The Suburban High School Hockey League’s 51st season is underway. Here’s a look at how the teams shape up.
National Division
Central Bucks East
Coach: Jeff Mitchell (fourth season)
Last year: 8-10-1-0, 4-5-1-0 in division; Class AA Flyers Cup invitee
Key Players: Jr. Cole Breen (G), Sr. Sr Corey Kosick (F); Sr.
Carter Keiser (D); Sr. Kyle McIntyre (D); Sr. Ryan Gerkan (F)
Outlook: This season’s addition of the Patriot features a blend of experience and youth.
““The boys have looked great in practice,” Mitchell said. “You can tell they are eager to play some games, work together, and be better as a whole.
“Looking forward to what this and the coming seasons with this group have in store for us!”
Central Bucks South
Coach: Shaun McGinty (eighth season)
Last year: 9-9-0-1, 6-4 in division; Class AA Flyers Cup invitee
Key Players: Sr. Aidan Linso (D); Jr. Jake Stepp (D); Sr. D.J. Lindenmuth (F); Sr. Colin Mendham (F); Jr. Sean Cutter (F); So. Ryan Frey (F)
Outlook: After being dispatched in the first round of both the SHSHL playoffs and the Flyers Cup tournament a year ago, the Tians are looking for a bounce back season. Lindenmuth figures to be one of the area’s top offensive talents.
Central Bucks West
Coach: Dave Baun (20th season)
Last year: 5-11-0-1, 3-6-0-1 in division
Key Players: Sr. Liam Rogers (G); Sr. Johnny Cherubini (D); Sr. Adam Ricci (F); Sr. Nick Bruno (F); Jr. Zane Sanders (F); Jr. Brandon March (D); Jr. Anthony Dowd (F)
Outlook: The Bucks are blending an experienced corps of returnees, including Rogers in goal with some talented newcomers.
“We’re counting on strong senior leadership” Baun said. “We are looking forward to a successful season “The key to our success this season will be how well we play together and how hard we work at doing it.”
Council Rock North
Coach: Ryan Dorsey (first season)
Last year: 6-11-1-1, 3-5-1-1 in division; Class A Flyers Cup quarterfinalist
Key Players: Jr. Ian Goldberg (G); Sr. Nick Hahn (F); St. Jesse Schaaf (D); Jr. Jackson Accardi (D); So. Danny Maglathlin (D); Sr. Ryan Kell (F)
Outlook: Dorsey replaces the late Greg McDonald, who passed away October 10.
“Our program is still relatively young,” he said. “We will look to build off of the past few seasons and take strides forward. We especially will look to continue to build off of a strong finish last season.”
Goldberg is solid in goal while Hahan and Accardi provide scoring punch.
Council Rock South
Coach: Joe Houk (18th season)
Last year: 19-2-0-1, 9-0-0-1 in division; Won division championship; Class AA Flyers Cup semifinalist
Key Players: Sr. Kevin Koles (D); St. Blaise Pepe (F); St. Illia Mukhin (F); Sr. Chase Tovsky (F)
Outlook: The defending SHSHL National Divisions champions should be formidable again this season. Pepe (12 regular-season goals, 16 assists, 28 points) provides firepower along with Koles (11-16-27).
“We should have a solid team this year with good depth,” Houk said.
Neshaminy
Coach: Bill Keyser (first season)
Last year: 13-7-1, 6-3-1-0 in the division; Class AA Flyers Cup quarterfinalist
Key Players: Sr. Cory Hemberger (G); Sr. Aidan Hullings (G); Jr. Liam Mooney (D); Sr. Aiden Gaspari (D); Sr. Stephen York (D); Sr. Ryan DeMatteo (F); Sr. Coleman Boles (F)
Outlook: Keyser, the one-time head coach at Truman, replaces the retired Matt DeMatteo. His ‘Skins will be young in spots but are experienced on defense and in goal. Hemberger and Hullings form one of the best goaltending tandems in the area.
North Penn
Coach: Kevin Vaitis (15th season)
Last year: 5-10-1-1, 2-7-1-1 in the division
Key Players: Sr. Maks Harkins (G); So. James Boyle (D); So. Chase Kelly Del Ricci (D); Sr. Joey Silvotti (F); Sr. John Stinson (F); Sr. Cole Pluck (F); So. Nolan Shingle (F)
Outlook: After a disappointing season last winter the Knights are looking for bigger and better things this time around. Having 14 returnees in the lineup should help along with some talented newcomers.
“We hope to have a bounce back season where we will be looking to compete with the other top teams in the Suburban League” Vaitis said.
Pennridge
Coach: Jeff Montagna (sixth season)
Last year: 16-6, 8-2 in division; Class AA Flyers Cup finalist
Key Players: Jr. Jacob Winton (G); Sr. Tyler Manto (D); Sr. Trey Mikulich (D); Sr. Colin Dachowski (D); Jr. Nick Young (D); Sr. Andrew Savona (F); Jr. Shane Dachowski (F); Sr. Kevin Pico (F)
Outlook: The Rams prided themselves last season on their ability to put the puck in the net. That circumstance shouldn’t change this year as the bulk of the roster returns. Pico (24 goals, 25 assists, 49 points) paced the SHSHL’s National Division in scoring while Savona (16-22-38) was third in that category>
Pennsbury
Coach: Ryan Daley (seventh season)
Last year: 18-7-1, 8-2 in the division; runner-up in division; Class AA Flyers Cup champion and state finalist
Key Players: Sr. Aaron McDaniel (G); Sr. Conor Kane (D); Sr. Logan Doyle (F); Jr. Chris Sarver (F); So. Shane Gleisner (F)
Outlook: The Falcons graduated five seniors from last year’s Flyers Cup champions, but Daley is upbeat about what lies ahead.
“The leadership group in the locker room is as good as it’s ever been,” he said, “and we have a lot of guys that know what it takes to win championships. We have a strong goaltender and a lot of talent in front of him. I’m excited to see what we can do this season!”
Souderton
Coach: Ryan Uchniat (sixth season)
Last year: 6-12, 3-7 in the division
Key Players: Sr. Seth Grossman (F); Sr. Jacob Chow (F); Jr. Nick Smith (F): So. Max Ryon (F)
Outlook: The Big Red were and an up-and-down season a year ago but the core of the lineup returns, which bodes well for what lies ahead.
American Division
Abington
Coach: Ken Brzozowski (seventh season)
Last year: 16-1-1-1, 10-0-1-1 in American Division; won division championship. Class AA Flyers Cup invitee.
Key Players: Jr. Devin Brown (G); Sr. Sam Abramson (D); Sr. Seamus Donofry (F); Sr. Mike Romano (F); Sr. Devin Bates (F); Sr. Owen Adamski (F)
Outlook: The Galloping Ghosts are looking for their third straight division title, something that has never been done in the American Division since the SHSHL adopted a two-division format in 2003-04. They will be the divisional standard until they are dethroned.
“I am extremely excited for the next generation of players and equally proud of our returning players,” Brzozowski said, “and their commitment to our program and continuing another successful season.”
Bensalem
Coach: Bill Hood (first season)
Last year: 3-12-0-1, 2-7-0-1 in National Division
Key Players: Sr. Ricky Gonzalez (G); Sr. Justin Rapone (D); Jr. Danny Klein (D); Sr. Alex Hood (F); Jr. Alex Bazylevich (F); So. Lucas Gonzalez (F)
Outlook: The Owls were hurt by a lack of numbers last season as they skated in the National Division against schools with larger rosters. The new season finds them in what should be a more competitive environment.
“The team continues to improve every season,” Hood said, “and is hoping to compete for a playoff spot this season.
Plymouth Whitemarsh
Coach: Dave Cox (second season)
Last year: 12-8, 7-5 in American Division; Class A Flyers Cup invitee
Key Players: Jr. Julian Lucks (G); Fr. Jason Segal (D); Sr. Dylan Novitski (F); Sr. Tim Murphy (F); Sr. Issac Mishkin (F); Sr. David Branigan (F)
Outlook: The Colonials took some graduation hits off last year’s division runner-ups. This year’s roster will be perhaps the youngest in the SHSHL, and will feature a number of freshmen, but there will also be a strong veteran presence.
“We are very eager to take the ice and starting working our way back to the championship game,” Cox said. “The returning varsity players have used last year’s championship loss as fuel to start off the season strong.”
Springfield
Coach: Don Quinn (first season)
Last year: 0-16, 0-12 American Division
Key Players: Jr. Liam Baskin (G); Jr. Jack Sarsfield (G); Sr. Kenny Granderson (D); Jr. Owen Quinn (D); Sr. Marcel Camper (F); Jr. Chris Cahill (F); Jr. Gabe Wells (F); So. Grayson Quinn (F)
Outlook: The Spartans endured tough times in their inaugural SHSHL season but are looking to take some steps forward this season.
“The team is excited to get the season started,” Quinn said. “We have been working hard all off-season and hoping to be tough competition for our opponents all season.”
Wissahickon
Coach: James Rumsey (first season)
Last year: 9-8, 6-6 in American Division; Class A Flyers Cup invitee
Key Players: So. Fletcher Lynch (G); Sr. Daniel Hussa (D), Sr. Jack Raebiger (D)
Outlook: Rumsey takes over for Ken Harrington. His team will be one of the young in spots, one that will be looking to build off last year’s Flyers Cup appearance.
“The team has been working hard at practices to play each game like it’s the championship,” Rumsey said.
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