A year ago, they learned the ropes of high school hockey while compiling a 5-12 record.

The Hampden Academy Broncos have proven to be quick learners as they have already exceeded last year’s win total, going 6-1-1 in only their second year of varsity status.

The only loss came to defending Eastern Maine B champ Brewer, 2-1 in overtime.

The Broncos averaged three goals a game last season while giving up 4.5. This year, Hampden has averaged 4.5 goals while giving up only 2.

“I’m a little surprised with the start,” said second-year coach Paul Henderson. “I knew the talent was there but I’m surprised they’ve come together as quickly as this.

“We have such a great group of kids. They’ve been very receptive to coaching,” added the 56-year-old Henderson. “There’s been an 80 percent improvement over last year in the offensive zone and a 40 percent improvement in the defensive zone. But we haven’t improved in the neutral zone and that’s what we’re working on.”

“Last year, we didn’t have any (high school) experience,” said junior defenseman and tri-captain Jason Dority. “We didn’t know what it was like. It was totally different for all of us. Now we know what to expect.”

Senior right wing and tri-captain Mike Tardif said the players have a better understanding of Henderson’s systems “and we’re mentally tougher than we were last year.”

Dority and Tardif also said Henderson deserves a great deal of credit for Hampden’s progress.

“He’s a great coach. He’s taught us all of the systems and he pushes us real hard,” said Dority.

The Broncos also have better depth this year as Henderson rotates three lines.

“Last year, we had a top line, a good second line and we hoped the third line wouldn’t get scored on,” said Tardif. “Now we have three balanced lines and we wear teams down in the third period.”

The green line features Tardif at right wing with Tyler Whitehouse at center and Rob King on left wing; the red line features Mark McLean between Kyle King and John Van Vranken and the blue line has Mike Cianchette between Ryan McPike and Chris Philbrick.

“I think our green line has 14 goals and the other two each have nine. It’s been pretty well balanced,” said Henderson, who figured that the King brothers have five or six goals apiece and Whitehouse has four.

Dority and partner Jason Yehle, an impressive freshman according to Henderson, anchor a solid defense corps. John Harker, Matt Economy and Shane McDougall have also played well on the blue line.

Corey Nicholson and Ian Dilts have given the Broncos quality goaltending, according to Henderson.

“They’re a really good skating team,” said Brewer Coach Bill Schwarz. “They work together real well. And Paul has done a real good job so far.”