St. Joseph’s Prep Set for Purple Puck Tournament

The National Capital Hockey Tournament, more familiarly known as the Purple Puck Tournament, is a longstanding holiday tradition.

Now in its 31^st year the tournament is hosted by Gonzaga Prep and brings some of the scholastic and prep school teams to the Washington, D.C. area each year. This year’s event begins on Saturday, December 27 and runs through Monday, December 29.

For St. Joseph’s Prep, the Purple Puck event is a regular fixture on the schedule. The Hawks have had considerable success there; they’ve won championships in two of the last three seasons. Senior Ben Kurson is the Hawks’ captain.

“The Purple Puck Tournament is very competitive. Teams come from all over the country and test our team every year. It is always a challenge, but I am very confident in our group this year. “

Kurson has fond memories from the Purple Puck Tournament; he played on championship-winning teams as a freshman and sophomore

“I remember really looking up to the upperclassmen,” he said, “seeing how they played for each other, and how they treated the younger players. I hope as a senior, in my last Purple Puck Tournament, I can similarly do this for our team.”
Kurson says the experience of being on the road as a group for a long weekend builds team cohesiveness.

“This tournament greatly helps to develop team chemistry. Eating meals together, traveling to the games together, and briefly living together all contribute to working well on the ice. Also, our team has a tradition of doing Secret Santa at this tournament. This has always been my favorite off ice activity, and is always very funny to see what people get for each other.

St. Joseph’s Prep coach Charlie Van Kula says the weekend offers his team a lot of benefits, including testing it in a tournament setting.

“The round robin is only three game, but you do have to perform well to make it to the championship rounds,” he said. “Regardless of what’s on the line, it’s a unique situation, learning how to play {in a tournament setting}.

“That’s one aspect, but I think equally as important is the time together as a group.”

In addition to the Hawks’ varsity, one of their junior varsity teams will also be part of the tournament and several sub-varsity players will be on the trip even though they may not dress for games.

“I think it’s important for all of us to be together as a group,” Van Kula said. “Especially with the nature of our sport, it’s so rare to have even one individual team all together at once but certainly to draw the whole program together is a valuable eperience.

Kurson says the Hawks find out a lot about themselves over the course of the weekend. ”I think as a team we learn a lot. When we play so many games in such a short period of time, it gives us the ability to tweak something and directly implement it in the same day. In comparison, we usually play one game a week, so we have to wait a whole week to change what we learned. “

• The Hawks will not be the only APAC team in this year’s field. The Hun School will also be part of the event. The other three conference teams will also be involved in tournaments this weekend. La Salle will travel to Providence for a four-team event involving Christian Brothers-affiliated institutions while host Malvern Prep and Holy Ghost Prep will take part in the Friars Faceoff

PW 4 Abington 1

It wasn’t a stylish performance. But Plymouth Whitemarsh did enough Thursday night to get across the finish line.

Cooper Kanze scored two goals as the Colonials bested a scrappy Abington team 4-1 in a SHSHL American Division test at Hatfield Ice. The Colonials improved to 7-1 overall and in the division. They trail first-place Hatboro-Horsham by eight points as of Thursday night but also have two games in hand; the two teams have split two meetings against each other.

But the Colonials looked sluggish throughout Thursday night’s affair and Kanze, who is his team’ leading goal scorer with 12, did not mince words.

“Two goals helped,” the sophomore said, “but overall, our whole team needs to play better. We know that. We expect more from each other. Everyone expects more from us.”

Kanze opened the scoring with 4:37 left in the opening period but the best player on the ice was Abington goaltender Matt Evangelist, who made 14 saves in the first frame.

That gave the Galloping Ghosts (0-9, 0-9) an opening to tie the game, which they did when Joseph Widmeier scored in a breakaway 1:54 into the second period.

Morgan Hulitt put the Colonials in front with 3:23 left in the middle period before Kanze and John Zawislak added goals in the third.

While the result will be listed in the records as a decisive, the opinions of some witnesses differed, notably that of Plymouth Whitemarsh coach Vince Forti.

“Not our best game,” he said. “We know we can play better. I think it’s tough to go in {the locker room} and be upset after a win but I think every guy in this locker room know we can play much better than we showed today.”

Forti stressed the importance of his players staying focused.

“I think focus is the biggest thing,” he said. “We keep talking about it, but we can’t keep having the same conversations over and over, we need to a change.

“I thought our start was okay but we started losing focus throughout the game. we need to stay locked in for three full periods.”

At the other end of the building, Abington coach Ken Brzozowski got three periods worth of effort from the Galloping Ghosts.

“We talked about limiting our mistakes,” he said, “and things we wanted to do. To play three full periods of hockey and not worry about the score.

“We talked about playing as a unit offensively and defensively. Not two on defense, three on offense. We talked about ‘Five offense and five defense and it kind of translated a little it tonight.”

Abington has scored just nine goals all season and four of their nine games have been shortened due to the 10-goal rule. But Brzozowski says his team’s lack of success has not diminished its resolve.

“This team has not quit,” he said. “They have not put their heads down. Every single one of then (there are 21 players on the roster) comes to practice and works hard. Every single one of them comes to the games.

“I just need what we’re doing in practice to translate to the games.”

Abington 0 1 0—1

PW 1 1 2—4

First-period goal: Cooper Kanze (PW) unassisted, 12:23

Second-period goals: Joseph Widmeier (A) unassisted, 1:54; Morgan Hulitt (PW) from Liam Kelly, 13:37

Third-period goals: Kanze (PW) from Dan Guller, 2:20; John Zawislak (PW) fom Hulitt, 14:23

Shots: Abington 7, PW 41

Saves: Matt Evangelist (A) 34, Braydon Campbell (PW) 6

PW 7 Springfield 2

They got off to a slow start. But for Plymouth Whitemarsh it became business as usual soon enough. The Colonials overcame a 1-0 first-period deficit and rolled to a 7-2 win over Springfield in a SHSHL American Division matchup at Hatfield Ice.

The winners improved to 6-1 overall and in the division; their only loss came to Hatboro-Horsham, a team Plymouth Whitemarsh is battling for division supremacy.

The Colonials’ big guns had big nights. Blake Ambler scored two goals and added three assists had a four-point night, providing two goals and two assists.

But it took the Colonials some time to get started. Springfield (2-6, 2-5 in the division) got on the scoreboard just 2:21 into the first period on a goal from Lincoln Coleman and the Spartans maintained the lead through the end of the opening frame.

The Colonials woke up in the middle period. Ambler tied the game after just 42 seconds when he tipped in Carson Wooldridge’s shot from the right point and Luke Smith tied the game at the 6:06 mark. Morgan Hulitt and Guller added additional goals two minutes apart late in the period to put their side up 4-1 after 34 minutes.

“It was definitely a slow start,” said Plymouth Whitemarsh coach Vince Forti. “That’s something we’re trying to work on but we stepped it up in the end and responded well.”

The Colonials continued to apply pressure early in the third period. Ambler and Guller scored goals and with 11:39 left in the third period the Colonials had a 6-1 advantage.

By that point the Spartans, who had just 12 skaters available seemingly exhausted their energy reserves although Kellen Warren added a goal down the stretch.

“We started off playing hard,” said Springfield coach Don Quinn. “We ran out of gas. We’ve got 12 skaters and one player hurt so it’s tough to compete from start to finish, especially against a team that just keeps coming,

“PW hustled from start to finish. You’ve got to match that energy or you give up seven goals.”

Forti notes that having a deep roster gives him a lot of flexibility.

“We have the ability to roll three lines if everyone is playing well,” he said, “and if we need to shore things up, we can go with two lines if we need to or find a new rotation to really motivate the guys.

Guller, the Colonials’ captain, note how the team has evolved from the start of the season.

“I think we’ve evolved tremendously,” he said. “We have a lot of good freshmen coming up this year, for example Carson Wooldridge an Ethan Peskin, two new guys we added to the bench and they’ve made the defensive four a lot stronger.”

Guller takes his role as a leader seriously.

“I’ve been part of this team for four years,” he said. “Throughout the years, I’ve been treated with respect by the upperclassmen so I know it’s the right thing to do the same with our underclassmen.”

Springfield 1 0 1—2

PW 0 4 3—7

First-period goal: Lincoln Coleman (S) from Grayson Quinn, 2:21

Second-period goals: Blake Ambler (PW) from Carson Wooldridge and Morgan Hulitt, :42; Luke Smith (PW) from Jack Condon, 6:06; Hulitt (PW) from Daniel Guller and Ambler, 14:23 (pp); Guller (PW) from Ambler, 16:37

Third-period goals: Ambler (PW) from Guller, 1:10; Guller (PW) from Ambler. 5:21 (sh); Condon (PW) from John Zawslak, 13:45; Kellen Warren (S) from Trent Gardner, 14:06

Shots: Springfield 24, Plymouth Whitemarsh 41; Saves: Emmett Kline (S) 34, Lucas Bennett 22

Hun School 2 St. Joseph’s Prep 1 OT

Zachary Vallee’s goal 1:59 into overtime gave The Hun School a 2-1 win over St. Joseph’s Prep Wednesday afternoon at the University of Pennsylvania’s Class of 1923 Rink.

The game’s two regulation goals came late in the third period. Luca Jean gave Hun School (2-1, 1-0 in conference) a 1-0 lead with 3:32 left in regulation.Jake Ely tied the game for St. Joseph’s Prep (5-3, 1-1 in the APAC) with 1:41 remaining.

Blake Echternacht reorded 25 saves in the Hun School net.

Hun School 0 0 1 1—2

St. Joseph’s Prep 0 0 1 0—1

Third-period goals: Luca Jean (HS) from Jacob Kelly-LePage, 13:28 Jake Ely (SJP) from Thomas Ely,15:19;

Overtime goal: Zachary Vallee (HS) unassisted, 1:59;

Shots: Hun School 15, St. Joseph’s Prep 26; Saves: Blake Echternacht (HS) 25. Declan Geary (SJP) 13

Keenan’s Impact at Malvern Prep Goes Beyond the Ice

The impact Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan has on his players goes beyond the rink. The respect the Friars have for their coach was on display last Wednesday night when Malvern Prep staged its fourth annual RTS Awareness Night; the proceeds of the game between the Friars and Holy Ghost Prep were earmarked for research into Rubinstein Taybi Syndrome is a genetic disorder that cause intellectual and developmental disabilities. Connor Keenan, Bill Keenan’s soon-to-be-6-year old son, is afflicted with RTS.

Pax Hoishik, a senior on the Malvern Prep roster, says the occasion means a lot to the players.

“I’ve participated in the event for three years,” he said. “And every single year it gets more close knit with the guys and even closer with Coach Keenan. Having that bond with Coach Keenan and his family as a whole and being able to celebrate the night for him and his kid is pretty unbelievable.”

Hoishik has been a full-time varsity player for three seasons now; he was a swing player as a freshman. He notes the evening is not just another hockey game.

“We’re playing for {Keenan},” Hoishik said. We’re playing for {Connor}. We’re playing for his family and we get to do that as a team. That’s why it’s so special.”

Hoishik and his teammates respect how Keenan is able to balance a full-time job with seeing to his family’s needs while still devoting the necessary time to coaching the Friars.

“It’s extremely impressive to me,” Hoishik said. “Some of the other captains and I were talking about it how incredible it is he is able to make time for something like that with everything going on in his life. We just thought it’s pretty incredible that he is able to make that time for us.”

Bill and Sarah Keenan have been married for 13 years. Connor is the youngest of their three children.

Sarah Keenan lauds her husband for how he deals with his assortment of responsibilities including periodically traveling to Baltimore to see a specialist who works with RTS patients.

“He is a really strong guy to deal with everything that comes at him and the stuff we have to deal with with Conner,” she said. “I obviously take on a lot while he’s coaching but he’s taking on as much as he possible can whenever he’s home.

“I’m really proud of him. He has taken everything on his back really well. He deals with all that comes through and doesn’t show it at home. So, whatever the hockey world id he leaves it with the hockey team but also includes us as his family with the whole thing.”

Pennridge 3 Neshaminy 0

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

Malvern Prep Hosts Holy Ghost Prep for RTS Awareness Night

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.

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.

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.

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

Flyers Cup Eligibles Announced

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

Love Showing the Way at Malvern Prep

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.”

APAC Update 11-30-25

Won Lost OTW OTL SHOW SHOL Pts

Holy Ghost Prep (3-1) 2 0 0 0 0 0 6

St. Joseph’s Prep (5-1) 1 0 0 0 0 0 3

Malvern Prep (2-2-1) 1 1 0 0 0 0 3

Hun School (0-1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

La Salle (1-4) 0 3 0 0 0 0 0

SCORING (ALL GAMES AVAILABLE) GP G A PTS PPG

Lucas Gonalez HGP 4 5 1 6 1.50

Jake Weingartner MP 5 2 5 7 1.40

Cole Gargon SJP 6 3 5 8 1.33

Chris Marshall HGP 4 2 3 5 1.25

Paxton Hoishik MP 5 4 2 6 1.20

Logan Love MP 5 4 2 6 1.20

Chase Logue HGP 4 3 1 4 1.00

Lucas Helms HGP 4 0 4 0 1.00

Goaltending (Min. 102 minutes) MP Shots GA Sv% GAA

Declan Geary SJP 227 135 6 .956 1.35

John Botthof HGP 106 60 3 .950 1.44

Matt Salita HGP 102 36 2 .944 1.00

Ryan Caterino MP 208 138 12 .913 2.94

Anthony Foster La 102 61 6 .902 3.00