Top ten moments from 2007-08
-
- March
- 5
It’s hard to boil down all the moments from a season that started on Thanksgiving weekend and didn’t end until March 1, but here’s my attempt. Love to know your thoughts and if I left anything out.
1. Mamaroneck wins Division I title
Alright, I was going to go from 10 to 1 but what’s the point, really? For so many reasons, the Mamaroneck-Suffern game was the top moment of the season. And notice how I didn’t title this “Suffern lost” because while Suffern’s status as the undefeated and top-ranked team certainly made this a bigger game, it wasn’t like the Mounties played poorly. The Tigers just played great. I pretty much wrote down everything already about the title game (click here), from the incredible pregame atmosphere
to the celebration afterwards
Unfortunately for the Tigers, the good feelings didn’t last long — It lost an overtime heartbreaker to Massena on Saturday. But when the season is over, Conner’s goal with 15 seconds left to win the championship is the strongest memory I’ll have.
2. Iona Prep wins championship in OT
The Iona Prep-Stepinac rivalry produced some classic games this year, starting in the regular season, when the Crusaders dealing Iona Prep its first league loss. But the playoffs was really when the matchups got intense. All three games were played in front of at least 650 people, and two went to overtime — Stepinac won 11 minutes into the extra session in Game 2
and, of course, Iona Prep won on Cody King’s breakaway in overtime of the third and final game.
My favorite stat: the teams split the season series 3-3, and total goals were 20-19 Iona.
3. Rye’s amazing turnaround
The Garnets were 2-5 on Dec. 18, with losses to Division II challengers Pelham and John Jay, no starting goalie, severe scoring problems, and the only two wins were against a Fox Lane team that wouldn’t qualify for the postseason. As late as Jan. 19, they didn’t have a winning record. And then came this:
Rye developed chemistry as the football players got back into the fold, Matt Benincasa (below) not only earned the starting job but became a real asset, the team built a lot of depth, stuck to a great defensive system and won 11 of its last 12 games, including an exciting 2-1 win at Pelham to clinch a second straight DII title.
4. Parity in Section 1
There seemed to be three tiers of teams: Suffern and Mamaroneck. Rye, Pelham, White Plains and Rye Town/Harrison. And then everyone else. The first round of the playoffs saw League 4 Sleepy Hollow/Irvington (below) beat League 1 Clarkstown North, and a pair of League 3 teams win (North Rockland, above beating Mount Pleasant, and E/T/B), while League 4 New Rochelle lost 7-6 to League 2 White Plains.
It made for a very exciting regular season as well, with very competitive games in League 2 (outside of White Plains), pretty much every game in League 3 and the top half of League 4.
5. Suffern’s undefeated regular season
For three months, the biggest question was whether anyone would be able to beat Suffern. Rye came the closest, skating to a 2-2 tie at Sport-O-Rama on Jan. 11. But teams like Monroe-Woodbury (4-1), Iona Prep (5-2) and White Plains (6-1) didn’t have as much luck, not to mention Mamaroneck, Pelham, and six upstate teams. In fact, only one team was able to score as many as three goals against Suffern goalie Tom Natoli (below)—Mamaroneck’s Brian Conner had a hat trick by himself in the Tigers 5-3 loss.
But it wasn’t just an all-state goalie. It was four great defenseman and three forwards that put up at least 62 points, led by first-team center Zach Salt.
6. White Plains breaks through
With a school-record 23 wins, an outright league title for the first time since 1977, the top two scorers in the section (Phil Sigona and Rui Encarnacao, above) and one of the best nicknames (”Stonewall Jackson” for goalie Mike Cambareri, below), not to mention the fact that all 20 skaters recorded a point, White Plains had the best season outside of the teams that made the sectional finals.
7. Rye Town/Harrison rises up
Eastchester/Tuckahoe/Bronxville deserves credit for going from League 5 to the runner-up in League 3, but no team made a bigger leap than Rye Town/Harrison, who finished in fourth place in its first year in the power league. One of the top forward lines in the section with Blind Brook students Brett Novick, Adam Urban and Cody McKinney—who can forget their seven-goal game against Rye, capped by Novick’s OT winner (below)—four-year starting goalie Sean McKinney and senior defenseman Kyle Kegan, the Titans showed the way for teams hoping to make it from the lower leagues to the top.
8. Pelham stays strong
After a 9-14 season that ended with a shocking quarterfinal loss, and only two seniors on the roster, the Pelicans could have been one of those teams in rebuilding mode this year, like Mahopac or North. But the Pelicans finished a strong third in League 1 and made it back to the sectional final for the 17th time in 22 years. If all (or even most) of their players return, Pelham will be back in the role of favorite next season.
9. Other amazing comebacks
Rye wasn’t the only team to turn its season around. Ossining (above), who graduated 14 players last season, was 3-8 but finished the regular season with 10 wins in their last 11 games to make the playoffs. And Fordham Prep, behind two freshman goalies, started 3-6-1 before winning eight straight, including the Scarsdale tournament, to solidify its spot in the CHSHL tournament. Below is the Rams’ Chuck MacKenzie, who wins the very unofficial “most ice time” award.
10. Playoff excitement
All three area championship games were decided by one goal, one in OT and one with 15 seconds left in regulation—in front of a combined 2,500 people, with two games having to turn people away in the first period. Mamaroneck lost its state quarterfinal game in OT. Yorktown and Brewster played a double-OT thriller in the quarterfinals. Four of the seven first-round games were won by the lower seed. There’s nothing better than playoff hockey, and this season showed us why.
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, March 5th, 2008 at 8:27 pm by Harold Gutmann.
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wow a nearly undefeated season is number 5…pathetic
Harold you nailed it! Great Job!!!!!! To make Suffern feel better, MOVE them to #4! LOL
It's strange. Section 1's season has been over for almost a week but I still check the blog a few times a day. Why? Nothing is going to change. I've come to terms with the Suffern loss and with the fact that Section 1 won't be represented up in Utica this weekend but something keeps me coming back each day. I'm going to miss the dysfunctional cast of characters on this blog nearly as much as the games themselves. Time marches on though and November will be here before you know it. Have a safe and fun Summer everyone until we meet again this Fall.
Why should Suffern's ALMOST undeafeted season be #1. Give the Mamaroneck team their due, they beat you fair and square. If that moment wasn't number one, then the list would be a complete joke. But to say that Suffern's season should be ranked higher than teams who actually made it out of the section this year is ridiculous. I thought "As the Suffern World Turns" ended weeks ago.
As a CHSHL Fan I do think that the Iona/Stepinac game could of been rated #1 because of the Sudden Death/Game 3 overtime game but because Mamaroneck beat the number 1 team in the state then they deserved the the #1 position.
Very nicely done Harold!
It was Suffern's unblemished season until that game that made it the number one theme. Without them it would have been just another game.
Nice summary of the season. Well done! Fans of each team will think they should be rated higher but that is what being a fan is all about. NE Patriots anyone? Rather be a Giant.
i just dont see how parity in section 1 could be more memorable than suffern's perfect regular season, and a 45 game unbeaten streak, second longest in state history
OK, for the sake of argument, let's move Suffern's season up to #4. Everyone happy now?
Great job. I agree with Mamaronecks number one position and the photos were awesome. Forgot about Pelham, yes last season 9-14 this year 17-8, first seed, third place in league 1 behind the big boys and back to the finals. With only two seniors great job by Pelham.
It will be interesting to see how the Mamo fans behave on the blog next season. They will follow a loaded team that could have the kind of run Suffern had this year. I wonder if next season's blog will be "As the Tiger World Turns". Only time will tell.
To looks great. Yes, the Pelicans will fly next season. My hope is that the Garnets get to face off against them in the Sectional finals in front of 700 or so passionate fans again.
Nice job Harold, i like it.. BUT, I do agree that putting the undefeated season and the 2nd longest unbeaten streak in NYS history at #5 behind the fact that most of the teams in the section were evenly matched is a little strange, but who really cares. OLD SCHOOL MOUNTIE…while i have agreed with almost everything you have written these last few months there is one thing that you got right on… we are VERY DYSFUNCTIONAL!!!
If you were making a film about highlights of the whole 2007-2008 season, Suffern had over 3 months worth of highlight tape piecing together a 45 game unbeaten streak and an undefeated league championship regular season which included 6 games against top ranked upstate teams and 2 upstate tournament championships. Mamaroneck had 6 days of glory, mostly because of the greatness of the team they were able to beat.
In my opinion, Suffern and Iona were the number 1 and 2 highlights.
Now if Mamaroneck had beaten Massena, I might change my mind a bit.
Boys ice hockey 2007-08 NYSSWA rankings (through March 2)
Rank Division 1 Record Rank
= ================ = =
1. West Genesee-3 22-2-3 2.
2. Massena-10 21-4-1 4.
3. Shenendehowa-2 21-3-3 3.
4. Mamaroneck-1 22-4-1 6.
5. Suffern-1 24-1-2 1.
6. Fairport-5 18-7-0 7.
7. Lancaster-6 18-6-3 8.
8. Potsdam-10 21-3-1 5.
9. Williamsville North-6 17-7-2 9.
10. Greece Athena-5 19-6-0 10.
11. Ithaca-4 16-9-2 NR
12. Pittsford-5 17-5-1 NR
13. Fayetteville-Manlius-3 17-6-1 NR
14. Rochester Aquinas-5 18-6-2 NR
15. Monroe-Woodbury-9 18-8-0 NR
Division 2
= ================ = =
1. Queensbury-2 23-2-2 1.
2. Webster Thomas-5 20-4-0 4.
3. Skaneateles-3 22-5-2 2.
4. Whitesboro-3 21-4-2 3.
5. Thousand Islands-10 17-7-2 5.
6. Sweet Home-6 16-7-4 7.
7. Canandaigua-5 20-2-1 8.
8. Kenmore East-6 17-5-2 10.
9. Rye-1 16-9-2 5.
10. Goshen Burke Catholic-9 18-8-0 NR
11. Pelham-1 17-8-1 NR
12. Clinton-3 16-11-0 NR
13. Salmon River-10 12-10-4 NR
14. Syracuse Corcoran-3 17-7-1 NR
15. Northeastern Clinton-7 18-8-0 9.
1. West Genesee-3 22-2-3 2.
2. Massena-10 21-4-1 4.
3. Shenendehowa-2 21-3-3 3.
4. Mamaroneck-1 22-4-1 6.
5. Suffern-1 24-1-2 1.
6. Fairport-5 18-7-0 7.
7. Lancaster-6 18-6-3 8.
8. Potsdam-10 21-3-1 5.
9. Williamsville North-6 17-7-2 9.
10. Greece Athena-5 19-6-0 10.
11. Ithaca-4 16-9-2 NR
12. Pittsford-5 17-5-1 NR
13. Fayetteville-Manlius-3 17-6-1 NR
14. Rochester Aquinas-5 18-6-2 NR
15. Monroe-Woodbury-9 18-8-0 NR
I dont see how these rankings make sense…2 final 4 teams are ranked behind 3 eliminated teams.
also, how did Mamaroneck jump Suffern? of the top 15 on the list, Suffern is 5-1, winning the tournament of the #1 team, and winning tournaments that included #1, #7, #10, #14
Mamaroneck is 1-4 against the top 15 ranked teams
I actually agree with the parity in the league being ranked ahead of Suffern's streak. The unfortunate truth is, and I'm going to bring up the reference that has been beaten to death here, the Patriots' win streak and undefeated regular season don't mean as much because they lost in the Super Bowl. Yes, one reason that Mamk's win was the #1 moment of the season is because they knocked off a team on a 45-game unbeaten streak to do it. But the reason it was huge is not just because Suffern was undefeated to that point, it is because this is only the third time since 1989 that Suffern was not the D1 representative in the state quarterfinals from Section 1. Now there's a mighty big accomplishment for Mamk.
The reason parity should be higher than Suffern's unbeaten streak is partly the same reason why Mamk's win was so big. Mamaroneck didn't win because Suffern is a bad team, it is that Mamaroneck had a great year. Suffern is a great team, they always have been. It is not a big news story that they were great this year. It became a little more newsworthy because they got to a point where they were the #1 team in the state and undefeated for 45 games, but for the most part, this year was just Suffern being Suffern. The rest of the section actually playing well all year and making a large percentage of the games evenly matched around here is HUGE. It has never been like that before, and hopefully it will continue to move in that direction.
This blog is usually geared towards the top teams (League 1 & WP), but you have to remember, there are 21 other teams in the section outside of those 9, and many times in the past those games are difficult to watch. This year was the first time in a long time where I would see two League 3 teams (that I am not affiliated with at all) play and it was a good, evenly matched game and exciting to watch.
As a Suffern fan, lets not get crazy about where we are in the very informal top 10. Does it really matter? We had a great run. We didn't come up big in a big game and as a result, unlike last year, we're not going to Utica. Time for us to move on. Easier said then done if you're a senior or a senior parent. Harold's heading says "Moments" and does start with actual moments as opposed to season long events. He then does start leaving the "moments" idea behind. Maybe he should have said "accomplishments" but then again parity is probably not an accomplishment more than it is just the way things played out. Travel tryouts coming up soon, hockey camps in the summers. Before you know it, we'll be back here. I am excited about Suffern being the underdog next year and seeing who is going to step up. I do think it will be a true team. I think they should adopt the former Duke Lax coache's saying as they huddle and then break before a game. "All IN." Meaning they are all in this together and they are each going to give it their all.
I also like "parity" as inclusion in the top 10 for this season. There were 4-5 top teams all year and 4-5 not so good teams. All the rest, regardless of league affiliation could compete with each other. Thats good for the sport.
TO FANOTGAME,
AS A RYE FAN KNOW PELICANS GONNA BE REALLY REALLY TOUGH WITH ALL THOSE GREAT RETURNEES. ALSO LOOK FORWARD TO A GREAT REPEAT GAME IN SECTIONALS. WITH RYE'S GOALIE WHO CAME INTO HIS OWN THIS SEASON AND OTHER REALLY SOLID KIDS HOPING FOR A GOOD GAME.
What a superb rivalry. All three games this year were exciting. I like what Rye did after a slow start and I like the way Pelham turned it around after the sub par season. Rye has a bunch of talented young players and Pelham always seems like a very determined and driven group.
Is there still a Mamk/Rye (or Rye/Mamk) rivalry?
everyone complaining with my first post to the blog:
im not saying suffern should have been #1. they lost and mamaroneck deserved that spot. but when you look back on their season, they accomplished too much, in my opinion, to be number 5
everyone complaining with my first post to the blog:
im not saying suffern should have been #1. they lost and mamaroneck deserved that spot. but when you look back on their season, they accomplished too much, in my opinion, to be number 5
Tend to agree with Suffern that what the Suffern team accomplished should have been higher than 5th on the list. Also it would be interesting to have the top ten of individual performances in addition to the team concept. I would say Connor's and King's goals would have to be rated 1st.
What a nice way to wrap up the season. The pictures really make it extra special. Thanks for a nice feature Harold.
As LoHud, Travel and others have said the overall competitiveness of Section 1 outside of the Big 4 is really the story of the season and one that hopefully indicates well for next season(s) to come. Even at the bottom half of League 4 there were some competitive games against the top of L4 and L3 and L2 teams. The strength and consistency of Suffern, MMK, Pelham and Rye are to be admired and commended. But for the 500+ students who play for and represent the other 26 teams (and 30+ schools) the competitiveness that was shown this year are what high school sports are really all about.
I think the list is perfect. Funny how Mamaroneck played second fiddle to Suffern ALL season long, until that fateful Friday night with 15 seconds left. Not only does Mamaroneck get the most memorable memory of 2007-08, they also wound up ranked higher than suffern in the final NY state rankings. Mamaroneck mimicked The NY Giants in that it does not matter when you win, or even how much you win… It matters when you win. It does not matter where you are all season, it matters where you wind up at the end of the season.
Mamaroneck will have some pressure next year to win again, however, the pressure in Mamaroneck seems to be much different than in Suffern. It won't be overwhelming.
first off, the game was on a monday, but that doesnt matter, second, the more accurate, more frequently updated rankings are here http://www.ushsho.com/nyrank.htm
Oh, so now we go by THOSE rankings? LOL. You must feel very fulfilled. All year we were looking at the New York sportswriter rankings, but I guess this one fits your needs a little better.
Mamaaroneck doesnt care where they are ranked, you can have our #4 ranking if you want it, those rankings are ridiculous, and mean nothing… obviously. Thanks for correcting the date of the game. However, I must say, it felt like a Friday Night!!!!
im not gonna lie, thats what sufferns been looking at the whole year and mamaroneck won sections, they beat the best team at the time, they should be ranked high, i dont want to take anything at all away from them, i just dont think we shouldve dropped that much because of one game
This sentence is kind of like Suffern's Seas…
Let's start talking about the Hudson Valley Roster this year for the Empire State games. Assuming only this year's Juniors are eligible (which i think is the case), here's what I got so far.
Forwards: Hiller (Suffern), Perelle (Mahopac), Jackson (Mamaroneck), Urban (Rye Town), Flory (Pelham), Rofosky (JJ), McCarrick (WP), Altieri (WP), Marasco (Somers/North Salem), O'Conner (NR), Lopez (Iona Prep), Molinaro (Iona Prep),
Defense: Hagan (Mamaroneck), Clay (Pelham), McCarron (Suffern), Meany (NR), Yankowski (Stepinac)
Goalie: McIndoe (CN), Glaser (Mamaroneck)
feel free to add any others. oh by the way
Also is Willows and Shuman come back to Section 1 next year and play they would be a GREAT addition to the Empire team above!
willows and shuman if they try out would be GREAT additions to the team!
I agree with you. Willows is an asset to any team. He is a force in whatever league he plays in. I really don't know anything about Shuman though. I not really heard anything about him. Does he still play on the Devil's team? I know Garlasco moved onto a Gunnery last September. Is Shuman must be the leading scorer on that team now?
Empire State Games this year, Below is a list of players that were on the team last year and will most likely be trying out for the team this year.
PlayersName PositionHigh School
ChrisCerbino ForwardCanterbury
MichaelConklin DefenseSuffern
FrankDiMaggio ForwardYorktown
JordanEck ForwardRye
JoeGarnet DefenseMonroe-Woodbury
CodyKing ForwardIona Prep
RobbieMolinaro ForwardIona Prep
DanMonahan ForwardMonroe-Woodbury
AndrewMoscadelli DefenseDon Bosco
TomNatoli GoalieSuffern
AndrewOjeda DefenseSuffern
JosephRegan GoalieStepinac
ZacharySalt ForwardSuffern
KevinTuohy ForwardShattuck-St.Mary's
Other players who might try out, Douglas(Mt.Pleasant), Sigona(WP), Novick (RT/H), Keagan(RT/H), Datino (Stepinac), Odardi (Stepinac), Clare (Hitmen), Fusco (Fordham)
Hudson Valley might have a real chance for the gold this year.
It's okay that people get such joy out of beating Suffern. It's really a compliment. If Suffern wasn't so good and losses weren't so rare, there wouldn't be such joy. but Mamo can't hide now. With their section championship and their returning players (along with Suffern's loss of a significant number of impact players)Mamo will have to live up to their ranking. it is not easy to be ranked # 1 (either in your section or the state) and have teams come at you every game with their best effort of the year. only time will tell how Mamo handles that pressure. I think we will enjoy the lowered expectations next year.
You are right. Only time will tell. They will have to skate hustle the entire game, every game. It is not fair to expect your goalie to do all the work. I think that his team let him down. Only your goalie is just to much of a class act to say it! Not every senior had their heart in it that game and a few others that were closer than they should have been. Plenty of others have said the same. Without your goalie, the win streak would have been much shorter.
Amen brother. Natoli rules.
All the Suffern players that played Juniors were burnt out by year end. You could see it in their legs. To many games. To many practices etc.
Excuses, excuses. Do you think that Mamk and other teams don't have plenty of kids who play outside high quality hockey outside of the high school team? Oh I forgot , the high school hockey world revolves around Suffern.
I agree. They were burnt out. Another case of parents over scheduling their kids. It must have been very difficult for them. With practices held so late during the week, traveling extensively the first two months of the season to fit in as many league games as possible, and then high school practices and games. So much for a junior program that is high school friendly. I have to belive this cost them their run at states.
I am sorry but Junior Hockey and HS hockey do not go together. It is a greater commitment than Midgets. Plus the fact that the Suffern practices for the Junior Saints were so late at night. Your coach must have been crazy to encourage them to play there. I bet next year he will ecourage them to play the NJ Midgets short season!
There is a reason Connecticut doesn't allow full season travel and high school hockey. It's not good for the athlete to have that many practices/games. I bet most of these kids are on the ice 6-7 days a week and many days multiple times. Add in the very late hours and it gets to be too much. On top of that Suffern plays a short bench so it really stresses those top players even more.
And oh by the way….there still supposed to be students. Grades, papers, exams and all the other stuff that's on their minds.
I think the word is balance.
Lohud or anyone else that may know:
Watching the HS basketball road to Glens Falls. The regional state playoffs are just that—regions. Section 1 plays Section 9 and then winner plays the winner out of Long Island. This keeps the travel relatively local / manageable. How come Hockey does this Section 1 / 10 and 9 / 6 pairing, driving the longest possible travel for these teams / kids ? This year Mamaroneck could have faced M-W for the right to go to Utica and Rye vs Burke. All within an 1 1/2. Just curious as to the logic or history behind this…..
High School and Juniors A or B do not mix. Play midgets or better yet play short season midgets.
To Empire State games this year and Move to #4- The Empire rules have changed so that as long as you don't turn 18 till after August 31, you are eligible. If you look at last year's roster, both '91s (forwards Tuoy and Molinaro)are eligible. Only a few of the '90s skaters are eligible including D man Ojeda and forward Monohan. That leaves a lot of open spots for this year's juniors as well as seniors born late in the year in 1990. The goalie situation is interesting. Natoli is only 37 days older than Reagan, but Reagan is on the eligible side of the cutoff date while Natoli is not. That opens up a spot for a McIndoe, Glaser, Parra, Delaverne. Should be a spirited tryout.
Too much: You're right. Short/split season is the best answer. Makes for a nice 2, 2 1/2 month tune up to get in shape for the season that should matter most to 99% of these kids. Unfortunately, I don't there are not that many true split season teams (where they shut down my mid-November).
I just put this question out there (not in the form of a question..lol). It would be interesting to look at the kids that play travel hockey and high school and see how they are doing school wise and "character" wise. I will guess that these are some of the best kids in the schools and that their grades most likely go up during the season. These are dedicated kids! They know what needs to get done and know they have real time constraints. How many kids go home after a late junior or HS practice at night and then go do home work? How many of them play hockey on weekends? Late nights? These kids make a commitment greater than almost any other sport or school activitiy and work hard.. I would argue that if you asked teachers, admin, or fellow students that the kids making this effort have some of the best character, maturity and leadership. That these kids have learned to work for what they want. Congrats!
"Empire State Games this year" you obviously have not been paying attention. Unless the kids from last years team decide NOT to play this year, many of them are still eligible to play. So "move to # 4's" list is much more accurate.
Postman- you need to look at the Empires website and then the birthdates for the players on last year's roster. Not many (4 skaters, 1 goalie) on last year's roster are eligible this summer.
I think you are wrong Fanotgame.. unless i am wrong Natoli is still eligible due to the fact that his b'day is in July. Is his B'day not in july? I also think all the other suffern players can play again except Conklin.
Oh, interesting.. i thought there were many more eligible.. thanks.. i like that. As you may remember i am not a fan of the new rules. Well, can't really say that, I am not a fan of the date changing back to april in 2009.. this year is just fine.
just looked at the site,, where do you see their b'day???
Oh wait, i think i am a little confuses.. since natoli's bday is in july, he will be 18 before the august cutoff, so you are correct, he is not eligible. oh boy, a little slow this morning..
Also remember that a lot of the other jrs and underclassmen who attend schools in the CHSHL (Cambria, Lopez, Clare) actually live w/in the 5 boroughs of NYC or on Long Island and would play for either the NYC or LI teams. But, you have to also consider players up in Section 9 (MW and Burke Catholic) as well as kids at privates RCDS and Harvey and boarding schools. Still, there should be room on the roster for some of the stronger Section 1 juniors and younger this season: Hiller, Urban, Burdick, Flory, Clay, McNamara. I think Mamo's Hagan might be on the mound instead of the ice for Empires. Anyone know if any of the top Section 1 seniors are young enough to be eligigble?
Hey postman, does this mean I won't get my mail delivery today …........ "a little slow this morning"
How I read the satement below is if you are 18 before April 30th, you can't play. BUT if you turn 18 after April 30th, then you CAN PLAY! Yes or no?
If the first scenario is true, then most of the players from lst years team turn 18 after April 30th so then they can play!
For Boys:
NEW FOR 2008!!!: Applicants who wish to tryout for Ice Hockey must be at least 13 years of age and no older than 17 years of age as of April 30, 2008.
So “move to # 4’s” list is much more accurate.
Just so you know, I'm unable to post for a little bit. I will have the all-league selections Wednesday night, and the senior game is March 16, 6:30 p.m. at the Ice Hutch.
Here is a message our tech guy sent out:
In the coming days, we will be moving this and other LoHud blogs to a dedicated server that will provide more stability and better troubleshooting capabilities than what we currently have. Please bear with us during this transition. Some features may not be available during this time. We will reincorporate them as soon as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience you might encounter and thank you for your continued patronage.
To Empire State Rules. I don't have inside info on this. I am only reading from the ESG website. Click on the "latest news" icon and go thru the new eligibilty rules. The APRIL 30 cutoff date is for the MINIMUM age for ice hockey while the AUGUST 31 cutoff date is for the MAXIMUM age for ice hockey. It says on the website that to participate in the scholastic division of ice hockey the player must be "17 years and younger as of August 31, 2008" and must be "a minimum age of 13 years as of April 30, 2008".
To Empires- Sorry. I went past the cover news page on the ESG website deep into the eligibility section and found what you are referring to. A special eligibility rule that applies only to boy's ice hockey and only for the 2008 season!!! Wierd. It seems to really limit the ability of this year's juniors born in the first 2/3 of the year to compete for a spot. They have to go against almost all the players from last year's team (provided they still want to play) and then they will be too old to be eligible next year when the boy's ice hockey eligibility rule changes to conform to the August 31 eligibility cutoff that all the other sports adopted this year. If you are going to eventually have an August 31 cutoff for boy's ice hockey eligibility, do it this year like all the other sports have done.
I don't know what is going on now.. i thought i knew this empires thing and fanotgame got me all screwed up. Here is what the deal is. For 2008 you need to be 17 years old on on April 30th. So if your bday is after april 30 you are still eligible to play. So back to natoli, (and i still can't find the bday's on the empire site) i believe his bday is in july, which makes him 17 years old on april 30th which makes him eligible to play. Nobody cares about minimum age, if you are 13 and would make the team the fact that you are too young is really no big deal, you will be playing in some bigger events in the years to come.
I had a conversation with Rick Smith executive from Empire state and the age eligibility is different for Ice Hockey in 2008 than all other sports. He could not give me a valid reason he just said the applications went out with the April 30th date. So a majority of players who turn 18 after April 30th are eligible to tryout.
It gets better in 2009 the eligibility date will change from April 30th to August 31st to be consisent with all other sports. This has caused a gross injustice to current juniors in HS born between May1 and August 31 1991. This year they have to compete with seniors that a majority played last year and more than likely will make the team this year and next year they are ineligible to try out.
This is only my opionon not fact but I suspect that the eligibility date being different for Ice Hockey than any other sport there must of been some benefit to the people in charge of making this decision. Why would there be a different date for Ice Hockey.
Fanofthegame:
I didn't get a chance to read your blog prior to submitting mine but we are on the same page. I did send a certified letter to Rick Smith asking him to correct this issue but I'm not expecting any changes.
Also I e-mailed Tony Pinciaro from the journal news who wrote the article the other day on the Empire games and informed him of this issue and asked if he could do a follow up article.
"Empires"..I did the same thing, wrote a letter to empires as well as an email to Tony Pinciaro, i thought it was funny how the article was so positive on the changes and had nothing about the problem this will cause about a 1/3 of the kids born in 1991. Top notch reporting again!!!
I was just re-reading the blog. It would have been very interesting to see how RTHs season would have finished had Urban not gotten hurt. Novick and McKinney still kept scoring and leading the team but a lot of points and speed were out of the line up. I am not saying that would have beaten other teams or would not have… but he will be a real interesting player to watch next season. How many of the local players step into the senior role with be fun to watch
OK. So it sounds like the boy's ice hockey ESG people sent out applications (with the wrong eligibility date) to a group of players they wanted on the team. Now ESG doesn't want to reneg on that offer to play. Ice hockey probably has their tryouts earlier than other sports, so their applications must have gone out earlier than those for the other sports. Maybe by the time the applications for the other sports went out, they had the correct eligibiltiy date. I can't think of another explanation, except one where someone on the committee has a '90 birth year skater born between May 1 and August 31. That can't be it.
Senior game scheduled same time as NYS Midget Finals. Brilliant decision!!!!!
Retyurning Players listed below!
Below is a list of players that were on the team last year and will most likely be trying out for the team this year.
Players Position High School
Chris Cerbino Forward Canterbury
Michael Conklin Defense Suffern
Frank DiMaggio ForwardY orktown
Jordan Eck Forward Rye
Joe Garnet Defense Monroe-Woodbury
Cody King Forward Iona Prep
Robbie Molinaro Forward Iona Prep
Dan Monahan Forward Monroe-Woodbury
Andrew Moscadelli Defense Don Bosco
Tom Natoli Goalie Suffern
Andrew Ojeda Defense Suffern
Joseph Regan Goalie Stepinac
Zachary Salt Forward Suffern
Kevin Tuohy Forward Shattuck-St.Mary’s
"Great Characters" – my son maintained his grades during a heavy high school and travel season.
Here how you do it: Sleep deprivation and a much compromised social life. I'm not talking Paris Hilton type of social life, I'm talking about a normal high school social life.
We decided no travel for his senior year because among other things he wanted to visit colleges. Guess what…a little power skating, some open hockey, some speed and conditioning clinics, and about 2 weeks of high school practice and you would not have known he hadn't play competitively in 5 months. He had a very high energy high school hockey season and is enjoying his senior year.
Aditional players who might be going out:
Willows
Ruthberg
Keagan
Sigona
Datino
Novick
Keagan
Clare
Rodgers
Perelle
Flory
Altieri
McCarrick
Hagan
Clay
This years team might be able to beat the West this year!
With an April 30 cutoff and looking at the birthdates on the printed roster handed out at the Summer games at the Hutch, everyone eligible except: Conklin, Himelson, McCabe, Connor, Eck, Gaughran, Mauriello and Rodeschini. That's 3 D and 5 F positions open. If the ESG had stuck with the new August 31 cutoff, the following additional players on last year's Hudson Valley roster would have been ineligible this year: Cerbino, Garnet, Moscardelli, DiMaggio, King, Salt, Natoli. That's 2 D, 4F and a goalie. So, it really depends on whether these 7 continue to have interest in playing ESG this summer. If they do, the Section 1 jrs get the short shift. If not, no harm.
I have heard from my son that reagan is deciding not to play this year. It is his last summer before college, if he decides to go and not play another year of juniors. Reagan has been a key player on both last years bronze medal and two years ago silver medal. Will this hurt the hudson valley team?
would be the favorite for the Gold if:
(1) Willows decided to play.
(2) if Natoli came back and played this year
hey postman, get some coffee. You're killing me. At the end of the day it still seems that my son is screwed by the empire age adjustments. and I agree with some prior bloggers that a short season midget program works the best for kids who want to play hs hockey. Some people say young kids can play multiple games in a row after multiple practices in a row. Maybe they can, but not with the intensity required to beat the best teams. especially when you are being asked by your hs coach to log a huge number of minutes. There is no doubt in my mind that Suffern had some tired legs issues in certain games. maybe that is not only related to the demands of juniors, but I do believe there is a relation. but there is really nobody to blame here. players are entitled to follow their dream of playing hockey at a higher level. and there are pros and cons that the hs team gets by having juniors on the team. for people not planning to play college hockey, but still wanting to play competitive hockey, short season midget hockey along with hs is great stuff (not to mention cheaper with less family disruption).
And you don't think the other areas of the state don't have kids benefiting from the April 30th date. Schoolastic ice hockey in the ES games are by invitation only. The rest of the sports have walk on tryouts
LOL.. funny BIFF.. I don't drink coffee but i do have a bottle sitting in the bottom drawer of my desk that i might break out.. everyone keeps mixing up the dates!! the cutoff of this year is AUGUST 31ST! Not April 30th! So the benefit for the kids that played last year is not only can you be a HS graduate, you also get the extra 4 months that the other sports don't get..
Postman:
Maybe you opened the bottle a little earlier, you have it backwards the cutoff this year is April 30th, you cannot be 18 by this date. Next year it goes to Aug 31 where you cannot be 18.
Copied directly from the ESG website:
NEW FOR 2008!!!: Applicants who wish to tryout for Ice Hockey must be at least 13 years of age and no older than 17 years of age as of April 30, 2008.
NOTE: For the 2009 Empire State Games, the 17 years of age as of date will be August 31, 2009.
esg,
Doesn't matter if Reagan does not go out for the team.If they have Natoli, they don't need Reagan. Or if they get McIndoe, they will then have TWO strong goalies!
But expect Reagan to go out, he willn't let Natoli get all the credit when Hudson Valley beats the West!
ChrisCerbino
MichaelConklin
FrankDiMaggio
JordanEck
JoeGarnet
CodyKing
RobbieMolinaro
DanMonahan
AndrewMoscadelli
TomNatoli
AndrewOjeda
JosephRegan
ZacharySalt
KevinTuohy
Other players who try out, Douglas(Mt.Pleasant), Sigona(WP), Novick (RT/H),Hagen(ETB), Oliverio (Scarsdale) Keagan(RT/H), Datino (Stepinac), Odardi (Stepinac), Clare (Hitmen), Rausch (Fordam)
joe reagan is still alive in his jr season his team is going to the national championship maybe if the suffern boys had some heart they would still be in the playoffs with the ny saints..good luck joey
should be Natoli and McIndoe. no question.
hangen is doing baseball and what about zweig for the team and fine and jackson and glaser
Funny how the Empire Team has no Mamaroneck kids on it. There are some very talented kids on that team, I don't even think they are interested in playing it. Mamaroneck is weird that way, they are happy to be in their own little world. It seems to work well for them. As for short season juniors… that is absolutely the best way to do it. Brian Conner did not play on any teams this year except MHS. His skills and energy werre actually better this year than in years when he played outside hockey at the same time. Even if physical burnout does not kick in, the mental burnout will kick in 100% of the time.
Even Hugh Heffner needs a break once in a while from a good thing.
Goalie Luke Glaser would have a shot to make that team, I don't know if he is trying out though.
"empier games" is a grammatical genius.
Empire States:
You should add Dorgan,Halpin,Miele
to the list. All play for Patriots AAA.
Looking at the kids that have made the Empires in the past and the ones that are going to try out, Mamaroneck shouldn't even bother because there isn't one current player that will come even close to making the team and that includes the goalie.
Do you really think Glaser is going to beat out Reagan,Natoli or McIndoe…......Don't think so!
who do you think is going to be the whole team of empire states?
LOL Mcindoe? The same kid who let up 3 goals and lost against Sleepy Hollow? Glaser outplayed Natoli in the championship game, and Reagen has not improved since his soph. year. I really don't care if Glaser beat them out of not, I really don't want to get in to a debate about it. All I know is when it is all said and done, Glaser and the boys will have 2 sectional championships, while McIndoe is in league 4 and reagan rots in Stepinac and shows up to about half of their games.
Tell me this, how did a whole team of freshman sophomores and juniors and 1 senior have such a great season at Mamareonck, yet NONE of them can make empires? Natoli is a senior, he is allowed to still tryout for empires?Natoli probably kicking himself for not going to prep school instead of being talked in to trying to win a state championship.
Truth be told, Mamaroneck kids and parents don't give a——about that. They will be too busy winning another sectional championship… this time in Baseball. If you were sick of reading about the Mamk kids in hockey, wait till baseball season, they are actually a better baseball team than a hockey team.
what about that nyc team! haha they won 2 games in the past 14 yrs
First take a look at who is eligible from Brewster travel program. They invite their players and then invite kids they want to sign. At the same time look at who plays for the Polar Bears. There is the core of your team. The rest are a bunch of kids who can't be left off and there you go.
Not really the most wide open tryout but then what is?
the Clarkstown Capitals Pee Wees won the NY state title.
Can someone please tell how this game works.
I read the game is on Sunday March 16th at 6:30 at the Ice Hutch.
Are all seniors eligable or invited to play. Do seniors from all leagues play in the same game, or is there a senior game for each league?
Just curious.
Thx
Congratulations to the Clarkstown Capitals Pee Wees on their NYS Championship. A very nice accomplishment for those kids.
However, this a high school blog, so to make this relevant to high school, will these kids be helping the Clarkstown schools return to some prominence in 2 or 3 years?
I think each teams coach is allowed to invite some of the more talented seniors on the team. Not all seniors are invited.
its what it says it is an EXCEPTIONAL seniors game. The coaches nominate and vote
Massena, the team that knocked off Mamaroneck, just beat Lancaster 5-3 to advance to the DI state championship game.
Mamaroneck definitely has the right to talk because they did upset Suffern in the finals. But hopefully, they will learn to have better sportsmanship in the future. Their coach really didn't act professional at the end of the season and how about your SUPER star getting suspended during the season for "FLIPPING" off the opposing crowd. Now that's MVP material….What a Joke!!!
TIGERS Really showed alot of Class this season. LOL
Senior Game was same as Midget States last year too, get over it. Gives the coach the oppty to perhaps nominate another senior or two to represent his team.
Of the high school juniors eligable mentioned earlier, Alex Lopez (IP) lives in the Bronx and played for the city team last year. He may be jioned by Mike Cambria (IP) and Anthony Palecastro (FP) (and mabye more I dont know) for the city team. Also, Hagan and Glaser both play baseball for mamo in spring which may lead to a conflict. Craig Halpin should definatly be look at for defence (he played forward for SH\I because they needed scoring). But there are plenty of other players and goalies to replace anyone if needed
ESG juniors,
Don't worry Hagan and Glaser would never make the team.
The Empire games are a waste of time. Too much work for 3 games. Don't spend all this energy on it
It's 4 games but it's worth it!
Waste of Time,
You don't think playing with the best kids within the Hudson Valley and playing against the best in the State is
a great experience for the players who make the team. Far from a WASTE OF TIME!
Look at the players that excelled this year in High School that made the Empires last year (Eck, Conner, King, Molinaro, McCabe, Reagan, Salt, Natoli, Conklin, Ojeda, Conner).
Why did Empires change the rules for just one year? What or should I say, who's politic's is dictating this change?
For kids 17 before this April 30 and kids for 2009 17 before August 31. What happens to the kids born may, june july and august who were good enough to play next year? Just forget about it kid? That is real fair!
Wasn't it August 31 last year? Why the change for one year? Who's ploitics here?
Empire Games were definitely worth it. Lots of practices with the best in the area, 4 games against the best in the state and four days in a college dorm setting getting your kid acclimated to college life just around the corner. We had it easy last year since it was at the Ice Hutch and they billeted at Fordham U. But worth it all the way as a good life experience.
For ESG: Marshall Rogers (if he trys out)
Massena won??? OWCH!!!!
Please don't let them win the state. It will be too painful to realize it could have been us. It is already painful that we could have been in the state championship.
Even though I still feel the pain of that goal that Connor scored to end the game against Suffern, I have to say that I just viewed the goal that King scored against Stepinac in that OT game to end their series and I have to say that was one of the nicest goals I have seen in High School play in years. Especially since it was against J.Reagan, who is DEFINITELY one of the top goalies (Behind Natoli)in this area and State. And on that play King Froze Reagan and Reagan barely moved. NOW that was a clutch goal. It was defintley was more impressive than the 3 on 1 goal that Conner had, when Mamaroneck scored and ended a dream season!
Mamaroneck – We feel your pain. Last year Suffern "beat" Ithaca in the semifinal game in OT only to have the goal mistakenly called off. We lost in the shootout after 4 OT's and Ithaca went on to win the State Championship. You never stop asking yourself "what if".
With TI winning it will be painful as well to see the win states. They have a good team, but Rye could have beaten them and if TI beat them I think Rye could have. Too bad for Rye and Mamaroneck, could have brought home 2 state championships.
Is it too late to get an invite to tryouts if you didn't fill out the form to get a scout come see you play?
Geez, it seems like when the hockey teams are that good and make the states, it often (not always) comes down to if you get a call to go your way. Westchester refs will never give mamaroneck the benefit of the doubt on calls, they relish making the coaching staff go crazy. I guess it is payback in their minds.
10-20 years ago, section 1 teams would have been thrilled to just be able to give section X a good game, it is nice to see that our teams are in fact as good as they get in the state, and it is only a matter of time before section 1 wins a second state title.
empire,
You can send in the paperwork but in order to get scouted you had to have the paperwork in before Dec. 31st 2007. THe problem that you now have is that they have received 100 (+) applications, unless your son is known thru High School or a Travel program, they most likely will not be extended a tryout. If think your son is good enough to make the team but is really unknown, then you need to contact who's responsible and really "BEG" them to give your son an opportunitiy. Sometimes that approach works!
Just realize that it's very competitive!
hagan is already on empires for baseball. so y would he try out for hockey if is already on a team
Hey we will see,
Good thing he's on the Empire Baseball team because there's NO WAY he would make the Hockey team. Especially since the games willn't be played at the Hommocks and his scorekeeper can't help him out!
syracuse.com says the DI championship game is in double ot. anyone remember thw webiste address for the broadcast?
http://www.northcountrysports.net/index.html 2nd OT winding down 1:52 remaining. then they will resurface the ice if nobody has scored.
2nd OT has ended. 3rd OT coming up. Have to go watch a pew wee minor game. Which I was in Utica with Suffern.
nick clark beats andy iles in overtime and sufferns going to the finals
section 1 fan,
Your envy and jealousy speaks volumes on this blog. Wish your kid was a part of Mamaroneck this year huh? Sad, just sad.
RYE
YEAH IT HURTS BOTH FOR RYE AND MAMO AND SECTION I! IMAGINE BOTH TEAMS WINNING!!
PROBABLY BEST FOR US BOTH TO STOP LOOKING AT THE HOCKEY SITE AND MOVE ON
CANT WAIT FOR LACROSSE TO START
not here to defend Pelham or Section1 fan as I am an "across the river person"
I cant see a pelham parent or player being jealous of Mamaroneck. Mamaroneck had a super year, but this is their first section championship in a while. Pelham had won 3 of the last 7? and Pelham went to Utica two years ago? Mamaroneck last trip to Utica? Mamaroneck had not even gone to the section final with CN and Suffern battling here the year before. I watch the papers and Pelham Mamaroneck games are usually close sompetitive games. So I seriously doubt Pelham people are jealous of Mamaroneck as its arguable that Pelham has been more successful, especially lately
Thanks for the post