Love Showing the Way at Malvern Prep

Logan Love’s hockey career at Malvern Prep has evolved one step, and one season at a time. The Friars’ senior captain recalls that journey.

“My freshman year, I was more of a role player a fourth-liner,” he said, “but had to capitalize on my opportunities when I was younger. I did not get much time but I still wanted to make as much impact as I could when I was out there.

“My sophomore year, I got a little more ice time as a defenseman. I was able to make a little more of an impact but I was still more of a role player and then last year, as a junior I was able to have more of a voice in the locker room and try to help lead the team as a more experienced player. And now, as the captain and a forward, I’ve been able to help lead the team as best as I can and put is in a better spot to win.”

Through five games this season, Love has scored two goals and contributed six assists. He stresses the importance of he and the other veterans in the lineup showing the way for their younger teammates.

“Our team is still pretty young,” he said, “and talented. {But} mostly also very inexperienced too.

“So being able to set a tone in a game, and in the locker room and in practice, is really huge, because they all are looking to the older guys, seeing what they’re going to do, and modeling their games after us a little bit.”

Love was chosen as the Friars’ captain by a vote of his teammates. It’s a responsibility he takes very seriously.

“It’s been really impactful for me to be given an opportunity to lead our team,” he said.

“I’ve always had a voice in the locker room and honestly, I wanted to be a leader here as a senior. I always wanted to be the captain, but now that I am captain I take pride in my role.

“I’m still adjusting and trying to work my way through it. I’ve had to make some hard decisions and choices. I’m still working through it. The best I can for myself and the team is to keep going.”

Love notes the fact he was chosen by his teammates makes the captaincy more meaningful.

“It does really mean a lot,” he said, because I care about my team and I care about this program and just wat to get the best results my last year.”

The Friars have started the season with a 2-2-1 record (1-1 in the APAC) with one of their losses coming in overtime. In four of their five games, they surrendered the first goal.

“We’re learning from every game we play,” Love said. “Honestly, we’ve come out a little flatfooted in most of our games. I think if we get a head start, come out harder, and get up a goal or two that will help us.

“But, we’ve been able to come back. We’ve had {deficits} at the start of games but we’ve been able to come back from adversity.”

Thanksgiving Eve Hockey Schedule

The night before Thanksgiving is customarily a busy night for high-school hockey and this year is no exception.

There are nine games on the card.

North Penn 8 Central Bucks South 1 —See story

St. Joseph’s Prep 5, Devon Prep 1—Five different players score goals as the Hawks won their fifth straight without defeat Wednesday at Ice Line. Michael Castelli, Braydon Russo, Adam Charrafi, Thomas Ely, and Joseph McGonigal all scored for the Prep which is now 5-0 on the season.

Central Bucks East vs. Central Bucks West 6:00 at RIG

Souderton 4 Pennrige 3 OT—Even Siegler’s goal with 1:53 left in overtime gave the Big Red the win Wednesday night at Hatfield Ice. Kaden Gunning had tied the game for Pennridge with 1:15 left in regulation.

Malvern Prep 2 La Salle 0—See story on this blog

Pennsbury 9 Neshaminy 2—Shane Gleisner scored three goals for the Falconds and added three assists

Holy Ghost Prep 6 Father Judge 2—Lucas Gonzalez delivered a hat trick and Chris Marshall scored twice as the Firebirds bested the Crusaders at Grundy Arena.

Council Rock South 10 Council Rock North 0

Hatboro-Horsham 5 Springfield 4—Five different Hatters scored in the win at Hatfield Ice. Bill Moffa had two assists to go with his goal.

Marshall Embracing Captain’s Role at Holy Ghost Prep

The captain’s role in hockey is unique in team sports. He’s expected to provide leadership on and off the ice, mentor his younger teammates, and perhaps serve as a liaison between the players and the coaching staff.

For Holy Ghost Prep senior Chris Marshall, the role is all encompassing.

”Basically, it’s doing anything to get the job done and win,” he said. “I feel like I have the opportunity to contribute to the team, that’s most important and we’re looking to having a really successful year again.”

Marshall spoke to the importance of the veterans in the Firebird showing the way for their younger teammates.

“That’s everything,” he said. “The seniors and juniors, the upperclassmen have to be there for the {underclassmen} and if they have a bad shift or a bad play, tell them to shake it off, go get the next one. It’s everything for us to be there for them and have one team all be united.”

This mutually supportive atmosphere does not always come to fruition around a hockey team or teams in other sports for that matter. But Marshall sees it as the norm on the Holy Ghost Prep teams he has played on.

“I think it’s the culture,” he said. “Everyone loves each other here. There’s no bickering, there’s no fighting and I think everyone knows what the job is that has to get done and I think everyone wants to work towards that.”

A Lower Bucks County native, Marshall started playing hockey at 6 and eventually followed his brother, a past Firebird captain to Holy Ghost Prep.

“I only really had eyes on Ghost,” he said. “There was no other school I wanted to go to.

“My family played hockey my whole life so I kind of grew up around the game It’s just been a part of my life.”

Holy Ghost Prep coach John Ritchie listed the attributes that Marshall brings to the captaincy.

“He understands what it means to be a Holy Ghost student-athlete,” Ritchie said. “He’s well like by everyone, he, has a positive demeanor and knows the right time when to speak up to try to motivate the team. He’s been on varsity for three years and witnessed the team struggle and succeed, as well as, his own personal accomplishments and obstacles.”

Ritchie says Marshall is well-equipped to handle the responsibilities that come with wearing the captain’s C.

“It’s important to me that the person wearing the C knows how to handle adversity individually because when they’re tasked with being in charge of the team, they can’t fold or disappear,” he said. “Chris is someone that meets these things head on and sets a good tone for our locker room. He is a role model for the younger players.”

Blust Takes Over at Central Bucks West

Central Bucks West has a deep connection to the Suburban High School Hockey League. West first joined the league in 1975-76, the SHSHL’s third season. Along with William Tennent, West was one of the first two Bucks County public school teams to skate under the SHSHL umbrella.

According to SHSHL records, that team lasted just one season but in the 1977-78 season a team was formed that blended athletes from Central Bucks East and West for a number of years before the Bucks regained their autonomy.
Under longtime coach Dave Baun, the program had periods of success, notably in 2017 when it reached the semifinals of the Class AA Flyers Cup tournament.

The team has struggled in recent seasons however and Frank Blust has taken on the challenge of restoring the program’s luster.

An experienced club hockey coach, Blust was expected to take over the program at Pennridge this season after Jeff Montagna announced his retirement. But Montagna decided to stay on and when Baun decided to retire after 20 seasons, West needed a coach and Blust stepped up.

{Baun} gave a lot to the program,” he said. “I know a lot of kids that played under him and respect him so much.”

The seniors West roster gave won just eight games over the course of their careers. Blust has told his troops to take things one shift at a time.

“As a team, we have to take it shift by shift,” he said. “We’ve got to win the next shift.

“We’ve had strong periods, then we fall apart for a period. So, if maybe we can put a couple more shifts together in a row, we’ll see what happens.

Blust is enthusiastic about the talent he has in the pipeline.

“We have a nice middle-school program coming up,” he said, “with a lot of strong players. We just have to work on the guys we have with us now and build that culture so the young guys coming up will feel the same way.

Blust is committed to giving his players a positive experience, regardless of their experience level or the team’s record.

“We’re in the mindset of we’re a very young team,” he said. “We’ve got a bunch of freshmen. We’ve got a couple of pretty strong juniors and sophomores.

“The senior are great, but they’ll be gone next year. So, I think we need to make sure they build a strong culture with our young players.”

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

SHSHL Recap 11-18-25

National Division W L T OTW OTL SOW SOL Pts

Council Rock South (5-0) 3 0 0 – – – – 12

North Penn (4-0) 3 0 0 – – – – 12

Central Bucks South (3-1) 3 1 0 – – – 12

Central Bucks East (2-1) 2 1 0 – – – 8

Souderton (0-2) 1 1 0 – 1 – – 5

Pennridge (1-1) 1 2 0 – – – – 4

Neshaminy (1-3) 1 1 0 1 – – – 3

Pennsbury (2-2) 0 2 0 – – – – 0

Central Bucks West (0-4) 0 4 0 – – – – 0

American Division W L T OTW OTL SHW SOL PTS

Hatboro-Horsham (4-0) 4 0 0 – – – – 16

Plym. Whitemarsh (3-0) 3 0 0 – – – – 12

Springfield (1-3) 1 3 0 – – – – 4

Wissahickon (1-3) 1 3 0 1 – – – 3

Abington (0-2) 0 1 0 – 1 – – 1

Scoring

National Division GP G A Pts

Jake Weiner CRS 5 15 9 24

Jordan Sarne CRS 5 6 8 14

Landon Bishop Pr 3 9 2 11

Max Ryon Sou. 3 8 3 11

Julia Kaminsky Sou. 3 7 2 9

Shane Gleisner Pb 4 6 3 9

Jackson Kelly Sou. 2 3 6 9

Chris Silvotti NP 4 5 4 9

Nolan Shingle NP 4 5 4 9

Ryan Burke Pr 3 1 7 8

Shawn Mooney Nesh 4 3 4 7

Cameron Fairweather Sou. 3 2 5 7

American Division GP G A Pts

Nate Nemchinov HH 4 8 7 15

Vincent Graziani HH 4 6 9 15

Daniel Guller PW 3 3 10 13

Cooper Kanze PW 3 6 3 9

Blake Ambler PW 3 3 6 9

Reid Rochestie PW 4 2 7 9

North Penn Looks Back on 50 Years

The high-school hockey landscape has changed considerably over the past half century. When North Penn founded its ice hockey club for the 1975-76 season the sport was in the midst of a growth spurt, thanks in no small measure to the Philadelphia Flyers, who had just won their second consecutive Stanley Cup. In 1976 they reached the finals once more but were swept by the Montreal Canadians.

In that era, a lot of high-school players were less concerned about playing for a championship than they were happy to be playing on an enclosed rink with lies painted on the ice.

Pete Hendricks was North Penn’ first coach. For six seasons, he dealt with the challenges that are part and parcel to getting a program off the ground.

Dave Culp played for North Penn as a senior before graduating 1980. He went on to coach the Knights from 1986-94, a time when the team was at first unable to field a pure roster (consisting entirely of players from North Penn).

“When we first started, we had Lansdale Catholic and North Penn working together,” he said. “When {He started coaching}, North Penn was going downhill we couldn’t get anybody.

I was grabbing guys from North Penn Lansdale Catholic Souderton and one from a (private) Christian school.”

Culp recalls an early North Penn team being barred from the SHSHL playoffs over the purity issue.

“It took us about two years but we became pure,” he said. “We had all North Penn guys.”

Culp recalls North Penn teams playing games outdoors.

“There was a skating rink at Whites Road Park,” he said. “I remember having practices and games there when I was playing. We were playing a game there outside and snow was coming through your cage. It was the most incredible thing we’d ever done.”

Dan Vaitis has never coached North Penn, but he has been involved in the program for some 25 years and is today the club’s president, a role he has filled for a decade. His son Kevin is the longest-tenured head coach in the club’s history.

Dan Vaitis commented on the growth of amateur/scholastic hockey during his involvement with the sport.

“Ice hockey overall has become much more popular,” he said, “Not only club hockey but high school hockey and middle school hockey. I think that North Penn has set the standard over the years for being a first-class organization.

“It’s great to see all these kids participate in ice hockey. We’re extremely proud that many of our coaches are alumni of North Penn Ice Hockey in terms of love of the game, we have a lot of coaches that really love the game.”

The Knights have won three SHSHL titles in their history and claimed their first Class AA Flyers Cup and state championships last season.

Senior Chase Kelly Del Ricci carries the program’s legacy forward as this year’s captain.

“It feels pretty hood,” he said. “I’ve been here since I was a freshman and it feels pretty good to be part of something that’s lasted this long.”

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 (20^th 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 (17^th 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.

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.”

Blindness Awareness Showcase a Learning Event for Participants

For the participants in last Friday’s Blindness Awareness Showcase, the event was both a hockey experience and a life lesson.

Some 50 high-school hockey players from 10 different schools were on hand for the event, which was a fundraiser for Philadelphia Blind Hockey. For the first time, the players were divided into two teams and played a 51-minute game (with running-clock periods) on the full 200 x 85 ice surface on the Gray Rink at Hatfield Ice. The players wore goggles to simulate various vison disorders while the goaltenders wore blindfolds.

The caliber of play was impressive; even with restricted vision the players were able to display their hockey skills and athleticism. North Penn coach Kevin Vaitis said utilizing the full ice surface instead of playing crosspiece as had been the case the past two years elevated the players’ comfort level, but with a caveat.

“I think playing on the full ice, the kids were going out there and kind of got to experience what other players kind have to experience playing the game that they love.” Vaitis said. “Anybody can play the game of hockey. We all love to play, so it’s great to see those kids give back.”

Vaitis said the showcase exemplified the giving nature of the area hockey community.

“It’s a tight group,” he said, “and I think you see that when it comes to helping out with blind hockey, or a player in our area maybe suffers from cancer or something like that. Everybody kind of rallies around that individual; it’s great to see.”

Kelsey McGuire is the founder executive director pf Philadelphia Blind Hockey. The program launched in 2022 with coaches and high-school players assisting youngsters determined to play hockey despite theor vision issues. There were five participants that first year; this year the number has grown to 17.

McGuire is pleased with the Philadelphia Blind Hockey’s sustained growth.

“It’s pretty exciting that our numbers are growing,” she said. “and we just continue to grow and bring awareness to our program.”

McGuire says the high-school players who are involved with Philadelphia Blind Hockey in whatever fashion gain a unique perspective on the program.

“I think it’s a great way for them to understand where our community is when they give back,” she said, “and when they come to our practices, so they can actually see what it’s like for our players and how they do. It’s pretty cool and pretty rewarding for them to understand the challenges and the difficulties that our players live with every day.”

The Community Comes Together for Philadelphia Blind Hockey

The area’s scholastic hockey community came together Friday night in the support of the Philadelphia Blind Hockey organization. The occasion was the third annual Blindness Awareness Showcase.

Some 50 athletes from 10 different high schools, split into two teams. assembled at Hatfield Ice in support of the effort.

Team Orange included players from Holy Ghost Prep, Pennridge, Central Bucks East, Father Judge, and Central Bucks South. Team Black featured players from Conestoga (girls), North Penn, Holy Ghost Prep, Pennridge, and Malvern Prep.

This year’s showcase featured a new format. Instead of a series of cross-ice fames, as had been the case in the past, the two teams played three 17-minute running-clock periods utilizing the full 200 x 85 surface of the arena’s Gray Rink. The players wore goggles that simulated various vision disorders while goaltenders were blindfolded.

For the record, Team Orange prevailed on the scoreboard but the real winner was Philadelphia Blind Hockey was the beneficiary of the evening’s ticket sales and drawings.

North Penn senior forward Luke Haftel took part in last year’s showcase and has been on the ice for Philadelphia Blind Hockey practices, working the visually impaired youngsters who share his love for hockey. He said utilizing the entire ice surface gave the event a different feel.

“It was a little different than last year, “from half ice to the full sheet. Everyone was having a good time, being able to play the full ice.

Haftel utilized several sets of goggles that allowed he and his peers to experience various eye issues.

“You switch throughout the game, you see different types,” he said. “So, kids experience them and have an understanding of how we’re raising awareness.”

Penncrest junior forward Donovan Scheidley has worked with Philadelphia Blind Hockey players in the but had never taken the ice wearing goggles until Friday night.

“I tried every one on for at least one shift,” he said. “I think it was really interesting.”

With his vision restricted, Scheidley found himself relying heavily on his sense of hearing.

“When you don’t have your sight, it’s surprising to see how much you rely on your hearing,” he said.

Holy Ghost Prep senior defenseman Chris Marshall was making his first showcase appearance. He says working with Philadelphia Blind Hockey participants helped forge a connection between those players and he and his Firebird teammates.

“That’s the most important part,” he said. “I think it’s a great experience for them to feel included and to be a part of our team.”

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