The Pilgrim hockey team is hitting the ice this week and will be on its own this winter as it’s co-op with Toll Gate came to an end after three seasons together.

With over 30 skaters in its program, the Pats will be rostering both a varsity and JV team and is looking to return to the Division I playoffs and make another run at a title. The co-op reached the semifinals last season before falling to eventual champion Bishop Hendricken.

Pilgrim will return All-Stater Braxton Bragg, who was the league’s best goalie last season. Along with Bragg, guys like Ryan Barlow, Richie Cavanagh, Nathaniel Kane, Aidan McNally, Jackson Monte, Colin O’Dea and Jack Sayler will also be suiting up for another season, giving Pilgrim one of the state’s deepest and most experienced lineups.

Pilgrim won its Injury Fund matchup over Barrington, 3-1 to help set the tone for this week’s season opener.

“We’ve got a nice group returning, we played all the kids (in the Injury Fund). They worked hard and now we’re getting ready for the regular season. They had a great offseason which sets us up well,” said Pilgrim coach Mike Boyajian, who returns for another season behind the bench.

Division I is shaping up to be a dogfight once again, with Hendricken returning much of its same roster, and teams like La Salle and Mount St. Charles always in the mix.

Not only will the Pats have their hands full in the crowded division, but they have also scheduled some tough non-league matchups against out-of-state foes.

“We have a fantastic non-league schedule and we’re looking forward to the challenge, it will only make us better,” Boyajian said.

Between graduating a few seniors and saying bye to a couple of difference makers from Toll Gate including Cooper Grossguth, who are now with East Greenwich, Boyajian and his staff are looking at a few holes that will need to be filled.

Pilgrim’s lineup will have a handful of underclassmen on the back end, and their emergence will be key in getting back to the playoffs, according to Boyajian.

“It’s a rebuilding year but we can do some damage. We have experienced players coming back. They got a good taste of winning and we have some leaders. Experience always helps, knowing that you can play with these good teams. We have a challenging schedule,” said Boyajian, who is looking forward to seeing Pilgrim gain some momentum for the future as well.

The Pats dominated Division III, winning consecutive titles in 2018 and 2019 before eventually moving up as a co-op. The Pats are confident that they can remain among the state’s elite this season.

“We’re looking to establish a team here in Division I for future years,” said Boyajian. “We’re going to have some good numbers, so we should be able to be competitive this year and beyond.”