Here’s the Lineup

Here’s the cast of characters for the Suburban High School Hockey League’s 48th season.

National/Continental Divisions

Council Rock South

Coach: Joe Houk (15^thseason)

Last Year: 14-6-0-1

Key players: Jr. Jimmy Sweeney (G); So. Carson Lopez (G); Sr. Brennen Wright (D); Sr. Kyle Schneider (D); Sr. Doug Lopez (F); Sr. Jeremy Purcell (F).

Outlook: The defending SHSHL Class AA champions will be dealing with numbers issues this season. Five players who played key roles on last year’s team and were eligible to return did not. But there is experience on hand, including Sweeney and Lopez in goal, Wright and Schneider on the blue line and Purcell up front.

“We’ll be competitive,” Houk said, “but we’ll need to work for every win. It’s a good group of hardworking boys and I look forward to getting started.”

Central Bucks East

Coach: Jeff Mitchell (first season)

Last year: 10-6-1-1

Key players: Sr. Chris McIntyre (G); Sr. Conner Keiser (D); Sr. Conner Hausner (F); Jr. Phil McIntyre (F).

Outlook: Mitchell takes over for Ken Latchum who in two tours of duty spent a total of 12 years behind the Patriots’ bench. His roster will feature a solid corps of seniors led by Chris McIntyre in goal and Keiser on the blue line.

“These young men are looking to make a statement this year” Mitchell said. “They have a lot to prove before they move onto their everyday lives”

Central Bucks West

Coach: Dave Baun (17^thseason)

Last year: 7-7-2

Key players: Sr. Keith Orlando (F); Jr. Evan Hee (D); Jr. Grant Funseth (D); Sr. Ben Morris (F); Jr. Reese Dalzell (D).

Outlook: Baun, the senior coach in the SHSHL in terms of longevity, will be directing one of the youngest teams he’s ever had.

“We are as young and as new as we’ve been in years,” he said. “But, we also have some of the best attitudes and hardest workers we’ve seen in a while and when you have that, a lot of good things are possible.”

Central Bucks South

Coach: Shaun McGinty (seventh season)

Last year: 21-4

Key players: Sr. Mason Moyer (G); Jr. Daniel Kevecher (F); Jr. Aidan Gaffney (F); Sr. Owen Mendham (D); So. Matt Crouch (D).

Outlook: The Titans suffered some graduation hits in the off season but dome key veterans return, including Moyer in goal. The seven-time SHSHL Class AA champions should be as dangerous as usual.

“Our goal each tear is to win,” McGinty said. “Our focus is on hard work, sacrifice, and discipline. There is no other way.”

Neshaminy

Coach: Matt DeMatteo

Last year: 12-4-0-1

Key players: Sr. Robbie Seewagen (F); Sr. Thomas Gallagher (F); Sr. Matt Buchinski (D); So. Brian Nelson (G); So. Nolan Geria (F); So. J.J. Hathaway (D).

Outlook: The ‘Skins blossomed into a potent offensive force and that trend should continue this season. Four of the top five scorers on last year’s team return, led by Seewagen, perhaps the league’s premier sniper, along with Gallagher and Geria. Buchinski is solid on the blue line and Nelson was impressive in goal last year.

“Our goal is to build on the success of the last few years,” DeMatteo said, “and take another step forward this season.”

North Penn

Coach: Kevin Vaitis (12^thseason)

Last year: 15-4-0-1

Key players: Sr. Ryan Cunningham (D); Sr. Chase Mueller (D); Jr. Nicholas Ebbinghaus (G); Jr. Tony Tuozzo (F); Sr. Jeromy Porubski (F); Sr. Zach Cline (F); So. Ryan Kaufhold (F).

Outlook: The Knights lost some key pieces from last year’s roster but they will not be bereft of talent. Cunningham and Mueller are two of the SHSHL’s top defensemen Ebbinghaus is an experienced goaltender.

Pennsbury

Coach: Ryan Daley (fourth season)

Last year: 10-6-1

Key players: Jr. Shane Siegmound (F); Sr. Erik Eisler (F); So. Brendan Macainsh (F); Jr. Reece Millman (D); Jr. Connor Coyne (D).

Outlook: The Falcons continue to improve on the offensive side of the puck with some young freshman talent coupled with some veteran leadership.

“We’ve made big moves in the right direction every season since I took over as head coach,” Daley said, “and we expect to do the same this year.”

Pennridge

Coach: Jeff Montagna (third season)

Last year: 9-6

Key players: Sr. Blake Stewart (F); Sr. Jeff Manto (F); Sr. Conner Frisch (D); Jr. Jack Lowery (F); Jr. Aiden Boyle (D); Jr. Ryan Schuler (D); Jr. Ryan Pico (G).

Outlook: The Rams may be the most experienced team in the SHSHL. All but one player returns from last year’s team. Stewart, Manto, and Lowery are solid up front and there is a wealth of experience on the blue line with Boyle and Schuler, and in goal with Pico.
“As always, how well we play defensively will dictate how successful we are as a team,” Montagna said.

Souderton

Coach: Ryan Uchniat (third season)

Last year: 3-7-1-1

Key players: Jr. Carter Povazan (D); So. Tim Alexander (F); So. Noah Connor (G); Sr. Amanda Kaminsky (G)

Outlook: The Big Red will be a young team; there are eight freshmen on the roster. Circumstances will require they play major roles.

“Our goal is to continuously improve,” Uchniat said, “and bring a high compete level. We’ll be relying on good defense and goaltending.”

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American Division

Plymouth Whitemarsh

Coach: Matt Aiello (seventh season)

Last year: 18-2

Key Players: Sr. John Cubbin (F-D); Sr. Zach Spera (F); Sr. T.J. Corcoran (D); Sr. Jack Mishkin (D); Jr. Luke Weikel (F); Jr. Aidan Keogh (F).

Outlook: The defending division champions likely won’t display the firepower they did a year ago, but with seven seniors returning the Colonials should still be formidable.

“We have high expectations for the coming season,” Aiello said.

Weikel and Keogh figure to be the top offensive threats.

Abington

Coach: Ken Brzozowski(fourth season)

Last year: 4-13

Key players: Sr. Colin Bruton (F), Sr. Holden Brooker (D); Jr. Tommy Rourke (D-F); Jr. Joe Stelacio (D-F); So. Griffin Carpenter (F).

Outlook: The Galloping Ghosts move back to the American Division this year and bring an abundance of experience with them. Bruton will offer a veteran presence up front and Carpenter saw a lot of ice time there last year as a freshman. Brooker will head up the defense corps while Rourke and Stelacio will utilize their experience in a variety of roles.

“The team will look to grow from its experience last year at the AA level,”Brzozowski said. “They’ve been working hard off the ice withindividual training and zoom team sessions through the pandemic and are looking forward to getting back on the ice.”

Hatboro-Horsham

Coach: Gianni Lafratta (third season)

Last year: 12-5-1

Key players: Sr. Aidan Esack (F-D), Sr. Seth Lerner (F-D), Sr. Alex Howieson (F) Sr. Vincent Tarsi (F-D), Hannah Gurt (D).

Outlook: The Hatters will have an abundance of experience in the lineup. Lafratta is hoping to add some scoring punch to go with a traditionally strong defense corps.

Quakertown

Coach: Keith Krem (second season)

Last year: 2-12-1

Key players: Sr. Eric Orezehoski (D); Jr. Anthony Pagliei (F); Fr. Kira Shaw (F).

Outlook: The Panthers return for their second SHSHL season skating in the American Division and featuring a mix of experienced veterans and eager newcomers. Pagliei will be the primary scoring threat but Krem is also excited by Shaw, who is making her high-school debut.

Truman

Coach: Bill Keyser (10^thseason)

Last year: 4-12
Key players: Sr. Frank Gallagher (F); Sr. Brent McGoldrick (D); Sr. Sean Doughery (D); Jr. Justin Reid (F).

Outlook: The Tigers are customarily lacking in numbers but they traditionally make up for it with sustained effort.

“We hope to have a good showing,” Keyser said. “Our goal is to play hard and have fun.”

William Tennent

Coach: Nick D’Aurizio (11^thseason)

Last year: 5-11

Key players: Sr. Zach Devor (D); Sr. Justin Carrelli (F); Sr. John Kreider (D); Jr. Matt Castan (F); Jr. Tom Lomas (G).

Outlook: The Panthers shift into the American Division this season and are primed to compete for a division title against schools of similar size.

“We’re excited to compete against some really good teams in the American Division,” D’Aurizio said, “and hopefully be in the position by the end of the season to play for a league championship. We have a strong core of seniors this year that have been 4 year lettermen and I’d love nothing more than to send them off with a title.”

Wissahickon

Coach: Ken Harrington (sixth season)

Last year: 10-10

Key players: Jr. Michael Bonanni (G); Sr. Bryan Garry (F); Jr. Nick Hussa (F); Sr. Nolan Ryan (D); Jr. Ty Schiff (D); Sr. Chris Shea (G).

Outlook: The Trojans scored a lot of goals last year in a division where goals are traditionally plentiful. With Garry and Hussa returning, this year’s team should score a lot of goals as well but Harrington believes the strength of his squad will be on the blue line where Ryan and Schiff return. Bonnani and Shea should both see time in goal.

SHSHL Select Team

This team was selected as a supplement to the Suburban High School Hockey League divisional teams that were announced last week. Our thanks to the coaches who provided input.

F Colin Abbonizio Sr. Central Bucks South

F Antii Autere So. Council Rock South

F Bryan Garry Jr. Wissahickon

F Tyler Greenstein Sr. North Penn

F Aidan Keogh So Plymouth Whitemarsh

F Michael Roby Jr. Council Rock South

F Robbie Seewagen, Jr. Neshaminy

F Chris Trefz Sr. Central Bucks West

D Tom Boyle Sr. North Penn

D Matt Buchinski Jr. Neshaminy

D Ken Duffield So. Council Rock South

D Ryan Gingras Sr. Central Bucks South

G Chris McIntyre Jr. Central Bucks East

G Jimmy Sweeney So. Council Rock South

All-SHSHL Team Announced

The Hockey Happenings Suburban High School Hockey League All-League team was selected by hockeyhappenngs.com with input from league coaches.

A select team encompassing all three divisions is scheduled to be announced on March 29,

National Division

First Team

F Antii Autere So. Council Rock South

F Michael Roby Jr. Council Rock South

F Rob Seewagen Jr. Neshaminy

D Matt Buchinski Jr. Neshaminy

D Ken Duffield So. Council Rock South

G Jimmy Sweeney So. Council Rock South

Second Team

F Beau Brusius-Yedman Sr. Pennsbury

F Joey DeMatteo Sr. Neshaminy

F Erik Eisler Jr. Pennsbury

D Ben Dous Sr. Pennsbury

D David Mueller Sr. Council Rock South

G Brian Nelson So. Neshaminy

Continental Division

First Team

F Colin Abbonizio Sr. Central Bucks South

F Tyler Greenstein Sr. North Penn

F Chris Trefz Sr. Central Bucks West

D Tom Boyle Sr. North Penn

D Ryan Gingras Sr. Central Bucks South

G Chris McIntyre Jr. Central Bucks East

Second Team

F Sean Gorman So. Central Bucks East

F Jack Lowery So. Pennridge

F Dominic Patrone Sr. Central Bucks South

D Conrad Frisch Jr. Pennridge

D Luke Van Why Jr. North Penn

G Mason Moyer Jr. Central Bucks South

American Division

First Team

F Bryan Garry Jr. Wissahickon

F Aidan Keogh So. Plymouth Whitemarsh

F Jake Weikel Sr. Plymouth Whitemarsh

D Dean Keller Sr. Plymouth Whitemarsh

D Ben Lerner So. Hatboro-Horsham

G Ben Yuter Sr. Plymouth Whitemarsh

Second Team

F Alex Howieson Jr. Hatboro-Horsham

F Nick Hussa So. Wissahickon

F Luke Weikel So. Plymouth Whitemarsh

D Robert DiCrosta Sr. Truman

D Nolan Ryan Jr. Wissahickon

G Joey Gambino Sr. Hatboro-Horsham

FLYERS CUP POSTPONED

UPDATE 3-27-20

The Flyers Cup Committee has decided to continue the postponement of the 2020 Flyers Cup Tournament, The decision was based on the Governor Wolf’s ‘Stay at home” directive.”

No date has been determined for re-starting the tournament.

The Flyers. Cup tournament has been postponed for 14 days. Flyers Cup Committee President Eric Tye issued the following statement.

Based upon the recommendation of the State of PA, the Flyers Cup Committee has decided to postpone the continuation of the Flyers Cup tournament for 14 days. During that time, we will re-evaluate the situation and make a final decision on the status of the 2020 Flyers Cup tournament.

We hope that everyone will follow their local and state guidelines and stay healthy.

Flyers Cup Game Times Updated

The latest information on game sites and times for the 41st Flyers Cup tournament

There will be a girls’ play-in game on Sunday, March 8

Bux-Mont 4 Avon Grove 1

Class A

Monday, March 9 at Ice Line

Semifinals

1 West Chester East vs 5 Hershey 6:15

2 Palmyra vs 3 West Chester Bayard Rustin 8:15

Tuesday, March 17 at Ice Line

6:15 Championship Game

New Jersey/Delaware

Quarterfinals

Tuesday, March 10 at the Coliseum in Voorhees

1 Eastern vs 8 Washington Township 6:00

4 Cherokee vs 5 Washington Township 6:15

3 Appoquinimink vs 6 Shawnee 8:15

2 Salesianum vs 7 Egg Harbor 8:30

Class AA

Wednesday, March 11 at Skatium

Semifinals

6:30 2 Haverford vs 3 Perkiomen Valley

8:45 5 Downingtown West vs 8 Boyertown

Tuesday, March 17 at Ice Line

8:15 Championship Game

Class AAA

Thursday. Match 12 at Hatfield Ice

Semifinals

6:30 1 Holy Ghost Prep vs 5 Father Judge

8:45 2 La Salle vs 3 St. Joseph’s Prep

Wednesday, March 18 at Hatfield Ice

7:00 Championship Game

The six Pennsylvania boys’ semifinal games will air love via You Tube HERE

Thursday Flyers Cup Schedule

The Class AA quarterfinals are scheduled for Thursday

Boyertown 5, Central Bucks South 4 OT

Downingtown West 3, North Penn 2

Perkiomen Valley 4, Council Rock South 3

Haverford 8, Pennridge 1

Winners to semifinals on March 11 or 12

The Class AAA quarterfinals are scheduled for Thursday

Holy Ghost Prep 8, Bishop Shanahan 0

Father Judge 6, Malvern Prep 2

St. Joseph’s Prep 3, Cardinal O’Hara 2

La Salle 8, Roman Catholic 1

Winners to semifinals on March 11 or 12

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Council Rock South 7, Parkland 5

BRISTOL— Six minutes into Tuesday’s second period, Council Rock South’s path to the second round of the Flyers Cup tournament seemed wide open. The Golden Hawks, who were coming off a SHSHL championship game win, held a 6-1 win over Parkland and seemed to be in command.

Instead, sixth-seeded South had to battle to the final buzzer to hold off the 11th-seeded Trojans 7-5 in a Class AA first-round game at Grundy Arena. The Golden Hawks indeed advanced, to Thursday’s quarterfinals against third seed Perkiomen Valley (6:15 at Ice Line) but there were some anxious moments along the way.

The evening got off to an explosive start with three goals in less than five minutes. Bill Harrelson and Jeremy Purcell scored for South before and after a tally from Parkland’s Eric Dennis to give their side a 2-1 lead after just 4 minutes, 47 seconds. Harrelson and Michael Roby added additional goals to give the Golden Hawks a 4-1 lead after one period.

David Mueller extended the Hawks’ lead 4:53 into the second period before Harrelson completed a hat trick at 10:07. Even after Joshua Bower scored for the Trojans with 3:11 left in the middle period, the Hawks were seemingly in control.

But then came the third period and the Trojans, who reached the Flyers Cup finals in 2013, didn’t roll over over. First, Alexander Doe scored a goal with 8:18 remaining in regulation. Then Dennis, the Trojans’ leading scorer, pocketed his second goal of the night during a power play with 6:30 left and then completed his own hat trick with 1:45 remaining.

After having a comfortable lead, the Golden Hawks found themselves hanging on.

“We made a lot of bad turnovers in the neutral zone,” Harrelson said, “and it ended up costing us, I think. We need to control the puck, get in deep, play our game really because (Parkland) knocked us off it a lot. We started losing our heads and taking bad penalties (four in the third period and five of the six in the game) and it was killing us. But we pulled out the win.”

The issue was settled with Michael Roby scored an empty net goal for South with 27 seconds remaining. But South coach Joe Houk remarked that his team will have to play better to have hopes of claiming a fourth Flyers Cup title.

“What we did last week (in the SHSHL final) we did not do this week,” he said. “We’ll have to regroup a little bit. It’s just the little things that make a difference and we didn’t do them tonight.”

Parkland coach Chad Loomis lamented his team’s slow start. “That was definitely our downfall,” he said. “I think we had a hard time just marching their intensity and adjusting to their game.
“We had an opportunity to take a little break (after the second period) and talk about it and make the necessary adjustments. We just kind of ran out of time.”

Parkland 1 1 3—5
Council Rick South 4 2 1—7
First-period goals: Billy Harrelson (CRS) from Brennen Wright and Antii Autere, 2:45 (pp); Eric Dennis (P) from Joshua Bower, 4:12; Jeremy Purcell (CRS) from David Mueller, 4:47; Harrelson (CRS) from Andrew Darling and Purcell, 9:40; Michael Roby (CRS) from Autere and Douglas Lopez, 12:01.
Second-period goals: Mueller (CRS) unassisted, 4:53; Harrelson (CRS) from Roby and Purcell, 10:07; Bower (P) from Alexander Doe and Dennis, 12:49 (pp)
Third-period goals: Doe (P) from Zachary Averill and Hunter Dolan, 7:42; Dennis (P) unassisted, 9:30 (pp); Dennis (P) from Luke Yocum, 14:15; Roby (CRS) from Autere, 15:33 (en).
Shots: Parkland 29, CRS 25; Saves: Vincent Bylick (P) 18, JImmy Sweeny (CRS) 24

Pennridge 4, Neshaminy 3

BRISTOL—Since the calendar turned to 2020 Pennridge has been a hockey team in the rise. On Tuesday night the Rams took another step forward, a big one, by coming from behind in the third period for a 4-3 win over Neshaminy in a Class AA Flyers Cup first-round game at Grundy Arena.

The 10th-seeded Rams trailed 2-0 and 3-2 before Aeryk Lehrhaupt scored on a shot from the right faceoff circle with 55 seconds left in regulation to send he and his mates into the quarterfinals on Thursday against second seed Haverford (7:00 at the Skatium).

Pennridge coach Jeff Montagna praised his team’s effort after being eliminated in the opening round of the SHSHL playoffs by Council Rick South. “It says so much about them,” he said. “I don’t have words of how proud I am of them. That young, they shouldn’t be making all the plays they did.”

The seventh-seeded ‘Skins used a methodical approach to build a 2-0 first-period lead. David McColgan got his team on the scoreboard 4:46 into the opening period, beating Pennridge goaltender Ryan Pico from close range. Thomas Gallagher gave his team a two-goal lead at 10:07.

The Rams responded in the second frame. Andrew Lizak beat Brian Nelson from the deep right circle off a right corner dump to get the Rams on the board 3:18 mark before Richie Shanks tied the game at 9:51.

Neshaminy retook the lead when Joey DeMatteo scored with 6:10 left in the middle session and stayed in front when Nelson denied Lehrhaupt on a two-on-one with 14 seconds left in the period.

The Rams got their second power play chance of the third period at the 8:31 mark when Neshaminy drew a bench minor for having too many men on the ice. Blake Stewart, the Rams’ captain, scored the tying goal with 5:40 left in regulation as the prelude to the finish.

Stewart noted that Pennridge opened its season back in October with a loss to Neshaminy but had natured since then. “We came to this game a much stronger team,” he said. “We just wanted it more, we came out hungry, and we just wanted to move on. No one really wanted us here and no one thought we would be here.”

It was a frustrating evening for Neshaminy coach Matt DeMattteo. “They were the hungrier team today,” he said of the Rams. “They skated harder. They did the things you need to do to win the game and we just did not play a good game as a team.”

Pennridge 0 2 2—4
Neshaminy 2 1—3
First-period goals: David McColgan (N) from Rob Seewagen and J.J. Hathaway, 4:46; Thomas Gallagher (N) from Matt Buchinski and Joey DeMatteo, 10:07;
Second-period goals: Andrew Lizak (P) unassisted, 3:18; Richie Shanks (P) from Blake Stewart and Andrew David; DeMatteo (N) from Nolan Geria and Seewagen, 11:50.
Third-period goals: Stewart (P) from Shanks, 10:20 (pp); Aeryk Lehrhaupt from Jack Lowery and Conrad Frisch, 15:05.
Shots: Pennridge 32, Neshaminy 30; Saves: Ryan Pico (P) 27, Brian Nelson (N) 28

PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S HOCKEY PLAYERS ASSOCIATION PHILADELPHIA SHOWCASE SELLS OUT

PHILADELPHIA (February 28, 2020) – The much-anticipated Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) Philadelphia Women’s Hockey Showcase is sold out to the general public ahead of the weekend showcase. The PWHPA sold out of tickets across both days of the showcase which was created to benefits its mission to promote, and advance a single, viable professional women’s ice hockey league in North America.

“This is going to be a remarkable weekend, with the best talent in women’s professional hockey in North America coming together in Philadelphia for the first time ever,” said Jayna Hefford, Olympian and Executive Director of the PWHPA. “Selling out this weekend is a testament to our dedicated fan base and further reinforces our mission of creating a sustainable league. The lasting impact that this weekend will have on the next generation of players is indescribable and we can’t wait to show fans all of the talent these women have to offer.”

The showcase is part of a bigger “Dream Gap Tour” benefiting the PWHPA, Flyers Charities and the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation and will take place February 29 – March 1, 2020 at the Virtua Center Flyers Skate Zone at Voorhees. The weekend’s events will consist of a four-team tournament over two days, showcasing the world’s best female hockey players including Jocelyn Lamoureux-Davidson, Monique Lamoureux-Morando, Brianne Jenner, Hilary Knight, Kendall Coyne Schofield, Natalie Spooner, Sarah Nurse among others. All tournament games will take place at Virtua Center Flyers Skate Zone at Voorhees, home of the Philadelphia Flyers training facility, with the championship game taking place on Sunday, March 1.

The PWHPA Dream Gap Tour was created to draw attention to the fact that there currently is not a league that consistently showcases the best product of women’s hockey in the world, pays its players a living wage and has the infrastructure to set the game up to succeed. Such a league would represent an important step in closing the dream gap between young boys and girls. A young boy can lace up his skates and imagine himself circling the ice in his favorite professional team’s jersey as the crowd chants his name. He dreams it, because he’s seen it countless times. There is no realistic equivalent for aspiring female hockey players to imagine their futures.

About Flyers Charities

For over 40 years, Flyers Charities, the organizing foundation behind the Carnival, has raised more than $29 million to support a multitude of worthy non-profit organizations across the Greater Philadelphia Region that provide educational and recreational resources to underserved youth, engage in important medical and healthcare research, and promote countless community investment initiatives to positively influence the community. These organizations include American Cancer Society, Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Michael’s Way, Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House, Salvation Army and Simon’s Heart.

About Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation

The Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation uses the sport of ice hockey to educate young people to succeed in the game of life. The mission is to build lives and unite communities. All Snider Hockey programs are delivered at no cost to under-resourced boys and girls. The programs uniquely blend a first rate hockey program with character development, life skills, physical fitness, nutrition, and a healthy dose of academics designed to keep our youth on-track for on-time graduation and post-secondary enrollment. The end goal is to turn out productive citizens who understand the importance of giving back to their community.

About Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA)

Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association’s (PWHPA) mission is to promote, advance, and support a single, viable professional women’s ice hockey league in North America that showcases the greatest product of women’s professional ice hockey in the world. The organization aims to provide a united voice to players advocating for the creation of a sustainable professional league. PWHPA is working to accomplish its mission by coordinating training needs and programming opportunities during the 2019-2020 season and collaborating with like-minded organizations to make hockey more inclusive for women today and for future generations. To learn more about PWHPA and the Dream Gap tour visit www.pwhpa.com.

La Salle’s Nathan Benner Skates for His Brother

Nathan Benner’s days as a La Salle College High School hockey player are dwindling to a precious few. The APAC playoffs are ahead followed by the Flyers Cup tournament and perhaps a trip to the state championship. But, at most a month from now, the senior forward will take off his La Salle jersey for the last time.

Benner, who is one of the Explorers’ captains, says his time at La Salle has shaped him as person as well as a hockey player. “It really challenges you,” he said. “Mentally and physically with the hockey, mentally with school. Every week you have tests, you have homework when you get home from school, when you play club hockey (Bennner is skating for the Philadelphia Quakers this year after spending his club career with the Valley Forge Minutemen) you have hockey five days a week, every day on the weekend, balanced with La Sale hockey. Just the values that they stress here, the leadership, the hard work ethic, good character, all in all has definitely made me who I am today.”

Perhaps what Benner treasures most from skating for the Explorers is having his younger brother Jacob in the stands watching his every move.

Jacob Benner is 14 years old and deals with the challenges of Downs Syndrome and Hirschsprung Disease.

Since Nathan started playing hockey the year he turned six, Jacob has been a fixture in the stands whether at a club game or a high-school game.

“He’s been coming to every one of my games from the time I was five years old until now,” Nathan said, “and he memorized everybody’s’ name on the team, everyone’s number, even though we don’t have names on the back of our jerseys.

“When we’re about to leave for a game he’ll go ‘Who do we play today?’ as if he’s on the team, His happiest time is when he comes to watch me play and when he gets to be at the rink.”

sf benner.JPG

Jacob Benner flanked by brother Nathan (right) and father Walter. Photo furnished by La Salle College High School.

On more occasions than not, Jacob Benner is the most enthusiastic La Salle supporter in the building. “He’s the loudest one in the stands,” Nathan says. “He’s always yelling everyone’s name, yelling at the refs, yelling ‘Get into the game.’ Telling us to work harder; he’s always encouraging everyone. Everyone can hear him from the bench and everyone kind of smiles and builds off of what he does from the stands.”

Jacob’s support never wavers, regardless of the numbers on the scoreboard. “Just seeing him cheer me on and watching the games is one of the best things,” Nathan said. “Whether we win or lose, he’s always telling me ‘Good game.’ He loves watching me play no matter how I play and it’s always great to have that.”

Two years ago, Jacob decided he wanted to get on skates himself and began taking lessons at Hatfield Ice. Kati Link was his first instructor. He’s still at it and hopes to play hockey himself one day Nathan drives his brother to his skating lessons, swimming lessons, and other activities.

“At first it was very hard,” Nathan said of his brother’s first efforts on skates, “but he’s able to stand up now, he’s able to move around, and the smile on his face when he skates is one of the best thigs to look at. He always wears my hockey jersey when he goes on the ice and he loves it.”

Nathan Benner says spending time with his only sibling has altered his outlook on and off the ice. “For me, it’s kind of just helped me all around in life with maturing, leadership qualities, about being a good role model,” he said, “because I know my brother wants to model himself off of what I do. I have to be a good role model for him. Even if I do bad things, or say bad words, he models off that so I really have to be watching and be mindful of how I’m acting, because he’s always watching me and acting as if I would act.”

The 2020 Flyers Cup selection show will air Sunday, February 22 at 7 p.m. Eastern Time on You Tube