Pennridge 6 C.B. South 5

HATFIELD—A lot went on at Hatfield Ice Thursday night. Much of it in the realm of the unexpected.

Pennridge rallied from deficits of 3-0 and 5-1 to post a 6-5 overtime win over Central Bucks South in a Suburban High School Hockey League National Division non-league matchup.

Kevin Pico delivered the game winner for the Rams 34 seconds into overtime after the last period was shortened to nine minutes from the usual 17 after a combination of 10 goals and an abundance of penalties consumed the bulk of the allocated ice slot.

Six different players scored for the Rams (1-1). Andrew Savona, Dane Fichte, James Rush, Shane Dachowski, and Josh Kelly found the back of the net before Kevin Pico pocketed the game winner. South netminder Dom Varacallo stopped Savona’s initial shot before Pico put in the rebound.

“We needed something to wake us up,” said Pennridge coach Jeff Montagna, who team squared its record at 1-1. “We needed to find that edge that we’ve been lacking in practice. Early in this season, we haven’t had it. And, I think getting down tonight against a rival with as much emotion as there was going in here, woke us up.”

The Titans (1-1) jumped to a 3-0 lead before the first period was seven minutes old. Aydin Thierolf scored twice with a goal from D.J. Lindenmuth in between.

Colin Mendham and Michael Nemec added goals to give South a 5-1 lead 5:46 into the second frame.

Dane Fitchett drew the Rams a bit closer with 5:55 left in the period. Pico had a chance to bring his team closer when the Rams were awarded a penalty shot with 15.8 seconds left in the second period but was denied by Varacallo.

Both teams saw there efforts hampered by repeated trips to the penalty box. The officials whistled a total of 19 infractions, 12 of them to the Titans.

The number of stoppages and altercations resulted in the final period being shortened to nine minutes at the direction of rink management. Faced with a three-goal deficit, the Rams wasted no time.

Rush made it a 5-3 game 1:20 into the final session. Dachowski followed at 5:54 and Kelly tied the game at 6:58.

The five-minute, three-on-three overtime was allowed to go forward and it took Pico and Savona just moments to end matters.

“Our guys let off the gas,” said South coach Shaun McGinty, “and they’re a good team. A good team is going to find a way to win. We allowed them a little bit of momentum and momentum is a big part of the game in a team sport.”

Ice chips—The decision to shorten the the third period was part of a joint effort between the SHSHL and area rinks to complete scheduled games within their allocated 90-minute ice slots. The C.B. South-Pennridge contest was followed by a game between North Penn and Central Bucks West which was succeeded by an adult league game.

C.B. South 3 2 0 0—5

Pennridge 1 1 3 1—6

First-period goals: Aydin Thierolf (CBS) from Sean Cutter, 3:06; D.J. Lindenmuth (CBS) from Matt Crouch, 4:14; Thierolf (CBS) unassisted 6:57 (pp); Andrew Savona (P) unassisted, 16:34

Second-period goals: Colin Mendam (CBS) unassisted, :38; Michael Nemec (CBS) from Justin Keilman, 5:46; Dane Fitchett (P) from Trey Mikulich, 11:05

Third-period goals: James Rush (P) from Mitchell Mothersbaugh, 1:20; Shane Dachowski (P) from Savona, 5:54; Josh Kelly (P) from Andrew Lizak and Tyler Manto

Overtime goal: Kevin Peco (P) from Savona, :34

Shots: Pennridge 35, C.B. South 28; Saves: Dom Varacallo (CBS) 29, Jacob Winton (P) 23

APAC Preview

The Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference is set to launch its fifth season. Here’s a look at how its member schools shape up.

Holy Ghost Prep

Coach: Gump Whiteside (15^th season)

Last year: 12-12, 1-5-1-1 in APAC

Key players: Sr. Colin Mudrick (G); So. Ryan Lippy (D); Sr. Brady Baehser (F); Sr. John Seravalli (F); Sr. Landon Stout (F)

Outlook: The Firebirds started out strong last season but faded after the holiday break. Whiteside is counting on a strong senior class, including Baesher, a two-time first-team All-APAC selection.

Mudrick is experienced in goal.

“We are looking forward to starting the season,” Whiteside said. “The team chemistry is strong. The players have been working hard both on and off the ice. The seniors have really stepped up with a great work ethic.”

The Hun School

Coach: Ian McNally (12^th season)

Last year: 8-9, 3-4-1-0 in APAC

Key players: Sr. Stephen Chen (G); Sr. Vincent Gregoire (D); Sr. Elian Estulin (F); Sr. Mark Gall (F); Sr. Josh Sosner (F); Jr. Brendan Marino (F); Sr. Simon Gregoire (F)

Outlook: The Raiders lost 10 seniors to graduation.

“We have plenty of holes to fill,” McNally said.

But a solid group of returnees remains, led by Chen, who was the first-team All-APAC goaltender last season. Estulin will be counted on to score goals.

La Salle

Coach: Wally Muehlbronner (25^th season)

Last year: 8-10-1, 4-3-0-1 in APAC

Key players: Sr. Aries Carangi (G); Sr. Chase Hannon (D); So. Owen Quinn (D); Jr. Matt Conforti (F); Sr. Ryan Desmond (F); Jr. Pat Brace (F)

Outlook: This season’s edition of the Explorers will be young in spots but there is experience on hand in Carangi in goal, Hannon on the blue line, and Conforti up front, among others.

Muehlbronner is taking a back-to-basics approach.

“In the defensive zone, we just want to keep it simple,” he said. “That’s pretty much always been our approach. In the offensive zone, we’ve got some younger guys that are pretty creative. So, I want them to be creative but still play within our basic system.”

Malvern Prep

Coach: Bill Keenan (fourth season)

Last year: 16-4, 5-1-2-0 in APAC; Conference champions and Class AAA Flyers Cup champions

Key players: Sr. Brandon Novabilski (G); Sr. Steve Getsie (D); Sr. Jack Sharer (D); Jr. Brady Doyle (D); Jr. Jonathan Holt (D); Sr. Jimmy Jacobs (F); Jr. Jeremy Jacobs (F); Jr. Aidan Kelly (F); Jr. Caiden Canale (F)

Outlook: The Friars took their share of graduation hits in the offseason, but their returning veterans are supported by an impressive group of newcomers.

Doyle and Holt head up the blueliners while the Jacobs brothers are being counted on up front.

Keenan is cautiously optimistic.

“We are excited to see what this younger incoming class can do,” he said. “The culture within the program has strengthened over the past two seasons and we look to continue building on the brotherhood in which Malvern creates. Our upperclassmen have to set the tone early in the season but the younger guys have to find ways to contribute.”

St. Joseph’s Prep

Coach: David Giacomin (10^th season)

Last year: 11-8-1, 3-3-0-2 in APAC; Flyers Cup finalist

Key players: Sr. Rocco Bruno (G); Jr. Ajay White (G); Sr. Dante Passio (D); Jr. Shane O’Neill (D); Jr. Gareth McDonald (D); Sr. Jeffrey Hammond (F); Sr. Joey Samango (F); So. Tristan Winata (F); So. Jake Schultz (F)

Outlook: After reaching the Class AAA Flyers Cup finals, the Hawks must deal with loss of 10 seniors. Bruno and White are a formidable goaltending tandem while Passio leads the blue-line corps. Hammond and Samango are proven commodities up front.

“We hope to be a speed driven team that will play hard in all three zones,” Giacomin says. “Depth will play a big role this year. With offensive returnees and goaltending leading the way we hope to get off to a fast start and build from there.”

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SHSHL Preview

National Division

Bensalem

Coach: Jordan Roth (second season)

Last year: 3-11

Key players: Jr. Ricky Gonzalez (G); Sr. Danny Mackley (D-F); Jr. Alex Hood (F-D); So. Alex Bazylevich (F-D); Fr. Lucas Gonzalez (F-D)

Outlook: The Owls took some big strides in their inaugural season last year and are looking continue that trend moving forward.

“This year we’re emphasizing the importance of ‘team’ Roth said. “Everything we do represents our team, our passion, and our purpose. As a team, we are ready to lead by example and be tough to play against.”

Central Bucks East

Coach: Jeff Mitchell (third season)

Last year: 6-10, Flyers Cup participant

Key players: Sr. Matt Magiacapre (G); Jr. Kyle McIntyre (D) Sr. Stephen DiRugeris (F); Jr. Corey Kosick (F)

Outlook: The Patriots feature a lineup that blends youth and experience. They’re backed by Mangiacapre, one of the area’s premier netminders.

Central Bucks South

Coach: Shuan McGinty (ninth season)

Last year: 6-7-1-2, Flyers Cup participant

Key players: Sr. Matt Crouch (D); Jr. Aidan Linso (D); So. Jake Stepp (D); Sr. Aydin Thierolf (F); Jr. Colin Mendham (F); Jr. D.J. Lindenmuth (F)

Outlook: The Bucks endured an up and down campaign a year ago but all signs point to brighter days on the horizon. As usual, McGinty will be counting on his veterans to lead the way

“It is time for the Titans to get back on track,” he said.

Central Bucks West

Coach: Dave Baun (19^th season)

Last year: 5-9

Key players: Jr. Liam Rogers (G); Sr. Sammy Poliak (D); Jr. Johnny Cherubini (D) Sr. Luke Tremmel (F); Jr. Nick Bruno (F); So. Anthony Dowd (F); So. Jack Misoda (F); So. Zane Sanders (F)

Outlook: The Bucks feature a solid group of returnees, led by Rogers in goal. The veterans will be supplemented by a talented group of young players that Baun is counting on, especially up front.

Council Rock North

Coach: Greg McDonald (second season)

Last year: 10-8. Flyers Cup participant

Key players: So. Ian Goldberg (G); So. Jackson Accardi (D); Jr. Nick Hahan (D); Sr. Noah Epstein (F); Jr. Karson Grainey (F)

Outlook: The Indians did a lot last year with a team that was lacking in experience and numbers. McDonald expects to be able to dress a full roster of 20 this season and his troops will have an additional year’s experience. It shapes up as a promising season.

Council Rock South

Coach: Joe Houk (17^th season)

Last year: 16-2-2-1, SHSHL and Flyers Cup finalist

Key players: Sr. Carson Lopez (G); Jr. Kevin Koles (D); Jr. Blaize Pepe (F); Jr. Chase Tovsky (F)

Outlook: The Golden Hawks played for the SHSHL and Flyers Cup titles last season. This season they return a team that is deep and talented. Houk has three quality lines and five solid defensemen to call on, plus an outstanding goaltender. The ingredients are on hand for what could be a very special season.

Neshaminy

Coach: Matt DeMatteo (sixth season)

Last year: 10-7-1, Flyers Cup participant

Key players: Jr. Cory Hemberger (G); So. Liam Mooney (D); Sr. J.J. Hathaway (D); Sr. Max Gallagher (F); Sr. Nolan Geria (F); Sr. Danny McColgan (F); Sr. Noah Seewagen (F); Sr. Michael Knipple (F); So. Ryan DeMatteo (F)

Outlook: The ‘Skins are perhaps the most experienced team in their division. Eleven seniors return from a unit that reached the Flyers Cup quarterfinals last season.

DeMatteo is optimistic about what the future could hold.

“We’ll look to continue to build on the success we had in the regular season and the Flyers Cup to take the next step forward together as a team,” he said.

North Penn

Coach: Kevin Vaitis (14^th season)

Last year: 1-15

Key players: St. Nick Crist (G) Sr. Sam Mostochuck (D); St. Tyler Porubski (D); Fr. James Boyle (D); Jr. John Stinson (F); Jr. Joey Silvotti (F); So. Cole Pluck (F); Sr. Derek Delong (F)

Outlook: The Knights endured a long, cold winter last season. Vaitis is looking to turn things around with a back-to-basics approach.

“We are focusing early on this season on coming together as a team,” he said, “focusing on key system specifics, and hard work. We do not want to be outworked during the season. Another area we are focusing on is getting puck support in the zone with lots of shots and traffic in front.”

Pennridge

Coach: Jeff Montagna, fifth season

Last year: 22-0-1, defensing SHSHL, Class AA Fyers Cup and state champions

Key players: So. Nick Young (D); Jr. Colin Dachowski (D); Jr. Trey Mikulich (D); Jr. Kevin Pico (F); So. Shane Dachowski (F); Jr. Andrew Savona (F); Jr. Tyler Manto (F): Sr. Dane Fichette (F)

Outlook: The 2022 edition of the Rams put together one of the most remarkable seasons on record. This year’s group is looking to pick up where they left off. An abundance of firepower returns up front and there is experience within the blue-line corps. The only question mark may be in goal.

Pennsbury

Coach: Ryan Daley (sixth season)

Last year: 12-5-1, Flyers Cup participant

Key players: Jr. Aaron McDaniel (G); Sr. Justin Marlin (D); So. Chris Sarver (D-F); Sr. Brendan MacAinsh (F); Sr. Andrew Falkenstein (F)

Outlook: As they launch a new season the Falcons are confronting some heavy graduation losses.

“Luckily we have a strong and talented group of underclassmen ready to fill their shoes,” Daley said.

Souderton

Coach: Ryan Uchniat (fifth season)

Last year: 7-7

Key players: Sr. Noah Connor (G); So. Patrick Callahan (D); Jr. Seth Grossman (F); Jr. Jacob Chow (F); Jr. Liam O’Neill (F); Sr. Timmy Alexander (F)

Outlook: The Big Red matured last year and are hoping to build on that success. Uchniat expects his team to be solid up front with a strong defense backed by quality goaltending.

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American Division

Abington

Coach: Ken Brzozowski (sixth season)

Last year: 15-2, defending divisional champion; Flyers Cup participant

Key players: Sr. Sam Nemec (G); Sr. Sean Doyle (D); Sr. Pat Stelacio (F); Sr. Matt Kramer (F); Sr. Ian Heydt; Sr. Griffin Carpenter (F)

Outlook: The Galloping Ghosts not only won the SHSHL’s American Division (Class A) title last season but earned a place in the Class AA Flyers Cup tournament. Brzozowski is looking to pick up where last year’s team left off.

“The team has been working hard in practices,” he said, “and looks forward to picking up where we left last year with winning results.”

Plymouth Whitemarsh

Coach: Dave Cox (first season)

Last year: 11-6, Flyers Cup participant

Key players: Sr. Chris Maslij (G); Sr. Conlan Carpenter (D); Sr. Jacob Elgart (D); Sr. Matt Flynn (F); Sr. Jeffrey Mencken (F)

Outlook: Cox, a Plymouth Whitemarsh graduate, takes over for Josh Aiello. He inherits a roster that’s deep in experience, one that should make an impact in the division.

Quakertown

Coach: Keith Krem (fourth season)

Last year: 7-9

Key players: Jr. Matt Krem (G); Sr. Jack Diliberto (F-D); Sr. Will Shaw

Outlook: The Panthers are thin in numbers; there are just 10 skaters on the roster. But they are an experienced group. There are five seniors on hand and Krem is a quality goaltender who will keep his team in games.

Springfield

Coach: Bernie Gillespie (first season)

Last year: No team

Key players: So. Liam Baskin (G); Sr. Lucas Davidson (D); Jr. Kenny Granderson (D); So. Felix Boccella (D); So. Gabe Wells (F); Fr. Grayson Quinn (F); So. Chris Cahill (F); So; Thomas Manchester (F); Jr. Marcel Camper (F)

Outlook: The Spartans are new to the SHSHL but not to hockey; the roster features players who are experienced at the club level.

“We’re looking forward to our first season in the league,” Gillespie said.

Wissahickon

Coach: Ken Harrington (eighth season), Flyers Cup participant

Last year: 9-9, Flyers Cup participant

Key players: So. Aiden Brooks (D); Sr. Konrad Foulk (D); Sr. Griffin Lynch (F-D); Sr. Will Hussa (F); So. Danny Hussa (F)

Outlook: The Trojans are likely to be lacking in numbers this season and Harrington is searching for a goaltender. But they should excel at putting the puck in the net.

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C.B. East 3 North Penn 1

HATFIELD—Any hockey team wants to make an impression at the start of a season. Central Bucks East did just that Wednesday night, scoring a 3-1 decision over North Penn at Hatfield Ice to help the Suburban High School Hockey League open its 50th season.

Corey Kosick scored two goals to help East start off its season on a winning note. Kosick, a junior, noted that this year’s edition of the Patriots runs the gambit when it comes to experience and that getting used to the style of play at the high-school level takes time.

“It’s all about being used to our level of play,” he said. “It’s all about hard work. Hard work is alway going to beat talent in the end and that’s why we came out on top today.”

Ethan Cenci gave the Patriots the early lead on a power-play goal 5:46 into the opening session and the two teams battled on even terms through the first two periods.

The officials kept a tight rein on the proceedings during that span, whistling 11 penalties for a total of 39 minutes.

With 15 seconds left in the second frame an engagement involving North Penn’s Sam Mostochuck and East’s Carter Keiser resulted in a major penalty and a game misconduct to Keiser and a three-minute power play for North Penn. The Knights however were unable to capitalize on their advantage.

“I think that sort of sums up our night,” said North Penn coach Kevin Vaitis. “We had aa bunch of power plays early in the game and couldn’t really get any momentum going in the zone, had trouble getting out of our own zone, getting set up in there and working the puck around.

“Their first goal was a power play. It was 1-0 through two periods If you capitalize on one of those (power plays), you’ve got a 1-1 game going into the third.”

Kosick extended the Patriots’ lead with a goal 6:43 into the third frame. John Stinson made it a one-goal game when he scored for the Knights at the 9:09 mark but Kosick answered back just eight seconds later.

The final period featured six additional penalties, three to each side. East coach Jeff Mitchell stressed the importance of his team staying out of the box.

“The first goal definitely got the energy started in the right direction,” he said. “I think the penalties really killed us at the start of this game I think the refs did a great job moderating between both teams. But we’ve got to be able to stay out of the box and be able to keep five men on the ice and keep pucks in the net.”

C.B.East 1 0 2—3

North Penn 0 0 1—1

First-period goal

Ethan Cenci (CBE) from Patrick O’Brien and Charlie Keiser, 5:46 (pp)

Third-period goals

Corey Kosick (CBE) from Keiser and Cenci, 6:43; John Stinson (NP) unassisted, 9:09; Kosick (CBE) from Keiser, 9:17

Shots: C.B. East 33, North Penn 26; Saves: Matt Mangiacapre (CBE) 25, Nick Crist (NP) 30

Malvern Prep 4 Calvert Hall 1

Jeremy Jacobs scored two goals and Caiden Canale and Gavin Wilson also scored as defending Class AAA Flyers Cup and APAC champion Malvern Prep opened its season Monday with a 4-1 win over Calvert Hall at Ice Line.

The Friars took control of the game in the first period when Wilson, Jacobs, and Canale scored in a span of 7:44.
Brandon Novabilski got the win in goal, making 36 saves.

“Over the last two years we graduated a lot of seniors and needed some young guys to step up,” said Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan. “I was pleased with our energy and tempo we set from the beginning. Our goalie came out strong and played a great game.”

APAC Getting Ready for Year 5

As the start of a new scholastic hockey season approaches, the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference is continuing to evolve.

The APAC, which will be starting its fifth season this fall, will once again include five teams. Defending conference and Class AAA Flyers Cup champion Malvern Prep will be joined by Holy Ghost Prep, The Hun School, St. Joseph’s Prep, and La Salle.

In addition, the conference has created partnerships with two other private schools, The Haverford School and Devon Prep which will compete against APAC member schools this season.

“The APAC schools are coordinating as scheduling partners with The Haverford School and Devon Prep, two institutions with developing varsity ice hockey programs,” said APAC Commissioner Jim Britt. Those games will not count as part of the APAC regular-season standings, but the competitions will help develop future opportunities.”

While the complete APAC schedule has yet to be announced, the conference has scheduled two doubleheader events for this season. The first will be sometime in mid-November on a date and at a site to be announced. The second will be an outdoor event on January 11, 2023 at the Spring Mountain outdoor rink in Spring Mount.

Counting Down to the SHSHL Season

Sixteen teams will skate under the Suburban High School Hockey League umbrella during the 2022-23 season.

The new season will commence on Wednesday, November 2 with 12 teams skating in the National Division (Class AA) and five more competing in the Class A American Division.

The National Division will feature defending league, Flyers Cup, and state champion Pennridge along with Bensalem, Council Rock North, Council Rock South, Central Bucks East, Central Bucks West, Central Bucks South Neshaminy, North Penn, Pennsbury, and Souderton.

Defending champion Abington heads the American Division which will also include Plymouth Whitemarsh, Quakertown, Wissahickon, and newcomer Springfield (Montco).

Teams will not necessarily be in the same classifications for the regular season and the Flyers Cup tournament.

Hatboro-Horsham and William Tennent, which both skated in the American Division a year ago, have combined forces this year and will skate against American Division opponents. The team will play a full league schedule but their results will not be reflected in the standings, nor will they be eligible for the SHSHL playoffs or the Flyers Cup tournament.

20222-23 marks the SHSHL’s 50^th season. The league as it is known now made its debut in 1973-74, coincidentally the same

National Scholastic Field Set

Defending champion Holy Ghost Prep heads the field for the 16^th annual National Invitational Scholastic Showcase. The annual extravaganza is scheduled for December 2-4 in Jamestown, NY and will feature teams from Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and Ontario who will all be on a quest to win the Governor’s Cup.

The field will include:

• Bethel Park Blackhawks WPA – 2021 Pa Hockey Scholastic Showcase Champions

• Buffalo St Francis Red Raiders NY – 2006 NISS Governors Cup Champions

• Cathedral Prep Ramblers WPA – 2019 NISS Governors Cup Champions

• Culver Academy IND – 32-Time Indiana Champions

• Franklin Regional Panthers WPA – 2022 Penguins Cup Finalists

• Holy Ghost Prep Firebirds EPA – 2022 and 5 NISS Governors Cup Champions

• Glenbrook South Titans ILL – 2022 Hoosier Cup Champions

• Meadville Bulldogs WPA – 8 Time Pennsylvania Champions

• Medina Bees OHIO – 3-Time Ohio Club Champions

• North Allegheny Tigers WPA – 3-Time Pennsylvania Cup Champions

• Ontario Hockey Academy – 3-time NISS Governors Cup Champions

• Peters Township Indians WPA – 2022 Pennsylvania Champions

• St Edwards Eagles OHIO – 11-Time Ohio State Champions

• St Ignatius Wildcats OHIO – 7-Time Ohio State Champions

• St Joseph’s Marauders NY – 10- Time New York State Champions

• University School Preppers OHIO – 2-Time Ohio State Champions

Quinn Egan’s Remarkable Journey

The importance of giving back through community service is emphasized to every student at St. Joseph’s Prep and, indeed, to students at each of the Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference institutions. Serving overseas however, in a part of the world impacted by war, requires a different level of commitment.

Quinn Egan chose to take that step. A senior at St. Joseph’s Prep and a forward on the hockey team, Egan, a Blue Bell resident, spent his spring break in Poland last month assisting Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war that continues to decimate their homeland.

His father, Tom Egan, accompanied him. In fact, the trip was Tom Egan’s idea.

“(His father) has always been really interested in world events,” Quinn Egan said. “So, he had been reading up on this for six or seven months, just watching the tension build. He used to tell me about it every day and started giving me daily updates and I realized how big of a deal it truly was.

“He thought it was something that we could go over and get involved in and it would good to help people.”

The trip was arranged through Caritas, a Catholic service organization. Father and son flew from Newark to Warsaw, Poland and drove from there to Lublin, a city located roughly an hour west of the Ukraine border. They spent the first two days of their trip there packing clothing.

“There were shipments coming from throughout the world,” Egan said. “They had tons and tons of clothes.

“We packed them into boxes and put them on a bunch of pallets, then onto a huge truck that every night was driven into the Ukraine somewhere.

Egan and his father also spent much of two days at the border assisting incoming refugees.

“We pretty much greeted and welcomed refugees,” Egan said. “We gave them food, basically any necessities that we had Anything they needed, we would try and give them if we had it.

“There was also a shelter where refugees could be registered and eventually, after one or two days, sent off to somebody’s house to live in to give them a more permanent home.”

That new home would likely be in Poland but theoretically could be anywhere in the EU.

Egan that the refugees he encountered were optimistic despite their circumstances. “They truly believed they will win the war,” he said. “They do have a positive mindset when it comes to that.”

Egan says there was one instance that gave him pause.

“There was one moment when I felt nervous and did not know what was happening,” he said. “One morning I woke before my dad. I went out to go to a bakery and just grab a donut or a piece of bread or whatever.

“There was a plane that flew overhead really low. And where we are (in Lublin), there’s no major airport so no flights are coming in. Ukraine is only a quick drive away.

“When the plane flew overhead in the Old Town, the pedestrian-only area, everybody went inside, into a building. Hundreds of people just ran into a building. It was completely uncertain. Nobody knew if it was a Russian plane an American plane, a Finnish or a Polish plane. Nobody knew. So, that was the only time I felt even a little bit unsafe. But, besides that, I felt completely safe the whole time. And the Polish people, I’ll say, are very confident nothing will happen to them.”

Egan returned to St. Joseph’s Prep following the Easter holiday with a fresh perspective on the war.

“I think experiencing something in general makes the news way whatever it is more powerful,” he said. “So, actually going over there and meeting the people that are being forced out of their homes or having their homes destroyed while maybe having a family member also being killed, makes it really powerful to see what’s happening.

Egan reflected on how his trip tied into his school’s concept of community service.

“When I was in eighth grade I remember a Prep presentation given by a few students and the admissions director Howie Brown,” he said. “And I remember them really emphasizing the importance of service, of helping others no matter how big or small I know that’s been a major emphasis from Day One at the Prep and even before the Prep that you should always try to be involved I whatever you can.”

For Malvern Prep’s Novabilski, Arizona Trip Offered Life Lessons

The concept of community service is central to the mission at Malvern Prep. Brandon Novabilski, the Friars’ backup goaltender chose to give back by joining a dozen or so of his fellow students on a week-long trip to Flagstaff, Arizona this past February to assist at a food bank. They spent the better part of a week preparing meals, and packing and distributing food.

Novabilski, a junior at Malvern Prep, is in his first year at the school. The Collegeville resident transferred from Perkiomen Valley.

He learned about the trip via a weekly e-mail that is distributed to the entire student body informing them about community service projects in the Greater Philadelphia area and elsewhere. Endeavors like the Arizona trip are not mandatory but they allow students to work toward completing their community service hours requirements each academic year.

“I talked to my parents about it,” Novabilski said, “and they though it was a great idea and a good experience, so I signed up along with the other students.”

The first day of the trip saw the students preparing, packing, and handing out bagged lunches.

“We’d make small lunches basically,” Novabilski said, “so we’d have people making sandwiches we were just making simple jelly/peanut butter sandwiches, ham with mayo or mustards. When that was done, they would add cookies and pack it in a bag.

“People would come up to the window that come to get food one of my friends would deliver.

We were there for roughly almost a whole day and it was really a good experience seeing the people because every time they would come up to the window they’d expected a normal worker but then they’d see the Malvern Prep boys and it kind of lightened the mood, that kids around the world are helping.

The following day Novabilski and the Malvern contingent spent time packing boxes of fruit at a warehouse packing boxes of fruit.

“We would pack boxes of apples, cucumbers, avocados, and pineapples,” Novabilski said. “Some of the fruit was set aside for area farmers to feed to their livestock. Some was donated to area residents who utilized the food bank for their groceries each week.

The students would aid the residents as needed. Novabilski’s most vivid memory of the trip is of assisting one middle-aged woman whose mobility was limited due to a leg injury.

“She was so thankful,” he recalled. “It really humbled me, how thankful she was. That was definitely an awesome experience. I think that was my favorite experience, helping that woman, because it made me realize how lucky I am.”

Novabilski took some valuable life lessons away from the trip.

“What got to learn more about what’s going on in the world,” he said, “and why people can’t really afford food at the grocery stores and why it’s so helpful to be involved at your local food bank and help out.

The trip resulted in Novabilski missing one of Malvern Prep’s games and one practice session, but had the full support of his teammates and his coach Bill Keenan.

“They did handle it well,” Novabilski said “Coach Keenan was not upset. He understood, all the players understood.

“(Keenan) understood that at Malvern Prep we want to help people around the world. We definitely want to make the world a better place. He really understood that.”