New England Hockey Hub

 

In the first period of the Division 1A championship against perennial power Catholic Memorial, the 5-foot-9, 170-pound forward surveyed the defense and set up just to the right of goalie Tommy Knox on a power play chance. As Conor Coveney ripped a shot from the point, Driscoll deftly placed his stick in the shooting lane, tipping the puck into the net to help give the Harbormen their first Super 8 title with a 1-0 victory.

 

“Vision,’’ Driscoll said when asked what is his greatest attribute on the ice. “I know what’s going on around me and try to make the right play. That’s kind of my strength.’’

 

According to head coach Tony Messina, vision isn’t his only forte.

 

“He has tremendous strength and quickness,’’ said Messina, who enters his third season as Hingham head man after spending 24 years as an assistant to the legendary Garrett Reagan. “He has a very strong stick, wins most of the battles for the puck in all areas of the ice. He has pretty good speed but his quickness from point A to point B is tremendous.’’

 

As a junior, Driscoll used all his skills to steer the champion Harbormen to a 21-3-3 record and outscore opponents by an average of two goals per game. The team’s leader in all offensive categories, he finished with 56 points (32 goals, 24 assists) and a plus-52 rating. He collected six points (3 goals, 3 assists) in five games during the tournament.

 

These impressive numbers, and his skill level, attracted interest from college and junior hockey coaches throughout New England. Driscoll eventually settled on Holy Cross, where he will enroll in the fall of 2012. Rather than take the traditional route of playing juniors before college, Driscoll will attend prep school next year to maintain his academic progress. Although he has not chosen a destination yet, he said Philips Andover and Salisbury Prep in Connecticut are his top preferences.

 

Though hockey is his main sport, Driscoll has proven he can excel outside the rink. A member of the boys’ lacrosse team at Hingham since his freshman year, he was named a Patriot League all-star in June after helping to propel the Harbormen to a 19-5 season at the Division 2 East final. One of a dozen athletes at school to transition between ice hockey and lax, Driscoll said lacrosse has provided a different playing perspective and allowed him to improve on skills that transfer onto the ice. He said he plans to play again this spring.

 

But for now, as a senior cocaptain, Driscoll will be expected to be the top playmaker for a Hingham squad seeking a Super 8 repeat. The team will need his contributions more than ever after the graduation of 13 seniors, including Coveney, a Globe All-Scholastic and co-MVP of the team. There are 15 seniors this year, but other than Driscoll and cocaptain Alex Pompeo, many did not receive significant ice team last season.

 

“On paper we’ll look like an experienced team because we have 15 seniors but a lot of those guys need to get up to speed quickly, and Tim and Alex will be trying to make that happen,’’ Messina said. “It’s going to be their job to bring them into the fold, teach them what it takes to get it done.’’

 

Now in his fourth season on the varsity, Driscoll credits his maturation as a player to the upperclassmen he played with as a freshman and sophomore.

 

“Really, in all aspects it comes from the older kids,’’ he said. “I learned from them how to work. That’s what I’m helping the younger kids with, how to work, how to get bigger, faster, stronger.’’

 

Along with Driscoll, the offense will be boosted by senior forward Tom Trogele, junior forward Ryan Linehan, and junior forward Matt Hughes, a transfer from CM. Pompeo will anchor the blue line along with senior Steve Bellew, whom Driscoll said “should be big in helping along the younger defensemen.’’ Senior Derek McInnis, who turned in a 19-save performance against CM, returns in goal.

 

Opposing coaches recognize Hingham will be no easy foe this season.

 

“They’re a public school that plays with a lot of passion,’’ said Malden Catholic head coach Chris Serino, whose Lancers were eliminated from the Super 8 with a 4-3 overtime loss in the semifinals. “You know when you play against them they’re going to make it difficult throughout.’’

 

Shooting for an encore to last season’s championship, Driscoll said he envisions a promising season. “We obviously have a lot of work to do but right now we’re looking pretty solid,’’ he said. “The seniors want to go out on a high note and make the Super 8 again, so that’s our goal.’’