Your Source for High School Hockey
The Hun School has a new head coach. Nathaniel Welsh has been named the Raiders’ interim head coach, replacing Eric Szeker,
Welsh has served as an assistant at The Hun School and also has an extensive history with the Princeton Tigers youth program.
The Raiders have played just one game this season, a 3-1 loss to Devon Prep on November 20. They are scheduled to host The Pingry School on Monday before opening their APAC schedule on Wednesday at St. Joseph’s Prep.
BRISTOL—For a hockey team finding its way, it was a step forward. Pennridge took things one shift at a time Thursday night and left Grundy Arena with a 3-0 win over Neshaminy in a SHSHL National matchup.
What the Rams (2-5-1, 2-5 in the division) wasn’t flashy or spectacular to watch. But when you have only 13 skaters in uniform, efficiency trumps style. And that efficiency included rotating just three defensemen over the course of the 51 minutes.
“Tonight was probably the best defensive game we’ve played,” said winning coach Jeff Montagna. “We’re running three {defensemen} every game and they’re starting to figure out how to play with three Ds, and get through an entire game. They’re rally coming along.”
Having a quality goaltender helps as well Junior Andrew Slutsky stopped all 23 shots he saw in support of his teammates.
“Playing for a team with nine {veterans} is like motivation,” he said. You keep it up for them.”
Neshaminy goaltender Thomas Fox was perhaps even more impressive at the other end of the ice. Looking like Anything but the freshman he is, Fox registered 36 saves.
“The future is bright for him,” said Neshaminy coach Bill Mooney. He played real well. He’s very aggressive, he attacks the pick.
“He makes the first save and that’s all you can ever ask of a goalie.”
The second period was more than half gone before Ryan Burke delivered the evening’s first goal on a shot from the high slot James Rush made it a 2-0 game with 4:13 left the middle period.
Neshaminy (2-5 overall and in the division) had an opening when Landon Bishop and Dean Venner drew penalties in the final half minute of the second frame. As a result, Neshaminy had a two-man advantage for 93 seconds. But the ‘Skins couldn’t capitalize.
“We were hoping to a little momentum turn there,” Mooney said. “We had opportunities {but} their goalie made the saves.
“They have some seasoned guys out there that have been around for a bit so they know how to play.”
Rush sealed the verdict with an empty-net goal with 1:17 remaining.
Montagna stresses the importance of hi team knowing its limitations, specifically the size of its roster.
“They know there’s a certain way they have to play” he said, “and you have to stick to that. You can’t try and be someone you’re not out there with the roster we’re running.
“That has been the biggest thing for us so far. These guys understand it. You saw tonight in a 2-0 game {until the finish} it was defense first, second, and third.”
Pennridge 0 2 1—3
Neshaminy 0 0 0—0
Second-period goals: Ryan Burke (P) from Kaden Gunning, 8:57 James Rush (P) from Georgios Siokos and Landon Bishop, 12:47
Third-period goal: Rush (P) unassisted, 15:43 (en)
Shots: Pennridge 39, Neshaminy 23; Saves: Andrew Slutsky (P) 23, Thomas Fox (N) 36
The Explorers dropped Wednesday’s non-league game.
Anthony Foster made 65 save in the La Salle net
What happened Wednesday night at Ice Line was about much more than hockey. For the fourth consecutive year, Malvern Prep hosted RTS Awareness Night. For the second consecutive year, Holy Ghost Prep assumed the role of honored guests, and returned home on the winning side of a 2-0 scoreline.
But the two sides came together on the ice for a higher purpose.
RTS— Rubinstein Taybi Syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes intellectual and developmental disabilities. Among those afflicted with the malady is Connor Keenan, the soon-to-be 6-year old son of Malvern Prep head coach Bill Keenan and his wife Sarah.
Proceeds from Wednesday’s game, which included various fundraisers, will help support families dealing with RTS including the Keenans, who have two other children, an 11-year old son JJ and a 9-year old daughter Olivia.
Sarah Keenan expressed her gratitude to the local hockey community for its support of her family.
“We feel welcomed by the community,” she said. “Knowing we have so many people supporting our family, and people like Connor with disabilities, it just feels really warm and welcoming.”
Sarah Keenan also offered thanks to the schools that have provided the opposition for Malvern Prep; St. Joseph’s Prep for two seasons and Holy Ghost Prep last season and again Wednesday night.
“St. Joe’s was wonderful,” she said. “Holy Ghost Prep has also been very supportive all night. They’re donating baskets, they’re doing team dinners upstairs, they’re really supporting the whole thing.”
Malvern Prep assistant coach Jared Ingersol notes that the evening has deep meaning for the Friar players.
“The kids get amped up for it all year,” he said. “it means a lot to Coach Keenan and we appreciate everything they do, all the fundraising, they help out as well.
“Our parents and alumni get involved, it’s always nice to see everybody participating”
Holy Ghost Prep coach John Ritchie is proud to have the Firebirds involved in RTS Awareness Night.”
“Obviously, this is a cause that’s super close to {Keenan} he said, “and as I told him the last two years, I think it’s an honor for us to be included in this.
“It’s something that we’re proud to be a part of. We’re proud as a community to kind of bind our schools together because at the end of the day, it’s more important than hockey and that’s something for these young athletes to understand and take with them for the rest of their lives.”
The Game: Lucas Gonzalez gave Holy Ghost Prep a 1-0 lead with a shorthanded goal 1:45 into the third period. Anthony Valeriote set up the goal with a feed from the right-wing corner that found Gonzalez in the low slot midway between the circles. Nathan Romer added an empty-net goal with 13.5 seconds remaining.
Matt Salita earned the shutout in goal, stopping 22 shots.
Holy Ghost Prep (5-1 overall) is unbeaten since a season-opening overtime loss to Devon Prep and is 3-0 in the APAC
Ryan Caterino made 30 saves for the Friars who are 2-3-1 overall and 1-2 in the APAC.
Holy Ghost Prep 0 0 2—2
Malvern Prep 0 0 0—0
Third-period goals: Lucas Gonzalez (HGP) from Anthony Valeriote, 1:45, (sh) Nathan Romer (HGP) unassisted, 16:47
Shots: Holy Ghost Prep 32, Malvern Prep 22; Saves: Matt Salita (HGP) 22, Ryan Caterino (MP) 30What happened Wednesday night at Ice Line was about much more than hockey. For the fourth consecutive year, Malvern Prep hosted RTS Awareness Night, For the second consecutive year, Holy Ghost Prep assumed the role of honored guests and returned home on the winning side of a 2-0 scoreline.
But the two sides came together on the ice for a higher purpose.
RTS— Rubinstein Taybi Syndrome is a genetic disorder that cause intellectual and developmental disabilities. Among those afflicted with the malady is Connor Keenan, the soon-to-be 6-year old son of Malvern Prep head coach Bill Keenan and his wife Sarah.
Proceeds from Wednesday’s game, which included various fundraisers, will help support families dealing with RTS including the Keenans, who have two other children, an 11-year old son JJ and a 9-year old daughter Olivia.
Sarah Keenan expressed her gratitude to the local hockey community for its support of her family.
“We feel welcomed by the community,” she said. “Knowing we have so many people supporting our family, and people like Connor with disabilities, it just feels really warm and welcoming.”
Sarah Keenan also offered thanks to the schools that have provided the opposition for Malvern Prep; St. Joseph’s Prep for two seasons and Holy Ghost Prep last season and again Wednesday night.
“St. Joe’s was wonderful,” she said. “Holy Ghost Prep has also been very supportive all night. They’re donating baskets, they’re doing team dinners upstairs, they’re really supporting the whole thing.”
Malvern Prep assistant coach Jared Ingersol notes that the evening has deep meaning for the Friar players.
“The kids get amped up for it all year,” he said. “it means a lot to Coach Keenan and we appreciate everything they do, all the fundraising, they help out as well.
“Our parents and alumni get involved, it’s always nice to see everybody participating.”
Holy Ghost Prep coach John Ritchie is proud to have the Firebirds involved in RTS Awareness Night.”
“Obviously, this is a cause that’s super close to {Keenan} he said, “and as I told him the last two years, I think it’s an honor for us to be included in this.
“It’s something that we’re proud to be a part of. We’re proud as a community to kind of bind our schools together because at the end of the day, it’s more important than hockey and that’s something for these young athletes to understand and take with them for the rest of their lives.”
The Game: Lucas Gonzalez gave Holy Ghost Prep a 1-0 lead with a shorthanded goal 1:45 into the third period. Anthony Valeriote set up the goal with a feed from the right-wing corner that found Gonzalez in the low slot midway between the circles. Nathan Romer added an empty-net goal with 13.5 seconds remaining.
Matt Salita earned the shutout in goal, stopping 22 shots.
Holy Ghost Prep (5-1 overall) is unbeaten since a season-opening overtime loss to Devon Prep and is 3-0 in the APAC
Ryan Caterino made 30 saves for the Friars who are 2-3-1 overall and 1-2 in the APAC.
Holy Ghost Prep 0 0 2—2
Malvern Prep 0 0 0—0
Third-period goals: Lucas Gonzalez (HGP) from Anthony Valeriote, 1:45, (sh) Nathan Romer (HGP) unassisted, 16:47
Shots: Holy Ghost Prep 32, Malvern Prep 22; Saves: Matt Salita (HGP) 22, Ryan Caterino (MP) 30
The Flyers Cup Committee has released a lost of 50 teams from Pennsylvania , New Jersey, and Delaware, that are eligible for invitations to the 2026 Flyers Cup tournament. The Flyers Cup is an invitational tournament; they are no automatic bids.
Class AAA (8)
Devon Prep
Father Judge
Haverford School
Holy Ghost Prep
La Salle
Malvern Prep
Salesianum
St. Joseph’s Prep
Class AA (21)
Abington
Avon Grove
Boyertown
Central Bucks East
Central Bucks South
Central Bucks West
Conestoga
Council Rock South
Downingtown East
Downingtown West
Haverford High
Kingsway
Lower Merion
Neshaminy
North Penn
Owen J. Roberts
Pennridge
Pennsbury
Shawnee
Souderton
Spring-Ford
Class A (15)
Garnet Valley
Hatboro-Horsham
Hershey
Kennett
Marple Newtown
Palmyra
Pernncrest
Plymouth Whitemarsh
Radnor
Springfield-Delco
Springfield-Montco
West Chester East
West Chester Henderon
West Chester Rustin
Wissahickon
Girls (6)
Avon Grove
Conestoga
Downingtown West
Pennridge
Radnor
West Chester East
National Division W L T OTW OTL SOW SOL Pts
North Penn (6-0) 5 0 0 – – – – 20
Council Rock South (6-1) 3 1 0 – – – – 12
Central Bucks East (3-1) 3 1 0 – – – – 12
Souderton (3-2) 3 2 0 1 1 – – 12
Central Bucks South (4-3) 3 2 0 – – – 12
Pennsbury (4-2) 2 2 0 – – – – 8
Neshaminy (2-4) 1 3 0 1 – – – 7
Pennridge (1-4) 1 4 0 – 1 – – 5
Central Bucks West (0-6) 0 6 0 – – – – 0
American Division W L T OTW OTL SHW SOL PTS
Hatboro-Horsham (6-0) 6 0 0 – – – – 24
Plym. Whitemarsh (4-0) 4 0 0 – – – – 16
Springfield (2-4) 2 4 0 – – – 4
Wissahickon (1-3) 1 4 0 1 – – – 3
Abington (0-2) 0 4 0 – 1 – – 1
Scoring
National Division GP G A Pts
Jake Weiner CRS 7 19 9 28
Shane Gleisner Pb 6 13 8 21
Max Ryon Sou. 4 9 7 16
Jordan Sarne CRS 7 6 10 16
Chris Silvotti NP 6 8 5 13
Jackson Kelly Soud 4 6 7 13
Jukia Kaminsky Soud 5 9 3 12
Landon Bishop Pr 3 9 2 11
Ryan Burke Pr 5 4 7 11
Shane Hicks Pb 5 4 7 11
Cameron Fairweather Sou. 5 3 8 11
James Boyle NP 6 2 9 11
American Division GP G A Pts
Nate Nemchinov HH 7 10 12 22
Vincent Graziani HH 6 9 12 21
Daniel Guller PW 4 4 18 18
Bill Moffa HH 6 8 6 14
Grayson Quinn Spr. 6 11 2 13
Reid Rochestie HH 6 3 10 13
Logan Love’s hockey career at Malvern Prep has evolved one step, and one season at a time. The Friars’ senior captain recalls that journey.
“My freshman year, I was more of a role player a fourth-liner,” he said, “but had to capitalize on my opportunities when I was younger. I did not get much time but I still wanted to make as much impact as I could when I was out there.
“My sophomore year, I got a little more ice time as a defenseman. I was able to make a little more of an impact but I was still more of a role player and then last year, as a junior I was able to have more of a voice in the locker room and try to help lead the team as a more experienced player. And now, as the captain and a forward, I’ve been able to help lead the team as best as I can and put is in a better spot to win.”
Through five games this season, Love has scored two goals and contributed six assists. He stresses the importance of he and the other veterans in the lineup showing the way for their younger teammates.
“Our team is still pretty young,” he said, “and talented. {But} mostly also very inexperienced too.
“So being able to set a tone in a game, and in the locker room and in practice, is really huge, because they all are looking to the older guys, seeing what they’re going to do, and modeling their games after us a little bit.”
Love was chosen as the Friars’ captain by a vote of his teammates. It’s a responsibility he takes very seriously.
“It’s been really impactful for me to be given an opportunity to lead our team,” he said.
“I’ve always had a voice in the locker room and honestly, I wanted to be a leader here as a senior. I always wanted to be the captain, but now that I am captain I take pride in my role.
“I’m still adjusting and trying to work my way through it. I’ve had to make some hard decisions and choices. I’m still working through it. The best I can for myself and the team is to keep going.”
Love notes the fact he was chosen by his teammates makes the captaincy more meaningful.
“It does really mean a lot,” he said, because I care about my team and I care about this program and just wat to get the best results my last year.”
The Friars have started the season with a 2-2-1 record (1-1 in the APAC) with one of their losses coming in overtime. In four of their five games, they surrendered the first goal.
“We’re learning from every game we play,” Love said. “Honestly, we’ve come out a little flatfooted in most of our games. I think if we get a head start, come out harder, and get up a goal or two that will help us.
“But, we’ve been able to come back. We’ve had {deficits} at the start of games but we’ve been able to come back from adversity.”
Hockey Happenings 