The puck is set to drop on the 2025-26 season.

We’ve looked at teams to watch and players to watch over the past few days.

Now, it’s time to dive into some compelling storylines that will unfold.

Here are some of the most noteworthy storylines to keep an eye on.

Trinity Hall without DeAngelis, Mallgrave

It’s quite a task to replace the Player of the Year. That’s what Trinity Hall is facing after Sienna DeAngelis transferred to Phillips Andover Academy (Mass.). She scored 49 goals a season ago. Lucy Mallgrave also transferred after a terrific 28-point freshman season to St. Paul’s School (N.H.). How this team, which won a Cohen Cup a season ago, handles those losses will be interesting to see. Fiona McAllister and Sydney Sun will be two pivotal offensive producers for this team and having All-State goalie Katie Cisar back in the mix will help as well.

Morristown-Beard has revenge on its mind

Morristown-Beard has come up short in the state semifinals two years in a row and hasn’t won a Librera Cup since 2023. There’s plenty of motivation for this group to get back to the top of the mountain and there’s quite a talented cast of players coming back. Reid Snyder has the talent to be the best defenseman in the state this season and Hannah Mortazavi is one of the best goalies in the state. On paper, this is a team on a mission to get back to the top.

Can Princeton Day repeat?

Princeton Day made history last March by winning its first state championship. Now, the challenge is a repeat. The team does contend with a few key departures, but so much talent returns. That includes All-State defenseman Sammy Dandy. Kelly Stevens posted a .941 save percentage and six shutouts in 15 games last winter. This roster is just as talented as it was later year and can absolutely repeat.

Two new squads join the party

A total of four new high schools will be represented this season, which includes the first girls hockey team in Hudson County. Livingston High School joins forces with Chatham-Millburn. Meanwhile, Hoboken-Weehawken-Secaucus is entering its first year of existence. Both teams are looking to be competitive in their respective NJIIHL divisions.

Annis Division appears wide open

Though Madison enters the season as the reigning Annis Cup champions, the competition for this year’s championship is tight. Cranford saw a growth in wins and reached the final last year. Most of the group from last year is coming back, highlighted by Emerson Murphy, Maren Pitts, Alafare Sezer, Sienna Griffin and Violet Baldoni. The Hoboken-Weehawken-Secaucus squad hopes to contend as well. Randolph has plenty of talent on its own with Charna Torres and Amelia Kolbik (combined 27 goals, 18 assists) returning.

Top goalies lining up

It’s another season where a plethora of goaltending talent is set to take center stage. Hannah Mortazavi owns a .931 career save percentage and is entering the final year of what’s been a stellar four-year run. She has 1,020 career saves and 10 shutouts. Kelly Stevens, another senior, posted a .941 save percentage a year ago , which was her first as a starting goalie. Katie Cisar is a reigning First Team All-Stater and had a .944 save percentage last winter. She has a .940 mark for her entire career and is just 10 saves shut of 2,000.