Saint Viator advanced to the semifinals of the 2024 Illinois High School Hockey State Tournament and was one period away from advancing to the United Center for the championship game as the Lions skated into the third period against New Trier Green tied, 1-1.

           Disaster struck in the third as the Trevians struck for four unanswered goals en route to a 5-1 victory.

           “Last season’s final four team had some size and some power offense. This year’s team will be more skilled,” said Saint Viator hockey director Tim Benz.

This year’s Lions compare to the team that finished as state runner-up in 2022 with solid goaltending, good young defense and a ton of offense.

  “Returning the talent we did, having a strong back end and strong netminder, we have all the pieces. Staying healthy and staying hungry will be the key for this group,” Benz said.

Viator lost nine players to graduation, but return “a ton of key pieces,” Benz said. The team’s strength will be offense and speed. “We will not have the biggest or more physical team. We have some tremendous skill and speed in our forward group. Much of our firepower from last season will return,” Benz said.

Key losses include Sean Nutley (F), Charlie Hoffman (F), Matt Voris (D) and Jack Kuffel (D). Jake Voris opted to play for the Reapers U16 team.

Key newcomers include junior defenseman Adam Popiel, who will be “playing some big minutes for us,” Benz said, and Albert Pryzwara, who was the leading scorer on the Varsity 2 team last year. Pryzwara will add depth to an already dangerous offense, Benz said.

Connor Sibigtroth, a sophomore, led the team in scoring last season. He will, obviously, be a key, along with linemate Peppi Laboy III. “They complement each other extremely well,” Benz said.

Sophomore Colton Neuhaus returns after a “great” freshman season until it was cut short in January from an injury, Benz said. “He will look to have a breakout year.”

Senior captain Aidan O’Neill, a three-year varsity player, looks to have a breakout year in scoring. Senior James Rice and junior Ryan Loftus also will be extremely dangerous threats on offense, Benz said.

The Lions’ defense includes returning juniors Finn Hogan and Tommy Speck, plus newcomers Ethan Lee and Jiyong Hong, both juniors, and sophomore Jake Pukala who all make the jump from Varsity 2. “They will be adding depth to a young but talented defensive core,” Benz said.

Senior Brock Harer returns for his third season as varsity goaltender. “After the year he had last season, it’s looking like he will be one of the top goaltenders in the state,” Benz said.

Senior netminder John Mayer, in his second varsity season, is solid, too.

“Between John and Brock, we have a very dangerous and seasoned goaltending group,” Benz said.

Benz, 37, who lives in Libertyville, is in his 15th season coaching, his eighth at Viator. This season, though, he will be the Viator Hockey Director and an assistant coach on varsity.

The interim head coach this season is John Sclafini.

Benz said New Trier Green looks to be the top dog in the SHL once again. “It’s hard not to have them as the favorite at the start of the year with the last couple seasons they have had,” he said. “They also made some key pickups to strengthen the group, along with some excellent returning talent.”

Others to watch, Benz said: York, Stevenson, Saint Ignatius and Carmel, all of whom have a lot of returning varsity players.

“Experience in the SHL is key to success and all those teams have it,” he said. “GBN, Loyola Gold and GBS all have some key returning pieces, along with some newcomers. Lake Forest had a lot of seniors last year but also had four teams. Program depth will allow them to compete, as always. Fenwick plays a feisty game and will return many players with SHL experience. 

“Per the norm, the league (looks) to be very competitive from top to bottom.”

Breakout Player: Keep an eye on Ryan Loftus. “He has a ton of skill and can see the ice like nobody else. He will be an extremely dangerous offensive threat.”

More Games: Viator is a founding member of the six-team Great Lakes Prep Hockey League (GLPHL).