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Anders Van Raalte scored three goals and assisted on four other as the Hun School bested Pingry 12-2 Monday afternoon at Ice Land.
It was the first start for the Raiders (1-1) under interim head coach Nathaniel Welsh.
Andrew Darst, Luca Jean, and Zachary Valle added two goals each.
PIngry School 0 2 0—2
Hun School 4 5 3—12
The Raiders opened their season Thursday afternoon with a loss to the Tide at Ice Land.
Grayden Majka gave Devon Prep a 1-0 lead in the second period. The hosts tied the game early in the third but Jan Bach untied the game a half minute later. Braydon Russo secured the win with an empty-net goal
The Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference is in the midst of beginning its eighth season.
Here’s a look at how the teams are shaping up.
Holy Ghost Prep
Head coach: John Ritchie (third season)
Last year: 21-5-1, 6-2 in APAC; APAC and Class AAA Flyers Cup Champion
Key players: Sr. Jack Botthof (G); Jr. Matt Salita (G); Sr. Brandon Watkins (D); Jr. Nate Romer (D); Jr. Brady Flynn (D); Sr. Anthony Valeriote (F); Sr. Lucas Gonzalez (F); Sr. Chris Marshall (F); Sr. Jack Gavaghan (F); Sr. Patryk Oszer (F); Jr. Chase Logue (F)
Outlook: Coming off a Flyers Cup title, the Firebirds are looking for more of the same this season. While 10 members of last year’s team are lost to graduation, a solid nucleus remains to face a demanding schedule. Botthoff and Salita form the APAC’s most experienced goaltending tandem.
“We play a very difficult non-league schedule this year,” Ritchie said, “that should help shape our roster for the end of the season. We graduated a core group from the Flyers Cup team, but believe with returners and program depth we should be in the mix again.”
Hun School
Head coach: Eric Szeker (third season)
Last year: 5-17-2, 0-8 in APAC)
Key players: Sr. Andrew Darst (D); So. Devin Espana (D); ); Sr. Luca Jean (F), Jr. Justin Bibeau (F); Sr. Nate Trawinski (F); Sr. Jacob Kelly-Lepage (F); Sr. Anders Van Raalte (F); So. Conor Mulligan (F),
Outlook: The Raiders endured a difficult season in 2025 due in part to youth and injuries but nine seniors will provide significant experience, depth, and off-ice leadership. Szeker is looking for balanced scoring, but is counting on Jean and Mulligan to set the pace.
La Salle
Head coach: Wally Muehlbronner (28th season)
Last year: 17-8, 6-2 in APAC
Key players: Sr. Matt Kohlhepp (G); Jr. Patrick Murphy (G); Jr. Antony Foster (G); Sr. Tristan Mitchell (D); Jr. Matthew Jones(D); Jr. Danny Burke (D); Sr. Luke Baumann (F); So. Liam Greenwalt (F); So. Darrian Brown (F)
Outlook: The Explorers are starting fresh this season with one of their least-experienced teams of recent years, and the returnees will be assuming new roles. But if the past is any indication, they’ll mature with the passage of time and be playing their best hockey late in the season.
Malvern Prep
Head coach: Bill Keenan (seventh season)
Last year: 5-10-1, 3-5 in APAC
Key players: Sr. Ryan Caterino (G); Sr. Cole Scarbinsky (D); Sr. Logan Love (D); Sr. Reece Hanna (D); So. Finn McCullough (D); Sr. Andrew Starck (F); Sr. Henry Tesoriero (F); Sr. Pax Hoishik (F); Jr. House Young (F); So. Jake Weingartner (F); So. Luke Johnson (F); Fr. Ryan Jacobs (F)
Outlook: After having trouble scoring goals last season, the Friars are optimistic about the season ahead.
“We’re excited to compete with a strong core of returning players,” Keenan said, “complemented by key new additions on both the offensive and defensive sides of the puck. The team brings a balanced mix of experience, energy, and depth that we believe will position us well throughout the year.”
St. Joseph’s Prep
Head coach: Charlie Van Kula (first season)
Last year: 10-10, 5-3 in APAC
Key players: Jr. Declan Geary (G); Sr. Ben Kersun (D); Sr. Adam Charrafi (D); Jr. Cole Gargon (F); Jr. Frankie Ely (F)
Outlook: Van Kula takes over behind the Hawks’ bench for David Giacomin. He’ll put a veteran team on the ice one that includes in Ely and Gargon, two of the APAC’s top returning scorers.
The Atlantic Prep Athletuc Conference has named its all-conference team for 2024-25. Players were selected by the five conference head coaches.
First Team
F Brady Logue Jr. Holy Ghost Prep
F Grant LaGreca Sr. LaSalle College High School
F Cole Gargon So. St Josephs Prep
D Will Gregorio Sr. LaSalle College High School
D Ryan Lippy Sr. Holy Ghost Prep
G Jake Rossi Sr. LaSalle College High School
Second Team
F Teague Murray Sr. Malvern Prep
F Julian Tarsi Sr. LaSalle College High School
F Joe Spaddacino Sr. Holy Ghost Prep
D Joe Kauffman Sr. Holy Ghost Prep
D Declan Kelly Sr. LaSalle College High School
G Jack Unger Sr. Holy Ghost Prep
Honorable Mention
Forwards
Micheal Zarzycki Sr. LaSalle College High School
Anthony Valeriote Jr. Holy Ghost Prep
Gabe Bedwell Sr. Malvern Prep
Pax Hoishuk Jr. Malvern Prep
Thomas Ely Jr. St Josephs Prep
Noah Stuhl Jr. St Josephs Prep
Defensemen
Cole Scarbinsky Jr. Malvern Prep
Adam Charaffi Jr. St Josephs Prep
Matt Barbacane Sr. Malvern Prep
Ben Kersun Sr. St Josephs Prep
Jake Beck Jr. The Hun School
Andrew Darst Jr. The Hun School
Goalies
Elliott Wong Sr. The Hun School
Patrick Donohue Sr.The Hun School
Matt Crawford Sr. Malvern Prep
Declan Geary So. Joesphs Prep
Malvern Prep overcame an early 1-0 deficit by scoring three times in the first period and going on to a 4-2 APAC win over The Hun School Wednesday afternoon at Ice Land.
The Friars concluded APAC play at 3-5, they stand at 4-10 overall. Then Raiders, who are winless in seven conference starts, stand at 5-14-2 overall.
Luca Jean opened the scoring for Hun School 3:34 into the first period. Ryan Behrle, Gabe Bedwell, and Logan Love responded for the Friars with the goals coming in a span of 7 minutes, 10 seconds to give the visitors a 3-1 advantage with 4:38 left in the opening session.
Connor Mulligan scored for the Riders to make it a one-goal game with 4:16 left in regulation but Cole Scarbinsky answered for Malvern Prep with 3:04 remaining.
Hun School will face St. Joseph’s Prep Friday night at the Skatium to close out the APAC regular season before squaring off with the Friars once more on Monday at Ice Line (3:30 start) in the Founders Cup playoffs play-in game.
Malvern Prep 3 0 1—4
Hun School 1 0 1—2
First-period goals: Luca Jean (HS) from Jake Beck, 3:34; Ryan Behrle (MP) from Quinn Riley and Peter Narog, 5:12; Gabe Bedwell (MP) from Staton Johnson and Andrew Starck, 8:37; Logan Love (MP) from Starck and Johnson, 12:22
Third-period goals: Conor Mulligan (HS) from Evan Koserowski and Bailey Cook, 12:44; Cole Scarinsky (MP) unassisted, 13:56
Shots Malvern Prep 35, Hun School 26: Saves: Riley Doyle (MP) 24, Elliot Wong (HS) 31
The Atlantic Prep Athletic Conference has announced the schedule for the Founders Cup playoffs, which will commence with the play-in game on Monday, February 10 an continue with the semifinals on Wednesday, February 19 and the Founders Cup final on Wednesday, February 26.
La Salle is the two-time defending champion.
Monday, February 10 at Ice Line
(4) Malvern Prep vs. (5) Hun School 3:30
Wednesday, February 19 at Grundy Arena
(2) La Salle vs. (3) St. Josephs Prep 3:10
Play-in Winner vs, Holy Ghost Prep 5:20
Wednesday, February 26 Site and time TBD
Founders Cup Final hosted by highest seeded finalist
The journey wasn’t easy at times. But, in the end, Holy Ghost Prep got the result it wanted Wednesday afternoon, a 4-1 decision over The Hun School in an APAC encounter at Ice Land.
With the win, the Firebirds, who have won eight of their last nine starts improved to 12-4 overall and 5-2 in the APAC. They’ll conclude conference play with a rematch against the Raiders next Friday.
The visitors jumped in front early on. Joe Spadaccino scored a power-play goal 3:30 into the opening period.
But the remainder of the first frame was challenging for both sides, a study in old-time hockey. There were 12 penalties called in the opening session.
“It didn’t seem like there was much flow to the game early on,” said Hun School coach Eric Szeker.
The visitors had the better of the play over the first two periods but were stymied repeatedly by Patrick Donoghue in the Hun School net. The senior finished with 51 saves. The Raiders are just 2-8-2 on the season (0-3 in the APAC) but Donoghue and Elliot Wong have been sold in goal all season.
“I think the one really nice thing is we have two really good goalies,” Szeker said. “I never worry about who is going between the pipes for us. They work hard, they’re best friends in the locker room, and they push each other every day.”
Anthony Valeriote extended Holy Ghost Prep’s lead 35 second into the third period but the Raiders responded a minute-and-a-half later when the Firebirds coughed up the puck directly in front of their own net, making it a one-goal game once more.
Brian Kinniry extended his team’s lead when he scored with 11:39 left in the third frame and then delivered an insurance goal with 2:01 remaining.
Spadaccino didn’t play in the last two periods but was proud of the way his teammates were able to get past the challenging first frame.
“It shows that no matter what gets in our path, we just keep on fighting,” he said. “We try to get to the end goal of winning.”
Firebird goaltender Matt Salita stopped 14 of the 15 shots he saw, earning praise from his coach John Ritchie.
“I thought Salita did a great job in net for a sophomore,” Ritchie said. “Those are tough games for goalies, only facing 15 shots dispersed throughout the game with power plays for them and stretches where he wasn’t seeing pucks.”
The Firebirds are listed first in the Class AAA Flyers Cup rankings that were released on Monday, but Ritchie says his team will need contributions from the entire lineup to reach its potential.
“We have a couple guys on our roster that carry the weight of this team on their backs game in and game out,” he said. “I know what to expect from them, so it’s just about getting all 20 guys, or all 18 skaters, to pull the rope in the same direction.”
Holy Ghost Prep 1 0 3—4
Hun School 0 0 1—1
First-period goals: Joe Spadaccino (HGP) from Brady Logue, 3:30 (pp)
Third-period goals: Anthony Valeriote (HGP) from Chase Logue and Brady Logue, :35; Luke Rassler (HS) unassisted, 2:03; Brian Kinniry (HGP) from Logan Barnes and Colin Bara, 5:21; Kinniry (HGP) from Barnes and Santino Tiberio, 14:59
Shots: Holy Ghost Prep 55, Hun School 15; Saves: Matt Salita (HGP) 14, Patrick Donoghue (HS) 51
W L OTW OTL Pts
St Joseph’s Prep (6-2) 3 1 0 0 9
Holy Ghost Prep (9-3) 3 2 0 0 9
La Salle (5-5) 3 2 0 0 9
Malvern Prep (2-5) 1 3 0 0 3
Hun School (1-6-1) 0 2 0 0 0
Scoring—APAC Games Only GP G A Pts PPG
Brady Logue HGP 5 5 7 12 2.40
Cole Gargon SJP 4 5 1 6 1.67
Grant LaGreca La Salle 5 7 1 8 1.60
Michael Zarzycki La Salle 5 4 3 7 1.40
Frank Ely SJP 4 1 4 5 1.25
Chase Logue HGP 5 3 3 6 1.20
Anthony Valeriote HGP 5 3 2 5 1.00
Teague Murray MP 4 3 1 4 1.00
Goals Against Min. GA GAA
Declan Geary SJP 204 9 2.25
Jake Rossi La Salle 253 12 2.42
John Botthoff HGP 102 5 2.50
Matt Crawford MP 153 9 3.00
Save Percentage Shots GA Save Pct.
Jake Rossi La Salle 157 12 .924
John Botthoff HGP 64 5 .922
Matt Crawford MP 94 9 .904
Declan Geary SJP 93 9 .903
The La Salle Explorers went about their business one step at a time Wednesday afternoon. The results were impressive, a 6-0 win over The Hun School in an APAC matchup at Hatfield Ice Arena.
Grant LaGreca and Michael Zarzycki scored two goals each as La Salle improved to 5-2 on the season and 3-1 at the midway point in its APAC campaign.
LaGreca, a senior, cited the Explorers’ stick-to-basics approach.
“We’re just trying to focus on playing the right way,” he said. “Focusing on the D-zone, not cheating the game. Just kind of letting the hockey gods reward us with goals and playing good.”
It was LaGreca who got things started when he beat Raider netminder Patrick Donoghue just 45 seconds into the opening period. Zarzycki provided the setup before initiating a three-goal blitz with a shorthanded effort 69 seconds into the second frame. LaGreca followed up with a power-play effort at 4:57 before Zarzycki scored his second goal the game with 1:35 left in the middle period.
Hun School coach Eric Szeker the Raiders (0-2-1, 0-1 in the APAC) was hurt by a slow start.
“We were kind of running in quicksand for a bit there,” he said. “It was only 1-0 after the first. We just couldn’t find our game.
“It is what it is. We’re three games onto the season, we’ve got a young team [there were five underclassmen in the Hun School lineup) so, a lot to learn. We get to play again Friday, so we’re going to reset and look forward to that one.”
Because of school policy and NJSIAA regulations the Raiders start their season later than the other four APAC schools. But Szeker refused to cite scheduling issues as contributing to Wednesday’s result.
“We’ve been on the ice a couple weeks,” he said, “so, we should have a pretty good idea of what we want to do.
“I think of lot of credit goes to La Salle and [Coach Wally Muehlbronner] and what they have going on over there. They’ve got several lined that can play, they have a lot of good defensemen and a good goalie. We just ran into a good team today.”
Muehlbronner himself gave his team high marks.
“I thought we played well,” he said. “We came out hard, moved the puck well, all four lines played well, the D played well.”
LaGreca said efforts like Wednesday’s allow the veterans on the roster to set a standard for their teammates to emulate.
“All the returning seniors just want to show the younger guys and the new guy how to play the game and how to play the right way,” he said. “Because we’ve been there before.
• Jake Rossi earned the shutout in goal with 20 saves.
Hun School 0 0 0—0
La Salle 1 4 1—6
First-period goals: Grant LaGreca (L) from Michael Zarzycki, :45
Second-period goals: Zarzycki (L) unassisted, 1:09 (sh); LaGreca (L) from Zarzycki, 4:57 (pp); Zarzycki (L) from Tristan Mitchell and Declan Kelly, 15:25; Alastair St. Hilaire (L) from Noel Donohue and Luca Staffieri 16:58
Third-period goal: Julian Tarsi (L) from Staffieri and Donohue 10:50
Shots: Hun School 20, La Salle 54; Saves: Patrick Donoghue (HS) 48, Jake Rossi (L) 20
The Raiders dropped a one-goal decision to the visiting Tide on Thursday in their season opener at Ice Land. Anders Van Raalte, Lucas Jean, and Justin Bibeau scored the Hun School goals.
“Overall I’m happy with our first game as a group,” said Hun School coach Eric Szeker. “We got better as the game went along and ran into a very hot goaltender.”
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