The defending champion Bishop Hendricken boys hockey team is off to a stellar start this winter season as it has skated out to a 3-0 record.

Although the Hawks entered the season as the favorites on paper, they still had some roles to fill after seeing 13 players leave between graduation and transfers.

“It’s a good start, the kids are playing well together. We lost 13 kids in total so it’s a pleasant surprise. The kids have stepped up to the challenge,” said coach Mike Soscia.

The Hawks most recently beat Barrington 6-2. Griffin Crain and Nick Stevens each scored two goals while Jack LaRose and Nate Marshall added one each. Colin Murray got the win in net while recording 13 saves. Hendricken beat North Kingstown 11-0 in the opener then rolled past East Greenwich-Toll Gate 11-0 the following game.

The team will be looking to its senior core to lead the way this winter, especially Crain, who currently leads the team with nine points overall.

“Griff is going to do what Griff is going to do, he’s a phenomenal athlete. We’re fortunate to have him on the team and he’s going to lead and his teammates will follow. We have a lot of kids stepping up. Having him and Jack LaRose and Nate Marshall, they’re all stepping up,” Soscia said.

Perhaps the biggest surprise to this point has been Stevens. The freshman has exploded on the offensive end for a team-high seven goals. Soscia has known Stevens since his youth days, so he has been excited to see him make an immediate impact.

“It’s nice to have a kid like Nick and it’s nice to see him continue his success and carry it from the youth level,” Soscia said.

Murray returns in net along with Avery Picchione. The Hendricken staff plans on having the duo split time, as Murray has made two starts versus Picchione’s one. Having the two working together will only strengthen the team, according to Soscia.

“They’re two well-balanced goalies that are going to split time and we’re going to ride them. They’ve pushed themselves but more importantly they’ve pushed each other to be better. It makes us as a team better because they’re tough to score against,” said Soscia.

The Hawks’ next league game will be a rematch against East Greenwich-Toll Gate on Friday night.