience standpoint all the way to goalie coach and everything in between,” said Educate. “Our program is constantly moving forward because of him.”
Educate brings experience from playing college hockey at Utica University, and he started his coaching career there in 2017 as an assistant. He’s been with the Jr. Comets organization since 2018, coaching at both the Premier and NCDC levels for many of those years. Andy Starczewski enters his second year as Assistant Coach after being a Captain and a top player for Army, while fellow Assistant Coach Johnny Jackson is a brand new coach after completing his playing career with Nazareth University.
“Andy brings great leadership and presence to our program that you could imagine from a grad from West Point. He was a massive part of our team’s success last year and will be again this year,” said Educate. “Johnny brings a youthful energy to the rink every day which is very refreshing. We are extremely happy that he has jumped on board this season and has already proven to be an asset to our coaching staff. Johnny will have a long career in hockey and I look forward to hopefully teaching him a few things.”
With 142 NCDC games already under his belt, forward Niko Benjamin returns for his fourth NCDC season, and he is also a top 10 all-time scorer for the program.
“He is a player that any coach would love to have,” said Educate. “He plays the game with a tremendous pace and elusiveness. Last year he added a scoring touch that won’t be going away.”
Forward Daniel Urban and defenseman Wyatt Swonger also are back as full-time NCDC players from last year.
“Daniel was a kid who worked his way into a big role by playoff time and is someone who will be leaned on right away this year,” said Educate. “Wyatt plays the game with a ton of passion, and he has the size, strength, and skating ability all are at a top level for any junior hockey player.”
Declan Stewart, Cameron Golovin, Anthony Alvarado and Carson Zick all come back after seeing time with the NCDC last year, as well as Owen Hodgett, who played with both the NCDC and Premier Jr. Comets last season.
“Every season, we have several Premier players play NCDC games. Last year it was seven! We like to utilize our Premier team as a stepping stone to NCDC. It is a pure development model that we have,” added Educate.
He’s excited to see forwards Sean Tyrie (a USPHL Premier New England Division All-Star last year) and Josh Gregoire as well as goaltender Dylan Eliason making the jump for this season.
From elsewhere in the NCDC, two impressive defensemen joined the Jr. Comets in Ricky Volpe and Alfred Lundkvist.
“Ricky Volpe should be one of the top skilled defencemen in the league.” said Educate. “He has fantastic feet and a high ability to make plays. He’s able to defend with his skating and transition from D to O very quickly. Alfred brings a little bit of everything. He has a great calm, cool and collected look to his game. He will be a steady 200-foot player for us.”
The Jr. Comets will continue to be hard at work molding this group into a title contender once again when they reach their first puck drop on Sept. 20 in Hudson, N.H., vs. the Northern Cyclones.
