Souhegan-wait Nashua Storm players wait their turn for a shift at practice at Conway Arena this week as they were preparing for Saturday's season opener vs. Pinkerton. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA – There’s a storm brewing today for local high school girls hockey this season.

Yes, the Souhegan-Nashua Storm.

That’s the name of the new Souhegan-Nashua North-Nashua South tri-op, as aspiring girls hockey players in the Nashua public school system no longer have to play with the boys or transfer to another school to be able to play their sport.

“We are really excited to get on the ice on Saturday for our first game to see how everyone works together,” Storm coach Shannon Paquette said.

Meanwhile, there’s also the estblished program that won the state title back in March of 2023. But like Souhegan when it was solo, the Cardinals of Bishop Guertin struggled last year.

The Storm is at Pinkerton at 2:30 p.m. at Tri-Town Arena in Hooksett, while BG will host the Kingswood-Prospect Mountain-Plymouth tri-op at Skate 3 in Tyngsborough, Mass. at 3:40 p.m.

Here’s a look at both teams:

The Storm have seven players from Nashua, which should boost the core that the Sabers had returning. Players to watch are sophomore goalie Charlotte DeZotell, senior center Anna Foley, freshman defenseman Sophia Wine, senior wing Amelia Warecki, and senior defenseman Haley Christianson.

“We have a great group of girls who are extremely motivated to learn and play the sport,” Paquette said. “We are putting a lot of emphasis on effort this year, and with every game we play we are never going to be outworked.”

Senior Carly Green is back to try to help Bishop Guertin return to contender status despite losing several seniors. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

Meanwhile, BG is hoping to bounce back from a lost season a year ago in which the Cards missed the tournament altogether after reaching the semis the year before. It’s a numbers game, and BG’s have been down lately.

“With the loss of seven seniors, we still have strong core group with nine returning players and four newcomers,” Cards coach Phil DeVita.

Senior captain Carly Green is the most familiar name, along with junior captains Grace Spengler and Ava Brennan, plus juniors Madison Goyette-Monnin and sophomore Ari Piascik.

Senior Haley Gagne and juniors Addy Noel an Maddy Carrol anchor the defense in front of senior goalie Mia Pearson and junior Emily Powers. Look also for newcomers Lilah Katz, Adrianna Lebrecque, Sophia Galipeault and Mia Pearson to be factors.

“We plan to work hard and give our best effort in every game,” DeVita said. “We’re excited for the season to begin.”

And it all begins today.