Merrimack's Eliot Medlock should once again be one of Division II's best players this season, which starts for all local teams this week, many of them tonight (Telegraph file photo by TOM KING)

It was a special day for local hockey.

That was last March 11, when three area high school ice hockey teams, two boys (Bishop Guertin and Merrimack) and one girls (BG), were in three state title games at SNHU Arena in Manchester, the first time it’s been that many since the NHIAA created that big four-game extravaganza. BG came away with the wins while Merrimack came close.

Can it happen again this year?

The odds don’t favor it – at least not three. The question is if anyone will make it, and there are certainly possibilities. Let’s check them out, as most teams open up Wednesday:

DIVISION I

Of course Bishop Guertin should once again be the best area team in this Division, after being the best team in the division, period a year ago. But when you lose 15 seniors, there’s a lot to replace.

“Getting to the playoffs is our expectation,” longtime Cards coach Gary Bishop said. “We hope to be strong in the defensive zone and hopefully identify some good goal scorers.”

They’ll look to see if those will include senior forwards Isaac Idarraga and Ryan Lokken, plus juniors Noah Codeiro and James Mantone. Two familiar names will anchor the defense, seniors Caleb Yeung and Aidan Kelley. Now we’ll see how it all comes together.

North-Souhegan has a new coach, Chris Zarlenga, but this time he’s gives the vibe of a coach who is in it for the long haul.

He has a nucleus of a team that just missed the tournament thanks to an early February slump; senior forward Chase McBride, junior forward Jacob Landry, senior defenseman Kyle D’Silva and senior goaltender Zach Veilleux. Sophomore forward Callen Cullity is a player to watch as well.

Landry, Zarlenga said, “has the expectation of being an offensive powerhouse. Strong, explosive and very high hockey IQ.” And Veilleux has set the goal to be in the top five in the Division in shutouts and GAA.

At one point, it looked like Nashua South-Pelham had turned the corner a year ago but they, too, faded down the stretch. The Kings are therefore very hungry going into this year.

“They’re hungry for playing time, putting pucks in the net and winning games,” Kings coach Jordan Sarracco said. “The team has decided it’s time to ‘Change the narrative’ for South-Pelham hockey.

“They’re working harder than I’ve ever seen and we’re expecting to win a lot more games this year.”

Helping the Kings to do that should be four key seniors: Defensemen Ryan Arnesen and Matt Skelley, plus forwards Cam Cooke and Aidan Roberge. And also keep an eye on juniors Andrew Byrne (forward) and Broden Landsteiner (defense).

DIVISION II

Merrimack lost a heartbreaker to Dover in the title game last year, and of course graduation took away some key players. However, the Tomahawks have three key senior tri-captains, including one of the top scorers in the state, Eliot Medlock.

“He’s expected to pick up where he left off,” ‘Hawks coach Dan Belliveau said, “providing the core of our offense this year with his high-level skill and providing leadership for his teammates.”

Just as important at the other end of the ice will be defenseman Conor Dunn, and the ‘Hawks are also counting on forward-defenseman Cam Bellemore, who got some key goals last season.

Alvirne-Milford had a strong finish to last year’s season and is hoping to make the tournament. The Admirals set sail for Lebanon for their season opener on Monday and came away with a 5-1 win.

Giving them confidence is the return of senior Trent Scarbro, and sophomore Kian Corcoran, the latter who picked up the win Monday. “The strength will be in goal,” Admirals coach Dave Thibeault said, and that’s not a bad spot for strength.

Senior Cade Bouchard and sophomore Landon Briand will be keys defensively, while offensively look to seniors Cedrik Beaulieu and James Nemeth, and junior Braydon Atwood, among others.All had a hand in the win the other night.

DIVISION III

Hollis Brookline-Derryfield for the last few years has been a solid contender, making it to the finals in 2021 and the semis two years ago.

This year?

“It should be another good year for HBDS,” Warriors coach Joel Sanborn said. “The team is looking to stay competitive in our division once again.

“As always, we’ll need to stay healthy and grow as a team as the season moves along.”

Helping them do that will be senior forward Kyle Sanborn and senior defenseman Aden Escandon. Watch out for junior forwards Alex Gertz and Caleb May, plus sophomore forward Charlie Dee.”

Campbell once again will send some talented players to its co-op venture with Pembroke, led by talented skater Logan Daigle. There’s a good chunk of other Cougar kids on this team: senior defenseman Pat Chamberlain, senior forwards Declan Sullivan, Tyler Reynolds, and Bryden Caron; junior forward Brady Gerardi, sophomore defenseman Gavin Retkevicz, junior defenseman Noah Reed and freshman defenseman Ivan Schaefer.

Will any of the above be playing in the finals on Saturday, March 10? We’ve got three months to find out.