While some programs are dealing with turnover behind the bench, that is not the case at Gilmour Academy, where John Malloy is back for his 20th season guiding the Lancers.

Malloy, who was inducted into the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame in September, became the all-time wins leader in Ohio high school hockey with a 6-3 win over Findlay on December 1.  That gave him 641 career wins – one more than Mike Bartley of Shaker Heights.

Gilmour lost only twice in regulation last year and the Lancers are 57-10-8 across the past two campaigns.  But, despite winning 31 games last season, Gilmour was unable to defend its Cleveland Cup title. 

The Lancers and their neighbors from down the road, University School, added another chapter to their rivalry as Gilmour was eliminated by the Preppers, 2-1 in overtime, in both the Cleveland Cup Semifinal and the Kent District Final.

He only has nine players back, but turnover is nothing new at Gilmour where the Varsity A team is part of a larger ecosystem with a prep squad to move players up and Varsity B and U16 teams as act as a feeder.

The Lancers have been aggressive in their scheduling.

“Our schedule is full of good competition,” said Malloy.  “In and out of the league.”

He pointed to a December 11 test vs. Saint Ignatius and tournaments at Culver (IN) and Saint Andrew’s (ON) as key challenges for the team.

Gilmour has succeeded more through tight defensive play and keeping the goals-against down over the past two seasons – allowing just 108 goals in their last 75 games – but this year’s edition has the potential to fill the net at the other end as well.

“We need returners Justin Evans, Kessel Richards and Charlie Tuggey to have big offensive years,” said Malloy.  “Joe Roddy and Frankie Valenti could also score some big goals for us.”

In addition to producing at the varsity level as a sophomore last year (11-13-24), Tuggey thrived in the off-season, shredding Ohio Hockey Project’s Futures League, then sniping 32 more goals in the fall portion of Team Ohio’s split season.

While the aforementioned players provide skill, Bryce Hofstrom has developed into a shut-down forward for GA and, in keeping with the Lancers; system always get back to help his defensemen.

“On defense all three of our returners need to be outstanding,” Malloy observed, referring to Tony Iacobell, Jake Howse and Vince Stafford.  “And Danylo Sovivskyi, Connor Underwood and Max Treppo need to play steady ‘D’ as well.”

Possibly the most dominant weapon GA has, however, is having junior Tobias Herlong back to man the crease.  As a sophomore, Herlong was the all-league goalie and posted a goaltending trip crown of sorts, leading the league in goals-against average (0.85), save percentage (.945) and shutouts (7).  He allowed more than one goal in just 4 of his 16 starts – unfortunately, the last two were 2-1 post-season losses to University School.  He was 14-0-0 otherwise.

The stage is set for another successful season in Gates Mills.

“With the talent we have returning and our newcomers, we have high expectations for this season,” said Malloy.

--- Scott Harrington for Ohio Hockey Digest