BRUNSWICK — With the girls high school ice hockey teams getting their regular season underway over the past two weeks, the boys are ready for the puck to drop this upcoming weekend.

Mt. Ararat/Hyde/Lisbon/Morse returns a solid core of experienced players for coach A.J. Kavanaugh, including seniors goalie Cade Charron and top scorer Noah Austin.

“When you have one of the best forwards in the state and strong goaltending, we can expect to battle for a playoff spot in 2018/19,” Kavanaugh said.

Mike Misner returns to Brunswick for his second season as the head coach, and his Dragons are poised to make another postseason run. The Dragons lost to York in the quarterfinals a year ago.

“There is a good feel to this team. A lot of kids are close from playing together so it feels like good chemistry to start,” Misner said.

The Freeport athletes will once again compete with South Portland and Waynflete on the Red Riots. Another trip to the playoffs for the team is within reach despite their tough schedule.

Here is what’s upcoming for the squads:

Mt. Ararat/Hyde/Lisbon/Morse

Put together an influx of youthful experience, strong goaltending and one of the best forwards in the state, chances are you’re going to have some success.

That’s the expectation for the Mt. Ararat/Hyde/Lisbon/Morse Eagles this upcoming season.

Brunswick’s Michael Eno, left, skates away from Mt. Ararat/Lisbon/Morse’s Nick Austin in a boys high school hockey game in February at Sidney J. Watson Arena. The Dragons and Eagles are set to open their 2018/19 seasons this weekend. (Bob Conn / The Times Record)

“While we’re a young team, a strong freshmen class as well as some additions from our co-partner Hyde, we figure to be competitive in Class A North,” said Kavanaugh.

A possible Travis Roy Award candidate for the state’s top high school hockey player, Austin returns after leading the Eagles in scoring in his first three seasons, including leading Class A North with his 44 points in 2017/18.

Charron returns between the pipes for the Eagles, who finished 9-9 last year.

“Cade has been the backbone of the Eagles in net for the past few seasons and will continue to be a very valuable key to our success in his last year,” Kavanaugh said.

Defenseman Cam Poisson anchors a young corps of blue-liners, but the senior’s experience and speed should help keep play steady throughout the season, according to Kavanaugh. The additions of senior defenseman Ian Cooke and junior forward Ian Struck from Hyde will add depth for the Eagles.

With four seniors and a handful of juniors, the majority of the team is upperclassmen, losing captains Sam Alexander, Cam Grant and Noah Buiniskas to graduation, as well as their third-leading scorer from a year ago Nick Austin.

“There may be an adjustment period, especially for the several freshman we have playing high school hockey for the first time,” Kavanaugh said. “Lots of them have been playing competitive hockey for a long time, so I expect them to transition pretty quickly.”

Opening the season on Saturday, the Eagles will take on the team of Leavitt/Gray-New Gloucester/Oak Hill/Poland at Norway Savings Bank Arena in Auburn (5:30 p.m.). They will play the following five games on their home ice at Sidney J. Watson Arena at Bowdoin College that includes Cony/Monmouth/Hall-Dale (Dec. 12), Gardiner (Dec. 19) and Brunswick (Dec. 22). After a game against Cony (Dec. 27) at the Camden National Bank Ice Vault in Hallowell, the Eagles host Bangor (Jan. 3) and Marshwood/Traip/Sanford/Noble (Jan. 9). Other key games are — at Lewiston (Jan. 12), at Brunswick (Jan. 16), at Massabesic/Bonny Eagle/Old Orchard (Jan. 26), at Windham/Westbrook (Feb. 26), Edward Little (Feb. 9) and at St. Dom’s (Feb. 16) to close out the regular season.

Brunswick

Heading back to the Class B South tournament is once again a goal the Dragons have set their sights on.

After losing 3-2 in the quarterfinals, Misner knows his underclassmen gained not only valuable ice time, but a year with their teammates and new coach.

“I think a lot of returning players understand my expectations, although we stress to the kids that we learn from (past) seasons as well, so there are some more opportunities for growth this year compared to last,” Misner said.

Losing seven seniors will be hard for Misner to replace. The Dragons, who finished 9-9 during the season, will rely heavily on the play of Jack St. Pierre, Isaac Burtis, Jacob Doring, Henry Burnham, Scout Masse and goalie Spencer Marquis.

“We lost seven seniors, so it will be difficult to replace some of that veteran presence that were key contributors, but we are looking for some guys to step up,” said the coach. “Only having three freshmen means we will not only be light in numbers, but also have to rely on contributions from them right away. I expect a steep learning curve, but if we stay competitive in games, we will find success.”

Brunswick opens the season Saturday against Windham/Westbrook at the University of Southern Maine Arena. They will immediately return to action on Monday when the Dragons host Massabesic. Two days later, the Eagles host Yarmouth. Road battles against Cony (Dec. 15), Mt. Ararat (Dec. 22), and Leavitt (Dec. 29) round out December. Also playing their home games at Bowdoin College, the Dragons will host a slew of games in January and February, including — Gorham (Jan. 2), Gardiner (Jan. 5), Maranacook/Winthrop/Madison (Jan. 14), Greely (Feb. 2). Brunswick ends its season on Feb. 21, at York.

South Portland/Freeport/Waynflete

Once again the ice hockey players from Freeport will team up with South Portland and Waynflete, competing in Class A South.

After finishing 10-7-1 in 2017/18, the Red Riots will be aiming for the postseason.

Freeport members on the team are seniors Ian Souther (D) and Andrew Burns (F), juniors Willets Myers (D) and Deven Hannan (F), and sophomore Anthony Panciocco (F).

After opening the season Saturday against Lake Region/Fryeburg/Oxford Hills, the Red Riots will host York (Dec. 13), Portland/Deering (Dec. 15) and Massabesic (Dec. 20) at Troubh Ice Arena. Following games at Thornton Academy (Dec. 22) and a home tilt with Falmouth (Dec. 29), the team starts the new year with battles against Portland (Jan. 3), Cape Elizabeth (Jan. 17), Marshwood (Jan. 24) and Cheverus (Jan. 26), all at Troubh Arena.

The team plays its last home game of the season against Biddeford on Valentine’s Day before closing out the regular season with a pair of road games at the USM Arena against Scarborough (Feb. 16) and Massabesic (Feb. 21).