Category: Uncategorized

Van Kula Ready for APAC Debut

Wednesday will mark the start of a new chapter in APAC history Charlie Van Kula will takes his place behind the St. Joseph’s Prep bench as the Hawks open their conference schedule at La Salle (4:00 at Hatfield Ice).

Van Kula took over the Prep this season, replacing David Giacomin who directed the Hawks for 13 seasons. His team comes into its APAC opener off three non-league wins.

“I’ve got big shoes to fill,” Van Kula acknowledged.

Van Kula was a goaltender for the Hawks (Giacomin was his coach his senior season) and lettered four times before having a brief stint as a walk-on at Boston College where he served as a student manager.

For the past three seasons he has coached the Hawks’ JV Gray team. He’s also an on-ice official for USA Hockey.

Van Kula says he had visions of being the Hawks’ head coach one day, Just not right now.

“It’s a real honor, obviously. It’s something I always kind of had  in the back of my mind, the possibility 20 years from now.

I told our alumni and parents it’s not something I take lightly, an and the program and where it’s come from.

“The program has grown from two teams to three and I take a lot of pride in being involved.”

Van Kula stresses the importance of the hockey program at his alma mater be the right fit with the educational and spiritual mission of the school.

“It’s critical,” he said, “as  it is with  all the sports at the Prep. We really emphasize that all of us. We’re not here to just coach our specific sports. Our sports are vehicles to fulfill the mission and the goals  of the school  as a whole.

“So, all of us are making sure our players are living up to that. Making sure that our players are living up to their academic expectations.  Making sure we’re pushing the same goals an values the school is.”

CLICK HERE for more about St. Joseph’s Prep

St. Joseph’s Prep 4 St. John’s College 1

The Hawks improved to 3-0 with the non-league win Wednesday afternoon at the Class of 1923 Rink. Cole Gargon scored twice for the hosts who trailed 1-0 after the first period. Noah Stuhl and Frank Ely added one goal each.

Declan Geary made 31 saves on goal. The Hawks will face La Salle in their APAC opener next Wednesday.

St. John’s College 1 0 0—1

St. Joseph’s Prep 0 2 2—4

SHSHL Previews

National Division

Central Bucks East

Coach: Jeff Mitchell (sixth season)

Last year: 10-10-1, 10-7-1 in divisional play; Class AA Flyers Cup invitee

Key players: So. Cameron Young (G); Sr. Alex Wilson (F); Sr. Ethan Cenci (F); Sr. Braedon Hahn (F); Sr. Evan Asimakopoulos (F); Sr. Cole Kleindienst (F) 

Outlook: The Patriots are a team in transition, in Mitchell’s words “Retooling rather than rebuilding.” Some key pieces from last year’s team are lost to graduation. There may be early growing pains but the plan is to blend youthful energy and team chemistry to create success.

Central Bucks South

Coach: Josh Sklar (first season)

Last year: 17-7, 15-3 in divisional play; Class AA Flyers Cup invitee

Key players: Jr. Nathan Napolitano (G); Sr. JD Crouch (D); So. Braxton Lord (D); Sr. Ryan Frey (F); Sr. Ryan Montagna (F); Sr. Joey Slobodrian (F); Jr. Dominic Gibson (F); Jr. Grant Boyne (F); Fr. Owen Frey (F); Fr. Nolan Senigo (F)

Outlook: Sklar takes over for the retiring Shaun McGinty; he directed the Titans on an interim basis during portions of last season.

This year’s roster will feature a solid group of veterans, led by Napolitano in goal and a promising group of underclassmen.

The pieces are in place for a promising season.

Central Bucks West

 Coach: Frank Blust (first season)

Last year: 0-18, 0-18 in divisional play

Key players: Jr. Issac Mays (G); Sr. Austin Griffin (D); Jr. Colin Murray (F/D); Sr. Jackson Hirsch (F); Jr. Alex Korolev (F); So. Tyler Ricci (F)

Outlook: Blust takes over behind the bench for Dave Baun, who retired after 20 seasons. He’s looking to field a lineup that blends youth and experience.

“We’ve brought back a nice core that I think will work well with some of our new faces,” Bust said. “They’ve worked hard to improve in all three zones and build some team chemistry.”

Council Rock South

 Coach: Joe Houk (20th season)

Last year: 22-3, 17-1 in divisional play, National Division champions; Class AA Flyers Cup finalist

Key players: Sr. Trey Prozzillo (G); So. Evan Ayala (G); Jr. Wes Mallon (D); Sr. Jake Weiner; Sr. Jordan Sarne (F)

Outlook: The Golden Hawks lost eight seniors off last year’s championship squad but Houk, the longest-tenured coach in the SHSHL, feels good about this year’s squad, which will be trying for its fourth straight National Division title and is poised to make another championship run.

Weiner led the SHSHL in scoring last season with 41 regular-season goals and 19 assists for 60 points. Sarne collected 41 points via 18 goals and 23 assists.

Neshaminy

Coach: Bill Mooney (second season)

Last year: 6-12-1, 5-12-1 in divisional play

Key players: Sr. Gianna Raggio (G); Fr. Tommy Fox (G); Jr. Sean Mooney (D); Fr. Kainen Thompson (D); Sr. Anthony DiCrosta (F); Sr. Angelo Veneziale (F); Sr. Jake Topoleski (F); So. Nate Parker F; So. Tyler Hathaway (F); So. Eli Kirsh (F); Fr. Chris Koehler (F)

Outlook: The ‘Skins lost three key players to graduation after last season and will be in adjustment mode at first after just missing the postseason a year ago.

“Our goals as a team this season are to continue to work hard, compete in every game,” Mooney said, “make the SHSHL playoffs and get an invite to this year’s Flyers Cup tournament.”

North Penn

Coach: Kevin Vaitis (17th season)

Last year: 21-3, 16-2 in divisional play; Class AA Flyers Cup and state champions

Key players: Jr. Aidan Quigley (G); So. Any Norton (G); St. James Boyle (D); Sr. Danielle Cabrales (D); Sr. Chase Kelly Del-Ricci (D); Sr. Gabe Dunn (D); Jr. Sam Norton (F); Sr. Nolan Shingle (F); Jr. Chris Silvotti (F); St. Luke Haftel (F)

Outlook: When you’ve won a Flyers Cup and a state title, what do you do for an encore? North Penn will do its best to answer that question with an impressive corps of returnees.

Norton is second among the division’s returning scorers with 30 regular-season goals a year ago and 27 assists for 57 points.

“We know everyone is going to bring their best against us,” Vaitis said, “and we have to be ready every night we step on the ice. We will be led by great goaltending, strong defense, and multiple lines that can contribute up front. We are focused on getting better each week.”

Pennsbury

Coach: Ryan Daley

Last year: 6-14, 6-12 in divisional play

Key players: Sr. Brendan Milliken (G); Sr. Franky DeLucia (D); Jr. Connor Gray (D); Sr. Shane Gleisner (F); Jr. Jake Sarver (F)

Outlook: A young Falcon team went through some growing pains last season. But the additional year of experience will pay dividends this time around.

“With more experience at the varsity level we look to make a jump in the standings,” Daley said, “and push for another postseason run.”

Pennridge

Coach: Jeff Montagna (eighth season)

Last year: 14-9, 11-7 in divisional play; Class AA Flyers Cup quarterfinalist

Key players: Jr. Andrew Slutsky (G); St. Justin Dinsmore (D); r. Ryan Burke (F); Jr. Landon Bishop (F); Jr. Dean Venner (F); Sr. Kaden Gunning (F);

Outlook:  Montagna is behind the bench after announcing he was stepping away at the close of last season. He’ll be presiding over a new era of Pennridge hockey; there are just skaters on the roster, four of whom are new to varsity competition.

“I told them it will be a challenge,” Montagna said, “but that they will find out a lot about themselves as players and competitors. We will have to play a completely different style but they are up for it and we will have some fun with it. I’m really excited to see how it works.” 

Souderton

Coach: Ryan Uchniat (eighth season)

Last year: 6-13, 6-12 in divisional play

Key players: Sr. Max Ryon (F); Jr. Cameron Fairweather (F); Jr. Matthew Cross (F)

Outlook: Uchniat will be back behind the Souderton bench after taking a year off. The Big Red will be short in numbers but there are some game-changing players in the lineup. Ryon scored 26 regular-season goals last year and added 32 assists for 58 points to finish third in the National Division in scoring.

American Division

Abington

Coach: Ken Brzozowski (ninth season)

Last year: 0-16, 0-16 in divisional play

Key players: Jr. Matt Evangelist (G); Sr. Moses Garcia (D); Jr. Ben Biko (D); R. Liam Gura (D); Sr. Jamison Donofty (F); So. Joey Widmeier (F)

Outlook: The Galloping Ghosts will be one of the youngest teams in the SHSHL; there are just three senior on the roster.  The lineup also features Evangelist, a quality goaltender.

 A preseason camp at the University of Delaware got the team off on the right foot.

“We’re looking to build on the early season momentum” Brzozowski said. “The coaches are committed to and look forward to being part of the team’s continued improvements and progression towards returning Abington back to a championship level”

Hatboro-Horsham

Coach: Shane Smith (fifth season)

Last year: 12-9, 9-7 in divisional play; American Division champion, Class A Flyers Cup quarterfinalist

Key players: Jr. Eric Miller (G); Jr. Reid Rochestie (D); So. Joseph Magnon (F); Sr. Nate Nemchinov (F); So. Vincent Graziani (F) Jr. William Moffa (F)

Outlook: The Hatters come into the season off an American Division title and the first Flyers Cup win in school history.

Graziani with 22 goals and 25 assists (47 points) and Nemchinov (27-18-45) were second and third in the division in scoring last season.

Plymouth Whitemarsh

Coach: Vince Forti (second season)

Last year: 17-3, 15-1 in divisional play; American Division regular season champion, Class A Flyers Cup quarterfinalist

Key players: So. Max Yoder (G); So. Lucas Bennett (G); Sr. Ryan Jagher (D); Sr. Danny Guller (F-D); Sr. John Zawislak (F); So. Cooper Kanze (F)

Outlook: The Colonials return the bulk of the lineup of last year’s regular-season champions.

“We are looking forward to getting the year started,” Forti said. “The team chemistry has been great. Our guys have been practicing hard, unsatisfied with the results of last season. We hope to get off to a strong start and continue to build on that throughout the season. “

Guller (19 goals, 33 assists, 52 points) is the division’s top returning scorer.

“We are looking forward to getting the year started,” Forti said. “The team chemistry has been great. Our guys have been practicing hard, unsatisfied with the results of last season. We hope to get off to a strong start and continue to build on that throughout the season.”

Springfield (Montco)

Coach: Don Quinn (third season)

Last year: 8-9, 8-8 in divisional play

Key players: Fr. Emmett Kline(G), So. John Barr(D), Jr. Luke Belles (D); Sr. Gavin McManus(F), Sr. Kellen Warman(F), Sr. Grayson Quinn(F)

Outlook: The Spartans reached the playoffs a year ago and Quinn is hoping to use that as accomplishment as a springboard to success this season.

“We will rely heavily on our seniors to lead on and off the ice,” he said, and we have some young skilled players that will contribute this season.”

Wissahickon

Coach: James Rumsey (third season)

Last year: 8-9, 8-8 in divisional play

Key players: Sr. Fletcher Lynch (G); St. Logan Dicus (D), Jr. Joey Gambino (F); Jr. Logan Honeycutt (F); Jr. Mark Risnychok (F)

Outlook: The Trojans lost five seniors to graduation but Rumsey is excited about what lies ahead.

“We are excited to see the new generation of players take the ice and step up to the challenge,” he said. “Our players seem to have a great connection at practice and really seem to enjoy being on the ice together.

“We have a short bench in numbers but a lot of grit to make up for it. I have no doubt this group will leave everything they have on the ice this year.” 

Malvern Prep 3 St. John’s College 3

The Friars rallied from a 2-0 first-period deficit to finish with a 3-3 tie Monday in Rockville, Maryland. Malvern Prep’s Cole Wray tied the game with 3:37 left in the third period. Logan Love scored the other two Friar goals, one in each of the first two periods.

No overtime was played because of ice-slot restrictions.

Malvern Prep 1 1 1—3

Sr. John’s College 2 0 1—3

Flyers Cup Chair Eric Tye Tees it Up in Adaptive Golf Event

 Anyone who has spent time around Eric Tye is aware of his passion for hockey. But Tye, who oversees the Flyers Cup scholastic hockey tournament each March, is also passionate about his golf.

And the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s Adaptive Championship has enhanced his passion.

Tye was part of the field of 60 golfers competed in the two-day 36-hole test at Indian Valley Country Club in Telford last Monday and Tuesday. It’s the second year in succession that GAP has hosted an adaptive championship for golfers with physical or mental disabilities.

Tye, who was born without a lower right arm, has played in the event twice.  He finished back in the pack, in part due to a balky putter but his enthusiasm for golf and for the Adaptive Championship was undiminished.

“I guess it’s just the compete level,” he said. “Anything you ever want to do, you just want to compete.

“This is hard. I didn’t put very well. I had two bad holes {during the final round} and three or four {during the opening round}. It deflates your ego a little bit.”

Despite his handicap, Tye considers himself fortunate.

“I’m just missing my arm from my elbow down. But you look around here. I got it easy man. I got it so easy compared to some of these people.”

Tye says the fact that he was born with his disability has made it easier for to deal with compared to someone who may have lost a limb due to an injury.

“I think it makes it easier for me because I’ve never known anything but to do it the way I do it,” he said. “I had no choice. “Some of these guys may have lived 15 or 20 years and then lost their arm so they’ve had to learn how to do everything all over again, so there’s a big difference there.”

The atmosphere at the event is characterized by mutual respect and support along with good fellowship

“We have fun,” Tye said. “We definitely have fun. Playing practice rounds at these things, you meet everyone and everyone’s just hanging out, it’s a good time.”

The GAP event is one of a number of adaptive golf events held around the country each year. Tye says he’d like to start playing in them more frequently.

 “It’s just awesome,” he said. “We do these events and we see each other at these events. It puts life in a whole new perspective.

“Now that I know these guys, I’m going to start going to start going around and playing in different ones when I can. It’s hard, because a lot of them now they are in November, December, January, and February.”

Youth Jamboree Celebrates Blind Hockey

Passion and joy filled the Blue Rink at Hatfield Ice Saturday morning. The occasion was the debut of the Blind Hockey Youth Jamboree.

Organized by Philadelphia Blind Hockey, the weekend-long event brought together youngsters with a passion for hockey who are living their lives with visual impairments. Sixteen athletes, divided into two evenly matched teams of eight, took the ice Saturday morning for the first of three games (additional games were played Saturday night and Sunday morning). The majority of the participants are part of the Philadelphia Blind Hockey program; but there were also skaters representing blind hockey programs in St. Louis, Toronto, Denver, and Edmonton

The Jamboree was the end result of three years of effort to get Philadelphia Blind Hockey up and running; for three years now the participants have been practicing regularly with the assistance and encouragement of high-school hockey players from schools throughout area.

Kelsey McGuire is the founder and executive director pf Philadelphia Blind Hockey.

“I’m very excited how this is happening,” she said. “I didn’t think a blind hockey game would ever happen for our player but it’s truly something that is very special.”

McGuire cited how some of the program’s participants have developed their skating and other hockey skills since Philadelphia Blind Hockey was launched in 2022.

“Some of our players have been with us from the very beginning,” she said, “and for some of our players who are out here today it’s their first year.

“Just to see the difference that even a year cam make with our players and the development of them helps them gain confidence, which is very rewarding at the end of the day.

“It’s very exciting to see what their skill level is and how the game of blind hockey has grown.”

Seeing the players on the ice in a game-type situation was an inspiring experience for onlookers.

Alexis Matlack is a coach with Philadelphia Blind Hockey and worked with the players Saturday morning. She that the confidence blind hockey players build on the ice carries over to their lives off the ice.

“I’ve definitely seen with our kids the confidence off ice,” she said, “based on what they’ve done on the ice.

“We were recently at a Canadian hockey tournament and our kids really bonded off the ice. They were just more outgoing versus when they first got started. Just playing any sport really builds confidence. It’s amazing for them to have this visually impaired sport to go out and do.”

McGuire praises the Flyers Cup Committee and committee President Eric Tye for their support of the program.

“{Tye} is a great mentor to me and to our program,” she said, “to allow it to be as successful as it is. His leadership and what he knows about the hockey world has helped.

“It’s very exciting, and we continue to work with him and grow the game

Learn more about Philadelphia Blind Hockey

  • The weekend’s gams were streamed on the Flyers Cup You Tube Channel

Garnet Valley 7 Avonworth 2

Garnet Valley’s up-tempo offense was on display Saturday afternoon for all the world to see. Nolan Stott and Kevin Walton each scored two goals and each contributed two assists as the Jaguars pounced on Avonworth 7-2 to win the Class A Pennsylvania at the Robert Morris Island Sports Center in suburban Pittsburgh.

It marks the first state championship for Garnet Valley (23-) which finished its season as Central League, Flyers Cup, and state champions.

Head coach Stephane Charbonneau said the state title marked the climax of a long journey that featured contribution from the entire group.

“We all had a job to do,” he said. “We went one by one. We asked our guys ‘What is your job for your team and what are you going to do and what are you going to sacrifice?’

“Everyone had a job to do and these kids are awesome.”

Jake Morrow gave the Jaguars a 1-0 lead 7:18 into the opening period. Cooper Powell answered for the Antelopes at the 9:43 mark but Garnet Valley counterattacked by scoring six unanswered goals.

Kaden Longo’ goal with 3:32 left in the first period put Garnet Valley in front for good. Walton and Stott added goals in the second period and Aiden Delfin, Stott, and Walton in the third to give the Jaguars a 7-1 lead with 4:34 left in the game.

Garrett Stoops stopped 24 of the 26 shots he faced in goal.

This game marked the 12th straight victory for the East in the state title game.

Garnet Valley 2 2 1—7 23-2

Avonworth 1 0 1—2

First-period goals: Jake Morow (GV) fron Nolan Stott,7:18 (pp); Cooper Powell (A) unassisted, 9:43; Kaden Longo (GV) unassisted 14:28;

Second-period goals: Kevin Walton (GV) from Dylan Orr, 4:16; Stott from A.J. Tenhuisen, 6:53

Third-period goals: Aiden Delfin (GV) from Walton, 1:04; Stott (GV) from Walton, 2:32 (pp); Walton (GV from Delfin and Matt Abbonizio, 3:20; Austin Dzadovsky from Connor Ralston 12:26 (sh)

Shots: Garnet Valley 33, Avonworth 26; Saves: Garrett Stoops (GV) 24, Danny Mack (A) 26

North Penn 4 Cathedral Prep 1 NP 21-3

North Penn 0 0 3—4

Cathedral Prep 0 1 0—1

Second-period goal: Tucker Kinnear from Ethan Cunningham and Chris Bruschi, 5:19

Third-period goals: Samuel Norton (NP) unassisted, 2:49 (pp); James Boyle (NP) from Norton and Cole Pluck, 13:21 (pp); Daniel  Cabrales (NP), 13:43 unassisted;  Nolan Single (NP) 16:17 (en) unassisted

Shots: North Penn 35, Erie Cathedral Prep 27; Saves: Andy Norton (NP) 26, Ian Brown (CP) 31

Flyers Cup Class A Finals Peview

It’s no surprise that Garnet Valley and West Chester Henderson reached Class A Flyers Cup final (7:00 Monday) at Ice Line. The Jaguars and the Warriors were the top two seeds. Here’s a look at how they got there.

1 Garnet Valley (21-2)

Coach: Stephane Charbonneau

Players to watch: Kevon Walton 36 goals, 23 assists, 59 points, inc. 3 goals and 1 assist in the tournament; Jake Robinson 21-25-46; 2-1-3 in the tournament; Nolan Stott 24-18-42, 1-3-4 in the tournament; Garrett Stoops .909 save percentage, 1.59 GAA

How they got here: Defeated Plymouth Whitemarsh 10-0 in the quarterfinals and West Chester East 2-1 in the semifinals.

2 West Chester Henderson (16-6)

Coach:  Tom Aughey

Players to watch: Blake Platz 31 goals, 18 assists 49 points inc. 3 goals and 2 assists in the tournament; Hunter Haas 26-43-49; 4-3 in the tournament; Andrew Dent 4-2-6 in the tournament; Matt Cieslukowski 2.81 GAA, .884 save percentage

How they got here: Defeated Marple-Newtown 7-6 in the quarterfinals and Hershey 7-4 in the semifinals.

Ice chips: The two teams met once during the regular season with Garnet Valley taking a 5-2 bwin on January 31. Nolan Stott paced the Jaguars with two goals and an assist …Garnet Valley won the Class A Flyers Cup in 1998. Henderson claimed the title in 2007. The Jaguars are taking a 12-game winning streak into the finals. The Warriors have won three of their last four.