In the last hockey post of the year, Part III of our Season-in-Review, we take an in-depth look back at The Record’s Final Top 15, including how each team fared in their respective divisions, counties and Cup and state tournaments and every story/blog involving every team in the final poll.
If you missed Part I, which included a closer and more detailed look at our All-North Jersey package, here it is.
If you missed Part II — the Games of the Year, including a fan poll — you can find that here.
The Record Final Ice Hockey Top 15
Includes season links from me (unless otherwise noted) on all stories/blogs this year
1. Bergen Catholic (14-12-1)
Season finishes: Fourth place in Gordon American (5-7-1); Bergen County Tournament semifinalist (lost to eventual champion Don Bosco); Gordon Cup finalist (lost to Delbarton); Non-Public state semifinalist as No. 10 seed (lost to eventual champion No. 3 CBA).
March 26: Bergen Catholic named The Record Team of the Year
March 7: The ride ends for Bergen Catholic in state semifinals
March 7: Bergen Catholic falls to CBA, 3-2, in state semis
March 6: Believe it, Bergen Catholic is one win away from The Rock
March 4: State semifinal previews
March 3: For Crusaders, seeds irrelevant — BC 3, SJR 1 in state quarters
March 2: State Quarterfinal Previews
Feb. 22: Bergen Catholic stands tall after loss to Delbarton in Gordon Cup Final
Feb. 20: Bergen Catholic hurt by state seeding delay
Feb. 19: Bergen Catholic solves CBA, advances to Gordon Cup final (Meisel)
Feb. 17: A Rivalry Reborn — Bergen Catholic upsets Don Bosco in Gordon Cup quarters
Feb. 17: Bergen Catholic’s reversal of fortune, defeat Don Bosco, 5-3, in Gordon Cup
Jan. 30: Bergen Catholic making midseason noise… Again
Jan. 30: Bergen Catholic snaps The Streak, ends 11-game losing streak to Don Bosco
Jan. 20: Thrilling Monday Night — BCT and PCT Recaps
Jan. 20: Don Bosco holds off Bergen Catholic in BCT semis, reach fourth straight final (McCon)
Jan. 17: Bergen County Tournament Quarterfinal Rewind
Jan. 17: DiMurro seizes the day for Bergen Catholic; BC tops SJR, 5-4, in OT in BCT quarters
Dec. 24: Bergen Catholic back on track after 4-1 win over Chatham
Dec. 24: Ice Vault Tournament Tuesday Recap
* * *
2. Ramsey (25-4-1)
Season finishes: First place in Big North Liberty (12-0-1); Bergen County Tournament finalist (lost to Don Bosco); Liberty Cup champion (beat Wayne Hills — three-peat); Public B state finalist as No. 2 seed (lost to Middletown North).
March 26: Ramsey’s Alex Whelan named The Record Player of the Year for third straight time
March 10: Was Ramsey robbed of game-tying goal in state final? Toy says refs got it right
March 10: Unfortunate dose of déjà vu for Ramsey in Public B final
March 10: Ramsey falls to Middletown North, 5-4, in state final
March 10: Ramsey’s state title dream shattered (Cooper)
March 9: Ramsey ready to ‘Rock’ again — Public B State Final Preview
March 9: Q&A with Ramsey coach Bob Toy before Public B final
March 9: Tyler Harmon, Ramsey seek redemption
March 5: The Return to The Rock — Ramsey headed to second straight Public B final
March 4: Ramsey back in state final after 3-2 win over Glen Rock
March 3: Ramsey back again, storm into Public B Final Four for fourth straight year
March 3: Ramsey and Glen Rock moving on to Public B semifinals
March 2: State Quarterfinal Previews
Feb. 28: Public B Round of 16 Recap
Feb. 26: Public B Round of 16 Preview
Feb. 21: Ramsey three-peats as Liberty Cup champion, defeats Wayne Hills, 6-0 (McCon)
Feb. 21: Ridgewood, Ramsey hoist Cups (Cooper)
Feb. 13: Big North Liberty Cup Preview
Jan. 23: Cleaning out the notebook — Bergen County Tournament Final Rewind
Jan. 22: Don Bosco vs. Ramsey — The Sequel Comes Tonight — BCT Final Preview
Jan. 20: Thrilling Monday Night — BCT and PCT Recaps
Jan. 20: Alex Whelan the hero in Ramsey 2-1 OT win over Glen Rock in BCT Semis
Jan. 17: Bergen County Tournament Quarterfinal Rewind
Jan. 10: Ramsey rolls to win over Wayne Hills, 6-0
Jan. 2: Ramsey 6, Mahwah 0 (McCon)
Dec. 31: Ramsey drops second straight decision in 1-0 to St. Joes (Met.)
Dec. 30: Ramsey edged by Morristown, 1-0, at Ice Vault Tourney
Dec. 24: Ice Vault Tournament Tuesday Recap
Dec. 19: Ramsey 5, Mahwah 0 (McCon)
* * *
3. Don Bosco (11-9-4)
Season finishes: Second place in Gordon American (8-4-1); Bergen County Tournament champions (beat Ramsey — four-peat); Gordon Cup quarterfinalist (lost to Bergen Catholic); Lost in Round of 16 in Non-Public state tournament as No. 2 seed (to No. 15 St. Joseph Mont.).
Feb. 27: Robert Massimi leads St. Joes to 5-2 upset of Don Bosco
Feb. 17: Bergen Catholic’s reversal of fortune, defeat Don Bosco, 5-3, in Gordon Cup
Feb. 9: Don Bosco’s Hunter Garlasco reaches career 100-point milestone in 3-2 win over CBA
Jan. 25: Don Bosco 3, The Hun School 3 (McCon)
Jan. 23: Cleaning out the notebook — Bergen County Tournament Final Rewind
Jan. 23: Don Bosco rules for fourth straight year; defeat Ramsey, 2-1, in BCT Final
Jan. 23: Alexei Masanko stands tall in Bergen County final win over Ramsey (Cooper)
Jan. 22: Hunter Garlasco another in long line of brothers to skate for Don Bosco
Jan. 20: Thrilling Monday Night — BCT and PCT Recaps
Jan. 20: Don Bosco holds off Bergen Catholic in BCT semis, reach fourth straight final (McCon)
Jan. 17: Bergen County Tournament Quarterfinal Rewind
Jan. 17: Glen Rock, Don Bosco advanceto Bergen County semifinals
Jan. 12: Don Bosco puts up a fight, but falls to Delbarton, 1-0
Dec. 22: Morristown Beard 3, Don Bosco 1 (McCon)
Dec. 20: Ironmen flex muscles, show depth in 6-2 win over Bergen Catholic
Nov. 30: Don Bosco picks up opening night victory over Pope John
* * *
4. Glen Rock (21-4-3)
Season finishes: First place in Big North Freedom (10-0-1); Bergen County Tournament semifinalist (lost to Ramsey in OT); Freedom Cup champion (beat St. Joseph — three-peat); Public B state semifinalist as No. 3 seed (lost to No. 2 Ramsey).
March 26: Glen Rock’s Sergio Fernandez named The Record Coach of the Year
March 3: Ramsey and Glen Rock moving on to Public B semifinals
March 2: State Quarterfinal Previews
Feb. 28: Public B Round of 16 Recap
Feb. 27: Glen Rock edges Mahwah, 5-4, in Public B Round of 16 (Schwab)
Feb. 26: Public B Round of 16 Preview
Feb. 21: Rosario brothers lift Glen Rock to Freedom Cup crown; defeat SJR, 2-0
Feb. 18: Glen Rock settles down, then rolls on to Freedom Cup final (McCon)
Feb. 14: Big North Freedom Cup Preview
Feb. 11: Notebook: Glen Rock battle-tested for state tournament
Jan. 20: Thrilling Monday Night — BCT and PCT Recaps
Jan. 17: Bergen County Tournament Quarterfinal Rewind
Jan. 17: Glen Rock, Don Bosco advanceto Bergen County semifinals
Dec. 23: Penalties prove costly for Glen Rock in lose to St. Joes (Met.)
Dec. 7: Glen Rock 5, Morristown 3 (McCon)
* * *
5. St. Joseph (17-7-2)
Season finishes: Second place in Big North Freedom (8-2, behind Glen Rock); Bergen County Tournament quarterfinalist (lost to Bergen Catholic in OT); Freedom Cup finalist (lost to Glen Rock); Non-Public state quarterfinalist as No. 15 seed (lost to No. 10 Bergen Catholic).
March 3: For Crusaders, seeds irrelevant — BC 3, SJR 1 in state quarters
March 2: State Quarterfinal Previews
Feb. 27: St. Joseph ‘back on the map’ after upset of Don Bosco in state tournament
Feb. 27: Robert Massimi leads St. Joes to 5-2 upset of Don Bosco
Feb. 24: North Jersey Shines after Day 1 of State Tournament
Feb. 21: Rosario brothers lift Glen Rock to Freedom Cup crown; defeat SJR, 2-0
Feb. 18: St. Joseph making another trip to Cup final; defeat Highlands, 5-0
Feb. 14: Big North Freedom Cup Preview
Jan. 17: Bergen County Tournament Quarterfinal Rewind
Jan. 17: DiMurro seizes the day for Bergen Catholic; BC tops SJR, 5-4, in OT in BCT quarters
Jan. 12: Kevin Sabella-Larry Mahurter bond growing stronger
Jan. 10: Ridgewood 3, St. Joseph 3 (McCon)
Dec. 7: St. Joseph makes its case after 8-2 win over Paramus Catholic
* * *
6. Kinnelon (11-11-3)
Season finishes: Sixth place in Mennen Division (0-7-3); Lost in first round of Mennen Cup (to eventual champion Morristown-Beard, 2-1); Public B state quarterfinalist as No. 5 seed (lost to eventual champion No. 4 Middletown North).
March 2: State Quarterfinal Previews
Feb. 28: Public B Round of 16 Recap
Feb. 26: Public B Round of 16 Preview
Feb. 24: North Jersey Shines after Day 1 of State Tournament
* * *
7. Ridgewood (10-9-3)
Season finishes: Second place in Big North Patriot (6-3-1, behind Paramus Catholic); DNQ for Bergen County Tournament; Patriot Cup champion (beat Paramus Catholic — repeat); Reached Round of 16 in Public A state tournament as at-large bid No. 14 seed (lost to No. 3 Ridge).
Feb. 24: North Jersey Shines after Day 1 of State Tournament
Feb. 21: Ridgewood, Ramsey hoist Cups (Cooper)
Feb. 21: Ridgewood rallies to beat Paramus Catholic in Patriot Cup Final, 4-2
Feb. 19: Ridgewood advances to Patriot Cup final with 4-3 overtime semifinal win (McCon)
Feb. 15: Big North Patriot Cup Preview
Feb. 9: A Case For States — Ridgewood Edition
Feb. 9: Ridgewood and Paramus Catholic tie, 3-3
Feb. 5: Notebook: Big turnaround for Ridgewood
Jan. 10: Ridgewood 3, St. Joseph 3 (McCon)
Dec. 24: Ice Vault Tournament Tuesday Recap
Dec. 24: Power play helps Ridgewood earn tie against Montville (McCon)
* * *
8. Lakeland (15-8-3)
Season finishes: Fifth place in Big North Liberty (5-5-4, behind Ramsey, Wayne Hills, Indian Hills, Mahwah); Passaic County Tournament champion (beat Wayne Hills in OT); Liberty Cup semifinalist (lost to eventual champion Ramsey); Reached Round of 16 in Public B state tournament as No. 16 seed (lost to No. 1 Chatham).
Feb. 28: Public B Round of 16 Recap
Feb. 26: Public B Round of 16 Preview
Feb. 24: Seed of discontent for Lakeland — Lancers advance in Public B state tournament
Feb. 24: North Jersey Shines after Day 1 of State Tournament
Feb. 13: Lakeland survives scare from Mahwah in 4-3 overtime win in Liberty quarters
Feb. 13: Big North Liberty Cup Preview
Feb. 11: Notebook: Lakeland ties Ramsey, snaps Rams’ 45-game division win streak
Jan. 25: Lakeland 7, Wayne Valley 1 (McCon)
Jan. 20: Lakeland wins Passaic County title in thriller; beat Wayne Hills, 4-3 in OT (Cooper)
Jan. 20: Thrilling Monday Night — BCT and PCT Recaps
Jan. 18: Perfect game plan leads Lakeland past West Milford, 3-0, in PCT semis
Dec. 24: West Milford 6, Lakeland 5 — A Second Look (McCon)
Dec. 24: Ice Vault Tournament Tuesday Recap
* * *
9. Paramus Catholic (14-8-3)
Season finishes: First place in Big North Patriot (8-0-2); Bergen County Tournament quarterfinalist (lost to Glen Rock); Patriot Cup finalist (lost to Ridgewood); Reached Round of 16 in Non-Public state tournament as No. 17 seed (lost to No. 1 Delbarton).
Feb. 24: North Jersey Shines after Day 1 of State Tournament
Feb. 21: Ridgewood rallies to beat Paramus Catholic in Patriot Cup Final, 4-2
Feb. 19: Paramus Catholc advances to Patriot Cup final (McCon)
Feb. 15: Big North Patriot Cup Preview
Feb. 9: Ridgewood and Paramus Catholic tie, 3-3
Feb. 5: Notebook: Paramus Catholic gives back
Jan. 17: Bergen County Tournament Quarterfinal Rewind
Dec. 21: Corey Sowinski lifts Paramus Catholic past River Dell, 4-0
Dec. 13: Paramus Catholic, Pitera get early-season redemption against Ridgewood
Dec. 7: Paramus Catholic 2, Fair Lawn 0 (McCon)
* * *
10. Wayne Hills (13-8-2)
Season finishes: Second place in Big North Liberty (8-4-2, behind Ramsey); Passaic County Tournament finalist (lost to Lakeland in OT); Patriot Cup finalist (lost to Ramsey); Reached Round of 16 in Public B state tournament as No. 9 seed (lost to No. 8 Middletown South).
Feb. 28: Public B Round of 16 Recap
Feb. 26: Public B Round of 16 Preview
Feb. 24: North Jersey Shines after Day 1 of State Tournament
Feb. 17: Behind top line, Wayne Hills rolls into Liberty Cup final after 8-3 win (McCon)
Feb. 13: Big North Liberty Cup Preview
Jan. 31: Wayne Hills secure Cup, bragging right after win over Wayne Valley (McCon)
Jan. 20: Thrilling Monday Night — BCT and PCT Recaps
Jan. 24: Ice Vault Tournament Tuesday Recap
Jan. 3: Danny Reidel leads Wayne Hills past West Milford, 7-3
Dec. 29: Tie feels like a win for Wayne Hills, play Glen Rock to 3-3 draw (McCon)
Dec. 22: Wayne Hills 2, Morristown 1 (McCon)
Dec. 19: Summit 6, Wayne Hills 3 (McCon)
* * *
11. Indian Hills (14-8-2)
Season finishes: Third place in Big North Liberty (8-4-1, behind Ramsey, Wayne Hills); Bergen County Tournament quarterfinalist (lost to Ramsey); Liberty Cup semifinalist (lost to Wayne Hills); Reached Public B state tournament Round of 16 as No. 13 seed (lost to eventual champion No. 4 Middletown North).
Feb. 28: Public B Round of 16 Recap
Feb. 26: Public B Round of 16 Preview
Feb. 24: North Jersey Shines after Day 1 of State Tournament
Feb. 14: Hard work pays off in 2-1 win over West Milford in Liberty Cup opener
Feb. 13: Big North Liberty Cup Preview
Feb. 2: Josh Welte leads Indian Hills past Mahwah, 3-0
Jan. 17: Bergen County Tournament Quarterfinal Rewind
Jan. 15: Indian Hills breaks the ice, picks up first Bergen County Tournament win
Jan. 3: Indian Hills 2, Lakeland 1 (McCon)
Dec. 20: Indian Hills 0, Ramapo 0 (McCon)
* * *
12. Mahwah (12-11-1)
Season finishes: Fourth place in Big North Liberty (7-6-1, behind Ramsey, Wayne Hills, Indian Hills); Bergen County Tournament quarterfinalist (lost to eventual champion Don Bosco); Liberty Cup quarterfinalist (lost to Lakeland in OT); Reached Round of 16 in Public B state tournament as No. 19 seed (lost to No. 3 Glen Rock, 5-4).
Feb. 28: Public B Round of 16 Recap
Feb. 27: Glen Rock edges Mahwah, 5-4, in Public B Round of 16 (Schwab)
Feb. 26: Public B Round of 16 Preview
Feb. 24: North Jersey Shines after Day 1 of State Tournament
Feb. 13: Lakeland survives scare from Mahwah in 4-3 overtime win in Liberty quarters
Feb. 13: Big North Liberty Cup Preview
Feb. 7: Determined Mahwah building momentum, defeat West Milford, 6-4
Jan. 26: Tyler Gutirrez hat trick lifts Mahwah past Ramapo, 3-0 (McCon)
Jan. 17: Bergen County Tournament Quarterfinal Rewind
Jan. 12: Kevin Sabella-Larry Mahurter bond growing stronger
Dec. 6: Freshmen step up for Mahwah in 6-3 win over Lakeland
* * *
13. West Milford (9-11-3)
Season finishes: Sixth place in Big North Liberty (4-7-3); Passaic County Tournament semifinalist (lost to eventual champion Lakeland); Liberty Cup quarterfinalist (lost to Indian Hills); Reached Public B Round of 16 as at-large No. 21 seed (lost to No. 5 Kinnelon).
Feb. 28: Public B Round of 16 Recap
Feb. 26: Public B Round of 16 Preview
Feb. 24: North Jersey Shines after Day 1 of State Tournament
Feb. 13: Big North Liberty Cup Preview
Jan. 18: Perfect game plan leads Lakeland past West Milford, 3-0, in PCT semis
Jan. 3: Danny Reidel leads Wayne Hills past West Milford, 7-3
Dec. 24: West Milford 6, Lakeland 5 — A Second Look (McCon)
Dec. 24: Ice Vault Tournament Tuesday Recap
* * *
14. Tenafly (11-10-2)
Season finishes: Fifth place in Big North Freedom (5-5-1, behind Glen Rock, St. Joes, Northern Highlands, Pascack Valley); DNQ for Bergen County Tournament; Freedom Cup semifinalist (lost to eventual champion Glen Rock); Qualified for Public B state tournament as No. 27 seed (lost to No. 6 Summit).
Feb. 15: Tenafly advances to Freedom Cup semifinals; defeat Pascack Valley, 4-2
Feb. 14: Big North Freedom Cup Preview
Jan. 28: Notebook: Tenafly looking for state bid
Jan. 2: Tenafly defeats Paramus, 8-2 (McCon)
* * *
15. Northern Highlands (10-11-1)
Season finishes: Third place in Big North Freedom (6-5-1, behind Glen Rock, St. Joes); Lost in Round 1 of Bergen County Tournament (Paramus Catholic); Freedom Cup semifinalist (lost to St. Joseph); Qualified for Public B state tournament as No. 23 seed (lost to No. 10 Madison).
Feb. 14: Big North Freedom Cup Preview
Jan. 5: Northern Highlands returning to Bergen County tournament (McCon)
Dec. 28: Northern Highlands aces big test
* * *
Additional Links
Final Scoring and Goaltending Leaders
Statewide Conference/Division State Tournament Standings
The Best State Tournament Preview in New Jersey
Feb. 20: New Top 15 on Cup Championship Friday
Jan. 3: New Top 15 through Jan. 2
Dec. 23: New Top 15 through Dec. 22
Week 3 Review — News & Notes from around North Jersey
Week 2 Review — News & Notes from around North Jersey
Week 1 Review — News & Notes from around North Jersey
Note: I am pretty sure I got everything from the year. If a link is missing from a story by myself or Jim McConville, please let me know (conrad@northjersey.com) and I’ll get it on here.