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On the Maryland Scholastic Hockey League Web site, a link entitled "Past champions" opens the tale of the 2009-2010 season. Since public school teams joined the league seven years ago, only one has ever repeated as state champion.

This begs the question: Can Wootton three-peat?

Per usual, head coach Dave Evans is playing it coy. But every great protagonist needs a foil, and this year brings a legitimate threat to his Maryland supremacy.

"Oh, Whitman's looking stacked," Evans said. "I mean, they played us so tough last year. Certainly, you've got to look at Churchill; but Whitman brings so many guys back. That's a team you look at and say, ‘Yeah, they're going to be tough.'"

It is not even that far-fetched to call Whitman the favorite as the new season gets under way. The team nearly equaled the eventual champions in their two matchups last year, losing the regular season matchup by a single goal and drawing in the Capitals Cup quarterfinals until the final minutes.

And they are unquestionably better this time.

Back is leading scorer Zach Wolfe (10 goals, 12 assists), as well as Team Maryland sophomore sensation Aidan Nuestadtl. Classmate Alex Gandolfo also returns; as does most of Whitman's starting lineup, in fact, while freshman Lucas Karron is "an absolute sniper that can just play," according to head coach Tom Sneddon.

"We've picked up a couple transfers, brought a lot of guys back; we're deep this year," Sneddon said. "Honestly, I think we're going to be able to roll three lines against whoever we play. ... I mean, you only have so big of a window, and this has got to be one of those years where you give yourself a chance."

Churchill was the last school other than Wootton to win a state championship, and even in a somewhat disappointing 2008-2009 season managed to get close. After tying Whitman, Walter Johnson and Magruder, it was something of an afterthought entering the playoffs, but put a scare into Wootton in a one-goal loss Feb. 9.

Gone is longtime goaltender Griffin Farha, but the Potomac school still has the ammunition to contend. Its leading scorer is back in forward David Finder (14, 7), headlining a strong senior class including Omid Manoochehri and Matt Hurd.

The surprise of last winter was Magruder, sneaking into the county's top echelon and grabbing one of four playoff spots in the Montgomery Division. It joined provisional team Gaithersburg due to a lack of roster spots this season and will not be eligible for a return trip. But the combined team should feature some top-heavy talent.

Forward Sean Combs (17, 5) was one of the county's most explosive players last season, while wingers Tyler Anderson and Eric Cross (8, 11) are talented complements.

"Right now, we have two solid lines we feel can definitely compete with the top three schools: Whitman, Wootton and Churchill," said head coach Joe Palermino. "I believe we'll be in the top four slots."

The opening slate of regular season games revealed several other contenders. Poolesville/Einstein posted an impressive 9-0 shutout of Blake, with former DeMatha forward Jude Hanlein posting a hat trick.

Senior David Fillinich (14, 12), Bethesda-Chevy Chase's top scorer a year ago, totaled 5 points in a 9-3 defeat of Richard Montgomery. And two offensive stars from a year ago, Walter Johnson's Zach Abelman (12, 22) and Sherwood's Kyle Nicholas (21, 10), led their teams to opening-night victories.

But of course, title talk still centers around Wootton. Several studs graduated, including 2008-09 Gazette Player of the Year Dylan Skarupa, but returning defenseman Josh Bretner may be the best player in the state.

While he will miss significant time to U-18 Team Maryland obligations, the squad is still loaded with forward P.J Hall (12, 12), senior classmate Steven Rubin, returning starter Jonah Guiton and sophomore forward Haley Skarupa. Dylan's younger sister was recently named to U.S. U-18 Women's Team.

"She's ridiculous," Evans said. "But yeah, I think I like what I've seen so far. But how will things shake out? I have no idea."