2023-24 Men's Ice Hockey Preview

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications

SALEM, Mass. -- The 2023-24 Salem State men's ice hockey team will have a new head coach at the helm for the first time in 42 seasons. Former Viking Chris MacInnis '10 replaces long-time Salem State head coach Bill O'Neill, who retired after the 2023 season after taking over the program in 1981.  

Salem State was picked fifth in the MASCAC pre-season poll and coach MacInnins talked about this season's expectations. "We always have high hopes here at Salem State. We have a group that underachieved last year and that is hungry to get back in the hunt."    

MacInnis focused in of his key returners that will have an impact on where the Vikings will finish this year. "We have a good mix of returners and new players in our lineup. We have our three leading point producers back [Eric] Larsson, [Keagan] O'Donoghue, and [Zack] Dill, so I expect them to have another strong year while also helping mentor our younger players. We have back 5th-year senior captain Luke Pepin who has done a fantastic job keeping everything together during the off-season while I was being hired. Also, I have some young freshmen we will look to add to our lineup."  

Larsson, a former conference rookie of the year in 2022 and first-team all-conference a year ago, was named to the New England Hockey Writers Division 2/3 All-Star team in 2023. He scored 17 goals last season for the Vikings, tallying 16 assists and 33 points. Dill earned rookie of the year last season and was named second team all-conference after scoring 13 goals, 17 assists, for 31 points in his first season. O'Donoughue a senior, is an accomplished offensive player, scoring 11 goals with 20 assists for 31 points last  season. 

Two promising young freshmen who will see good minutes this year according to the head coach are Mitch Wilkie and Chase Conlon. 

Salem State will open the year on a two-game road trip against Suffolk and Westfield State before the home opener on November 9 against Fitchburg State. Game time is at 7:00 p.m.  

2023-24 MASCAC Men's Ice Hockey Pre-Season Poll 

Plymouth St. 49 (7)

Fitchburg St. 40 (1)

Worcester St. 36

UMassDartmouth 27

Salem St. 26

Westfield St. 25

Framingham St. 11

MCLA 10