Simon Dolginow is offensive.
“Very offensive,” he corrected.
The Aspen senior defenseman is the lone returning All-Colorado player and anchors the back line for the defending state champion Skiers.
“A big hit is nice,” said Dolginow, who tallied seven goals and nine assists in the regular season as a junior. “But I like to score the big goal.”
The 33rd sanctioned season of hockey gets underway tonight, and all eyes will be on Aspen after it became the first mountain team to take home the title.
“I was hoping you guys would leave us alone and let us fly under the radar,” Skiers coach Al Butler said.
Fat chance.
The Skiers lost a lot of scoring, players such as Ryder Fyrwald, Nicky Anastas (who scored winning goal against Ralston Valley in the championship game), Matt Butler and Andy Conarroe. But names such as Dolginow, Ricky Frias, Charlie Olson and Stephen Boenning give coach Butler reason to think his bunch might be right back in the mix.
“From a defensive standpoint we are in pretty good shape,” Al Butler said. “It’s definitely going to be the key to our success.”
Said Dolginow, “I think this is the first year I’ve ever played that I had the utmost confidence in all the defensemen and their capabilities.”
It may not matter who the Skiers put in goal — Zach Ware, Remy Pearlstone or Alex Owen — the quality in front of them will only make them better.
Three of The Denver Post’s preseason top 5 reside in the Foothills Conference. Vying with Aspen for top billing will be second-year programs Ralston Valley and Standley Lake. The Mustangs return 14 players, including goalie Matt Hardiek. The senior won 11 games last year. The Gators scored the most goals in the conference during the regular season last year (88), and Aaron Palincyx, who had 16 of those goals, will be a force.
In the Peak Conference, Cheyenne Mountain is the favorite. The Indians have one of the state’s more impressive runs going. Cheyenne Mountain has been in the Final Four in all 32 seasons and has 14 titles in 18 championship games over that stretch.
“It means a lot,” Cheyenne coach Mike Provenzano said. “They know about it, and with the state tournament coming back to the Springs and the World Arena, it just puts more emphasis on it. We have a legacy to uphold, and these guys don’t want to be the ones that end it.”
The Royces, Jeff and Steve, accounted for 57 points last season and give the Indians a solid 1-2 punch. Goalie Hunter Douglas may be one of the best in the state.
Lewis-Palmer brings back loads of talent after a 13-5-2 first season. A top line of Keith Yates, Stevie Fillo and Nick Galvin, and Joey Fillo and Garrett Lukken on the blue line make the Rangers as dangerous. Palmer and high-scoring senior Josh Popovich also will be in the mix for the Peak crown along with Battle Mountain and big defenseman Jonny Stevens.
Jon E. Yunt: 303-954-1354 or jyunt@denverpost.com
Players to watch
Greg Borchers, Peak to Peak, Sr., G
Gregg Davis, Regis, Jr., F
Simon Dolginow, Aspen, Sr., D
Hunter Douglas, Cheyenne Mtn., Jr., G
Joey Fillo, Lewis-Palmer, Jr., D
Donald Geary, Rampart, Sr., F
John Guillod, Kent Denver, Sr., D
Matt Hardiek, Ralston Valley, Sr., G
David Key, Kent Denver, Sr., F
Tyler Moore, Aspen, Sr., F
Matthew Moseley, Coronado, Sr., G
Aaron Palincyx, Standley Lake, Sr., F
Josh Popovich, Palmer, Sr., F
Mark Reynolds, Standley Lake, Sr., F/D
Josh Richards, Palmer, Jr., F
Jeff Royce, Cheyenne Mtn., Sr., F
Steve Royce, Cheyenne Mtn., Sr., F
Charlie Ruzkowski, Air Academy, Sr., G
Tanner Stansbury, Ralston Valley, Sr., F
Jonny Stevens, Battle Mountain, Sr., D
Blake Wittenberg, Air Academy, Sr., D
Keith Yates, Lewis-Palmer, Sr., F
Top 5
1. Ralston Valley
2. Cheyenne Mtn.
3. Aspen
4. Lewis-Palmer
5. Standley Lake
