Edward Little/Leavitt/Poland Red Hornets

Coach: Dana Berube (first year)

Region: North

Last year’s results: 14-5-1 (lost in regional semifinals)

Returning players: Senior — Sam Martineau (defense); Juniors — Taylor Cailler (forward), Brianna Doucette (forward); Sophomore — Manny Guimond (goalie).

Key losses: Kaylee Younk (defense), Ally MacKenzie (defense), Angel Drouin (defense), Mariah Vaillancourt (forward), Saige Arsenault (forward), Haley Frolich (forward), Madi Simard (forward).

Promising newcomers: Juniors — Madison Cote (forward), Colleen Mathieu (forward); Sophomores — Cassady Bussiere (defense), Isabel Berube (forward), Elizabeth Marcotte (forward), Rebecca Raby (forward); Freshmen — Caroline Tracy (forward), Jillian Bergeron (defense), Abby Kane (forward), Jada Olson (defense/forward).

What to expect: Berube, a Red Hornets assistant last year, inherits a very young team, with only a handful of players with varsity experience. Martineau is the lone returner from what was a veteran defensive corps last year, and Guimond played every game in goal as a freshman last season. Cailler and Doucette bring the ability to score. Berube hopes his team can improve as the season goes on and compete for a playoff spot in the North.

Greely/Gray-New Gloucester Rangers

Coach: Nate Guerin (eighth year)

Region: North

Last year’s results: 17-3 (lost in regional final)

Returning athletes: Seniors — Courtney Sullivan (forward), Bridget Roberts (forward), Molly Horton (forward).

Key losses: Nica Todd (goalie), Ellie Schad (defense), Emilee McGillicuddy (forward).

Promising newcomers: Sophomore — Leah Walker (defense); Forward — Camilla Lattanzi (defense), Maddie Pelletier (forward).

What to expect: The Rangers expect to be one of the tops in the state again this season, and look forward to challenging for their first regional title since 2013. Guerin’s squad will first have to navigate a difficult schedule, and will have to do it without departed goalie Nica Todd and a host of other experienced players. Sullivan and Roberts will be heavily leaned upon. The Rangers add freshman Maddie Pelletier from Gray-New Gloucester to the mix this year.

Lewiston/Monmouth/Oak Hill Blue Devils

Coach: Ron Dumont (10th year)

Region: North

Last year’s results: 7-10-1

Returning players: Seniors — Anna Dodge (defense), Jaylin Cloutier (defense), Jordan Mynahan (forward); Juniors — Katie Poland (forward), Jessica Clavet (forward), Katie Lemieux (forward); Sophomores —Hannah Levesque (forward), Veda Leclerc (forward), Molly Chicoine (defense), Camree St. Hilaire (goalie).

Key losses: Chloe Morin, Adri Roy

Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Madison Conley (forward), Brie Dube (forward), Gemma Landry (forward), Sara Robert (forward), Cecilia Landry (forward), Grace Dumond (defense), Emma Begin (defense).

What to expect: The Blue Devils have a seasoned group of returning players and a large contingent of talented freshmen coming in. With the combination of both veterans and newcomers, Dumont’s squad hopes to get the team back into the playoffs after just barely missing out a year ago. St. Hilaire will be the no-doubt No. 1 goalie this season after splitting time as a freshman last year.

St. Dominic Academy Saints

Coach: Paul Gosselin (seventh year)

Region: North

Last year’s results: 21-0 (state champion)

Returning athletes: Seniors — Payton Winslow (goalie), Katya Fons (defense), Callie Samson (forward), Madison Samson (forward); Juniors — Emma Theriault (defense), Dasha Fons (defense), Avery Lutrzykowski (forward), Bugsy Hammerton (forward), Addie Suckow (forward).

Key losses: Lexie Kesaris, Izzy Frenette, Kristina Cornelio.

Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Lucy Frenette (forward), Taryn Cloutier (forward), Gigi Ouelette (forward), Maddi Boulet (goalie).

What to expect: The Saints are coming off back-to-back state championships and return much of the core from those squads, but they will have some holes to fill this season. Frenette and Cornelio are both past Sun Journal All-Region Players of the Year, and Kesaris was the team captain last year. But St. Dom’s has a seasoned senior goalie in Winslow, as well as experience and skill at both forward and defense. Gosselin said with a solid group returning he thinks his team will be competitive once again.