Clare Struzziery, Staff Writer
December 8, 2023
For hockey players, the start of winter break means the Flood-Marr and Harrington Tournaments. These three days of hockey encapsulate a rich tradition and intense rivalry, featuring some of the best teams in independent school hockey. Hosted jointly by Nobles and Milton Academy, each tournament contains eight schools. Flood-Marr began in 1965 and Harrington in 1972, so generations of hockey players have engaged in spirited competition against four different teams in a four-game format. These tournaments serve as important venues for teams to come together at the beginning of the season and provide a lot of exciting competition.
These tournaments have long served to kick-start the seasons of Nobles hockey teams, though the early timing of these events presents a unique challenge for both teams. “We only have a couple of games before to prepare,” Tyler Bloomfield (Class I) said. However, this challenge can make teams stronger. “It’s about coming together. Flood-Marr is usually where you find out your team’s identity, and it sets the tone for the rest of the season,” Teddy MacAusland (Class II) said. This sentiment was echoed among the girls’ captains. “It’s something we really look forward to, and it’s a big test for us early on in the season,” Captain Sophia Levering (Class I) said. The four-game format is unique and serves as a bonding point for teams both on and off the ice. It is the one day of the year when hockey teams have doubleheaders, and that day, in particular, is “one of the days that turns our team into a team,” Captain Ainsley Gray (Class I) said.
Last year, Nobles Boys Varsity Hockey placed fifth in the Flood-Marr Tournament. Despite a setback in the first game against Hotchkiss, they bounced back with victories against Kimball Union and Westminster, finishing 2-1. However, after a three-way tie, they were seeded third in their division. The team clinched their final game with a 6-3 win over Deerfield. In 2021, the boys won Flood-Marr after defeating Salisbury, who were that year’s NEPSAC champions, and concluded with an exciting final win against rival Milton Academy. Regarding the final game, Ethan Cox (Class II) said, “It was just a gritty game that we were able to win by working a little bit harder.”
In last year’s Harrington Tournament, Nobles Girls Varsity Hockey secured a third-place finish. They beat Westminster and BB&N before losing a tough game against Williston Northampton, a team rival. They went on to defeat St. Paul’s in their final game, ultimately taking third place in the tournament.
In 2021, the girls won the Harrington Tournament after victories over Lawrence Academy, Westminster, St. Mark’s, and finally, Williston. For this year’s captains, the environments of these games are still memorable. “Playing back-to-back with everyone, and the Omni being so packed with teams and coaches, I think it makes a great environment,” Captain Olivia Maffeo (Class I) said.
This year, Nobles Boys Varsity Hockey is setting its sights on a Flood-Marr victory. “We know what it takes to go far in that tournament,” Bloomfield said. Their biggest competition for this year’s title? Kimball Union, Salisbury, and of course, Milton. Nobles-Milton matchups have been frequent and fierce in the history of this tournament. “It’s always a good game when we play them,” MacAusland said. According to Bloomfield, the boys have a younger team this year. “[Last year’s] seniors graduating just creates an opportunity for the team. It’s just another role for the juniors and seniors to step into to fill those shoes,” Bloomfield said. Cox mirrored his sentiments, saying, “We’re gonna play a fast, physical game, and be able to score a lot of goals.”
The girls’ captains’ goals for the season include a victory in the Harrington Tournament. This year, the tradition is extra special for the team, as it will be Coaches Tom Resor and Steve Cedorchuk’s final Harrington Tournament. “I think our season will embody playing for something bigger than yourself because Mr. Resor has been here longer than any of us, and he’s one of the most important people in our lives,” Captain Jaime Griswold (Class I) said.
Their main rivals for the girls’ tournament include Williston, Andover, and Milton. Playing Williston in the Harrington is important, as Nobles doesn’t have a regular season game against them. It is Nobles’ chance to play them before potentially meeting in the NEPSAC tournament. The captains have outlined how their team can achieve success in the tournament and beyond. “We need to focus more on not the past, but every single game working to prove ourselves and playing with an underdog mentality,” Griswold said. The girls’ team is younger this year, too. Although this can be challenging, it presents a chance to create a new legacy. “We want to be able to leave this team in the best state possible,” Gray said. The tournaments represent important goals for both teams and all members of the Nobles community can support the players by making it out to these exciting games.
(Photo Credits: Sage Albright, Hudson Poirier)
