Category: Hockey News

St. Joseph’s Prep 4, Malvern Prep 3

By Rick Woelfel

WEST GOSHEN—St Joseph’s Prep got its hockey season off to a fast start on Wednesday. The Hawks built a 3-0 second-period lead and went on to hold off Malvern Prep 4-3 in an Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference game at Ice Line.

Austin Amato, Jeffrey Hammond, Jimmy Craig, and Nick Storti all scored goals for the Hawks, who were Class AAA Flyers Cup finalists a year ago.

Stori scored what proved to be the game winner with 9:38 gone in the second period when he dumped a puck in from the left point that eluded Friar goaltender Anthony Perti.

The Hawks started building their lead when Amato scored off a turnover at the 8:09 mark of the first period, and continued when Hammond (on a power play) and Craig added goals 11 seconds apart to give The Prep a 3-0 lead.

Storti, who would be heard from later on, said the quick start was invaluable. “It was really important to get a jump on these guys,” he said. “They’re really good.”

Andrew Harder got Malvern Prep (0-1) on the scoreboard at the 6:29 mark of the period and it took just 11 seconds for his teammate Ryan Sambuco to make it a one-goal game after a burst up the center of the ice.

Storti’s effort gave his team a two-goal advantage. “I just wanted to dump it in and it kind of went in on him,” he said.”

Down by two goals heading into the third period Malvern Prep, which was playing its first game for new coach Bill Keenan, kept battling to the final buzzer.

Stori and his teammates did their part by keeping the pressure on their opponents. “It was important to get pucks deep and keep them out of our zone as much as possible,” he said. “Work the puck down low a lot.”

Harrison Campbell scored the the day’s last goal with 54 seconds remaining but in the end the his came up one goal short.

Keenan was officially named Malvern Prep’s head coach on Wednesday, replacing Dave Dorman who resigned at the end of last week.

“I thought we got off to a pretty slow start,” he said. “I think we collectively came together in the second period. When we got that first goal we started to gather it together and just came out in the third and worked hard.”

The Friars had a 29-19 edge in shots. Hawks’ netminder Rocco Bruno recorded 26 saves.

St. Joseph’s Prep 1 3 0—4
Malvern Prep 0 2 1—3
First-period goal: Austin Amato (SJP) unassisted, 8:09
Second-period goals: Jeffrey Hammond (SJP) from Nick Storti and Andrew Centrella, 2:11 (pp); Jimmy Craig (SJP) from Matthew Moresco, 2:22; Andrew Harder (MP) from Matthew Harris and Ryan Sambuco, 6:14; Sambuco (MP) unassisted, 6:29; Storti (SJP) unassisted, 9:38
Third-period goal: Harrison Campbell (MP) from Chris Blango, 15:06
Shots: St. Joseph’s Prep 19, Malvern Prep 29; Saves: Rocco Bruno (SJP) 26, Anthony Perti (MP) 15
Records: St. Joseph’s Prep (1-0, 1-0 APAC); Malvern Prep (0-1, 0-1)

Holy Ghost Prep 4, LaSalle 1

Firebirds win to kick off APAC’s second season
By Rick Woelfel

HATFIELD — It was the sort of opener a player dreams about. Byron Hartley scored his team’s first goal and assisted on its next three as Holy Ghost Prep opened its season on Wednesday with a 4-1 Atlantic Prep Conference win over LaSalle at Hatfield Ice.
The victory didn’t erase the pain of the Firebirds’ last-second loss to LaSalle in the Flyers Cup semifinals last March. But it was a promising start to the new season.
“We just wanted to forget about last year,” Hartley said. “What happens in the past stays in the past. We told the younger guys it’s a good thing you guys didn’t know what happened last year because that just helps us get in the (right) mindset.”
Besides centering his team’s number-one line, Hartley wears the captain’s C. “I’m so proud of all of our guys,” he said. “We have a relatively young team this year and I couldn’t be prouder to be the captain and the leader of this team.”
The Firebirds were sharp in the early going but LaSalle netminder Aidan McCabe was sharp as well and kept them at bay until Hartley found the back of the net 5:47 into the opening period.
E.J. Pohl made it a 2-0 game when he added a power-play goal 19 seconds into the second frame and the score was unchanged when the teams left the ice at period’s end
Skating on fresh ice at the start of the third period, the Explorers (0–2, 0-1 APAC) found another gear. With not quite three-and-a-half minutes gone in the period Francis Ford launched a shot from the center of the slot. Firebird goaltender Sean Joyce made the save but Nolan Woudenberg put in the rebound.
It was suddenly a one-goal game with plenty of time remaining but the Firebirds answered back with 5:21 left in the game. Hartley won an offensive right-circle faceoff and drew the puck back to Evan Mudrick who beat McCabe with a one-timer.
Anthony Sparo finished the scoring with an empty net goal.

 

IMG_4822.jpg

LaSalle (white uniforms) and Holy Ghost Prep (blue) line up for Wednesday’s opening faceoff. Courtesy of Holy Ghost Prep

 

LaSalle coach Wally Muehlbronner saw some things he liked in the loss. “Of the three games we’ve played so far, obviously the score isn’t what we wanted, but I think it’s the best we’ve played so far,” he said. “ I definitely see some positives. It was a loss but there were definitely some positives. It clearly points out how far we’re going to have to go We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us as a team.”
Holy Ghost Prep coach Gump Whiteside praised his players’ work ethic. “They’ve been working really hard,” he said. “In preseason ands getting ready for this game and getting ready for the season. We had all four lines going, all four lines contributing in one way or another. It was just fun to watch.”

 

Holy Ghost Prep 1 1 2—4
LaSalle 0 0 1—1
First-period goal; Byron Hartley (HGP) from Evan Mudrick and Anthony Sparo, 5:47
Second-period goal; Eric Pohl (HGP) from Hartley and Luke Panepresso, :19 (pp)
Third-period goals: Nolan Woudenberg (L) from Francis Ford, 3:26; Evan Mudrick (HGP) from Hartley, 10:39; Sparo (HGP)) from Hartley and Collin Keiser, 14:29 (en)
Shots; Holy Ghost Prep 21, LaSalle 22; Saves: Sean Joyce (HGP) 21, Aidan McCabe (L) 17
Records: Holy Ghost Prep (1-0, 1-0 APAC); LaSalle (2-1, 0-1)

 

 

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Jim Stewart Returns Home

The Malvern Prep graduate returns to his alma mater as athletic director

 

By Rick Woelfel

After more than a quarter century away, Jim Stewart has returned home to Malvern Prep. Stewart, a 1986 graduate of the school, became the Friars’ athletic director in July, succeeding Kurt Ruch. He returns to his alma mater after spending 27 years at Holy Ghost Prep.

“When I found out that the job was open, I was excited,” Stewart recalls. “Quite honestly, I had not interviewed for a job since 1992 and I thought ‘At the very least, why not give this a shot? At the place where I grew up?’”

Stewart did indeed grow up at Malvern, his father, Jim Stewart Sr. was the head of the school when he was growing up.

“I looked at Malvern as a very young child with wide eyes,” he said. “The high school kids looked like giants to me when I was a little kid. I was just in awe of all of that.

“Over the years, Malvern did a great job with welcoming families of employees onto campus. I got to know, not only a lot of other kids that were close to my age but the faculty here.

“I remember being in eighth grade and I said ‘I can’t imagine going to high school anywhere else’ because of the familiarity I had with people and the solid influence that the Augustinians had on me and the faculty certainly. I really enjoyed my four years here as a student. Not so much because my father was here but because of the people I got to know through him.”

Stewart swam for the Friars, competing for longtime coach

Paul Hornsleth, and also played some junior varsity baseball. Along the way, he absorbed and embraced the philosophies that would shape his own career later on.

“I just remember hearing over and over, ‘We do things the right way’” Stewart recalls. “’We’re class acts We don’ t disrespect officials and/or opponents. We compete fiercely, but we also respect everyone else that’s involved in the game and everything from behavior in the stands to how you behave on the field. I just seemed like the message was consistent.”

After college at Shippensburg University Stewart found his way to Holy Ghost Prep and took that message with him, along with some advice from his father.

“When I got the Holy Ghost Job my father gave me really simple advice,” he said, “’be firm, fair, and consistent. That’s something I tried to do at Holy Ghost and something I’m trying to do at Malvern early on.”

Stewart has enjoyed getting to know the school’s coaching staff. “I know the fall coaches really well now,” he said. “I’ve gotten to know the whole coaching staff just in terms of having an introductory meeting; getting to know what their expectations of their program is, the basics.

“One of the words that we use here is brotherhood, and you can see very tangible experiences with that in fall sports just the messages the coaches are communicating to their athletes and the way the athletes treat each other the way the parents are involved. You can really get a good sense of that. That’s been a real joy to be involved with so far.”

In his role as the athletic director at Holy Ghost Prep, Stewart helped launch the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference last winter. The league’s inaugural season was a success, he says, because of the similar philosophies of its four member schools.

“You have like-minded prep schools that want the same things,” he points out. “We all want to compete at a very high level against the best competition and it’s a bit hard to argue that the four schools involved in this league aren’t four of the premier hockey programs in the Philadelphia area.”

The APAC’s first season was characterized by not only a level of play but by mutual respect between opponents.

“These kids all know each other from the club world,” Stewart said. “So there’s a healthy respect there. When you see an aggressive play and opponents kind of talk to each other after that play because they know each other.”

Whether the sport is hockey or football, or any other, Stewart is committed to the concept that an interscholastic athletic program is an extension of the classroom and a component of the educational process,

“In very competitive that might be the last thing on people’s minds,” he said. “I think that’s a challenge for every athletic department in high-school athletics. That you want the lessons learned well beyond what’s happening on the field. That’s no different at Malvern, that’s a challenge at times, but I go back to the brotherhood thing; the respect kids have for each other and their coaches. That’s what I see so far.

“We’re learning lessons, we’re learning how to be leaders here. We’re learning to be good servants, to respect the game. I think that we’re doing the right thing here as far as I can see so far.”

 

 

 

 

 

SHSHL Previews

 

The Suburban High School Hockey League season is officially underway. Here’s a look at the 1919-20 campaign.

If you’re interested in coverage of your hockey event or tournament, contact us at Hockey Happenings

 

 

Class AA

National Division

Abington

Coach: Ken Brzozowski (third season)

Last Year: 5-7-4

Key players: So. Ben Panella (G); Fr. Sam Nemac (G); Jr. Colin Bruton (F); Jr. Ethan Wielheimer (D); Jr. Holden Brooker (D); So. Tommy Rourke (D-F); So. Joe Stelacio (D-F)

Outlook: The Galloping Ghosts will put a young time on the ice this season; the roster features 15 underclassmen. But after barely missing the playoffs a year ago, Brzozowski is excited about the coming campaign.

“This team has been working hard since August,” he said, “and has developed great chemistry…I am very excited to coach this young team with our experienced juniors.”

 

Council Rock North

Coach: Chris Gallagher (fourth season)

Last year: 2-14

Key players: Jr. Rex Goldberg (G); Sr. Vlad Litnov (F); Sr. Colin Kiefer (F); Sr. Will Sohn (F)

Outlook: The Indians continue to strengthen their program. This year’s lineup will feature an infusion of young talent; there are 10 freshmen on the roster. Goldberg is an experienced netminder while Kiefer and Sohn will play key roles up front.

 

Council Rock South

Coach: Joe Houk (14th season)

Last year: 6-9-3

Key players: Sr. Alex Patrizi (G); Jr. Jimmy Sweeney (G); Sr. David Mueller (D); Sr. Billy Harrelson (F)

Outlook: The Golden Hawks will look continue to build on last season, when a young team worked its way into the postseason.

The goaltending tandem of Patrizi and Sweeney is a foundation on which to build.

“We have a solid defensive core and three solid lines,” Houk said. Good teams are built from the goal line out & I think we’re in pretty good shape and we’ll be very competitive with the top teams this year. “

 

Neshaminy

Head Coach: Matthew DeMatteo (third season)
Key players: So. Brian Nelson (G); Jr. Matthew Buchinski (D); Sr. Ryan McColgan (D); Jr. Robbie Seewagen (F); Sr. Joseph DeMatteo (F); Sr. Charlie Potash (F); Jr. Thomas Gallagher (F); Fr. Nolan Geria (F)

Outlook: The ‘Skins return their three top scorers from a year ago in Seewagen, DeMatteo, and Gallagher. Geria heads up a talented freshman class. Nelson will be a new face between the pipes but has looked impressive.

 

Pennsbury

Coach: Ryan Daley (third season)

Last year: 8-8-3

Key players: So. Topher Seiler (G); Sr. Ben Dous (F-D); St. Jasper Millman (D); Sr. Jake Machlovitz (F); Sr. Beau Yedman (F); So, Shane Sigmund (F); Jr. Erik Eisler (F); Fr. Brendan Macainish (F)

Outlook:  The Falcons took some big strides forward last season by qualifying for the Flyers Cup tournament for the first time in three years. This year’s group is a blend of youth and experience. Daley is counting on the four seniors on the roster to provide leadership.

 

William Tennent

Coach: Nick D’Auruzio (10th season)

Last year: 3-11-2

Key players: Sr. Stephen Skiba (D); Jr. Zach Devor (D); Jr. Justin Carrelli (F); Sr. Tom Hartenstein (F)

Outlook: The Panthers will be young again this season and hoping to improve on last season’s mark. “Our goal is to improve every year,” D’Aurizio said, “and this team looks ready to take the next step.

 

Continental Division

Central Bucks East

Coach: Ken Latchum (third season in suucession, 12th overall)

Last year: 5-8-3

Key players: Jr. Chris McIntyre (G); Jr. Connor Keiser (D); Jr. Shane West (D); So. Sean Gorman (F); Sr. Nick LoCastro (F); Sr. Dan Tori (F); Jr. Max Ermigiotti (F); So. Phil McIntyre (F)

Outlook: The Patriots are thin in terms of numbers but Latchum is impressed with his team’s work ethic.

“It’s a hardworking group,” he said.  “Our talent will be tested. There will be chances for young players as well as seniors to step up.”

 

Central Bucks South

Coach: Shaun McGinty (fifth season)

Last year: 17-6-2
Key players: Jr. Mason Moyer (G); Sr. Ryan Gingras (D); Sr. Brian Keilman (D); Sr. Dom Patrone (F); Sr. Steve McMillan (F); Sr. Harry McLaughlin (F); Sr. Colin Abbonizio (F); Sr. Matt Milanesi (F)

Outlook: The eight-time SHSHL Class AA champions feature a roster with 10 seniors on it. This team may not have the offensive firepower of seasons past. But Moyer is a proven goaltender and the Titans generally find a way to make the pieces fit.

 

Central Bucks West

Coach: Dave Baun (16th season)

Last year: 10-9

Key players: Sr. Jake Coddington (G); So. Grant Funseth (D); So. Evan Hee (D); Sr Christopher Trefz (F); Sr. Jake Lang (F); Sr. Danny Poliak (F); Jr. Keith Orlando (F); So. Billy Loughnane (F)

Outlook: The Bucks will have 10 new faces in this year’s lineup but have some experienced seniors as well in the likes of Trefz and Lang up front and Coddington in goal.

“As go your leaders, so goes your team,” Baun said, “and we feel very confident that we have the kind of group that can lead us to great things this year.”

 

North Penn

Coach: Kevin Vaitis (11th season)

Last year: 15-6-3

Key players: Sr. Tyler Greenstein (F); Sr. Josh Kaufhold (F); Sr. Tommy Boyle (F/D); Jr. Luke Van Why (D); Jr. Ryan Cunningham (D); So. Tony Tuozzo (F); So. Nicholas Ebbinghaus (G)

Outlook: The Knights will field one of the SHSHL’s most experienced teams. Twelve players return from the team that reached the Class AA Flyers Cup quarterfinals. The returnees include Greenstein, last year’s leading scorer, along with Boyle and Van Why on the blue line and Ebbinghause in goal. The pieces are in place for a promising season.

 

 

Pennridge

Coach: Jeff Montagna (second season)

Last year: 17-2-1; won SHSHL Class AA title

Key players: So. Ryan Pico (G); Jr. Conner Frisch (D); Sr. Michael White (F); Jr. Jeff Manto (F); Jr. Blake Stewart

Outlook: Much of last year’s championship team is gone but seven players are back who saw extensive varsity time last year including White up front. The defense will be new however, and Pico is a newcomer in goal.

“We will be much better than people think,” Montagna said, “depending on how new defensive core develops

 

Souderton

Coach: Ryan Uchniat (second season)

Last year: 2-13-1

Key players: Sr. Jonathan Prichard (G); Fr. Noah Connor (G) So. Carter Povazan (D) Sr. Jacob Bealer (D) Sr. Thomas Harris (F); Jr. Tyler MacPhee (F); So Kyle Anderson (F)

Outlook: Last year was a year of growth for a young team. Uchniat is hoping that experience will pay dividends this year.

“Last season was a year of growth for our younger players. A few freshmen saw significant ice time and look to take another big leap forward this year.”

 

Quakertown

Coach: Keith Krem

Last year: First-year team

Key players: Jr. Austin Stoudt (G); Jr. Eric Orezehoski (D); Sr. Jake p Dilger (F); So. Anthony Pagliei

Outlook: The Panthers are making their debut in the SHSHL this season. There has been hockey at Quakertown in the past, but not under the SHSHL banner.

“We are very excited for hockey to be in Quakertown,“ Krem said, “and for the season to begin.”

 

 

Class A

American Division

Hatboro-Horsham

Coach: Gianni Lafratta (second season)

Last year: 5-5-2

Key players: Sr. Joey Gambino (G), Sr. Ziyad Elsabbagh (D); So. Ben Lerner (D); Jr. Aidan Esack (F), Fr. Nick Long (F)

Outlook: The Hatters had trouble scoring goals at times last season but were stingy at the other end of the ice. They allowed just 49 goal in a division where high-scoring games were the norm. Long will be counted on to score goals.

 

Lower Moreland

Coach: Gus Salfiti (second season)

Last year 12-4-3

Key players: So. Jacob Lungin (G); Jr. Devin Green (D); Jr. Vincenzo DeMaio (F); Jr. Noah Gazzara (D-F); So. Tyler Scolnick (F).

Outlook: The Lions played for the American Division championship a year ago. It will be a young team; there are no seniors on the roster, and likely will be lacking in numbers. But the players on hand have a good amount of varsity experience.

 

Plymouth Whitemasrh

Coach: Josh Aiello (sixth season)

Last year: 10-5-1

Key players: Sr. Ben Yuter (G); Sr. Ben Lubas (D); Sr. Dean Keller (F); Sr. Colin Franzoni (F); Sr. Jake Weikel (F); So. Aidan Keogh (F)

Outlook: A young Colonial team reached the Class A Flyers Cup quarterfinals a year ago. This team is more experienced; there are nine seniors on hand; and features Yuter in goal along with Keller and Franzoni, two of the American Division’s premier offensive threats.

 

Also competing in the American Division: Truman, Wissahickon

LaSalle 2, Central Bucks South 1 OT

By Rick Woelfel

HATFIELD— The start of a new hockey season always brings changes with it. Rosters change and even returning players assume new roles. But attention to detail matters.
A number of players who played key roles for the LaSalle team that won the Class AAA Flyers Cup and state titles last year are gone. But the program’s commitment to excellence remains as was demonstrated Monday night

Ryan Ferry scored 28 seconds into three-on-three overtime (a new feature of USA Hockey varsity competition this season) to give the Explorers a 2-1 non-league win over Central Bucks South at Hatfield Ice. Ferry collected a feed from Nate Benner out of the deep left-wing corner and beat Titan keeper Mason Moyer inside the left-wing corner. The puck hit the back of the net as Ferry was being checked to the ice.

It was the second non-league win of the season for the Explorers, who begin Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference play next week. But Ferry says he and his teammates still have some work to do. “I doin’t think we played up to our potential today,” he said. “But it was good just to get a win.”

Ferry, a senior, noted that this year’s LaSalle team is still taking shape. “We lost a lot of kids last year,” he said. “We have a long way to go. We’re not where we need to be right now. But I think if we all put in the hard work, we’re going to get there.”

LaSalle had the better of the opening period but South goaltender Mason Moyer kept the game scoreless most of the way by making 13 saves. His task was complicated by his teammates having to kill three minor penalties in front of him.

“Mason obviously played outstanding,” said South coach Shaun McGinty. “He does that game in and game out, he’s the vital piece in our puzzle. Every team needs a good goaltender; he played stellar tonight.”

Moyer finally yielded when junior Nate Benner scored off a turnover with 13 seconds left in the period while the Explorers themselves were shorthanded.

The Titans drew even with 12:18 gone in the second frame when Colin Abbonizio, their captain, beat William Gross off an offensive right circle faceoff.

LaSalle enjoyed a 29-18 advantage in shots. Aidan McCabe William Gross split the evening in the Explorer net with Gross taking over midway through the second session.

LaSalle coach Wally Muehlbronner said his team has to do the little things well to be successful. “We don’t have the ability to put a lot of pucks in the net right now,” he said. “We’ve got to play a simple game and be strong defensively. And the compete levels has got to get higher.”
C.B. South 0 1 0 0—1
LaSalle 1 0 0 1—2
First-period goals: Nate Benner (L) unassisted, 15:47 (sh)
Second-period goals: Colin Abbonizio (CBS) from David Kvecher, 12:18
Overtime goal: Ryan Ferry (L) from Benner, :28
Shots: C.B.South 18, LaSalle 29; Saves: Mason Moyer (CBS) 27, Aidan McCabe (L) 7 and William Gross 10
Records: Central Bucks South 0-1, LaSalle 2-0

SHSHL Ready for New Season

On Wednsday night, the Suburban High School Hockey League will kick off its 47th season. Four games are on the schedule.

Defending Class AAA Flyers Cup and state champion LaSalle will face off against Central Bucks South at 7:20 at the Hatfield Gray rink.

Elsewhere, Truman will take on Central Bucks East at 7:20 on the opening game of a doubleheader at Revolution Ice Gardens, with Hatboro-Horsham facing Abington in the 9:00 nightcap.

Plymouth Whitemarsh and Council Rock North are scheduled to square off at 9:00 at Grundy Arena.

All four games are non-league encounters.

Hockey Happenings will provide a recap of  the LaSalle-C.B. South game following its conclusion.

Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference Preparing for Year Two

The start of the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference’s 2019-20 season is at hand. Here’s a look at the conference’s four member schools.

LaSalle

Coach: Wally Muehlbronner (22nd season)

Last year: 22-5, 8-0-1-0 in APAC; won league, Class AAA Flyers Cup, and state titles

Key players: Sr. Aidan McCabe (G); Sr. Nathan Benner (F); Sr. Matt Bant (G); Sr. Collin Kleiser (D); Sr. David Brunner (F); Sr. Ryan Ferry (F); Jr. Liam Gross (G); Jr. Andrew Budzynski (D); Jr. David Kimmel (F); So. Nolan Woudenberg (D).

Outlook: The Explorers have some experience back, most notably in goal, where McCabe was a first-team All-APAC choice a year ago, but there are also some holes to fill; there will be 12 new players on the varsity roster.

Muehlbronner sees his team as being in transition mode this season, but the defending APAC, Flyers Cup, and state champions should still be very dangerous.

 

Holy Ghost Prep

Coach: Gump Whiteside (11th season)

Last year: 9-14, 1-5-0-3 in APAC

Key players: Sr. Sean Joyce (G); Sr. Byron Hartley (F); Sr. Dan Behr (F); Jr. Bobby Baesher (G); Jr. E.J. Pohl (F); Jr. Evan Mudrick (F); Jr. Jimmy Littley (D); So. Sean Marshall (F); So. Luke Panepresso (D); So. Colin Moore (D); Fr. Anthony Sparo (F).

Outlook: The Firebirds will feature a blend of experience and new faces. Ten seniors are gone from last year’s team but Joyce is a veteran in goal and Baesher is also solid between the pipes. Hartley, who will wear the captain’s C, will be counted on for scoring punch. Mudrick and Pohl are also experienced returnees.

 

 

Malvern Prep

Coach: Dave Dorman (seventh season)

Last year: 13-6, 5-3-1-0 in APAC

Key players: Sr. John Dewey (F); Sr. Kyle Dorman (D); Sr. Chris Blango (D); Jr. Andrew Harder (D); Jr. Ryan Sambuco (F); Jr., Jack Constabile (F); So. Harrison Campbell (D); So. Quinn Dougherty (D); So. Matt Harris (F); So. Pierre Larocque (F).

Outlook: The Friars will put a veteran team on the ice this season, particularly on the blue line where there is an abundance of experience. There is talent up front as well where Constabile and Sambuco are among the returnees. They’ll be joined Larocque, who missed last season with an injury. Several contenders are vying to start in goal.

 

St. Joseph’s Prep

Coach: David Giacomin (seventh season)

Last season: 8-18, 1-7-1-0 in APAC

Key players: Sr. Jimmy Craig (F); Sr. Austin Amato (F); Sr. Body Piourde (F); Sr. Ben Briskin (F) Sr. Michael Urbani (D); Jr. Ryan Newby (D); Jr. Andrew Custer (G); So. Andrew Centrella (D); So. Matt Moresco (D).

Outlook: The Hawks reached the Class AAA Flyers Cup final a year ago. This year’s team will be a fairly young group with a new starting goaltender, but Giacomin is impressed with the group’s enthusiasm and hockey IQ.

“There is a strong belief that we have some unfinished business to attend to this season,” he said.

Craig and Urbani will serve as captains. Along with Amato and Briskin, they are the most experienced of the returnees.

 

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SHSHL Reveals Divisional Alignments

The opening of the 2019-20 scholastic hockey season is drawing closer. With that fact in mind, the Suburban High School Hockey League has finalized its divisional alignments for the coming year. A total of 18 teams will skate under the SHSHL umbrella this season.

Thirteen teams will be classified as Class AA and divided into two divisions. The Continental Division will consist of defending Class AA Champion Pennridge, Central Bucks South, Central Bucks East, Central Bucks West, North Penn, Souderton, and newcomer Quakertown.

The National Division will include Abington, Council Rock South, Neshaminy, Pennsbury, William Tennent, and Council Rock North, which is returning to the SHSHL and Class AA this year after playing as an impure team last season because of a player shortage.

The 13 Class AA teams will all face each other once in league play. If the same playoff format is followed that was utilized last year, divisional alignments will be meaningless; the top eight teams will qualify for the playoffs regardless of division.

 

The Class A American Division will feature five teams, headed by defending champion Wissahickon. The Trojans will be joined by Hatboro-Horsham, Plymouth Whitemarsh, Lower Moreland, and Truman, which is moving down from Class AA. Upper Dublin will not be skating in the SHSHL this season.

The five American Division teams will play each other three times each, making for a 12-game league season. Four teams will qualify for the playoffs.

The official start date of the SHSHL campaign is still to be announced.

 

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Penn State Announces Hockey Schedule

The Penn State Nittany Lions have released their 1919-20 men’s hockey schedule. The campaign begins with an exhibition game against the University of Ottawa on Sunday, October 6 at Pegula Ice Arena before the 34-game regular season gets underway the following Friday, October 11 against Sacred Heart in the opener of a two-game series.

The Big Ten season gets underway November 1 and 2 when Penn State hosts Wisconsin.

Game times have yet to be announced.

The best-of-three Big Ten tournament quarterfinals are set for March 6-8 at campus sites with the one-game semifinals scheduled for March 14 and the conference championship game for March 21, again on campus sites.

Penn State finished 22-15-2 a year ago and reached the Big Ten championship game before falling to Notre Dame.

The Nittany Lions led in scoring at 4.54 goals per game.

This season marks the eighth for Penn State as a Division I hockey program and its seventh as a member of the Big Ten. Head coach Guy Gadowsky is starting his 20th season as a collegiate head coach. He has an overall record of 298-308-56 and 1125-110-19 during his time at Penn State.