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Special to WSN from Rick Dedrick & Jason McGillivray of Wisconsinhighschoollax

Three Classic 8 Black teams, Cedarburg, WNS, and West Bend, come over to join Homestead to create the North Shore Conference. Homestead, another program that benefits from the conference shuffle, was a Final 8 qualifier last year and is primed for a repeat run. West Bend and WNS were competitive in the top half of the Classic 8 Black, looking to continue a nice rivalry in the North Shore.  

Homestead
Last Year: 14-6
Results: Lost to Waunakee in quarterfinal round
Head Coach: Peter Morton

It has been a steady progression for the Highlanders over the past 3 seasons. Yet with all the success they haven’t been able to get past perennials Kettle Moraine and Arrowhead in the past. Add in the success that Mukwonago has seen and the Highlanders haven’t been able to achieve better than 4th in conference. As the reshuffle goes, they are now looking like top dogs in the North Shore. Austin Krueger leads the way on offense and Jonah Stammer at faceoff, there should be plenty of opportunity for some younger talent to rise up. The defense returns all starters, including goalie Nick LaValle. This senior heavy roster will have high expectations to win the conference and return to at least the quarterfinal round.

Whitefish Bay/Dominican/Nicolet/Shorewood (WNS)
Last Year: 8-9
Results: Lost to Neenah in 2nd round
Head Coach: Harland Cook

A senior class of 12 is gone, along with 41% of the scoring and nearly half of the experienced defense. But WNS has two 1st team All-Conference players returning in leading scorer middie Jack Giese and attack Ian McLaren. The combo averaged nearly 6.5 gpg last year. The program's top faceoff leader, Cole Silverman, will help to get them the ball. Brody Tesch and Dom Amato will need to be the leaders on defense, and they’ll be helped by Josh Beno, a do-everything middie. With a favorable schedule and some luck, the Wolfpack will have a chance to better the 7 regular season wins from last year.

West Bend West Co-Op
Last Year: 9-7
Results: Lost to USM in 2nd round
Head Coach: Brendon Conolly

Another team that is looking to replace several All-Conference players from last year. The biggest question might be who will step up in goal to replace Isaac Guttormson, who had nearly every minute in goal for the Rush. Junior Defenseman Max Gawrych (2nd team All Conference) had a standout year and much more will be expected now. The same is true for Middie Ezra Jenkins. I don’t think they’ll do worse than last year’s record and they will certainly compete with WNS for second best in conference.

Cedarburg
Last Year: 1-16
Results: Lost to WNS in 1st round
Head Coach: Jack Donnellan

The Bulldogs are ready to turn the page on a forgettable 2023 season. Scoring was a challenge, only able to muster 48 total goals last year. It wasn’t much better on the defensive side, surrendering a whooping 237 scores (14.8 g/gp). With no returning All-Conference recognition, this year’s team might be faced with the same outcome.