Ten years ago, when Mike and Marlene Turcotte started an ice hockey program at Goffstown High School, they surely dreamed of a program that would not only be competitive, but fight annually for the D-II title.

Though the Turcottes are no longer directly involved with the program, their vision is coming to fruition during head coach Peter Bedford’s tenure.

Last season, Bedford, who enters his fifth year at Goffstown, guided the Grizzlies to a second-consecutive winning record and a first-round home playoff contest.

There, they came back from a two-goal third-period deficit to tie perennial power Bow, a team they defeated three months earlier on the road – a first in GHS history.

Goffstown fell in overtime, but the experience, combined with a large contingent of juniors and a strong class of 11 incoming freshmen, has Bedford optimistic the locals will not only equal last year’s successes, but take that growth a step further.

“I expect this team to battle again for a top-four spot in Division II, earning another home playoff game,” said Bedford, adding the Grizzlies must compete with favorite Timberlane, along with the usual suspects: Bow, Spaulding, Winnacunnet, Dover and Lebanon. “We have a strong balance at forward and on defense, and if we play to our potential, we could very well find ourselves in the mix for the big prize.”

With senior star Liam House- Myers in the fold, the task becomes that much more obtainable. House-Myers captains this year’s unit with fellow senior forward Ryan Valcourt.

Junior Andrew Gordon is also expected to complement a formidable crop of forwards, while defensemen Riley Palmer, a junior, and sophomore Garrett Gunski lock down the blue line.

Freshmen forwards Kyle Wilson and Conor House-Myers are both expected to get their fair share of ice time as well. Sophomore Cam Myatt currently has the edge to start at goalie over classmate Steve Garron, but both are likely to see time in net.

Others contributing are seniors AJ Plourde, Justin Lemire and Justin Duford and juniors Drew Simoneau, Patrick Naughton, Bobby Horn, Brian Yost, Brian Bourque, Brad York, Mason Blouin and Josh Andruchuk.

Bedford credits the students, parents, Friends of Goffstown Hockey, and a strong feeder program at Mountain View Middle School – headed by Dan Grinley – for growing the program, which now features both a varsity and JV team.