CLEVELAND, Ohio — Northeast Ohio celebrated a remarkable hockey season in 2023-24 by sending two local schools to the state title game. St. Ignatius brought the state title back to the region for the first time since 2022, with a victory over University School.
It should be no surprise that both schools are represented in on the cleveland.com Preseason All-Stars below. The group represents the best players in cleveland.com’s seven-county coverage area in Northeast Ohio as the 2024-25 ice hockey season begins.
Will they be the best at the end of the season? We won’t know until March. Until then, here’s a look the players expected to be among the best.
First Team
Sam Elwell, St. Ignatius, Senior, Forward
The top team in the state returns one of the top scorers in the state. Elwell got it done around the net often last season and is back for the Wildcats.
Elwell netted 17 goals last season and added 30 assists. He steps into a bigger role as a team captain this season for the defending champs.
Dominic Filizetti, St. Ignatius, Senior, Goalkeeper
Filizetti was first-team All-Ohio last season after posting a .915 save percentage in net in 29 starts.
His best effort came on the biggest stage. In the state final he allowed just one goal. He posted a 22-6-1 record as a junior with 799 saves over 863 shots, for a 2.55 goals per game average, one of the best in the state.
Andrew Holcomb, Walsh Jesuit, Senior, Forward
The Warriors made it to the regional semifinals last season and graduated a couple of key players, but welcome back Holcomb and his 21 points from last season. He was the facilitator of the offense with a team-high 15 assists and added six goals.
Nolan Ignacio, St. Ignatius, Senior, Defender
Ignacia was first-team All-Ohio last season and netted the state title game’s first goal. As a physical defender, Ignacio got the job done on offense as well with nine goals and 14 assists.
He is as well-rounded of an athlete as you will see in Northeast Ohio, with an equally impressive career in the spring on the Wildcats’ baseball team.
Carter Smith, St. Edward, Junior, Defender
An impact player since his freshman season, Smith took an even bigger step last season, earning second-team All-Ohio.
Last season, Smith was one of the Eagles’ best scoring threats with 14 goals and 16 assists. His 30 points were second best on a roster that reached the regional final.
Sam Robinson, University School, Senior, Forward
The Preppers graduated a ton of talent that went to back-to-back state title matches. But Robinson returns after an impressive junior season with 14 assists and six goals.
Honorable Mention
Blake Baskin, Gilmour Academy
Ryder Beegun, University School
Patrick Corcoran, University School
Jagger Dalton, Walsh Jesuit
Gavin Jones, University School
Connor Mayhugh, Shaker Heights
Joey Moore, Shaker Heights
Jack Olbrys, Padua Franciscan
Keegan Sprang, Walsh Jesuit
Nick Vantiegham, Walsh Jesuit