Blind Hockey Showcase Brings Awareness to Vision Impairment Issues

The Philadelphia Blind Hockey Showcase returns this week, bigger and more inclusive. Players representing 10 high-school teams will joined by teams representing several community organizations will take part in the event, which is scheduled for Hatfield Ice Arena on Thursday night. Doors will open at 5:30; the first games half-ice games will begin at 6:10.

The players will wear specially designed goggles which replicate various types of vision disabilities. Goaltenders will be blindfolded.

The first half of the evening will see teams taking the ice representing Philadelphia Blind Hockey, the Philadelphia Flyers community staff and alumni, and the Flyers Warriors.

Following those games the high-school player will take the ice.

One team will include players from Central Bucks South, Father Judge, and Haverford High. Another will blend players from the Pennridge boys’ and girls’ teams with Malvern Prep. A third will combine players from North Penn, Central Bucks East, and Holy Ghost Prep. The fourth will put see players from Penncrest skating alongside players from Neumann University’s men’s club team.

Flyers Cup Committee President Eric Tye spoke to the impact of last year’s inaugural showcase.

“It was awesome,” he said. “I think well beyond the expectations of anyone involved. We raised a lot of awareness, we raided a lot of money for Philadelphia Blind Hockey and think all the kids that played in it really got a whole new perspective on what it’s like to have a vision disability.”

Tye noted that the players on the high-school teams involved in the showcase have been working with the Philadelphia Blind Hockey program on an ongoing basis.

“All 10 of them have spent time with Philadelphia Blind Hockey at a practice session. Whether it was this year, last year, or the year before. They’ve all spent time being out at practice, some of them two or three times.”

Steve Mescanti is the head coach at Penncrest. He says participating in the Philadelphia Blind Hockey program, including last year’s showcase. Made an impact on his players.

“The kids really respond to it,” he said. “I think they somehow really grasp it, quickly and easily, that we’re a heck of a lot more fortunate than a lot of other people.

I think kids look at it ‘If I can teach or help these kids to love hockey as much as I do that’s a good thing.”

Mescanti says the program allows his student-athletes to use the game of hockey to make an impact in their communities.

“This is an opportunity to go out and have fun,” he said, almost in the same vein as pond hockey; ‘I can give back, and I can have fun. I can do something that I love.

“At the end, it’s very rewarding because the blind hockey kids are so appreciative which I think lets the other guys know that ‘You know what? I did a good thing here. It was very much appreciated, it’s something that love and I’m helping someone else to maybe grow the love that I have for the game.”

Haverford High John Povey says his players are looking forward to being part of the showcase.

“We had a handful of seniors that went up and attended the event and the same thing this year,” he said. “The five or six guys we’ve got going up are all seniors. It’s a nice little event for them and obviiuly what comes out of it is the unique experience of what the children are going through and what they have to live with.

You always want to give back and I think it’s great for all the communities involve, all the clubs involved.”

Like the other participating schools, the Fords help out with Philadelphia Blind Hockey practice sessions.

“We’ve had a couple different experiences with this organization,” Povey said. “It really puts it in perspective some of the things they have to go through.

“(But) they never complain and they have every reason to. You walk into those locker rooms, you walk into those events, they’ve got smile from ear to ear. It’s really cool to see.”

“For me as a coach, it’s good to see my players get involved and they do such a good job with it. They embrace it, they look forward to it, they’re excited about it.”

Admission to the showcase will be $5.

La Salle 3 Wyoming Seminary 2 OT

HATFIELD—A young hockey team found out some things about itself Wednesday afternoon. La Salle got a live-fire test from Wyoming Seminary before the Explorers emerged with a 3-2 overtime win at Hatfield Ice.

It was the second consecutive win for the defending APAC and Class AAA Flyers Cup champions to open the new season.

Julian Tarsi delivered the game-winning goal off a centering pass from Declan Kelly with 1:13 remaining in the extra period.

Tarsi liked his team’s mindset against a quality opponent.

“It’s good for us early in the year to play a good team like that,” the senior said. “It’s good to see the boys working hard like that and digging deep. Especially later in the game, find a way to win.”

After a scoreless first frame, Kelly gave the Explorers a 1-0 lead when he found the back of the net 8:01 into the middle period.

James Fitzpatrick answered right back for the Knights (1-3) at the 9:47 mark.

The third period also featured two goals in quick succession. Grant Lagreca gave the hosts the lead, albeit briefly at the 3:03 mark. Colin Donovan responded for the Knights at 5:05 during a power play after the Explorers were flagged for having too many men on the ice.

Jake Rossi got the win in goal, stopping 24 of 26 shots.

“We got some good work in our defensive zone,” said La Salle coach Wally Muehlbronner. “I thought we played pretty well in the D-zone. We’ve been working a lot on that in the practices that we’ve had.”

La Salle lost 11 seniors off last year’s championship team. Those stepping into this year’s lineup are going through a necessary, if sometimes challenging transition.

“For a lot of the newer guys, it’s a different pace than they’re used to,” Muehlbronner said. “That was a good team that we just played, so I’m very pleased. I think that we got better as the game went along and I think the guys learned what they needed to do. We simplified some things and played a good game.”

Tarsi says his younger teammates are moving in the right direction.

“They’ve just got to get adjusted to the system,” he said, “and I think they’ve done a good job of that so far. They’re working hard. I’m excited to see what he future holds for them.”

Tarsi spoke to the responsibility the veterans on the roster have to show their younger teammates the way.

“It’s very important,” he said. “We’re supposed to be the leaders of the team.

“Honesty, coming off a huge loss last year, a devastating loss [in the state championship game] we’ve got to lead these guys back and find a way to get the job done.”

Wyoming Seminary 0 1 1 0—2

La Salle 0 1 1 1—3

Second-period goals: Declan Kelly (L) from Jacob Warner, 8:01; James Fitzpatrick (WS) from Sebastian Bilde, 9:47

Third-period goals: Grant Lagreca (L) from Michael Zarzycki, 3:03; Colin Donovan (WS) from Heil DeSeve and Jagar MacDonald, 5:27 (pp)

Overtime goal: Julian Tarsi (L) from Kelly and Cameron Ross, 3:47

Shots: Wyoming Seminary 26, La Salle 36; Saves: Jonah Boles (WS) 33, Jake Rossi (L) 24

Blindness Awareness Event to Kick Off Scholastic Hockey Season

Nine high-school boys’ hockey team and one girls’ team will be on hand for the Philadelphia Blind Hockey Showcase, which is set for Thursday, October 24 at Hatfield Ice.

The Philadelphia Blind Hockey organization is staging the event for the second year in a row to commemorate Blindness Awareness Month.

The teams will skate using vision-restricted goggles which are intended to simulate various types of vision loss/vision issues.

The participating teams will include Central Bucks East, Central Bucks South North Penn, and Pennridge from the SHSH, Father Judge, Haverford, and Penncrest from the ICSHL, and Holy Ghost Prep and Malvern Prep from the APAC.

The Pennridge girls’ team will also be on hand along with the Philadelphia Flyers Warriors and the Neumann University men’s club team.

Doors will open at 5:30. The first games will begin at 6:10.

Admission will be $5.

Hockey Happenings is seeking writers to assist with our coverage of scholastic hockey in the Philadelphia area this season. Seeking reliable individuals knowledgeable hockey who are available on weeknights. Writing experience preferred.

For details, contact us at rwoelfel2013@gmail.com

Steve Mackell Takes the Reins at APAC

A new era is dawning in the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference this season. Steve Mackell, a longtime coach and administrator, is beginning his first season as the APAC’s commissioner.
He replaces Jim Britt, who served as the commissioner in the conference’s first six years of existence.

Mackell played high-school hockey at Cardinal O’Hara and junior hockey with the Quakers before playing for a year at West Chester State.

He began his coaching career alongside Jim McCrossin at Malvern Prep and later served as the Friars’ head coach. He also spent time behind the bench with the Quakers and Junior Flyers before joining Atlantic District player development staff.

“I’ve admired what the APAC mission was about”, Mackell said, “I know the schools, I know a lot of the coaches and the administrators from those schools and was really excited to be offered this opportunity.”

Mackell noted the unique stature that hockey is afforded at the five APAC member schools, Holy Ghost Prep, La Salle, Malvern Prep, St. oseph’s Prep, and Hun School.

“I think the common thread is hockey is recognized as a varsity sport in each of the schools,” he said. It’s run by the administration through the athletic director as well as the coaches.

“To be a varsity sport and have the backing of the school I think is paramount to being successful.”

Mackell points out the APAC’s success on the ice is coupled with a commitment to academic excellence.

“What the APAC has done in the [six] years they’ve been in existence is create a very competitive environment,” he said. “All those schools are academically challenging and I think they draw a lot of the same type student-athletes into the sport. They’ve been able to create a very high level of competitiveness through their individual scheduling at the schools as well as through the APAC scheduling.”

Since the APAC made it’ debut for the 2018-19 season, conference schools have won six consecutive Class AAA Flyers Cups. All told, they’ve won 24, including the last 13 in succession.

Heickert Approaching Arcadia Debut

The Arcadia University men’s hockey program has begun a new chapter in its history with the debut of a new head coach.

Ryan Heickert will be behind the bench when the Knights open the 2024-25 season at Western New England in Springfield, Mass. on November 1 as part of the Western New England Showcase.

Heickert takes over at Arcadia after three seasons as the head coach at Bryn Athyn College. The Oshawa, Ontario native played college hockey at what was then Neumann College (now Neumann University) and played for a national championship team in 2009.

He spent three years as an assistant coach at his alma mater before stepping away from on-ice duties but continued to serve as Neumann’s strength and conditioning coach.

Heickert spoke to what made the Arcadia position appealing.

“Being on the Philly area is great,” he said. “This is where I’ve been since I played at Neumann. Not having to relocate and have the opportunity to coach [at the NCAA level].

“And secondly is it being a newer program that is still trying to I think establish an identity and get its footing in in Division III hockey and the ability to step in and be a part of that is exciting.”

Heickert takes over the Arcadia program as it begins its fourth season. It’s the first season the Middle Atlantic Conference will have an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. As part of that transition, Arcadia has ended its affiliation with the United Collegiate Hockey Conference.

“It’s fantastic,” Heickert said of the new alignment. “Having an opportunity to step into a conference with an automatic qualifier and then getting back into the MAC and competing against some of the other schools that the other sports on campus are. And then travel-wise, it’s just fantastic regularly competing against so many local teams. It’s great.

Heickert spoke to how his years at Neumann as a player and coach shaped his own coaching philosophy.

“They were a team that hadn’t had much success,” he recalls. “I had some great coaches there and some great teammates, and I think what we want to shape here is the culture and I think they have thing going in the right direction.

“We have a lot of great guys on this team and I think what we can do is create an identity and a culture through hard work, teamwork, connecting with our community, connecting with the school, connecting with each other and building something that way.

The Knights have compiled a record of 18-51-7 through their first three seasons.

Heickert says his recruiting efforts will emphasize finding players that fit the program as people as well as hockey players.

It’s a lot of getting the road,” he said. “Watching video, watching how guys play but then outside of that talking with their coaches talking with their GMs getting to know how they interact with their teammates and then getting to know them. Making sure they’re going to fit what we want and fit that culture.”

• Arcadia’s first seven games are on the road. The Knights’ home opener is set for November 21 against Stevenson.

Bud Wilkins Obituary

Edmond “Bud” James Wilkins Jr, aged 73, passed away on August 27, 2024, at St. Mary’s Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family. Bud was a cherished resident of Langhorne, PA, where he was known for his dedication to community service and his unwavering commitment to his family and friends.

Born in Camden, NJ, Bud was the beloved son of Edmond Wilkins Sr. and E. Ora Wilkins (nee Hagan). He graduated from Egan High School in 1969, where he remained actively involved, including serving on the reunion committee. Bud continued his education at the University of Hawaii, which set the foundation for his long and fulfilling career.

Bud spent over 50 years working as a manager at Big Marty’s Carpet, a role in which he earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues. Following his retirement, he took on the role of a Crossing Guard for the Neshaminy School District, demonstrating his continued commitment to his community. Bud also proudly served in the United States Navy as a Cryptologist for four years, earning the National Defense Service Medal and a Navy Commendation Medal.

Bud’s passion for hockey and youth development was evident in his 35 years of service with Neshaminy Ice Hockey, where he was a dedicated Club President and a long-time commissioner for USA Hockey. He also served as an elected board member and secretary for the Suburban High School Hockey League. His volunteer work extended to the Special Olympics, local orphanages, and numerous other charitable organizations. Bud was a 3rd degree Knights of Columbus member and supported causes such as the Gift of Life and Project Children.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edmond and E. Ora Wilkins, and his sister Margaret Johnson (nee Wilkins). Bud is survived by his devoted wife Kathy Wilkins (nee Hogan), his son Mark Wilkins (Sarah), and his daughter Erika Evans (Kenneth Jr). He was a loving grandfather to Kenny III and Ella Evans, and Jack and Madison Wilkins. Bud is also survived by his siblings: MaryOra Hedgepath (John), Fran Wilkins, Nancy Frey, Joe Wilkins (Holly), numerous nieces and nephews, and his grand niece Liberty Frey. His extended family includes Dolores Butynskyi, Diana Snyder (late Jim), John Hogan (Marjie), and their families.

A visitation will be held on Monday, September 9, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at James J. Dougherty Funeral Home, 2200 Trenton Road, Levittown, PA 19056. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 AM, officiated by Father Nasta from Our Lady of Grace Church. Bud will be laid to rest with full military honors at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, 830 Highland Road, Newtown, PA 18940, at 1:00 PM.

Bud’s legacy of service, kindness, and dedication will be remembered and cherished by all who knew him. He leaves behind a lasting impact on his community and a legacy of love for his family.

Jim Britt Steps down a APAC Commissioner

After guiding the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference through the first six years of its existence, Jim Britt is stepping away from his commissioner’s post. The conference issued a statement Monday afternoon.

Jim Britt has notified the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference (APAC) schools that he is stepping back from his role as Commissioner. Jim will assist during the transition and will remain affiliated with the conference in the future as an advisor. APAC schools are grateful for the leadership that Jim has provided the conference since its inception in 2018. Jim’s understanding of the conference schools, his belief in scholastic hockey and all the great things that the game of hockey teaches, made him the right man to help build APAC.

At the APAC May meeting, conference schools appointed Steve Mackell as their new Commissioner. Steve is a longtime coach in the Atlantic District at the youth level and as a former head coach at Malvern Prep. For many years, Steve has also been heavily involved with the Atlantic District Player Development Program Staff. He is a proven leader who knows the conference schools, the value they place on providing a well-rounded education, and their commitment to the sport of ice hockey. APAC school administrators and coaches are excited to work with Steve in the years ahead.

Looking Back 50 Years

It’s been 50 years. To those of us of a certain age, it doesn’t seem possible.

On Sunday, May 19, 1974 the Flyers scored a 1-0 win over the Boston Bruins at the Spectrum to win their Stanley Cup Finals series four games to two.

Those not among the 17,007 packed into the building watched on NBC-TV or listened on radio,
The following day, an estimated two million fans out for a parade, one of the largest gatherings of humankind in Philadelphia’s history.

The occasion was the defining moment in Philadelphia’s hockey history and proved to be the jumping off point for the growth of the sport in the region.

What hockey has become in this part of the planet in the years since, from preteens through the high-school and club levels, to adult levels, is due in part to what that Flyers team accomplished.

The Flyers’ roster that season included future Hockey Hall of Famers Bill Barber, Bobby Clarke, and Bernie Parent plus a Hall of Fame coach Fred Shero and a Hall of Fame general manger in Keith Allen (Bill Clement, who was also on the roster, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a broadcaster).

Clarke led the team in scoring with 35 goals during the regular season and 52 assists for 87 points. He added five goals and 11 assist in the playoffs. Rick MacLeish, who scored the only goal in the Cup-clinching game provided 32 regular-season goals plus 45 assists for 77 points in the regular season, plus 13 postseason goals and nine assists.

Barber added 34 goals and 35 assists for 69 points in the regular season plus three goals and six assists in the playoffs.

Parent played in 73 regular-season games and compiled a league-best 1.89 goals-against average. In 17 postseason games he put together a GAA of 1.84 with two shutouts. Parent shared the Vezina Trophy that year and won the Conn Smythe Award as the most valuable player in the playoffs.

And the Flyers’ moniker, The Broad Street Bullies was not undeserved. They accumulated 1,740 minutes in penalties during the 78-game regular season. Dave Shultz accounted for 348 of those minutes, which led the league in that category, but he also scored 20 goals that year.

Andre ‘Moose’ Dupont, who assisted on the Cup-winning goal, was fourth in the league with 216 minutes.

But it should be remembered that the Flyers were underdogs going into the finals. They were still considered an expansion team, in just their seventh year of existence and while they finished first in the West Division that year, that division, with one exception, included teams that like the Flyers, had come into existence in 1967-68 or later (there were 14 teams in the NHL that year.

The Bruins led the East Division which included five of the Original Six teams and were considered heavy favorites. Their roster included the like of Phil Esposito and Bobby Orr.

The Bruins enjoyed home-ice advantage but when Clarke scored an overtime goal in the Boston Garden to win Game Two and square the series, it changed the complexion of event. The Flyers took Games Three and Four at the Spectrum, then dropped Game Five in Boston before returning home for what turned out to win the final game.

Ever since then, the members of that Flyers team and the 1975 team that won a second consecutive Stanley Cup, have been celebrated heroes. Some settled in the Philadelphia area and raised families.

Today’s generation of hockey players and fans owes them a debt of gratitude.

So, where did 50 years go?

Philadelphia Blind Hockey Founder McGuire Nominated for NHL’s O’Ree Award

Kelsey McGuire, the founder and executive director of Philadelphia Blind Hockey, has been named as one of three American finalists for the National Hockey League’s Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award Presented by Discover.

The general public my cast votes for the nominee of their choice through May 19. The public’s vote will be combined with votes by NHL executives and O’Ree himself before the winner is announced in June.

Individuals can vote once in each 24-hour period through this link.

https://www.nhl.com/community/willie-oree/willie-oree-community-hero-award

The Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award honors the NHL’s first Back player. O’Ree played in his first NHL game for the Boston Bruins on January 18, 1958 despite being blind in his right eye. His 21-year professional career included 45 NHL appearances, all with the Bruins. The bulk of his career was spent in the Western Hockey League.

For more than 25 years, O’Ree has served as the NHL’s Diversity Ambassador, promoting the importance of inclusion and diversity in the sport.

Neumann University Partners With Ed Snider Foundation for On-Campus Rink

Neumann University and the Ed Snider Foundation are joining forces for the construction of a hockey rink on the Neumann campus. The Ed Snider has pledged $15 million toward the construction of the building; the university will match that sum.

Once construction begins, the projected to take 12-15 months, perhaps a bit longer depending on weather issues.

Neumann University President Dr. Chris Everett Domes credits the Snider Foundation for making the project possible. The university and the foundation formed a partnership in January of 2020

“Thanks to their partnership and a $15 million commitment,” Domes said, “we’re able to launch this fundraising campaign to help us see this building through.

“This project will not only enliven student life hear on our campus, it also provides an avenue for academic programs as we continue to expand here at Neumann. Certainly, our sports business and sports management students, our physical therapy and athletic training students, will have first-hand access to a great facility.

But also, most importantly, this project helps us reach out to the broader community to [impart] our mission and our values at Neumann University through the interaction with the Snider kids. Young people that this organization looks to life up and support every single day.”

Scott Tharp is the President and CEO of Ed Snider Youth Hockey. To date, 23 Ed Snider Hockey participants have enrolled at Neumann. Two of that 23 have graduated and five more will enroll this fall. All have received financial assistance from the Foundation.

“When this opportunity to build a rink came up, it was a no brainer for us,” Tharp said.

The rink will be named in Ed Snider’s honor.