Tag: SHSHL

SHSHL Preview

The Suburban High School Hockey League’s 51st season is underway. Here’s a look at how the teams shape up.

National Division

Central Bucks East

Coach: Jeff Mitchell (fourth season)

Last year: 8-10-1-0, 4-5-1-0 in division; Class AA Flyers Cup invitee

Key Players: Jr. Cole Breen (G), Sr. Sr Corey Kosick (F); Sr.

Carter Keiser (D); Sr. Kyle McIntyre (D); Sr. Ryan Gerkan (F)

Outlook: This season’s addition of the Patriot features a blend of experience and youth.

““The boys have looked great in practice,” Mitchell said. “You can tell they are eager to play some games, work together, and be better as a whole.

“Looking forward to what this and the coming seasons with this group have in store for us!”

Central Bucks South

Coach: Shaun McGinty (eighth season)

Last year: 9-9-0-1, 6-4 in division; Class AA Flyers Cup invitee

Key Players: Sr. Aidan Linso (D); Jr. Jake Stepp (D); Sr. D.J. Lindenmuth (F); Sr. Colin Mendham (F); Jr. Sean Cutter (F); So. Ryan Frey (F) 

Outlook: After being dispatched in the first round of both the SHSHL playoffs and the Flyers Cup tournament a year ago, the Tians are looking for a bounce back season. Lindenmuth figures to be one of the area’s top offensive talents.

Central Bucks West

Coach: Dave Baun (20th season)

Last year: 5-11-0-1, 3-6-0-1 in division

Key Players: Sr. Liam Rogers (G); Sr. Johnny Cherubini (D); Sr. Adam Ricci (F); Sr. Nick Bruno (F); Jr. Zane Sanders (F); Jr. Brandon March (D); Jr. Anthony Dowd (F)

Outlook: The Bucks are blending an experienced corps of returnees, including Rogers in goal with some talented newcomers.

“We’re counting on strong senior leadership” Baun said. “We are looking forward to a successful season “The key to our success this season will be how well we play together and how hard we work at doing it.”  

Council Rock North

Coach: Ryan Dorsey (first season)

Last year: 6-11-1-1, 3-5-1-1 in division; Class A Flyers Cup quarterfinalist

Key Players: Jr. Ian Goldberg (G); Sr. Nick Hahn (F); St. Jesse Schaaf (D); Jr. Jackson Accardi (D); So. Danny Maglathlin (D); Sr. Ryan Kell (F)

Outlook: Dorsey replaces the late Greg McDonald, who passed away October 10.

“Our program is still relatively young,” he said. “We will look to build off of the past few seasons and take strides forward. We especially will look to continue to build off of a strong finish last season.”

Goldberg is solid in goal while Hahan and Accardi provide scoring punch.

Council Rock South

Coach: Joe Houk (18th season)

Last year: 19-2-0-1, 9-0-0-1 in division; Won division championship; Class AA Flyers Cup semifinalist

Key Players: Sr. Kevin Koles (D); St. Blaise Pepe (F); St. Illia Mukhin (F); Sr. Chase Tovsky (F)

Outlook: The defending SHSHL National Divisions champions should be formidable again this season. Pepe (12 regular-season goals, 16 assists, 28 points) provides firepower along with Koles (11-16-27).

“We should have a solid team this year with good depth,” Houk said.

Neshaminy

Coach: Bill Keyser (first season)

Last year: 13-7-1, 6-3-1-0 in the division; Class AA Flyers Cup quarterfinalist

Key Players: Sr. Cory Hemberger (G); Sr. Aidan Hullings (G); Jr. Liam Mooney (D); Sr. Aiden Gaspari (D); Sr. Stephen York (D); Sr. Ryan DeMatteo (F); Sr. Coleman Boles (F)

Outlook: Keyser, the one-time head coach at Truman, replaces the retired Matt DeMatteo. His ‘Skins will be young in spots but are experienced on defense and in goal. Hemberger and Hullings form one of the best goaltending tandems in the area.

North Penn

Coach: Kevin Vaitis (15th season)

Last year: 5-10-1-1, 2-7-1-1 in the division

Key Players: Sr. Maks Harkins (G); So. James Boyle (D); So. Chase Kelly Del Ricci (D); Sr. Joey Silvotti (F); Sr. John Stinson (F); Sr. Cole Pluck (F); So. Nolan Shingle (F)

Outlook: After a disappointing season last winter the Knights are looking for bigger and better things this time around. Having 14 returnees in the lineup should help along with some talented newcomers.

“We hope to have a bounce back season where we will be looking to compete with the other top teams in the Suburban League” Vaitis said.

Pennridge

Coach: Jeff Montagna (sixth season)

Last year: 16-6, 8-2 in division; Class AA Flyers Cup finalist

Key Players: Jr. Jacob Winton (G); Sr. Tyler Manto (D); Sr. Trey Mikulich (D); Sr. Colin Dachowski (D); Jr. Nick Young (D); Sr. Andrew Savona (F); Jr. Shane Dachowski (F); Sr. Kevin Pico (F)

Outlook: The Rams prided themselves last season on their ability to put the puck in the net. That circumstance shouldn’t change this year as the bulk of the roster returns. Pico (24 goals, 25 assists, 49 points) paced the SHSHL’s National Division in scoring while Savona (16-22-38) was third in that category>

Pennsbury

Coach: Ryan Daley (seventh season)

Last year: 18-7-1, 8-2 in the division; runner-up in division; Class AA Flyers Cup champion and state finalist

Key Players: Sr. Aaron McDaniel (G); Sr. Conor Kane (D); Sr. Logan Doyle (F); Jr. Chris Sarver (F); So. Shane Gleisner (F)
Outlook: The Falcons graduated five seniors from last year’s Flyers Cup champions, but Daley is upbeat about what lies ahead.

“The leadership group in the locker room is as good as it’s ever been,” he said, “and we have a lot of guys that know what it takes to win championships. We have a strong goaltender and a lot of talent in front of him. I’m excited to see what we can do this season!”

Souderton

Coach: Ryan Uchniat (sixth season)

Last year: 6-12, 3-7 in the division

Key Players:  Sr. Seth Grossman (F); Sr. Jacob Chow (F); Jr. Nick Smith (F): So. Max Ryon (F)

Outlook: The Big Red were and an up-and-down season a year ago but the core of the lineup returns, which bodes well for what lies ahead.

American Division

Abington

Coach: Ken Brzozowski (seventh season)

Last year: 16-1-1-1, 10-0-1-1 in American Division; won division championship. Class AA Flyers Cup invitee. 

Key Players: Jr. Devin Brown (G); Sr. Sam Abramson (D); Sr. Seamus Donofry (F); Sr. Mike Romano (F); Sr. Devin Bates (F); Sr. Owen Adamski (F)

Outlook: The Galloping Ghosts are looking for their third straight division title, something that has never been done in the American Division since the SHSHL adopted a two-division format in 2003-04. They will be the divisional standard until they are dethroned.

“I am extremely excited for the next generation of players and equally proud of our returning players,” Brzozowski said, “and their commitment to our program and continuing another successful season.”

Bensalem

Coach: Bill Hood (first season)

Last year: 3-12-0-1, 2-7-0-1 in National Division

Key Players: Sr. Ricky Gonzalez (G); Sr. Justin Rapone (D); Jr. Danny Klein (D); Sr. Alex Hood (F); Jr. Alex Bazylevich (F); So. Lucas Gonzalez (F)   

Outlook: The Owls were hurt by a lack of numbers last season as they skated in the National Division against schools with larger rosters. The new season finds them in what should be a more competitive environment.

“The team continues to improve every season,” Hood said, “and is hoping to compete for a playoff spot this season.    

Plymouth Whitemarsh

Coach: Dave Cox (second season)

Last year: 12-8, 7-5 in American Division; Class A Flyers Cup invitee

Key Players: Jr. Julian Lucks (G); Fr. Jason Segal (D); Sr. Dylan Novitski (F); Sr. Tim Murphy (F); Sr. Issac Mishkin (F); Sr. David Branigan (F)

Outlook: The Colonials took some graduation hits off last year’s division runner-ups. This year’s roster will be perhaps the youngest in the SHSHL, and will feature a number of freshmen, but there will also be a strong veteran presence.

“We are very eager to take the ice and starting working our way back to the championship game,” Cox said. “The returning varsity players have used last year’s championship loss as fuel to start off the season strong.”

Springfield

Coach: Don Quinn (first season)

Last year: 0-16, 0-12 American Division

Key Players: Jr. Liam Baskin (G); Jr. Jack Sarsfield (G); Sr. Kenny Granderson (D); Jr. Owen Quinn (D); Sr. Marcel Camper (F); Jr. Chris Cahill (F); Jr. Gabe Wells (F); So. Grayson Quinn (F)
Outlook: The Spartans endured tough times in their inaugural SHSHL season but are looking to take some steps forward this season.

“The team is excited to get the season started,” Quinn said. “We have been working hard all off-season and hoping to be tough competition for our opponents all season.”

Wissahickon

Coach: James Rumsey (first season)

Last year: 9-8, 6-6 in American Division; Class A Flyers Cup invitee

Key Players: So. Fletcher Lynch (G); Sr. Daniel Hussa (D), Sr.  Jack Raebiger (D)

Outlook: Rumsey takes over for Ken Harrington. His team will be one of the young in spots, one that will be looking to build off last year’s Flyers Cup appearance.

“The team has been working hard at practices to play each game like it’s the championship,” Rumsey said.

Flyers Cup Candidates Named

A total of 59 teams are included on the eligibility list for the 45thannual Flyers Cup tournament, which will once again serve as the conclusion to scholastic hockey season.

The size and composition of the fields for each of the five divisions will be determined by the Flyers Cup Committee, whose members will evaluate teams over the course of the season.

Class A (17)

Council Rock North

Garnet Valley

Hershey

Lower Dauphin

Marple Newtown

Palmyra

Penncrest

Plymouth Whitemarsh

Radnor

Springfield-Delco

Springfield-Montco

Strath Haven

Unionville

West Chester East

West Chester Henderson

West Chester Rustin

Wissahickon

Class AA (19)

Abington

Avon Grove

Bensalem

Boyertown

Central Bucks East

Central Bucks South

Central Bucks West

Conestoga

Council Rock South

Cumberland Valley

Downingtown East

Downingtown West

Haverford

Lower Merion

North Penn

Pennridge

Pennsbury

Souderton

Spring Ford

Class AAA (9)

Archbishop Carroll/John Paul II

Devon Prep

Father Judge

Holy Ghost Prep

La Salle

Malvern Prep

Owen J. Roberts

Perkiomen Valley

St. Joseph’s Prep

Delaware/South Jersey (5)

Cherokee

Eastern

Kingsway

Moorsetown

Salesianum

Girls (9)

Avon Grove

Conestoga

Downingtown West

Kingsway

Pennridge

Radnor

Unionville

West Chester East

West Chester Henderson

SHSHL Counting Down

While the National Hockey League is getting its season started this week, the Suburban High School Hockey League isn’t far behind.

The SHSHL will open its 51st season on Wednesday, November 1 with a four-game card highlighted by defending Class AA Flyers Cup champion Pennsbury taking on Central Bucks East in a 7:20 matchup at Grundy Arena.
There will also be three games at Hatfield Ice that night, with Council Rock North facing Pennridge (7:20), Souderton going against North Penn (8:30) and Bensalem facing off against Wissahickon 9:00).

Hockey Happenings is looking for reliable individuals who would be interested in providing video clips of area high-school hockey games. For further information, contact us 

SHSHL Unveils 2023-24 Alignment

 A total of 16 teams will skate in the Suburban High School Hockey League this season, one fewer than last year.

The National Division will feature 10 teams Defending champion Council Rock South will be joined by defending Class AA Flyers Cup champion Pennsbury along with Council Rock North, Neshaminy, Pennridge, Central Bucks East, Central Bucks West, Central Bucks South, Souderton, and North Penn

The six-team American Division will include defending champion Abington, Wissahickon, Hatboro-Horsham, which will skate as a pure team this season, Plymouth Whitemarsh, Springfield, and Bensalem, which moves over from the National Division, replacing Quakertown, which will not be part of the SHSHL in 2023-24.

The season schedule has not been announced. Traditionally the league season begins on or around the first week of November.

Council Rock South 4 Pennsbury 2

BRISTOL—The defense never rested. And at evening’s end, Council Rock South was rewarded for its defensive work with a 4-2 win over Pennsbury in the SHSHL National Division championship game before a packed house at Grundy Arena.

Thursday’s win gave the top-seeded Golden Hawks (17-1-0-1) the third SHSHL title in their history. The previous two came in 2010 and 2020.

Third-seeded Pennsbury fell to 14-6. Three of the Falcons’ defeats have been at the hands of the Hawks.

Not that the victors had an easy time of it. The game plan was to contain the Falcons’ Brendan Macainsh, who came into the game with 38 goals. He finished with two more but the Hawks were able to neutralize the Falcons’ high-flying attack to come extent; many of Pennsbury’s shot attempts were from long range or outside the faceoff dots; the Falcons finished with just 22 shots on goal to South’s 40.

The Hawks congratulate each other after Thursday’s 4-2 over Pennsbury for the SHSHL National Division title

Hawks’ netminder Carson Lopez was in good form, but got plenty of help from his blue-line corps.

“(Pennsbury) likes to stretch the ice out a lot,” Lopez said, “So, about halfway through the game, we told our defense ‘Enough with the pinch and start backing off. Play in the neutral zone.’ And it worked.”

South defenseman and captain Kevin Koles said the key to the win involved giving the Falcons and Macainsh as few opportunities as possible.

“Limiting them to (22) shots was very crucial,” he said. “We had to stop one of their best players. They obviously played him a lot and we locked him down. He only had two goals on us.

Pennsbury coach Ryan Daley noted his team needed more chances than it got.

“We only had 22 shots,” he pointed out, “And we’re used to putting 15 a period up. “They played us very, very well. But, we didn’t quit.”

Chase Trovsky scored a pair of first-period goals to give the Hawks a 2-0 lead after the first frame.

It appeared a clock malfunction might have cost South a third goal.  A scramble in the Falcons crease was in progress in the waning seconds of the period and the puck wound up in the net but the buzzer failed to sound. After a lengthy consultation, the goal was disallowed.

Joseph Weston extended South’ lead with a goal at the 8:02 mark of the second period.

Macainsh got Pennsbury on the board with 3:42 left in the middle period when his shot from the deep right-wing corner caught Lopez by surprise.

Macainsh briefly made it a one-goal game 5:20 into the third period when he scored a power-play goal after the Hawks were caught with too many men on the ice.

It took Blaize Pepe just 48 seconds to respond for the Hawks however and Lopez was impregnable the rest of the way.

Koles said he and his teammates knew how dangerous the Falcons were after Pennsbury scored eight goals against Pennridge on Wednesday in the semifinals.

“We heard about what happened yesterday,” he said, “and how they beat Pennridge. So, we knew what we had to do coming into the game, and that’s what we did.”

Ice chips—Both teams will be back at Grundy Arena on Tuesday for first-round Class AA Flyers Cup games. The top-seeded Hawks will face number-16 Spring Ford at 8:15 while the fifth-seeded Falcons will face number-12 Abington at 6:15.

Pennsbury 0 1 1_2

C.R. South 2 1 1—4

First-period goals: Chase Tovsky (CRS) from Blaize Pepe, 8:03; Tovsky (CRS) from Kevin Koles and Pepe, 16:37;

Second-period goals: Jonah Weston (CRN) from Bobby Gilbert and James Diiulio, 8:02; Brendan Macainsh (P) unassisted, 13:18

Third-period goals: Macainsh (P) from Chris Sarvere, 5:20; Pepe (CRS) unassisted, 6:08

Shots: Pennsbury 22. Council Rock South 35; Saves: Aaron McDaniel (P) 31; Carson Lopez (CRS) 20

SHSHL Concluding 50th Season

Thursday night’s SHSHL National Division final between Council Rock South and Pennsbury brings down the season on the SHSHL’s 50th season.

High school hockey has evolved substantially over the past half century. But Kenny Haas, who has been involved with the SHSHL for over two decades as a coach, referee, referee assigner, scheduler, and now as the SHSHL’s commissioner, note that some constants remain.

“For us, it’s all about the students.” he said. “It’s about having the students be good kids in the classroom. Attend class regularly and get good grades.”

For much of its history, the SHSHL had a reputation for pugnaciousness on the ice but that mindset has faded away in recent years.

“To me the most important thing and you see it more and more every year, is the discipline I see on the ice,” Haas said.

“We can count on one hand how many major penalties we had this year and that’s just so far above what happened in the 70s and 80s, and 90s.”

While the SHSHL and USA Hockey have strengthened rules designed to prevent misbehavior in recent seasons, Haas says the bulk of the credit for the new mindset belongs to the league’s coaches.

“Our coaches are outstanding,” he said. “High school hockey is very friendly for the family. We have some of the best coaches in the Delaware Valley. Really, hats off to the coaches, it really comes down to them.

“Our coaches have been around longer than me.”

SHSHL National Division Semifinals

Pennsbury 8, Pennridge 5—Brendan Macainsh scored four goals and assisted on a fifth as the Falcons downed the Rams Wednesday night at Hatfield Ice to earn a place in Thursday’s National Division championship game.

Andrew Falkestein scored twice for third-seeded Pennsbury (14-5). Ustin Marlin and Shane Gleisner also scored Pennsbury goals.

Shane Dachowski scored twice for second-seeded Pennridge. Dane Fichett, Josh Kellym and Andrew Savona also scored for the Rams (13-5)

Pennridge, the second seed in the Class AA Flyers Cup, will face 15th-seeded Lower Merion Tuesday night in a first-round game (8:15 at Hatfield Ice. Pennsbury, the fifth seed, will face 12th-seeded Abington at 6:15 the same evening at Grundy

Pennsbury 3 4 1—8

Pennridge 2 1 2—5

Council Rock South 8, Neshaminy 2—The Golden Hawks overcame an early 1-0 deficit to down the ‘Skins Wednesday night in semifinal game at Grundy Arena.
James Diiulio, Kevin Koles, and Blaize Pepe all scored twice for the top-seeded Hawks (16-1-0-1), who will face Pennsbury Thursday night for the division championship (7:20 at Grundy Arena). Nolan Geria scored both goals for fourth-seeded Neshaminy (12-6-1-0)

Neshamiy 11 0—2

C.R. South 3 2 3—8

Hockey Playoff Update

Here’s a look at the remaining SHSHL and APAC playoff schedule

Wednesday, March 1

APAC-Founders Cup Championship Game

La Salle vs. Holy Ghost Prep 4 pm at Hatfield Ice

SHSHL American Division Championship Game

Abington vs. Plymouth Whitemarsh  7:20 Hatfield Ice

SHSHL National Division Semifinals

Council Rick South vs. Neshaminy 7:20 at Grundy

Pennridge vs. Pennsbury 8:30 at Hatfield Ice

Thursday, March 2

SHSHL National Division Championship Game 7:20

Highest seeded finalist will host

SHSHL American Division Semifinal: P-W 7 Quakertown 2

HATFIELD TOWNSHIP—The moment came with dramatic suddenness, like a bolt of lightning across a clear sky. Isaac Mishkin’ s goal was just the first of the night. But it proved to be a jumping off point as Mishkin and his Plymouth Whitemarsh teammates went on to a 7-2 win over Quakertown Wednesday night in the SHSHL American Division semifinal at Hatfield Ice.

The result puts the second-seeded Colonials (12-6) into next Wednesday’s division final against Abington (7:10 at Hatfield Ice). The Colonials will learn Sunday of they have been selected for the Class A Flyers Cup tournament, which begins the week of March 6.

Quakertown (10-5-1-1) remains eligible for the Class AA Flyers Cup.

Mishkin’s goal came on a shot from center ice that eluded Quakertown goaltender Matt Krem just before the buzzer that ended the first period.

From that moment on, the Colonials had the upper hand.

“Playoffs, you just throw the puck at the net,” said Plymouth Whitemarsh coach Dave Cox. “You never know what can happen.

“I couldn’t be prouder of everyone on that team. They’re resilient. We’ve struggled in practices and at other games. But this is a special group of boys.”

Dylan Novitsky and Matt Flynn scored goals to give the Colonials a 3-0 with 6:44 left in the middle period. Will Shaw got the Panthers on the board seven seconds before the period ended but the Colonials broke the game open in the third frame with goals from their big guns.

Flynn (26 goals 46 points coming into Wednesday), David Branigan (12 goals, 37 points, and Dylan Novitsky (15 goals, 27 points) all found the back of the net before Will Shaw beat Chris Maslij in the Quakertown net.
Maslij stopped 35 of the 37 shots he saw.

“We just wanted to go in and work hard and play our game,” he said. “We really just wanted to get to the net, get as many shots as possible, and just really outwork them if we could.”

Quakertown 0 1 1—2

Plymouth Whitemarsh 1 2 4—7

First-period goal: Isaac Mishkin (PW) unassisted, 16:59

Second-period goals: Dylan Novitski (PW) from David Branigan and Charlie Spause, 6:43; Matt Flynn (PW) from Timothy Murphy, 10:16 (sh); Will Shaw (Q) from Keira Shaw and Jack Dilliberto, 16:53

Third-period goals: Flynn (PW) unassisted, :50; Branigan (PW) from Flynn and Sprouse, 8:41; Novitsky (PW) from Flynn, 10:38 (pp); Will Shaw (Q) unassisted, 11:33; Conlan Carpenter (PW) from Branigan, 15:32

Shots: Quakertown 37, Plymouth Whitemarsh 41; Saves: Matt Krem (Q) 34, Chris Maslij (PW) 35