The 2024-25 season of high school ice hockey in New Jersey was nothing short of fabulous on all counts. Cup playoffs saw major upsets, the state saw its first 3,000 save goalie (shout outs to Sydney Fogu!), and three brand new state champions were crowned at the Prudential Center.

With so much talent on display, our Big State Sports Hockey Congress worked diligently to produce our final power rankings of the season. Thank you so much for your viewership and engagement, and we look forward to even better coverage next season!

And with that, here is our end of season top 20 boys and top five girls teams of 2024-25

BOYS

1) Delbarton (22-1-1)

This was an easy one. The best program in New Jersey is back, winning their 14th state championship, and 10th Gordon Cup. Coach Shatel had the Green Wave clicking on all cylinders, winning every contest they played within the state, and cruising to a +90 goal differential. Winning the Non-Public Final 5-1 was the ultimate cherry on top, leaving Delbarton as the unquestioned kings of boys ice hockey in the Garden State.

2) Christian Brothers Academy (22-7-0)

If not for the existence of Delbarton, CBA would’ve been a slam dunk for the number one overall team. They were the only squad to consistently push the Green Wave, losing by just a single goal in two affairs, but were ultimately 0-4 against the state’s best. Still, the Colts had a lot to be proud of. They boasted a 3-0 record against out of state opponents, and outscored the opposition by an alarming 97 goals. They also found their way back to the Gordon Cup and Non-Public Finals for the first time in three seasons.

3) St. Joe’s (Montvale) (18-5-0)

If there was a team no one in the state wanted to play in a big spot, it was the Green Knights. Matthew Juneau’s squad made quick work of the Gordon National Division, going 8-0, and captured a Bergen County Championship as well against perennial powerhouse Don Bosco. Led by a tenacious defense and fabulous goaltending, St. Joe’s frustrated opponents for 45 minutes each contest and ground them down to open up their balanced attack. This was an outstanding recipe for success that produced a nine win improvement from last season. And oh by the way, they were a few breaks away from finding themselves in the Non Public Finals, losing just 5-4 to Delbarton.

4) Don Bosco (15-7-1)

The Ironmen may not have brought home any hardware this time around, but still managed to put together a representative season at the Ice Vault and beyond that many other teams could only dream of. Starting off 7-0-0 on the year, they were early title favorites and continued to be even after loses to Delbarton and CBA. Unfortunately, their inability to beat other elite competition proved too big an obstacle, sporting a 2-6-0 record against the three teams ahead of them, though they dominated everyone else to the tune of a 13-1-1 mark.

5) Morristown-Beard (19-3-1)

Our highest ranked non-Gordon team on the list should certainly be considered for a spot in the state’s top conference. Including their run to their first Mennen Cup Championship in three years, the Crimson garnered two separate 10-game unbeaten streaks amidst a stacked schedule. Mo-Beard went an impressive 10-1-1 in Mennen Division play, and had a 3-3-0 record against Gordon opponents, and were just a minute and three seconds away from taking down CBA in the state quarterfinal. This team is young and incredibly talented at all levels, and could very well be a top five team in 25-26.

6) Westfield (21-4-0)

They finally did it. After losing in five consecutive sectional finals, not only did the Blue Devils make it to the Prudential Center, they won the whole thing. Westfield boasted the most complete team out of all the public schools, with a lightning fast offense, smothering blue line play, and great goaltending to hold it all together. The most decorated team on the list, Westfield won the Union County Tournament, and McInnis Cup in addition to the State Championship.

7) St. Augustine (10-9-0)

Given their penchant for the dramatic, nobody counted the Hermits out until St. Joe’s (Montvale) put their season to bed in the Non-Public Quarterfinals. Inconsistency marred the previous back-to-back state champs, never stringing together more than two wins in a row. Still, finishing over .500 after a 5-6 start while playing in the Gordon is nothing to sneeze at and all-in-all St. Augustine put together a season they can hang their hermit cloaks on.

8) Princeton Day (10-9-1)

Much like St. Augustine, the Panthers struggled to truly get into a rhythm this season after their 2-0-1 start that saw them take down CBA and Bergen Catholic, while playing Delbarton to a stalemate. That all changed in mid-February when Princeton Day ripped off four wins in a row, including a victory in the first round of the Non-Public playoffs. They remained hot even in defeat, eventually losing to Don Bosco in the quarterfinals in a nail-biter of a 2-1 OT affair. With many top contributors returning to the fold next winter, the Panthers could be a team to keep an eye on if they can pick up where they left off.

9) Ridgewood (18-9-0)

Last year, it seemed like it was only a matter of time before the Maroons took the leap into the up echelons of title contention, and then Will LoSauro joined the team. With the freshman quickly proving to be one of the best players in the state alongside his brother AJ’s offensive prowess, Ridgewood ran a a shock-and-awe campaign on offense that few teams could keep up with. Add four-year veteran stud netminder Jack Scali to the mix, and you get the kind of season that the Maroons had, trips to the Bergen County and Big North Gold semifinals, and their program’s first ever appearance in the State Championship Game.

10) Northern Highlands (19-6-0)

The kings of the Big North Conference were a force to be reckoned with. Despite losing a slew of big time contributors to graduation and transfers, the Highlanders continued to prove that they’re a powerhouse that’s here to stay. Following a hiccup in early January losing in the Bergen County Tournament Quarterfinals to Ramsey-Indian Hills, Highlands stormed back winning a dozen in a row including wins against Westfield, Pope John, and Ridgewood (twice), while capturing another Big North Gold Cup. However, as the old adage goes, it’s tough to beat a team three times, and Ridgewood snatched away their chance to defend their state title. This team has a ton of young talent and will be a tough out next season.

11) Seton Hall Prep (11-11-1)

It was truly a season of runs for the Pirates who lost three of their first four games, then won eight of nine before ending the season on a 2-7-1 stretch. Though, it’s tough to blame them for how their season ended; February was an absolute buzzsaw featuring two meetings with Delbarton, and tilts against Morristown-Beard, Princeton Day, and Pope John (their lone victory of the month). The Pirates are an excellent example of how you can have a great team and still have a hard time getting a foothold in the Gordon. They did manage to earn their first state playoff victory in five seasons after all.

12) Livingston (20-4-3)

The Lancers were the public version of Don Bosco this season, dominant all throughout their campaign except against a small group of elite teams. The four losses on their record came against Pope John, Randolph, and Westfield (twice) by a combined score of 24-11. Against everyone else (including some other teams on here) they went 20-0-3, scoring 3.9 goals per game and holding opponents to just 1.13. A large portion of those goals they allowed came in perhaps the wildest public school playoff game we’ve seen in some time, a 10-7 loss to Randolph, a game many were thinking would be a defensive struggle requiring an extra period. In another universe where that game didn’t turn into the embodiment of the Looney Tunes’ Tasmanian Devil, the Lancers could’ve easily found themselves inside the top 10.

13) Randolph (19-6-0)

It was another year of lofty expectations for the Rams, and they fell just short of accomplishing their goals. In the Mennen Cup Semifinals they were once again victimized by Chatham’s Issac Suh, which prevented their chance at a cup defense. They then once again came one game away from reaching the state championship game this time losing to Ridgewood. Injuries certainly derailed Randolph’s title hopes this season, and despite being banged up throughout February they still made an excellent run through the state playoffs. Though they’ll lose the program’s new record holder for points in Jase Zangara (203), much like Northern Highlands, they have the returning talents to have another crack at a championship.

14) Pope John (14-6-1)

Though they had one of the best scorers in their conference in Hunter Parrillo, it was defense that carried the Lions through the season. Against opponents not named Seton Hall, Northern Highlands, or St. Joe’s (Montvale), they went 14-0-1, with a 0.94 GAA. The highlight of the campaign was the team’s 3-0 victory over St. Peter’s to capture their second Egan Cup in as many seasons. There’s a good foundation here that Pope John can build on, as they’re just a step or two away from Gordon Cup and State Championship aspirations.

15) KJS United (15-8-2)

KJS United followed Morris Knolls/Hills championship playbook from last season nearly to a tee. Step 1: Be a Co-Op team in the Mennen Division. Step 2: Struggle with consistency, particularly in the second half of the season. Step 3: Romp through the playoffs as an under-seeded Cinderella, and win it all at the Prudential Center. It was a wild ride through-and-through for KJS, but worth every moment as Braydon Sisco’s emergence as one of the best players in the state helped bring an ice hockey championship to Sussex County for the very first time. They’ll expect to return their top seven scorers and should not be counted out as a team that can run it back.

16) Bridgewater-Raritan (22-4-0)

A 7-1 Record in the Skyland Division? That simply does not happen. Winners of 17 in a row from 12/20 to 2/3 the Panthers seemed to be on a collision course with Westfield all season long to meet in the Public South Final…and then Monroe upset them in an overtime thriller. Despite the disappointing end to the season, BR won the Skyland Cup for the first time in a decade and boasted a wealth of talent all over the ice. Which much of their roster returning, the Panthers are sure to come into 2025-26 hungry to finish what they started.

17) Ramapo (15-10-0)

The Raiders’ season was all about timing. They were able to take down sectional champion Ridgewood twice in order to capture the Big North Stars Division title, but fell to the Maroons in both the Bergen County and Sectional Tournament Quarterfinals. Still, winning a division that featured Ridgewood, PCTI, and Wayne, and advancing to the Gold Cup Semifinals are things that happen in a good season. This program is on an upward trajectory and will certainly make some noise in the Big North next season.

18) PCTI (17-7-2)

In a stacked field, the Bulldogs found a way to win their third-straight Passaic County Tournament, while earning a victory in the state playoffs for the second year in a row. Not too shabby for a team that just got started in the 2019-20 season. PCTI have now won double-digit games and played in the Passaic County Final in each of the last four seasons. If you’re looking for a blueprint on how to build a program from the ground up, look no further.

19) Marlboro/Holmdel (19-10)

For most of the season, Marlboro/Holmdel found themselves overshadowed by other Shore powerhouses Toms River, and Ocean Township, but quickly put themselves on the map during cup playoff time. As the number six seed in the Handchen Cup, the co-op upset Ocean Township, Rumson-Fair Haven, and Howell to set the momentum for a stunning run through the playoffs. During their march to the Prudential Center they beat Ocean Township again, took down Toms River, and snapped Governor Livingston/New Providence’s run of three straight trips to Newark. They even looked great in the Co-Op State Final, but ultimately fell victim to Braydon Sisco and KJS United. It was quite the impressive season for a program that won just six games a year ago, and they don’t look like they’re going away any time soon.

20) Hopewell Valley/Montgomery (25-3-0)

Following back-to-back 13 win campaigns, the Bulldogs found a way to break out to the highest win total in Colonial Valley Conference history since Notre Dame’s 25 wins in 2006-07. Goaltender Blake Echternacht put on a heck of a swan song season posting career-best figures in GAA (1.29), save percentage (.953), and shutouts (4). He was the perfect compliment to an offense that averaged five goals per contest, helping lead them to a CVC title and a pair of playoff wins.

Girls

1) Princeton Day (14-2-1)

It took three years, but finally Princeton Day can call themselves champions of New Jersey Girls Ice Hockey. After making it to the first-ever Girls State Final in 2022, it seemed as if the 2024 iteration of the Panthers would make it back there, up until a miraculous comeback by Immaculate Heart Academy in the state semis. Just a season later, they would get their revenge. All season long few teams in the state could match the game speed and depth that Princeton Day brought to the table, culminating in a Librera Cup in addition to their state hardware. They had as good an end to the season as anyone could ask for, winning their last nine games including two trophies and six shutouts.

2) Immaculate Heart Academy (11-3-0)

The Blue Eagles were nearly impossible to score upon all season long, sporting a silly 1.71 GAA, and allowing fewer goals than all but two teams (Princeton Day & Madison). Their defense-heavy, grinding style of hockey was good enough to win them the Librera Division Title, and earn them a second-straight trip to the State Championship Game. Though they lost to a red-hot Princeton Day 7-0 in the final, a 6-0 record against Morristown-Beard, Trinity Hall, and Pingry more than proved IHA’s place as the second-best team in New Jersey.

3) Morristown-Beard (10-5-2)

What slow start? Only fools hit the panic button after the Crimson came out of the gate winless in their first four contests. Reid Snyder and company quickly flipped the script in January, posting a 6-0-1 record with big wins against divisional rivals Oak Knoll, Pingry, and Princeton Day. The Panthers would have their revenge, taking down Mo-Beard in both the Librera Cup and State Semifinals. The latter game was perhaps the best girls ice hockey game the state has ever seen, and proved that even though the teams around them are getting better, the Crimson aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.

4) Trinity Hall (15-5-2)

Being in the presence of royalty can be overwhelming, and that was certainly the case for the majority of Trinity Hall’s opponents. The Royals had the second-best goal differential in the state, posting a gaudy +50 mark, largely thanks to their dynamic duo of Sienna DeAngelis and Katie Cisar. DeAngelis had a monster season, tallying 49 goals and 58 points, while Cisar dazzled between the pipes en route to a 1.91 GAA and .944 save percentage. Their second of two 1-0 losses at the hands of IHA was the only thing standing in their way of their first State Championship Game birth, and don’t be surprised if the Cohen Cup Champs make it there next year.

5) Kent Place (11-4-0)

The Dragons along with Trinity Hall continued to show the rest of the state that girls ice hockey in New Jersey isn’t just all about the Librera Division. In the midst of a season-high six-game winning streak, Kent Place handled business against Oak Knoll 7-1, taking down a team from the state’s top divison for the second year in a row. They even hung with Morristown-Beard in a 4-3 State Quarterfinal loss in which they entered the third period tied at two. Though Morgan Reis is graduating, the young core of Molly Brozowski, Hayden Mulligan, Ava Builione, and Meredith Cote will return as the Dragons look to knock off all who stood in their way this time around.