Tag: Malvern Prep

Keenan’s Impact at Malvern Prep Goes Beyond the Ice

The impact Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan has on his players goes beyond the rink. The respect the Friars have for their coach was on display last Wednesday night when Malvern Prep staged its fourth annual RTS Awareness Night; the proceeds of the game between the Friars and Holy Ghost Prep were earmarked for research into Rubinstein Taybi Syndrome is a genetic disorder that cause intellectual and developmental disabilities. Connor Keenan, Bill Keenan’s soon-to-be-6-year old son, is afflicted with RTS.

Pax Hoishik, a senior on the Malvern Prep roster, says the occasion means a lot to the players.

“I’ve participated in the event for three years,” he said. “And every single year it gets more close knit with the guys and even closer with Coach Keenan. Having that bond with Coach Keenan and his family as a whole and being able to celebrate the night for him and his kid is pretty unbelievable.”

Hoishik has been a full-time varsity player for three seasons now; he was a swing player as a freshman. He notes the evening is not just another hockey game.

“We’re playing for {Keenan},” Hoishik said. We’re playing for {Connor}. We’re playing for his family and we get to do that as a team. That’s why it’s so special.”

Hoishik and his teammates respect how Keenan is able to balance a full-time job with seeing to his family’s needs while still devoting the necessary time to coaching the Friars.

“It’s extremely impressive to me,” Hoishik said. “Some of the other captains and I were talking about it how incredible it is he is able to make time  for something like that with everything going on in his life. We just thought it’s pretty incredible that he is able to make that time for us.”

Bill and Sarah Keenan have been married for 13 years. Connor is the youngest of their three children.

Sarah Keenan lauds her husband for how he deals with his assortment of responsibilities including periodically traveling to Baltimore to see a specialist who works with RTS patients.

“He is a really strong guy to deal with everything that comes at him and the stuff we have to deal with with Conner,” she said. “I obviously take on a lot while he’s coaching but he’s taking on as much as he possible can whenever he’s home.

“I’m really proud of him.  He has taken everything on his back really well. He deals with all that comes through and doesn’t show it at home. So, whatever the hockey world id he leaves it with the hockey team but also includes us as his family with the whole thing.”

Malvern Prep Hosts Holy Ghost Prep for RTS Awareness Night

What happened Wednesday night at Ice Line was about much more than hockey. For the fourth consecutive year, Malvern Prep hosted RTS Awareness Night. For the second consecutive year, Holy Ghost Prep assumed the role of honored guests, and returned home on the winning side of a 2-0 scoreline.

But the two sides came together on the ice for a higher purpose.

RTS— Rubinstein Taybi Syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes intellectual and developmental disabilities. Among those afflicted with the malady is Connor Keenan, the soon-to-be 6-year old son of Malvern Prep head coach Bill Keenan and his wife Sarah.

Proceeds from Wednesday’s game, which included various fundraisers, will help support families dealing with RTS including the Keenans, who have two other children, an 11-year old son JJ and a 9-year old daughter Olivia.

Sarah Keenan expressed her gratitude to the local hockey community for its support of her family.

“We feel welcomed by the community,” she said. “Knowing we have so many people supporting our family, and people like Connor with disabilities, it just feels really warm and welcoming.”

Sarah Keenan also offered thanks to the schools that have provided the opposition for Malvern Prep; St. Joseph’s Prep for two seasons and Holy Ghost Prep last season and again Wednesday night.

“St. Joe’s was wonderful,” she said. “Holy Ghost Prep has also been very supportive all night. They’re donating baskets, they’re doing team dinners upstairs, they’re really supporting the whole thing.”

Malvern Prep assistant coach Jared Ingersol notes that the evening has deep meaning for the Friar players.

“The kids get amped up for it all year,” he said. “it means a lot to Coach Keenan and we appreciate everything they do, all the fundraising, they help out as well.

“Our parents and alumni get involved, it’s always nice to see everybody participating”

Holy Ghost Prep coach John Ritchie is proud to have the Firebirds involved in RTS Awareness Night.”

“Obviously, this is a cause that’s super close to {Keenan} he said, “and as I told him the last two years, I think it’s an honor for us to be included in this.

“It’s something that we’re proud to be a part of. We’re proud as a community to kind of bind our schools together because at the end of the day, it’s more important than hockey and that’s something for these young athletes to understand and take with them for the rest of their lives.”

The Game: Lucas Gonzalez gave Holy Ghost Prep a 1-0 lead with a shorthanded goal 1:45 into the third period. Anthony Valeriote set up the goal with a feed from the right-wing corner that found Gonzalez in the low slot midway between the circles. Nathan Romer added an empty-net goal with 13.5 seconds remaining.

Matt Salita earned the shutout in goal, stopping 22 shots.

Holy Ghost Prep (5-1 overall) is unbeaten since a season-opening overtime loss to Devon Prep and is 3-0 in the APAC

Ryan Caterino made 30 saves for the Friars who are 2-3-1 overall and 1-2 in the APAC.

Holy Ghost Prep 0 0 2—2

Malvern Prep 0 0 0—0

Third-period goals: Lucas Gonzalez (HGP) from Anthony Valeriote, 1:45, (sh) Nathan Romer (HGP) unassisted, 16:47

Shots: Holy Ghost Prep 32, Malvern Prep 22; Saves: Matt Salita (HGP) 22, Ryan Caterino (MP) 30What happened Wednesday night at Ice Line was about much more than hockey. For the fourth consecutive year, Malvern Prep hosted RTS Awareness Night, For the second consecutive year, Holy Ghost Prep assumed the role of honored guests and returned home on the winning side of a 2-0 scoreline.

But the two sides came together on the ice for a higher purpose.

RTS— Rubinstein Taybi Syndrome is a genetic disorder that cause intellectual and developmental disabilities. Among those afflicted with the malady is Connor Keenan, the soon-to-be 6-year old son of Malvern Prep head coach Bill Keenan and his wife Sarah.

Proceeds from Wednesday’s game, which included various fundraisers, will help support families dealing with RTS including the Keenans, who have two other children, an 11-year old son JJ and a 9-year old daughter Olivia.

Sarah Keenan expressed her gratitude to the local hockey community for its support of her family.

“We feel welcomed by the community,” she said. “Knowing we have so many people supporting our family, and people like Connor with disabilities, it just feels really warm and welcoming.”

Sarah Keenan also offered thanks to the schools that have provided the opposition for Malvern Prep; St. Joseph’s Prep for two seasons and Holy Ghost Prep last season and again Wednesday night.

“St. Joe’s was wonderful,” she said. “Holy Ghost Prep has also been very supportive all night. They’re donating baskets, they’re doing team dinners upstairs, they’re really supporting the whole thing.”

Malvern Prep assistant coach Jared Ingersol notes that the evening has deep meaning for the Friar players.

“The kids get amped up for it all year,” he said. “it means a lot to Coach Keenan and we appreciate everything they do, all the fundraising, they help out as well.

“Our parents and alumni get involved, it’s always nice to see everybody participating.”

Holy Ghost Prep coach John Ritchie is proud to have the Firebirds involved in RTS Awareness Night.”

“Obviously, this is a cause that’s super close to {Keenan} he said, “and as I told him the last two years, I think it’s an honor for us to be included in this.

“It’s something that we’re proud to be a part of. We’re proud as a community to kind of bind our schools together because at the end of the day, it’s more important than hockey and that’s something for these young athletes to understand and take with them for the rest of their lives.”

The Game: Lucas Gonzalez gave Holy Ghost Prep a 1-0 lead with a shorthanded goal 1:45 into the third period. Anthony Valeriote set up the goal with a feed from the right-wing corner that found Gonzalez in the low slot midway between the circles. Nathan Romer added an empty-net goal with 13.5 seconds remaining.

Matt Salita earned the shutout in goal, stopping 22 shots.

Holy Ghost Prep (5-1 overall) is unbeaten since a season-opening overtime loss to Devon Prep and is 3-0 in the APAC

Ryan Caterino made 30 saves for the Friars who are 2-3-1 overall and 1-2 in the APAC.

Holy Ghost Prep 0 0 2—2

Malvern Prep 0 0 0—0

Third-period goals: Lucas Gonzalez (HGP) from Anthony Valeriote, 1:45, (sh) Nathan Romer (HGP) unassisted, 16:47

Shots: Holy Ghost Prep 32, Malvern Prep 22; Saves: Matt Salita (HGP) 22, Ryan Caterino (MP) 30

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.”

Malvern Prep 2 La Salle 0

 Pax Hoishik score one of his team’s goals and assisted on the other as Malvern Prep bested La Salle 2-0 Wednesday night in an APAC matchup at Ice Line.

The win lifted the Friars to 2-2-1 overall and 1-1 in the APAC. The Explorers fell to 1-4 overall and 0-3 in conference.

Hoishik opened the scoring 6:06 into the first period with assists from Jake Weingartner and William McCullough. The senior also provided the primary assist on Broderick Campbell’s power-play goal 10:34 into the middle period. The goal came while La Salle’s Roman Tkach was serving a roughing penalty.

Ryan Caterino got the shutout in goal, making 30 saves.

“Playing on Thanksgiving Eve is always a high emotion game with a lot of energy both from the crowd and the team,” said Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan. “We stressed to the team that we needed a fast start, that we had to come out strong and settle into the game but more importantly controlling our emotions. We were able to get a goal in the first period which helped us set the tempo for the rest of the game.

“To LaSalle’s credit they came out strong after the ice cut and played a strong third period. It was nice to get our first APAC win of the season under our belt and get a win against LaSalle who for most of the guys on the team has not happened during their time at Malvern.”

La Salle 0 0 0—0

Malvern Prep 1 1 0—2

First-period goal: Paxton Hoishik (MP) from Jake Weingartner and William McCullough, 6:06

Second-period goal: Broderick Campell (MP) from Hoishik and Logan Love, 10:34 (pp)

Shots: La Salle 30, Malvern Prep 37; Saves: Anthony Foster (L) 35, Ryan Caterino (MP) 30

Holy Ghost Prep 4 Malvern Prep 1

Three different players scored goals Wednesday afternoon s Holy Ghost Prep bested Malvern Prep 4-1 in an APAC matchup at Grundy Arena. William Harmar scored twice for the Firebirds (2-1 overall) who have now won their first two conference starts. The Friars, who were kicking off their conference schedule, now stand at 1-2-1 overall.

Chase Logue opened the scoring for Holy Ghost Prep 3:40 into the opening period. Jake Samron extended the Firebirds’ lead 27 seconds into the second frame.

Pax Hoishik cut the Holy Ghost Prep lead in half when he found the back of the net with 2:47 remaining in the middle period.

Harmar extended his team’s lead with a goal 2:12 into the final period and then provided the defending Class AAA Flyers Cup champions with an insurance goal 26 seconds later.

Matt Salita got the win in goal, making 17 saves in the process.

Malvern Prep 0 1 0—1

Holy Ghost Prep 1 1 2—4

First-period goal: Chase Logue (HGP) from Nate Romer and Chris Marshall, 3:40

Second-period goal: Jake Smaron (HGP) from Anthony Cere and Lucas Helms, :27; Paxton Hoishik (MP) from Jake Weingartner, 14:13

Third-period goals: William Harmar (HGP) from Helms and Trace Levan, 2:12; Harmar (HGP) unassisted, 2:38

Shots: Malvern Prep 18, Holy Ghost Prep 35; Saves: Ryan Caterino (MP) 31, Matt Salita (HGP) 17

Malvern Prep 5 North Penn 2

Logan Logan Love scored two goals and three other players added one goal each as the Friars bested the Class AA Flyers Cup and state champion Knights Wednesday evening at Ice Line.

It was the first win of the season for Malvern Prep (1-1-1).

Love’s first goal came with one minute remaining in the opening period and tied the game after Sam Norton had given North Penn the early lead.

Rocco Corrado gave the hosts the lead for good 4:38 into the second period and Love’s second goal extended that lead five-and-a-half minutes later.

Logan Singles brought North Penn closer 1:26 into the third period before Staton Luke Johnson and Lawrence Ayers scored goals 63 seconds apart to secure the win.

Malvern Prep will open APAC play November 19 at Holy Ghost Prep.

 North Penn 1 0 1—2

Malvern Prep 1 2 2—5

First-period goals: Sam Norton (NP) unassisted, 12:19; Logan Love (MP) unassisted, 16:00

Second-period goals: Rocco Corrado (MP) from Charles Ingersol and Cole Wray, 4:38; Love (MP) unassisted, 10:07

Third-period goals: Logan Shingles (NP) from Sam Norton and Chris Silvotti, 1:26; Staton Luke Johnson (MP)  from James Young, 11:12; Lawrence Ayers (MP) from Corrado and  Nick Troiano, 12:15

Shots: North Penn 28, Malvern Prep 28; Saves: Aidan Quigley (NP) 23, Isaac Maloney (MP) 26

APAC Previews 2025-26

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.

Wyoming Seminary 5 Malvern Prep 4 OT

Pax Hoishik  Jake Weingartner each scored twice as the Friars opened their season with an overtime loss at Wyoming Seminary on Wednesday.

Malvern Prep found itself down 3-0 in the game’s first eight minutes before rallying to force overtime.

“Our team showed resilience,” said Friars’ head coach Bill Keenan. “We have a handful of new players who played well in their first game with Malvern. ”

 

APAC Names All-Stars

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

Salesianum 4 Malvern Prep 2

Salesianum had a bit too much for Malvern Prep Thursday night. Too much in terms of physicality and firepower. Liam Bell scored two goals set the pace as the Sallies downed the Friars 4-2 Thursday night in a Class AAA Flyers Cup quarterfinal at Ice Line.

Fifth-seeded Salesianum (18-3) will move to the semifinals next Thursday against top-seeded Holy Ghost Prep. Fourth-seeded Malvern Prep closes the season at 5-11.

Salesianum coach Brian LeBlanc said his team took care of the small details.

“Our game is forecheck hard and backcheck hard,” he said. “Every shift we have 110 percent in that 45-second shift and every person on all three lines did that. That’s what gets you success.”

Senior Braeden Graham, the Sallies’ captain, said he and his teammates were comfortable with the game’s physics tone.

“We knew they were going to come out hitting,” he said. “We knew they were a team that hit. we knew from watching film on them that we had to match that so playing the body tonight was really important to us to keep their skill payers contained.”

Bell have his team a 1-0 lead 10:33 into the first period off a setup from Jerry DiStefano who played the puck across the goal mouth from the right wing. Bell was perfectly positioned to tuck the disk inside the left post.

The Friars suffered a huge loss with 10:54 left in the second period when they lost senior forward Teague Murray, one of their primary offensive threats. Murray checked the Sallies’ Connor Davis into the boards near the Salesianum bench and was assessed a five-minute major penalty for a check from behind plus a game misconduct.

“You don’t want to see a kid get kicked out of the game,” said Malvern Prep coach Bill Keenan. “I think the call was a little borderline but you can’t control the {referees}.

“Obviously, we needed somebody to put the puck in the net for us and that was a back breaker but you have got to find a way to step up and fill the void.”

Sean Melican extended Salesianum’s lead with 49 seconds left in the second period when he found his target from between the faceoff circles. Bell scored his second goal of the night 2:49 into the third period. From that moment on Malvern Prep was playing against the clock as much as the Sallies.

James Young got the Friars on the scoreboard 7:31 into the final session with a shot from just inside the blue line during a power play.

Salesianum’s Sean Albert and Malvern Prep’s Luke Johnson traded goals down the stretch.

Keenan credited the Sallies for their effort

“They’re a really good team,” he said. “They’re well coached. I’ve known {LeBlanc} for a few seasons now. They play fast, they play physical. Our boys I think matched the intensity, we just couldn’t find the back of the net.”

Graham says he and his Salesianum teammates aren’t finished yet. “We’re very proud of ourselves,” he said, “but we know this isn’t the end.

“A lot of the teams in the APAC have disrespected us. They don’t think we’re on the same level as they are because we play in a different league (the Prep/Catholic Division of the ICSHL).”

Ice chips—Salesianum won three Flyers Cup titles in the now-defunct New Jersey/Delaware Division, including the last one two years ago.

Salesianum 1 1 2—4

Malvern Prep 0 0 2—2

First-period goal: Liam Bell (MP) from Jerry DiStefano and Connor Davis, 10:33

Second period goal: Sean Melican (S) from Davis and Justin Celestino, 16:11

Third-period goals: Bell (S) unassisted, 2:49; James Young (MP) unassisted, 7:31 (pp); Sean Albert (S) from Braedon Graham, 9:53; Luke Johnson (MP) from Gabe Bedwell and Matt Barbacane, 13:56 (pp)

Shots: Salesianum 33, Malvern Prep 23; Saves: Gavin Needs. (S) 21; Matt Crawford (MP) 29