The Purple Puck Tournament has been a fixture on the St. Joseph’s Prep schedule for well over a decade. This year, the Hawks will make the trip to Washington D.C. as the two-time defending champion of the Prep Division.
They’ll open tournament play on Friday against Loyola High School from Montreal, On Saturday, they’ll face Archbishop Spalding from Annapolis, Md. and St. Ignatius.
The tournament field also includes Paul VI from Ashburn, Va. from and Gonzaga College High School, the tournament host.
St. Joseph’s Prep coach David Giacomin says the trip offers his team a number of benefits.
“It’s a time to get away from [the Philadelphia area],” he said. “and play some different teams. They get to stay and room together. So, it’s more of a bonding issue for us. Usually the tighter a team is going own the home stretch, the better you’re going to play.”
Giacomin says the Hawks will be tested against elite competition.
“I think this year is going to be a lot stronger than it was last year and the year before,” he said. “This year they have Loyola in Quebec, which we played probably seen or eight years ago and it was a very tough game. they also have St. Ignatius out of Cleveland who has won the state championship there something like 12 years in a row.
So, it’s going to be more of a challenge for is on the ice but one that we look forward to.”
Giacomin said one purpose of the trip is to build team chemistry that will been something to build on come the postseason.
“Hopefully, down the stretch the kids are fresh and enjoy being around each other a little bit more,” he said, “and play their best hockey come the end of the season.”
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