The faceoff group features three Division-I commits who are also returning members of their respective All-State lists. We expect all three members of the list to take another step forward and continue to make a name for themselves in dominating fashion. We feel confident that the three faceoff athletes on this list are in a tier of their own in Illinois.

Faceoff

• Michael Tauscher – St. Viator – High Point

Two-time returning All-State winner and a 2024 All-American, Michael Tauscher has been dominating faceoff dots in Illinois since he was a sophomore. With lightning-fast hands and impressive strength off the ground, it is safe to say that Tauscher is the pre-season favorite to retain his spot on the first-team All-State list until proven otherwise.

• Aaron Pressman – New Trier – Denver

Aaron Pressman serves as the biggest threat to Tauscher’s run at repeating as first-team All-State. Last season, Pressman and Tauscher had an impressive head-to-head matchup that saw Tauscher barely edge out Pressman in what was easily Tauscher’s toughest matchup of the season. With another year of experience under his belt, don’t overlook Pressman to possibly unseat Tauscher at the top of the All-State list for faceoffs.

• Giovanni Baggio – Huntley – Mercyhurst

The most recent Division-1 commit on the list, Baggio combines elite hand speed with D1-level size. While he may not necessarily be in a spot to unseat Tauscher or Pressman this season, Huntley should feel confident against any other opponent they go up against this season. While it would be a surprise to see Baggio end up as the first-team selection, expect to see Baggio on plenty of end-of-season awards lists.

Honorable Mention:

Benjamin Stefanski (Neuqua Valley)

Goalie

The goalie group does not feature a returning first-team selection, and as a result, is one of the more open position groups on the list. We expect a tight race for the top spot, and all three talented ball stoppers listed below will be major factors in helping their teams elevate this season and make runs at the state championship.

• Jack Hartman – St. Viator – Ohio Wesleyan

Returning second-team All-State goalie Jack Hartman enters his fourth year as St. Viator’s starter. With perhaps the most talented defense Hartman has ever had in front of him, there is no reason to believe he won’t have as much, if not more success than he has had in past seasons. The real question will be if Hartman can do enough to move himself onto the first-team list.

• Aiden Hughes- Loyola

Hughes is entering his third season as Loyola starter’s and coming off of an appearance as the Second-Team All-State goalie. Hughes is excellent in his role as the quarterback of Loyola’s defense and a reliable ball-stopper. If Hughes can steal a couple more big saves when the lights are bright, he may be in the leading spot for a potential appearance on the First-Team list.

• Graham Stuart – New Trier

Another experienced three-year starter, Stuart is the leader of what should prove to be an elite New Trier defensive unit this season. While Stuart does not have the same recognition or accolades that some of the other players on the list have, he has shown flashes of brilliance in the past, including a spectacular effort in New Trier’s win over Lake Forest last season. If Stuart can find consistency in his performances, he has as good a shot as anyone at the first-team list.

Honorable Mention:

Nate Peake (Downers Grove)