The RMHS Boys Hockey team has started their season off with a 9-2-2 record, with hopes to find major Division I playoff success, after losing in the first round in 2025.
The team rebuilt some of the leadership from last season. In 2025, the team centered around Nate Mulvey (‘25), their senior year team captain. He led the offensive side of the ice, as he had a team high 13 assists. He consistently set up goals for his teammates, which played a large role in their 11-6-5 team record.
Unfortunately, last year’s squad could not capitalize on their offensive success in the Division I MIAA playoffs. In the first round, the Rockets exited the tournament after a tight fought 3-2 loss in double overtime against Barnstable. This had been a difficult loss to swallow for the Rockets; however, it was clear that the 2026 team could pick up where they left off. “We had a good group of seniors to leave, but I think we’ll be alright,” Co-Captain Jack Melly (‘26) said.
So far this season, the 2026 RMHS Boys Hockey team has been more than alright. Last season, the team began the season with a 10-1-1 record in their first 12 games. The 2026 nearly mirrors their regular season success, as they are 9-2-2 in their first 13 games. Their success starts with the mindset in practice. The team is showing the same intensity and confidence when practicing drills as they do in games. “I think for the locker room, [it] gets nice and loud. We show up ready to play every day, and it definitely builds up,” Melly said.
According to the MIAA, RMHS is 7th overall in the MIAA Division I Hockey Power Rankings. They also sit at the top of the Middlesex Liberty Division. If the Rockets can continue to build off their success, they can find themselves in a better position than last year.
Second Half Struggles Hit 2025 RMHS Hockey Team
The team struggled mightily in the second half of the 2025 season, ultimately hindering their ability to go deep into a playoff run and strengthening their foothold in the league. Team chemistry seemed to be the largest issue down the stretch. “[In] the beginning of the season, we played really strong. And then towards the end of the season, [we] kind of lost each other in the locker room, and our team morale started going down, so did our record,” current Co-Captain Nate Vitarisi (‘26) said.
Their performance in the second half of the season did not hinder a playoff appearance. They finished the season with a 11-6-5 record, allowing them to enter into the playoffs. As the 9th seed, the Rockets faced Barnstable in the first round. Unfortunately, they lost 3-2 in double overtime and had to head home.
The loss to Barnstable led to a larger emphasis on the importance of fully playing games out. It was something the 2026 RMHS team learned quickly. “I think it’s really important to finish the game strong because one period can change the whole game, not just [the] two starting periods,” Vitarisi stated. This in-game philosophy has played a monumental role in their 2026 performance.
RMHS Hockey Played on All Cylinders in First 10 Games
In 2026, the RMHS hockey team exceeded their expectations, both staying competitive against inter-league teams and out-of-league teams. On December 13th, they held their home opener against Melrose at the Burbank Ice Arena. The team punched in 5 goals, as they beat Melrose 5-0. RMHS won their next two contests: 4-1 against Stoneham, and 7-1 against Watertown. They found a lot of confidence in getting the puck to the net. “We’ve been getting [to]the net really well, [scoring] a lot of rebound goals,” Melly said. Melly has played a large role in the offense, scoring 10 goals and 10 assists.
There have been multiple players that have been able to score consistently on offense. Vitarisi continues to produce, as he has 7 goals and 11 assists so far. Also, Jack Sullivan (‘27) leads the team with 13 assists. Kamden Greatorex (‘27) is the top shooter on the team, as he is tied with a team-high 10 goals scored. Offensive production is not just coming from one player; it has been a collaborative effort that has allowed them to maintain early leads.
In addition, the RMHS Hockey Team has played very strong defense. Starting goalie JT Coyne (‘26) has stopped many goals from making it to the net all season, allowing only 16 goals in 13 games. He has been able to make saves in contested spots. On January 14th, he made several key saves in the 2-1 win against Winchester.
In addition to the goaltending, the defense found confidence in stopping opponents from driving the puck to the net. RMHS’s defensive players have been quick to shut down teams from scoring in contested moments. Also, they look to find improvement. “I think we’re doing pretty good so far. We’re trying to learn lessons still. It’s still the beginning of the year. But, I think so far we’re doing a great job with these hard level two-on-ones,” Vitarisi said.
The RMHS Hockey Team won a three-game stretch in mid January: 2-1 against Winchester, 2-1 against Woburn, and 5-0 against Wakefield.
Over the last two weeks, the team played in the Ed Burns Tournament. On January 24th, Reading beat Wilmington 5-0, as Goalie JT Conye (‘26) kept the puck out of the net all throughout the game. Then, the team lost 2-1 against Canton on January 25th. Overall, the Rockets performed well in the classic. Most recently, they tied 2-2 against Burlington on January 28th.
With a 9-2-2 record, RMHS hopes to find major success in the playoffs. The team shows a strong confidence in what they could do in the second of the season. “You’ll definitely see us in the playoff with the pressure, and we’re going to handle it well. So you’re going to see us make a good run this year,” Greatorex stated. If they can make a deep playoff run, the team could be in excellent shape for the future.
The Future of RMHS Boys Hockey
The team will certainly lose a lot of seniors following the 2026 season: starting goalie JT Coyne, defenseman Nate Vitarisi, forward Jack Melly, and several other leaders. They have all contributed to the offensive and defensive side of the puck, but the current juniors can fill in their shoes in the future. “Nate [Vitarisi] and [Melly] have really prepared the juniors and I to kind of lead the team next year and see how to build off of what they’ve done this year,” Greatorex stated.
Also, the message in the locker will be a large factor in what the RMHS Boys Hockey team can do in the future. “We can’t fade out towards the middle of the end of the season. We got to stay hot throughout the season,” Greatorex said.
Luckily, younger players have been exposed to this urgency. The 2026 current freshmen and sophomore players have been advised by the juniors and seniors. The core freshmen and sophomores are understanding the team culture and gaining more in-game experience. “With all the young freshmen and sophomores we have this year that are playing a lot, they get a lot of playing time, so I’m excited to see how they produce,” Greatorex stated.
If a core group of younger players form, RMHS could find themselves contending mightily in the MIAA Division I playoffs for years to come. “They’re going to know how to handle business next year, and we’re going to be pretty good next year. So it’ll be fun to watch,” Greatorex said.
