Beverly High sophomore center Connor Irving, who is currently the North Shore's leading scorer with 55 points in 20 games, and Swampscott High senior captain Gino Cresta, who has 41 points and broke the 100-point mark for his career earlier this winter, were named Players of the Year in the Northeastern Conference North and South divisions, respectively, as the conference selected its annual all-star teams yesterday.
Both players were also part of their respective All-League teams from the conference. Irving joined his cousin, junior defenseman/forward Andrew Irving of Beverly, on the NEC North team, along with junior center Joe Strangie and senior defenseman Peter Marshall from NEC champion Danvers, as well as forward Chris LeBlanc of Winthrop and goalie Nick Hegarty of Saugus.
Cresta leads the NEC South All-Leaguers, which also includes junior teammate Trevor Massey on defense, sophomore goalie Brett Harring of Salem, defenseman Kyle Devin and forward John Finnigan, both of Lynn, and forward R.J. Tirano of Revere.
Kevin Brown, who guided Danvers High to its first conference crown in 10 years, was named the NEC North Coach of the Year, while Bobby Jackson of Marblehead (who led the Headers to another league crown) and Jim Palumbo of Revere shared NEC South honors. Peabody (North) and Salem (South) were the Sportsmanship Award recipients.
The NEC hockey all-stars are as follows:
Danvers: Joe Strangie, C; J.D. Hodgkins, RW; Peter Marshall, D; Nick Strangie, D; Steve Wilkinson, G.
Beverly: Connor Irving, C; Andrew Irving, D/LW; Brenden Mitchell, RW; Tim Biarelli, G.
Peabody: Mike Chiappini, C; Eric Costa, LW.
Salem: Paul DiMarino, C; Brett Harring, G.
Marblehead: Austin Haley, RW; Ian Maag, C; Ty Bates, RW; Liam Gillis, D; Mike Harper, G.
Swampscott: Gino Cresta, C; Matt Videtta, LW; Trevor Massey, D; Chris Carman, D.
Gloucester: Johnny Interrante, C; Mike Russo, F; Jared Favazza, F; Colton Rivas, D; Matt Brennan, D.
Winthrop: Chris LeBlanc, C; Dan Eruzione, RW; Matt Todisco, LW; Mitch Paulson, D; Jimmy Barker, D.
Saugus: Drew Oxley, F; Serge Tait, F; Kurt Rodrigues, F; Danny Groark, D; Nick Hegarty, G.
Lynn: John Finnigan, F; Ryan MacDonald, F; Kyle Devin, D; D.J. Hunt, D.
Revere: R.J. Tirano, F; Marco Mazzarelli, F; Drew Lauria, D; Chris Whelan, D; John Papasovora, G.
