The 2008-09 boys' high school season is a couple weeks into the books and it's apparent the goalie position is as strong as it was last season in the New Haven area. In fact, the goalie position is strong throughout the state...
Among the top Division I goalies in the New Haven area are John Palmieri at East Haven, Anthony Avitable at Hamden and Nick D'Aurio at Notre Dame-Fairfield.
But what is impressive is that the Division II-III sector of teams in the area have solid netminders as well. Goalies like George Donnarumma of Cheshire, Marcus Demchak of Milford and Andrew Furbush of Branford have the ability to carry their teams.
Defending CIAC Division II Amity also has a pair of solid goalies in Alec Mansfield and Steve Brandi and either player could probably start on other teams. But it's tough to put them in the same category as the above standouts since they alternate in goal and don't have the opportunity to post the same overall dominating stats as the full-time starters.
One out-of-area goalie to watch is Trinity Catholic's Anthony Chiaramonte. Trinity Catholic, a Division I team this season, has started 3-0 and hasn't allowed a goal.