The Suburban High School Hockey League is celebrating the start of its 49th. season.
Here’s a look at what to expect..
National Conference
Bensalem
Last year: No varsity team
Coach: Jordan Roth (first Season)
Key Players: So. Ricky Gonzalez (G), So. Alex Hood (F); Fr. Aliaksandr Bazylevich (F-D); Fr. Cole Saladya (F-D)
Outlook: It’s been going on two decades since Bensalem last fielded a varsity hockey team. The core of this year’s squad won squad won a middle-school championship last season. Consequently, it will be one of the youngest teams in the SHSHL but Roth, a teacher in the district, is optimistic.
“Purpose, poise, and passion in the classroom and on the ice will dictate how we perform as a new program,” he said, “and grow the hockey culture in the Bensalem community.”
Central Bucks East
Coach: Jeff Mitchell (second season)
Last year: 6-5-1-1
Key players: Jr. Matt Mangiacapre (G); Sr. Tyler Godown (F); Sr. Phil McIntyre (F); Jr. Steven DiRugeris (F); Jr. Bogdan Borodenko (F);
Outlook: The Patriots will field a blend of youth and experience this season. Mangiacapre in goal and Godown up front will provide veteran leadership.
Central Bucks South
Coach: Shaun McGinty (eighth season)
Last year: 8-6-1
Key players: Jr. Jake Stepp (D); Jr. Matt Crouch (D); Sr. Daniel Kvecher (F) Sr. Aidan Gaffney (F); Jr. Aydin Thierolf
(F). So. Colin Mendham (F); So. D.J. Lindenmuth (F)
Outlook: The Titans will be young in places this season but there is also some experience on hand. If past history is any indication, the veterans on the roster will set the tone for the newcomers with their work ethic and focus and the Titans will be as dangerous as ever.
Central Bucks West
Coach: Dave Baun (18th season)
Last year: 0-10
Key players: Sr. Evan Hee (D); Sr. Reese Dalzell (D); Sr. Grant Funseth (D); Sr. Billy Loughnane (F); Sr. Joey McFadden (F); So. Nick Bruno (F); So. Liam Rogers (G).
Outlook: The Bucks didn’t win a game last year. But Baun sees a promising season ahead.
“We really like this group,” he said. “We are young but talented. Most importantly, we have two important ingredients for success: good senior leadership, and hard-working kids willing to learn. These, together with solid goaltending give you a chance to win in any league.”
Council Rock North
Coach: Greg McDonald (first season)
Last year: No varsity team
Key players: So. Nick Hahn (D); Sr. Wilton Pasch (F); So. Karson Grainey (F)
Outlook: The Indians return to varsity competition this season under McDonald, who has extensive coaching experience at the club level. His team that is extremely young. Pasch, the only senior on the 17-man roster and the team’s captain is being counted on as a playmaker. Hahn is a defenseman with offensive skills while Grainey’s quickness will be an asset at center ice.
Council Rock South
Coach: Joe Houk (16th season)
Last year: 9-5-0-2
Key Players: Sr. Carson Lopez (G); Sr. Kyle Boss (D) Sr. Julian Sarne (D); Sr. Sam Cherkassky (F); Sr. Julian Wagenmann (F);
Outlook: The Golden Hawks played for the SHSHL Class AA title last season and much of that team returns. If all the pieces fit together the stage is set for a very promising season.
Neshaminy
Coach: Matt DeMatteo (fifth season)
Last year: 6-6-1
Key players: Sr. Brian Nelson (G); Jr. J.J. Hathaway (D); Jr. Nolan Geria (D); Jr. Mike Knipple (D); Jr. Noah Seewagen (F); Jr. Danny McColgan (F)
Outlook: After enduring the challenges associated with youth last season, Neshaminy approaches the 2021-22 season as a team dominated by juniors, juniors who earned a substantial amount of ice time a year ago.
“We will continue to build on the experience gained last year as a young team,” DeMatteo said, “and look to take another step forward this season. It will take a team game and contributions from our entire line-up to make a successful run this year.”
North Penn
Coach: Kevin Vaitis
Last year: 6-9-1-1
Key players: Sr. Nich Ebbinghaus (G); Jr. Nick Crist (G); Sr. Ben Mostochuk (D); Jr. Tyler Porubski (D); Sr. Justin Yothers (F; Jr. Nolan O’Toole (F); So. Joey Silvotti (F); So. John Stinson (F)
Outlook: The Knights lost nine players due to graduation and Vaitis will be looking for his younger players to step up and play key roles. The return of Ebbinghaus for his senior year in goal should help.
Pennsbury
Coach: Ryan Daley (fifth season)
Last year: 16-2-2
Key players: So. Aaron McDaniel (G); Sr. Reece Millman (D); Sr. Connor Coyne (D); Sr. Justin Marlin (D): Jr. Andrew Falkenstein (D); Sr. Shane Siegmund (F); Jr. Brendan MacAinsh (F)
Outlook: The defending SHSHL Class AA champions return with a high-powered offense. But there is talent on blue line as well and in goal.
“The team is hungry to repeat as champions and make a deep run in the Flyers Cup,” Daley said. “The game plan hasn’t changed much from last year. We need to keep the pedal down and pick up where we left off.”
Pennridge
Coach: Jeff Montagna (fourth season)
Last year: 10-6
Key players: Sr. Ryan Pico (G); Sr. Aidan Boyle (D); Sr. Ryan Schuler (D); So. Colin Dachowski (D); Sr. Jack Lowery (F); Sr. Aeryk Learhaupt (F); Sr. Andrew David (F)
Outlook: The Rams lost just four players from a team that reached the Class 2A Flyers Cup semifinals a year ago. There is an abundance of experience on the roster including Pico, one of the area’s premier netminders.
Souderton
Coach: Ryan Uchniat (fourth season)
Last year 2-8
Key players: Jr. Noah Connor (G); Sr. Carter Pozavan (D); So. Seth Grossman (F); Jr. Timothy Alexander (F)
Outlook: A freshman-dominated team endured growing pains a year ago, but gained invaluable experience. The Big Red Is looking to take some steps forward this season.
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American Conference
Abington
Coach: Ken Brzozowski (fifth season)
Last year: 7-4
Key players: Sr. Ben Panella (G); Sr. Tommy Rourke (D); Sr. Joe Stelacio (F); Jr. Matt Kramer (F); Jr. Ian Heydt (F); Jr. Griffin Carpenter (F)
Outlook: The Galloping Ghosts, who reached the SHSHL American Division title game last winter, will field an experienced lineup this season. Five seniors will play key roles.
“The team has been working hard in practices,” Brzozowski said, “and looks forward to translating that effort to winning results. I am extremely proud of the seniors and excited to continue our journey into another successful season.”
Hatboro-Horsham
Coach: Shane Smith (first season)
Last year: 4-5-1-1
Key players: Sr. Mason Rush (G); Sr. Jack Steinberg (D); So. James Cortez (D); Sr. Tarek Elsabbagh (F)
Outlook: Smith takes over for Gianni Lafratta behind the Hatters’ bench. He’ll have some experience to call on, notably Rush in goal and Elsabbagh up front.
Plymouth Whitemarsh
Coach: Matt Aiello (eighth season)
Last year: 7-5
Key players: Sr. Aidan Keogh (F); Sr. Luke Weikel (F); Sr. Kolton Galie (G); Jr. Matt Flynn (F); Jr. Conlan Carpenter (D);
Outlook: The Colonials have expectations this season, in no small measure because their two leading scorers from last year return in Weikel and Keogh. Galie is experienced in goal.
Quakertown
Coach: Keith Krem (third season)
Last year: 1-10-0-1
Key players: So. Matthew Krem (G); Jr. Will Shaw (D); Sr. Anthony Pagliei (F); Jr. Jack Diliberto (F); Sr. Melanie Pezzano (F); Fr. Branden McNally (F); Fr. Corbin Cassel (F)
Outlook: The Panthers embark on their third SHSHL season with a roster that blends youth and experience. Krem is pleased with the leadership being shown by his upperclassmen.
“This is our most complete and balanced team yet,” he said.
Upper Dublin
Coach: Anthony Richichi (sixth season in second stint as coach)
Last year: 12-4 as an independent team
Key players: Sr. Emmett Kepniss (G); Sr. Sr. Andrew Kearney (D); Sr. Max Frearson (D); Jr. Aiden McCarthy (D); Louis Gamburg (F); Jr. Jack Boucl (F); So. Will Hurlburt (F)
Outlook: The Flying Cardinals are back in the SHSHL after a two-year hiatus due to a roster issue; they were lacking a goaltender who attended Upper Dublin High. Kepniss, a newcomer to organized hockey, has stepped up to fill that role.
Gamburg, Kearney, and Frearson will provide senior leadership.
“We are thrilled to have the chance to compete,” Richichi said, “with the goal of making playoffs and, hopefully, a Flyers Cup berth.”
William Tennent
Coach: Vincent Rosica (first season)
Last year: 4-5-1-1
Key players: Sr. Tom Lomas (G); Sr. Gavin Loughlin (D); Sr. Matt Castan (F)
Outlook: Rosica moves behind the Panther bench to take over for longtime SHSHL fixture Nick D’Aurizio. There will be some graduation losses to overcome; all three of last year’s captains are gone, but Lomas returns in goal.
Wissahickon
Coach: Ken Harrington (seventh season)
Last year: 12-2
Key players: Sr. Michael Bonnani; Sr. Ty Schiff (D); Jr. Griffin Lynch (F-D); Sr. Nick Hussa (F); Jr. Will Hussa (F); Sr. A.J. Pounds (F);
Outlook: the Trojans will be attempting to defend the SHSHL American Division (Class A) title, and despite having to deal with some graduation losses, they have the firepower to do so. Will and Nick Hussa are proven scorers and Schiff will provide experience on the blue line.
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