The North Penn Hockey Club is once again conducting a toy drive in support of the North Penn Valley Boys and Girls Club, and its efforts to serve needy families in the North Penn area.
Those interested in participating are asked to Venmo North Penn Ice Hockey at @NPHockey with a donation.
North Penn Ice Hockey will match up to $500 of the donations. The club will utilize the donations to purchase toys for children ages 5-12 and gift cards to local grocery stores for those in need.
They will be delivered to the Boys and Girls Club on Monday, December 18.
North Penn coach Kevin Vaitis says the toy drive in part of North Penn Ice Hockey’s ongoing effort to serve its community.
“We look at it as we’re one community here,” he said, “and if there is an opportunity for us to help out those less fortunate right now, those going through some difficult times, we want to lend a hand.
“This past weekend, a bunch of us went over and we were raking leaves at an over-55 community, helping some of the elderly who can’t get out there or can’t afford to pay somebody to rake their leaves up.
“I think we’re teaching these kids to give back to the community. We’re fortunate with the situation we’re in; we’re able to play ice hockey, it’s not the cheapest sport. So, if we can give back a little and help those less fortunate or having a difficult time right now, we’re willing to do it.”
For a high-school hockey player, performing on the ice while also succeeding academically is a balancing act. Thomas Doucet appears to have struck that balance.
The La Salle senior is one of the Explorers’ top defensemen. He’s also carrying a 4.1 grade-point average on a weighted 4.0 scale with a schedule that includes four AP courses, while also playing club hockey for the Valley Forge Minutemen.
Doucet, a Wayne resident, is also active in the Frozen Lemonade Cup event which utilizes hockey as a vehicle to support childhood cancer research.
Somehow, he makes it all work.
“For me, it’s about doing what I can, when I can,” Doucet said. “Really, just finding time in my schedule.
Doucet’s schedule, in the classroom and on the ice, is daunting, to say the least. La Salle utilizes modified block scheduling so his AP classes meet on alternate days; biology and psychology on one day, English and statistics the next. The AP classes are an hour long save for biology (90 minutes) which includes a lab.
Once the school day ends, there is hockey. Doucet is typically on the ice with the Explorers two days a week; normally Monday and Wednesday, plus Tuesday and Thursday evenings with his club team.
Following hockey, there is a vigorous homework schedule.
“It’s about making time for the things that are important,” Doucet said, “and really prioritizing over the distractions is kind of what has helped me be able to manage all of it.
“Coming to La Salle kind of pushed me into learning time management. The homework schedule for me is pretty rigorous and I feel like that’s what kind of what pushed me to really be able to manage my time well.”
Doucet gets his homework done during free periods during the school day and at home before or after a session on the ice.
“I’ll get home and immediately do my homework,” he said.
Doucet weekends are devoted to club games with the Minutemen, which often involve travel. He takes work with him on the road but focuses on getting assignments competed ahead of a road trip, whether it’s a weekday excursion with the Explorers or a weekend tournament with his club team.
“That’s where you find time and you make time,” he said. “Usually, I’ll try the day before a road trip like that to get all my homework done the next day so that day when I get home I’m able to relax and not have to stress about homework right after playing a big game.”
Club games sometimes involve missing class time. Doucet estimates he’ll miss perhaps a half dozen days of school during the hockey season, normally on Fridays.
“That’s where communication really comes in,” he said. “Communication, building a good relationship with your teachers, really becomes key for me. And also, relying on your classmates to get any notes that you missed, really just communicating with everyone and building strong relationships really helps that become more manageable.”
Even in the midst of a hockey trip, Doucet attends to his academic chores.
“I do a little bit of studying before I go to bed,” he said. “If I have an assignment that’s due on Sunday night, I’ll being my laptop with me and get that finished up.
“But usually, I think I’m pretty good at getting my stuff done before I have hockey so I can focus on my athletic side.”
Doucet cites his ability to maintain his discipline and focus as a key to maintaining his demanding schedule.
I’d say ‘Definitely’ about the discipline,” he said. “Especially in today’s world, there’s a lot of distractions. So, being able to stay focused, stay locked in, keeping your mind on the task, has really been helpful for me.”
Ducette credits the culture at La Salle as being instrumental to his success.
“That’s probably the biggest part for me,” he said. “Again, building relationships with your teachers and your peers. They make the school experience overall easier, so when it comes to missing a class or having to retake a test, or something like that, it just makes it a million times easier for me to get back on track and stay on top of things.”
The close of the 2023-24 season will end a phase of Doucet’s hockey career. With college ahead, he has new priorities.
“I’m going to move on from hockey,” he said. “I’m going to play club hockey in college but I really want to focus on my academics.”
Docette is planning a major in pharmaceutical sciences. The schools he’s applied to include Purdue, the University of Georgia, and McGill University in Montreal.
“I really have this deep-rooted love for science,” he said. And I feel like using my love for science to help people really drew me in, really gave me a good sense of direction, a good sense of purpose.”
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A.J. Prete’s overtime goal gave Holy Ghost Prep a 2-1 win over Bethel Park (PA) on Friday in Jamestown, N.Y. Joe Spadacino also scored for the Firebirds, who recorded their first win of the season. Holy Ghost Prep will face St. Edwards from Ohio and Regis Jesuit from Colorado on Saturday.
WEST GOSHEN TOWNSHIP—The evening offered a little bit of everything, including a dramatic conclusion to a first-rate hockey game.
Frankie Ely’s goal in the sixth round of a shootout was the margin of victory as St. Joseph’s Prep edged Malvern Prep 4-3 Wednesday night in an APAC matchup at Ice Line.
For the Hawks, who improved to 3-1 overall (1-1 in the APAC) it was another step in the maturation of a young hockey team. Ely was one of five freshmen who saw ice time for his team.
“The very first [APAC] game against La Salle opened my eyes a little bit,” said St. Joseph’s Prep coach David Giacomin. “These kids can get challenged a little bit and play well.
“We had a good game against Gonzaga and the kids really stepped up. I think they’re a bit more experienced, a little bit less nervous, when they’re out there playing against the bigger and older kids.” Calum Hartnell gave the Hawks a 1-0 lead 11:24 into the opening period off a turnover at the Friars’ blue line. Tristan Winata made it a 2-0 game at the 13:20 mark when he beat Matt Crawford in goal on an effort from the left faceoff circle.
Winata, a junior, is impressed with the play of his younger teammates.
“They’re so much better than when I originally met them,” he said. “They’re playing great out there. A lot of speed, everyone is playing together.”
Winata noted the importance of the veterans on the roster setting the tone for the newcomers.
“I think as an older [member of the team] we have to show them all out plays,” he said, “playing together, those kinds of things. When I was a freshman I had a hard time getting used to it, so I want to be a leader for them.”
The Hawks had a chance to build on their lead at the start of the second game when they were awarded their third power play of the evening. The Friars ( 3-3, 1-2) were able to kill the penalty however and used that sequence as an impetus to get back in the game.
Caiden Canale tipped in Jeremy Jacob’s shot from the right point at the 1:55 mark while the teams were skating four on four. The Friars tied the game with 1.4 seconds left in the period when Gabriel Bedwell, with Jacobs’ help, beat Hawk netminder Jacob Aranda when he put his shot just under the crossbar.
The Friars took the lead on shorthanded goal with 6:31 left in regulation when Jacobs forced a turnover inside the Hawks’ blue line went on to beat Aranda from close range.
As the clock would down, Malvern Prep seemed to have the upper hand but Caiden Kelly scored for the Hawks via a deflection to send the two teams to overtime.
Cole Gargon started the shootout by scoring for the Hawks. James Young responded immediately for the Friars and the two goaltenders, who had performed with distinction for 56 minutes, were impenetrable until Ely’s game winner and Aranda’s game-ending save, when he denied Paxton Hoishik to send the Hawks home with a win.
Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan praised his team for rallying from a two-goal deficit.
“I told our guys it’s hard to come back from a 2-0 deficit,” he said. “The resilience of them to get the game back tied and get a shorthanded goal to go up 3-2 said a lot about our team, about the grit that we have.”
Ice chips—Wednesday’s game was a benefit for families with children afflicted with Rubenstein-Taybi Syndrome or RTS. The genetic disorder causes intellectual and developmental disabilities and impacts one in 125,000 children, among them Connor Keenan, Bill Keenan’s 3-year old son.
The two teams wore multicolored jerseys during the warmup in support of families impacted by RTS.
Connor Keenan (with glasses) standing with his mother Sarah and father Bill during Wednesday’s ceremonial faceoff. With them are Connor’s siblings J.J. and Olivia. (photo by Max Mangigian)
St. Joseph’s Prep 2 0 1 0 1—4
Malvern Prep 0 2 1 0 0—3
First-period goals: Calum Hartnell (SJP) unassisted. 11:24; Tristan Winata (SJP) from Bobby McGinn. 13:20
Second-period goals: Caiden Canale (MP) from Jeremy Jacobs, 1:55; Gabriel Bedwell (MP) from Jacobs, 16:58
Alistair Sr. Hilaire’s power-play goal gave the Explorers a 3-2 win over Dalberton Wednesday afternoon at Hatfield Ice. It was his second goal of the game.
Logan Dicus also scored for La Salle, which improved to 6-0 on the season. Julian Tarsi added two assists. Jake Rossi made 25 save in goal.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ—Wednesday marked the dawn of a new era for the Hun School hockey program. The Raiders made their 2023-24 debut under Eric Szeker, who is succeeding Ian McNally this season.
His troops gave a good effort before dropping a 5-3 decision to Bergen Catholic at Ice Land.
The affair was officially designated as a scrimmage, since Bergen Catholic, which plays hockey under the auspices of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association could not play an official game until Thursday. That designation did not diminish the energy level on the ice however and both teams were able to dress an extra player or two.
The Cougars wasted no time jumping in front. Will Schlechtweg found the net just 59 seconds after the opening faceoff and Bergen Catholic never trailed.
Matthew Maglio, who assisted on Schlechtweg’s tally, made it a 2-0 game with a goal of his own at the 8:18 mark.
Nathaniel TrawinskI got the Raiders on the board but Kyle Frassetto’s power-play effort 9:32 into the second frame made it a two-goal game once more.
Ryan Levesque stepped up for Hun School not quite four minutes later when he scored on a shorthanded breakaway but Kyle Rooks and Colin Higgins added goals for the Crusaders to make it a 5-2 game 6:05 into the final period.
Justin Laplante’s late goal made the final margin a bit closer.
Szeker took a number of positives away from the afternoon.
“I loved the effort,” he said. “We were working up and down the ice. But sometimes, the effort isn’t enough. We’ve got to pick up guys and stuff like that.
Having lost 10 seniors to graduation a year ago, the Raiders are looking for contributions from the underclassmen on the roster.
“We like to see the guys coming out and competing and playing their hardest,” Szeker said. “We’ve got a lot of young player who are going to have to adjust to the level.
“What I like is we’ve got the compete level. Now, we’ve got to execute at a higher level.”
Szeker, who played for Hun School says a big key for players transitioning to a higher level of hockey is improved/quicker decision making.
“The game comes at them a lot faster,” he said. “They’ve got to make those decisions pretty quick. The plus side to it is there are a lot of skilled players at a younger age and I don’t think it’s going to take them too long to adjust to the speed, but just decision making is going to be the biggest thing they have to adjust to.”
Ice chips—The Raiders will host Haverford School Friday night in their first official game of the Eason. They’ll open APAC play at La Salle on December 6
Bergen Catholic 2 1 2—5
Hun School 1 1 1—3
First-period goals: Will Schlechtweg (BC) from Matthew Maglio, :59; Maglio (BC) from Alex Frassetto, 8:18; Nathaniel TrawinskI (HS) unassised, 14:00
Second-period goals: Kyle Frassetto (BC) from Justin Tong and Andrew Darst, 9:32 (pp) Ryan Levesque (HS) 13:25 (sh)
Third-period goals: Kyle Rooks (BC) from Nick Frassetto and George Weiner, 1:13; Colin Higgins (BC) from Braydon Kane and Rocco Venezia, 6:05; Justin Laplante (HS) from Jake Beck and Anders Raalte, 15:27
Cole Gargon scored two goals to help the Hawks to the win over Gonzaga Friday afternoon at the University of Pennsylvania’s Class of 1923 rink.
The freshman’s second goal of the game with 1:58 left in the second period snapped a 2-2 tie. Jake Shultz added a third-period goal as the hosts improved to 2-1 on the season.
Frankie Ely, another freshman, also scored for the Hawks; his tally in the first period was the first varsity goal of his career.
Declan Geary, another freshman, got the win in goal, making 30 saves.
Gonzaga 1 1 0—2
St. Joseph’s Prep 1 2 1—4
First-period goals: Edwin Siembzeba (G) from Hamilton Nordwin, 13:13; Frankie Ely (SP) from Adam Charrafi and Carter Short, 13:29
Second-period goals: Cole Gargon (SJP) from Charrafi, 6:22; Matthew Shay (G) from Tyler Jasell, 8:57; Gargon (SP) from Tristan Winata and Charrafi, 15:52
Third-period goal: Jake Shultz (SP) from Tyler Degiralomo and Shane O’Neill, 8:18
The captain’s position in hockey, whatever the level, transcends that role in other team sports.
The captain is expected to provide leadership and support to his teammates, and perhaps at times serve as a bridge between the players and the coaching staff, while taking care not to let his own on-ice performance fall off.
John Lynch is wearing the ‘C’ at St. Joseph’s Prep this season. The senior defenseman was appointed by his coach, David Giacomin, with input from his teammates. Each player on the roster was permitted to submit three names to be considered for the captaincy.
It is a role that Lynch, a South Philadelphia resident, embraces.
John Lynch
“I was happy with it,” he said. “Because I’ve been a captain before. But I was never given the actual ‘C ‘I, was just named captain.
“And to have the ‘C,’ it’s nice to have it; it just shows my dedication and my true leadership.
St. Joseph’s Prep is the first team Lynch has played for that has a designated captain but he says he’s assumed a leadership role on the club teams he’s played for (he’s currently skating for the Philadelphia Blazers 18 AA team).
“It’s good to be the guy that everyone looks up to,” he said. “This year with a lot of freshmen especially, it’s good to earn everyone’s respect and to just be positive. I have to make everyone accountable, which is the most important aspect.”
Lynch’s leadership style varies depending on he’s interacting with upperclassmen or his younger teammates.
“With the upperclassmen, I can talk to them in a different way,” he said. “And they can relate to my position. And they can help me out, see where I’m coming from. And there’s ways to address them, even though they’re in the same grade.
“It’s different with the freshmen because when you’re teaching them now, you’re setting up for the rest of their four years of high school and they can just continue to pass that on as they go.”
The lineup of 20 players the Hawks dressed in their APAC opener against La Salle included two freshmen and four sophomores. Two other freshmen didn’t dress.
Lynch points out that with a roster so young, it’s especially important that he and the other veterans set a positive tone.
“it’s important because there’s so many of them,” he said. “They all have to understand the commitment, and how we all just have to be together as one.
“You just have to show them more and earn their respect because if you don’t have their respect, it won’t work. But, if everyone just buys in, especially with the young kids, everyone just has to understand their role. If you teach them now, you’re setting them up for success later and they can eventually pass it on when they’re seniors.”
Lynch notes the importance of leading by example, of not letting his captain’s responsibilities negatively own on-ice performance.
“That’s definitely a factor,” he said. “If I’m having a bad game and I’m the captain there’s ways you can address the team, tell them we’ve got to step it up. Even if I’m not on my game, I can see through our mistakes and everything.
“They can see that I’m doing something wrong too but I can also help the team in other ways if I’m not having the best game. Like, motivating everybody getting up if they can to block shots.
“There’s other ways to address it especially if I’m not having that good a game, but it is hard to keep a positive mindset if I’m having a bad game If I am having a bad game, everyone just sees it.”
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