Williston Boys Varsity Hockey is making strides towards a strong season.
After a disappointing season opening 1-0 loss to Avon, Williston has rebounded, and currently has a 11-8-3 record.
Brandon Borges, who was an assistant under 19-year Head Coach Derek Cunha, took over the head coaching job this year. The players had a lot of great things to say about Borges.
Center and Co-Captain Hayden Hutner, from Wesley Chapel, Fla., said the transition was easier than usual because Coach Cunha set a standard and Borges followed it.
“I think that change was not too dramatic because … a lot of his coaching mannerisms were familiar with the team,” Hayden said.
Borges had a lot of good things to say about the new 2025-26 team. He said the team is built off five core attributes, and that’s what makes the culture of the new team great.
Those attributes, Borges explained, are “good dudes, gritty dudes, competitive dudes, dudes with a relentless work ethic, and dudes who are team-first.”
“So far, we check every one of those boxes,” he said. “Our senior leadership has been outstanding. Whether they’re playing heavy minutes or more limited roles, every senior has set the standard and understands their value. From top to bottom, they’ve been critical to keeping this team running efficiently.”
After going to a couple games, I can attest that the Boys Varsity Hockey is truly built off those five attributes, even if the score doesn’t always say so.
“I think our season has gotten off to a strong start. Our guys show up and bring it every day,” Borges said. “Hard work is the standard, and execution is how we define a good day versus a bad one. This group is hungry to improve, and I’m just as hungry to continue building this program into a top-tier New England prep program.”
Hayden said after the opening loss, everybody came back to practice the next week ready to compete and fix the mistakes.
“I think we kept on track, and we knew what we had to do to get ready for the next game and everybody stuck to plan,” he said.
Landon Brawn, a sophomore from Warwick, R.I., said when times get hard, they lean on each other.
“Everybody wants to be together on and off the ice. It’s a brotherhood,” he said. “That’s why when we took the loss, we understood what had to be done as a team.”
Junior forward Daniel Raff-Cohen said the chemistry of the team is what makes them get better day by day.
“The team has a really strong mentality. Even after losses, you’ll never find guys getting on each other or pointing fingers,” he said. “We know that we have a good team, and everyone is pulling the rope in the same direction, which is really helpful for team chemistry and morale.”
Coach Borges, a Williston alum, couldn’t be more proud of how the guys on the team aren’t just hockey players at Williston, they are driven young adults who represent Williston’s values.
“What I’m most proud of is our resilience and our commitment to showing up for one another every day,” he said. “The mindset in our room is that we can beat anyone in New England — anytime, anywhere. Our guys have embraced being more than just hockey players. They are highly competitive, but they’re also well-rounded, selfless young men who truly embody what Williston is all about.”
A big part of Williston sports is not just the athletes, it’s the fans. The student section for Williston came together for the game on Dec. 6 against Vermont Academy to bring energy for the hockey team. Williston ended up winning 3-0. Borges and the rest of the team were super appreciative of everyone showing up and cheering.
Landon said seeing students in the stands makes the team want to compete even harder than they already are.
“Absolutely seeing your friends in the crowd and the students being their yelling and cheering makes us fired up and we want the win even more for us and the school,” Landon said.
Hayden believes the team stays fired up throughout all three periods because the student section keeps them motivated.
“Anytime there are fans there is big support, and it helps us bringing the energy,” Hayden said.
Daniel said the student section brings life to the game and makes the team hyped to play.
“The student section’s energy definitely helped. It makes the games so much fun to play,” he said. “There’s nothing like scoring a big goal or making a big hit and having your student section go crazy after it. It breathes a new life into you. Whether you’re tired, hurt, or fatigued, the student section helps bring you back into the game.”
Superstitions are big in the athletic world, but hockey players take it to a different level. I got to ask some of the players what their superstitions were. They told me all about what they do before the game, what they wear, where they sit, the song the listen to, and most importantly, how they tape their sticks.
Landon said he listens to his favorite music while dapping up his teammates.
“My pregame superstitions are I have to listen to music while taping my stick and certain handshakes with different people,” he said.
Captain Owen Converse, from Massena, N.Y., said he has a special pregame meal, and his on ice superstition is that he has to do his three important stretches.
“I love my pregame sandwich from Subway,” he said. “I also have a special stretch routine on the ice where I do three stretches. After I stretch, I lean on one of legs and get up and skate backwards from that position.”
Coach Borges said he has his own pregame rituals, but bringing a clear narrative to each game for the team is most important.
“I’m not overly superstitious, but I do have a routine,” Borges said. “Whether we’re home or on the road, I arrive at the rink in my Williston hockey sweatshirt, sweatpants, and sneakers, then change once I’m there. I’ll fill out the lineup card and start preparing our approach for the opponent. I like giving each game a clear narrative. I want us to frustrate teams and out compete them, so my pregame focus is getting our guys in the right mental space to do exactly that.”