The Verona boys hockey team was denied a fifth straight trip to the state tournament after the Wildcats’ season ended at the hands of Waunakee in a Division 1 sectional semifinal last season.

Verona lost in the state finals in 2021 and won the Division 1 championship in 2020. That came after the Wildcats lost in the state semifinals in 2019 and 2018.

Senior Reece Cordray received second-team all-state honors last season as a junior forward. Cordray scored 34 goals and had 32 assists in leading the Wildcats to a Big Eight Conference championship. He also was a key part in the Wildcats’ attack with six goals in three postseason games.

Verona graduated its two other all-state selections in Anthony Heinrichs and Troy Tollefson, who were both all-state honorable mention.

Verona had seven players named to the Big Eight’s all-conference teams. Cordray was a first-team selection. Junior David Dina was a second-team all-conference selection last season as a sophomore defenseman.

The Wildcats went undefeated in Big Eight Conference play last season – going 14-0. Middleton and Janesville tied for second with 9-5 records. Verona looks to build on its overall record of 17-5-1 from last year.