2008-09 league and division alignments
-
- April
- 30
League 1
John Jay
Mahopac
Mamaroneck
Pelham
Rye
Rye Town/Harrison
Suffern
White Plains
League 2
Brewster
Clarkstown North
ETB
Mt.Pleasant
North Rockland
Scarsdale
Yorktown
League 3
Byram Hills
Clarkstown South
Fox Lane
New Rochelle
Ossining
Pawling
Somers/No Salem
League 4
Carmel
Greeley
JFK/PV
Lakeland/Panas
Pearl River
Sleepy/Irv
TZ/Nyack
Moving up: White Plains to League 1, North Rockland and E/T/B to League 2, New Rochelle and Somers/North Salem to League 3
Moving down: Clarkstown North to League 2, Fox Lane to League 3, Lakeland/Panas to League 4
League 1 and League 2 will be decided solely by record within the league. League 3 teams will play a home-and-home with everyone in its league, and crossover to play one game against each team from League 4. All 19 games will count in the league standings, and for playoff eligibility.
There might be a merged Nyack/Tappan Zee team this year (update: this won’t be approved until May 13), but it won’t affect the playoffs. Nyack/TZ moved up to Division I, and every other team stays in the same division.
Division 1
16 teams
Carmel, Clarkstown North, Clarkstown South, ETB, Lakeland/Panas, Mahopac, Mamaroneck, Mt. Pleasant, New Rochelle, North Rockland, Rye Town/Harrison, Scarsdale, Sleepy/Irv, Suffern, TZ/Nyack, White Plains.
Division II
13 teams
Brewster, Byram Hills, Fox Lane, Greeley, JFK/PV, John Jay, Ossining, Pawling, Pearl River, Pelham, Rye, Somers/No Salem, Yorktown.
So, what does everyone think?
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, April 30th, 2008 at 6:39 pm by Harold Gutmann.
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Surprised either New Ro, Ossining or SNS didn't move up to L2 and Scarsdale down to L3. Other than that, seems about right.
My thoughts:
League 1: – White Plains finally with the move up a good move – Interesting to see RTH stay in League 1 after losing so much. It will be interesting to see how they fare, as well as how Pac fares.
League 2 & League 3: – In my opinion League 2 and League 3 are a mish mosh. Anybody can beat anybody on any given day. These two Leagues are almost interchangeable. – If Willows and Shu come back to CN, and McIndoe gets healthy, CN could be devastating to the rest of League 2 – Other than that, pretty much what I expected
League 4: – It looks like TZ/Nyack combined, which maybe could crawl them out of the League 4 cellar?
I think RTH should have dropped down into league 2 as well. The way it worked 2 years ago, both yorktown and Scarsdale dropped down to league 2, and Rye along with Rye Town Harrison moved up to league 1. Teams in leagues shouldn't be decided by coaches, they should send in their league of choice and state an arguement for why they should be there, and a board of coaches and others in the hockey community should decided the leagues. It is clear that RTH is not a team with a great future, and just because they had a great year in league 1 doesnt mean that its their best option to stay there. A team like Mahopac, in this system, could have been forced to relegation to league 2 had Clarkstown North not had the worst season possible. Mahopac has tremendous upside, RTH doesnt. We need to have foresight and school administrators should not be in control of their school's league assignment.
Out of the 22 players on the Mahopac Roster this year, 16 were either Freshmen or Sophomores! Next year all those underclassmen will all be a year older, plus you have your best player, Perelle, coming back as well. That's a legit reason to stay in League 1 next year. Clearly last year was a rebuilding year, but watch out for the Pac next year.
It's official Willows and Shuman are returning to CN! CN being in league 2 is going to be a big mistake. Heard the North AD is the one responsible for the move, coach tried fighting it, but again, North could care less about their sports program. Can someone confirm that the North AD is the one responsible for this?
Harold….Thank you for your continued coverage well past hockey season…
As far as CN in League 2…at full strenght they are a legit league 1 team. However, with McIndoe coming off an injury this may allow them to keep some pressure off the goaltending and a young defense. Hopefully by mid-season Mac will be 100%.
Returning? I thought that only Willows left. I heard he was doing well in the Atlantic League and at the USHL Showcase. Where was Shuman? I thought he was going to CN all along but just didn't want to play. Sounds like the AD knew what she was doing. If those 2 aren't back (and healthy) in the fall, CN might as well cancel the rest of the season. Why would you rely on one player? You can only count on him. What if the other chooses not to play again (if maybe Willows is hurt)? That was her reasoning I am sure, she is just looking at the numbers of RETURNING players and those coming up from modified. They don't justify staying in L1 with the record they had last year and the lack of numbers coming up!
Sounds to me like the AD has more on the ball than the coach.
Updating the post above, the TZ/Nyack merger will not be voted on until May 13, so nothing is official until then.
League 1 could be its most consistent strength-wise, from top to bottom team, than it has ever been. It should be an exciting season
League 2 and 3, as posted earlier are almost interchangeable. Perhaps CN stands-out and an improving ETB (is this the year?) and New Rochelle teams.
League 4 should be competitive with very solid Pearl River, JFK and Sleepy Hollow teams.
If Willows is at the USHL showcase, that must mean he is considering playing in that jr league next season. If that is the case, Willows may be somewhere out west for HS next year, not at North. And if Willows is out west, McIndoe rehabbing an ACL, what does Shuman do? I can see why the North AD took the conservative route. Now, if McIndoe comes back quickly from surgery and Willows and Shuman actually skate for North, they will dominate League 2 and be a dificult out in the playoffs.
That is three very big ifs. I see why the AD went that route. She just let the system work the way it was set up last year. The bottom team moves down and the top team moves up.
Harold,
Can you clarify what you said about, "League 3 teams will play a home-and-home with everyone in its league, and crossover to play one game against each team from the other league." I am having trouble understanding what you mean.
fanotgame,
in case you forgot, scarsdale came in second place in league two last year, ahead of yorktown and brewster… they also beat mahopac and pelham and had a successful year with some of the best players in the section going unnoticed
I agree Scarsdale had a nice season last year. But, they graduate both goalies and 8 skaters from an already thin bench. There must be only 7 or 8 returning skaters and no returning goalie. Olivario is a super player. Had a great sophomore year. Felix is solid, too. But, you need a lot more than that to field a league 2 team. I'll root for the Raiders. Just think a lot of the league 3 teams have more potential next year and beyond.
S/NS-
Everyone in league 3 will play 2 games against every other team in league 3 (one home & one away). Then they will play one game (either home or away) against each of the teams in league 4. That means that assuming the TZ/Nyack merger goes through, league 3 teams will play 19 games which are scheduled by the section (12 against league 3 and 7 against league 4). All 19 of these games will count towards their record when determining qualification for the post-season and seedings if they make it (as opposed to previous years where only the 12 games within their league would count).
The same would go for league 4 teams in reverse (two against everyone in league 4 and one against everyone in league 3 for a total of 19 games).
to …- Scarsdale had a nice run last year. And your super soph Olivario was great. Felix also solid. But, you lose both rostered goalies and 7 of your 14 skaters including the older Olivario who rarely came off the ice on D. Unless there is a lot of young talent coming up next year or players moved into the school system, the Raiders will have a hard time in League 2 this upcoming season.
adding to "fanotgame" – thats true, according to Scarsdale's roster, there are only 8 players coming back next year. Half the team, including both goalies, graduate this yea. Will there even be enough players on Scarsdale to make a team next year?
that is true, but teams hardly move down a league just because of speculation, white plains is moving up even when they lose two of the top five scorers in the section, and rth is staying when they lose most of their great first line
harold, i was wondering why no team would get dropped to d2, if tz/nyack merge, if the section has been spliting teams into d1 and d2( half the teams to d1 the other half to d2). shouldnt they drop a team to d2 to make it more even in splitting teams? and if they were to do this, what team would have the choice? im not sure if would be mamaroneck, although it could since they are border line.
assuming willows and shuman come back, and mcindoe gets healthy, CN has a chance to have a White Plains-like season in League 2 next year
Willows and Shuman ARE BOTH PLAYING next year!
Clarks North AD was right, if the coach wanted them to stay in league 1 he was dead wrong and ignorant. There is no guarantee that those kids will play. I mean, 1 kid just did not want to play on a crummy team last year… which really shows his character. If Willows wants to play after high school, he is making a big mistake coming back to C North, he will be wasting his time there on a truly bad team that lost to Sleepy Hollow. Will he make them win? Probably, however, do not underestimate how BAD C North was this year. I never saw such a bad skating club. Willows would have to be out there the whole game, Willows totally exhausted and dehydrated is still 10 times better than anyone they had out there last year. It looked like a modified team out there. I think C North people actually think it will be like it was a couple of years ago when they played Suffern tight. With or without willows, North has NO SHOT at winning section 1.
Only two parents of CN players are posting. The rest have no reason to after the season they had last year. Too bad that Junior could not stick it out. The other showed some lack of character. Many posts have said the same.
Their parents must be so proud.
Sec1fan,
If I recall RTH caught a lot of grief on the blog last year for moving up. Something they had done every year. They were picked to be dead last in league 1 by the blog and ripped apart for putting the kids and players in a situation that they would get crushed. Not only did they compete, they played rather well. Had Urban not gone down, it would have been nice to see how the season wrapped up. I agree they lose a lot, but they figure out how to compete every year. I have more respect for a team that stays to take it lumps rather than hiding in a lower league. We know of one team that finally got forced into League 1 this year…guess they didnt miss the meeting.
how about YOU show some character!
you make outrageously premature comments calling for all of the Suffern players at the "booze and bong parties" as the New York Post called it, be suspended.
then you disappeared when a few of your guys were exiled from the jungle for one to five games.
and now you're back attacking a kid who did not play HS hockey this season in the HS hockey blog.
grow up…and show some character.
Hey Tigervet2 once again you have no clue as to what you are saying! I AM NOT A PARENT, I am a friend, and once AGAIN, you have no idea why they left, didnt play or why the are going to play this year! like the non CN parent said, GROW UP and Show some character!
Kidding- Rooting for the Titans to be competitive in L1. They showed guts by staying there. Urban a very nice player. Hopefully, the new goalie can keep you guys in games.
Thank you fanotgame. I dont think anybody ever knows how the season will play out and what teams have. With junior hockey, prep schools and travel hockey whoever knows. What you can bet on is another season of blog fun. Who is the new goalie for RTH and can he keep the team in there like the four year starter they graduate. I do agree that they lose a lot so we will see how they do. I give them credit for staying in league 1
I would NEVER let shuman play for my high school. He quit on his teammates once and he will quit again. And really did nothing in travel hockey. Let him play travel again, we don't need him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
to Again/Confirmed, Will Willows and Shu also be playing full season AAA Midget hockey or juniors? If so, how will conflicts be handled? Will they attend the North games if they have a travel game? Also, what about conflicts with North games and travel practices?
Willows and Shuman will be playing short season, 18 AAA Midget together on the same team. They wont have conflicts cause their games and practices will end by november 15.
Kidding…It's funny how you state your opinions but then change course and state something entirely different. Your comments about "hiding in a lower league" and "missing a meeting" is hysterical! Then a few post later you state how no one really knows how the season will turn out. Well then how did anyone know that the team that "was hiding out" would be so competitive this year and win the league outright for the first time in something like 30 years. You know why….because they had two outstanding players who were that good and won it for them! They came in third the year before and according to the "guidelines" were not the team to move up. Still can't get over it huh….?
WP should have been in L1 last year, but the coach certainly wasn't pushing for it. That said, they probably would have been forced to move up if some of the teams that "stayed to take their lumps" had volunteered to move down.
Also, WP did not have a great season just because of 2 great players. They clearly had depth and their top 10 skaters matched up well with any team in the section.
Agree with WP 2 Fan- Ebersole's Tigers won't be as deep as Hommock's Tigers, but WP returns a pretty decent core. It will be interesting to see how the D and goaltending shape up. They have a bunch of good forwards.
WP fan 2,
Please tell me WHAT TEAM DID White Plains beat this year? Other than League 2,3,4 teams! Who did they beat. Got beat by Fordham,Iona,Mamaroneck and Suffern….....Who did they beat to make them a good competitve team? Eastchester?? LOL
Mamk,
I haven't seen the numbers for next season. Based on this season's numbers, the smallest Division I team was Clarkstown South (1,061), followed by Sleepy Hollow/Irvington (1,076) and Mamaroneck (1,079).
To Again, what team are Willows and Shu playing on together. I know they both played AAA last year for the Colonials and Devils and that was full season. Why will it be short season this year?
Rockland,
Who really cares! Shu is a not a team player…..Tell him to transfer to a prep school.
Get Real, Way to much Anger and Hostility over hockey! Get Real, and Get a Life! You have serious issues! SEEK HELP! Plus you have no clue!!!
Since we're talking about alignments…
2008-2009 CHSHL alignments
A
-Archbishop Molloy (Queens)
-Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains)
-Chaminade (Mineola)
-Fordham Prep (Bronx)
-Iona Prep (New Rochelle)
-Monsignor Farrell (Staten Island)
B(East)
-Christ the King (Queens)
-Holy Cross (Queens)
-Monsignor McClancy (Queens)
-St. Francis Prep (Queens)
B(West)
-St. Edmund Prep (Brooklyn)
-St. Joseph by-the-Sea (Staten Island)
-St. Peter's (Staten Island)
-Xavier (Manhattan)
-Xaverian (Brooklyn)
C
-Bishop Ford (Brooklyn)
-Cardinal Spellman (Bronx)
-Mount St. Michael (Bronx)
-St. Raymond (Bronx)
Shumans Devils team was at nationals in the 16u T1 division. Sounds like his travel team did something. And Get Real is definatly not one of the players on CN. I dont think CN is a top contender for the sec 1 championship with him, Willows, and McIndoe back, but there is a possibility. You are not winning L2 with a goalie and one good player. Suck up your pride and be happy with the extra wins your team will get with him.
Are Willows and shuman really back, or is it just a bunch of people trying to start hype
Confusion,
Willows is a player! Shuman is just average (ANd i'm being nice).
I think that it should be a good varsity season,Mamorneck will probably win again, Suffern will be second then its anyone's game from there. Pac was very young last year they had a solid first line who scored 99% of there goals, they have a pretty solid starting goalie and perrelle and mastocola are both solid forwards, they should be much better this year. Well see!!!!
Nah …, Pelham is in the mamo-suffern range, maybe better than suffern.
To Sec 1 fan- if the Pelican goalie continues to improve and Flory stays put, Pelham is ahead of Suffern, but not up to Mamo. The Tigers are just too deep. Without Flory, the Pelicans move below the Mounties and end up right next to the Garnets. I'll take your word on him staying (ignoring the other noise I hear) and rank the League 1 teams as:
Mamo
Pelham
Suffern
Rye
WP
Pac
Jay
RTH
I think the top 3 are separated a bit from the bottom 5.
With Willows and Shuman, CN will be the team that upsets come playoffs. They will take L2 and be the spoiler come playoffs!
Hey Rockland, you better hope McIndoe is 100%, without him they will have a season like last year.
Conflicts, still looking for an answer to the question of how will conflicts be handled when Willows and Shuman have a travel game or a travel practice and have a North game or practice. are they still playing on fullseason AAA travel teams? I thought Shuman and the North coach couldn't agree on how to handle conflicts last year. What is different this year. Has the coach sold his soul for a few more wins? and why can Shu do both this year when he couldn't do it last year?
No need to worry about big Mac and his ACL. Those two can keep the puck out of their zone the whole game. It won't matter who is in net for CN. The result will be the same, another W for CN. The coach hasn't sold his soul! He just knows what is best for the team. Anyone who doesn't like it can just quit. Again, there will not be any conflicts with travel for these two. Playing on the same team they have already worked things out with the coach and their travel schedule will be front loaded.
The Captains C has already been sewn on the jerseys.
well, you really are showing how stupid you are there "rockland". I hope this doesn't happen but if McIndoe doesn't come back, I have a feeling we won't here much from you next year. But "we" will be saying how CN needs to drop down a league again.
Pretty dumb comment that you don't need the goalie that is the heart and soul of this team. The only C that should be on any jersey is on McIndoe's as a returning senior.
He is a very good goalie true. But he can't score goals. Unless I am wrong, you can't win if you can't score. Seems that was the problem last year. We need to get back to the way things were in the past, real offense and goals from all state forwards!
What travel team are Willows and Shuman playing for and how did they get their season front loaded? Are they playing AAA anymore or are they playing Midget AA which has the short season?
They are playing a short season. There will be no conflicts with the high school season!
They will be playing 18U AAA with the Colonials. There will be no conflicts with the high school season!
Very interesting…
St. Anthony's (Huntington) is entering the CHSHL's A Division and is also entering the JV Division beginning this upcoming season
If you think that with those two kids coming back you will be in the section championship… you are dreaming. They will be much better (you can't get worse) but they will not contend for the section. I think some of these C North people think they will be playing suffern again in a packed house like they did for a few years. Mind you, C North was a horrible program for sooooo many years. Please don't act like they are the likes of Suffern, Mamaroneck, which have been at the top for about 25 years. With neither team ever being in the low leagues which is what North was in for all of the 80's, and 90's.
hey i heard jake douglass comitted to play at d3 framingham state for next year.
Willows and Shuman will be playing short season, 18 AAA Midget together on the same team. They wont have conflicts cause their games and practices will end by november 15.
The confusion here is that midget AAA teams in the Atlantic League have usually played a ful season. NJYHL teams at the AA and A level have had the short season that ends on November 15.
Since you have repeated a couple of times I will undersatnd that the U18 AAA Colonials will have a short season. Me and some of the other posters were probably not aware that Atlantic League teams could utilize a short season (although its a great idea all midget teams, including here in the Hudson Valley, should adapt).
My understanding is that it's not a short season for AAA but the coach front loads his games to make it a short season
Once again…
Willows and Shuman will be playing short season, 18 AAA Midget together on the same team. They wont have conflicts cause their games and practices will end by november 15.
I am confused. Maybe I am just a little slow but I could rattle off a list of about 15-20 other players to be watching next year. While these two from CN are very good I am sure, why the obsession over them and their return to HS hockey? I think that your posts insult the rest of the kids in the section. Kids who actually played for their HS last year. Give it a break and start another thread…I choose not to mention their names because you have already done so over and over.
Willows and Shuman are not bad kids, but what coach would want to put up with the Parents?
Agree- McIndoe deserves some press, which he got in the earlier blog (unfortunately it was about his injury). Willows is a super player and would be fun to watch skate in Section 1 again. Shuman a pretty good support player for Willows. Lets all be happy if these 3 play at North next season to make one more competitive team in Section 1. Not a favorite, but a team that can give the top teams a game.
Pre-Season All League 1 Team
Flory, Hiller, Emerson
Mamone Hagan
Glaser
Second Team
Perelle, Fine, Urban
Dzenis Christiansen
Benincasa
Sec1Fan, here are some others to consider (players who are similar to or stronger than at least one of those on your list):
Forwards:
Willows
Marasco
McCarrick
Olivario
I would add ETB's Hagan, but I heard he signed with the NJ Hitmen which means he won't be playing HS hockey.
Defense:
McNamara
Ciotti
Sganga
Meile
Meany
I heard Christiansen was looking at RCDS.
Goalie:
McIndoe
I said league 1, which eliminates most of the players you listed…
You left Shuman from CN off the list of forwards. Mistake not to count on him earning all league and state honors his senior year.
I think the whole point about Willows and Shuman was to say that CN does not belong in league 2. I think it's a mistake to put them there.
To Sec1 Fan- Got it. Missed that reference to League 1. Still, McCarrick will shine at forward this coming season. Sganga a strong D man. But, our debate does point out that there are some very strong players skating on non league 1 teams. We should keep that in mind when some bloggers try to trivialize play in L2 thru 4.
I think the point has already been made that the AD looks at returning players from last season. This, as well as, last years record should give a glimpse as to where the team would best be seated. That being said, CN has done a terrible job with their hockey program. You had a coach for what like 20 + years who did nothing to build a program at CN. Don't cry that you don't have enough players and need to combine with CS. Parents should get on the coach to build a program and stop focusing on two players who may return next season. What happens the following year? CN will wind up in L4 before long. Then maybe the school board will cancel the hockey program and use the money to rebuild CN High School which I hear is falling apart.
OldSchool, I agree with you on most of your points…. that being said, the AD looks at nothing, she takes the course of least resistance! whatever is easier is what she does. CN does not care about their sports programs, AT ALL! , this goes for ALL of the CN SPORTS! Ask any CN Player or Parent about the schools AD, and they will all tell you the same thing! ZERO INVOLVEMENT And yes, the school needs major work to it, but I guess we don't pay enough taxes!
ABSOLUTELY CORRECT! North DOES NOT CARE ABOUT ATHLETICS, only about their IB program and who gets National Merit, etc. AD now and the one before – useless!
Why slam your AD? I think that you missed my point. Want to know about a program and how to build it? Look at Suffern and Pelham. Two schools, one large and one small. One thing in common, the coaches live at the rink. How many times have I bumped into one of Suffern's coaches at the rink during a Sunday clinic or stick handling. The AD has nothing to do with it.
I am not trying to defend the AD either way. Sounds like you have a gripe, obviously. The sports program is just another afterschool program. Look at the big picture, colleges care about academics, not how supportive the AD is to the bowling program, for example.
Our kids should be encouraged to excel in the classroom first. Sure, it is nice to get your name in the paper. But, that will be a distant memory in a few years. The way that the economy and taxes are going, many of the kids graduating won't be able to afford to live in your town. Schools and the administrators need to place the emphasis on academics. That is what will help these kids the most in the long run. Not a ticker tape parade after they almost win a state title. No offense, I know your kids worked hard last year. But they didn't win a state title.
You're missing the point. NORTH ONLY CARES ABOUT THE KIDS WHO WILL GIVE THEM THE BEST ACADEMIC REPUTATION. Middle of the road kids who work hard, want a good education, and want to succeed are forgotten. Not everyone is IB material – and unless you have kids that have experienced that, you can say nothing!
Most of Rockland County, not just North, needs to better organize (with the notable exception of Suffern) their hockey programs.
North Rockland has been making a concerted effort to better the program as well. They started running "learn to skate" type clinics for the little kids in the district last year one night a week. They were run by coaches/players/former players in the district and from what I understand had a pretty decent turn-out. With the way their team has been improving (and the good showing they put up last season), maybe they will finally be able to get over the hump and sustain a good, well run program for years to come.
It may just be the fans/parents on here, but it appears that CN is putting all their eggs in the basket of two kids who did not play last year and a goalie who tore his ACL and won't be able to do anything until November. They are all very good players, but all three of them are seniors and if the coach didn't learn from his mistake of 2 years ago (leaving the four best players on the ice 45 minutes per game and not developing anyone), they will fall even harder in the 2009-2010 season than they did in 2007-2008. I wouldn't be shocked if North Rockland & CN pass each other heading in opposite directions this year. They will both be in league 2 and will probably end up pretty similar in the standings, but after that, I think NR will take over as the #2 team in Rockland (although a pretty distant #2 to Suffern).
That is the way that life is. Not all of our children can be brain surgeons. But, if you work hard you will be rewarded. I am really not sure what you mean. CN players were on the front page of the JN almost every week during the 06/07 hockey season. What more could you ask for?
You think that is tough, try getting your kid into Fordham Prep. If you don't have the grades you can't get in. Ask anyone who has gone through the process and been disappointed.
Bottom line is…we need doctors and bus drivers. Each is an honest living. But one requires more dedication and commands more respect.
I'm glad to see the effort that North Rockland is putting forth. Pearl River has also done a respectable job with their club program. The Clarkstown schools have a good number of youngsters playing with the Capitals and I have even seen that Nyack has a mite team up at SOR. Perhaps all is not lost in RC.
However, this is a few years away and the RC schools are always in jeopardy of losing their best players to the nearby New Jersey private schools.
Of course the Westchester schools lose kids to the Iona and Fordhams, but at least these schools are in the Journal News coverage area, unlike Don Bosco and St. Joes in NJ. So IP and FP news coverage help lead to the perception of strong Westchester hocckey programs.
BTW – I have always wondered why Fordham (Bronx) gets Journal News hockey coverage and why Mt. St. Michael(Bronx), CHSHL B hockey division does not. This is more perplexing considering that the "Mount's" football program does receive a fair amount of Journal News coverage, so it can't always be said that MSM is too distant from Journal News land…
The following teams will have a tough time next season:
Clarkstown North
RT/H
Rye
John Jay
White Plains
Mount Pleasant
Stepinac
Top players-
Willows
Hiller
Marasco
Fleury
Olivario
Urban
Shuman
The reason Fordham gets coverage is simple. They have been successful. Mount has barely had a program the last five or six years. I also think that Fordham has kids from Westchester county on their teams for years, while Mount may have a few.
To Next Season-
I think there will be one very strong team (Mamo), two others that could knock off Mamo on a good day (Pelham and Suffern) and then a whole lot of parity. So, to say all the above teams will have a tough time next season is an overstatement. Sure, the teams you listed will have a hard time beating Mamo and some of the top teams upstate. But, most will be very competitive in all their local games. Willows and Shuman and a healthy McIndoe should keep North in games. I have my doubts about RTH, but they always seem to find a way to be competitive. Yes, Rye lost 2 all state skaters, but return 2 strong goalies and will skate 3 solid lines at forward. Jay lost a lot of skaters, but have 2 forwards that work well together and their goalie was a pleasant surprise. White Plains has 2 strong forwards and 2 solid d men. That is something to build around. Mt Pleasant still has a pretty good HS goalie and a few travel plyaers who know what to do. Stepinac lost their super goalie, but return a core of very strong skaters. These teams will be just fine.
In fact, Next Season, here are my pre season top 10 with a quick note on their areas of need:
Mamo-solid everywhere
Pelham-Flory must stay and goalie must continue to improve
Suffern-all the new players must gell
Iona-all those skaters, but who is between the pipes?
Stepinac-same as above
RCDS-Turrin a huge loss. Is Pesce next?
Rye- Needs to develop defensive depth
WP-Goalie and forward depth
Fordham- scoring if Raush doesn't play
Pac- fwd and d depth
Fordham B football team receives coverage (i know its "A" but its one division below "AA"). Mount's B hockey team does not receive any coverage, but it footbal team does?
Should a won/lose record dictate if you receive any reporting? Maybe the amount of reporting, but even the worst teams in section 1 "coverage area" receive some news print.
I don't no the westchester component of the 2 schools population, but I'll just assume its higher at FP and that is the reason for the JN considering it as part of there regular reporting.
travel team,
mount plays in the lowest catholic division, C (with spellman, st. raymond's, etc.)...the level of play is so poor that you'd never know it was high school level if you were there…
the B division is somewhat manageable to watch…with teams like holy cross, st. francis, st. joseph by-the-sea, etc.
Exactly true capo. I would equate the C catholic division with a low B- to C level Bantam league. The B catholic division is more like a Bantam A type league, not AA for sure. The A Division has Iona, Stepinac and Fordham, occasionally one other team Chaminade is decent but thats not a great league either
Jake – congratulations – DIII as an 18 yo freshman is impressive. Good luck!
Ironic though that Don Bosco and St. Joes Regional receive no coverage, despite being physically closer to section 1 (than Fordham), having a high percentage of New York students from Rockland County and arguably having better hockey teams than Fordham.
Mamaronecks loss of Brian Conner will hurt Mamaroneck so much more than people think. Jackson can no way fill those shoes. Mamaroneck will have to utilize teamwork, and discipline in order to win the section… 2 things that they never have, and their coaches can never get out of them unless they themselves choose to play that way. The same way they finally chose to play disciplined against suffern in the championship. A quick whistle and jackson back from injury did not hurt either.
Proximity has little to do with it. I think its because Fordham plays more Section 1 teams, Bosco is in an entirely different league. Fordham plays other sports against Section 1 teams?
I guarantee Suffern beats Mamo next year every time they play them..and everyone can look back at this post when it happens.
To fanotgame
good info
I also suspect Pesce will leave RCD, but you can't really blame him, he is probably going back to an Irvington team that was decent and very young last year, and more importantly he will also get to play with his little brother now,
Do you know where Turrin is going?
Also agree PAC will be up there, that team you saw against Suffern in the playoffs was a much better team than you saw in the season, they were healthier, had Perelle, and they youngsters really came along at the end, had they played like this all year they would have been at least .500
Turrin
Heard he is going to Milton Academy. Big loss for RCDS.
Just heard…....
Congrat's to Reagan, McCabe & King for Making first team all CHSHL.
Also, heard that McCabe was awarded top MVP Defensemen and King was awarded MVP of CHSHL League.
Good luck to all next year in College. You'll all be missed!
Special congrat's to McCabe and King.Real CLASS acts! My son has played with and against these two players for years.They love the game and they always supported all their teammatesand organizations. It's sad to see players like this leave our Hockey Community.
Good luck in college. You both will be missed!
Framingham State—Overall Record 1-23-1 ECAC Northeast 0-15-1 Possibly the worst college hockey team in the nation. Maybe if he stayed in HS he would have won a state championship and done at LEAST this well or better. Then there are all the good times one has winning with their high school friends and classmates. Seems like a lost year in a kid's life to me. And then maybe the other kids stay as well. Oh well, too late now.
For THIS He went to Prep School?,
What in the world are you talking about. First of all, he's playing D3 and second of all, he's a senior who just graduated. He didn't go to Prep school.
Get your facts straight! Good luck in D3.
My facts were right, just a different player who is going there next year from the area who DID go to prep school for a year who could have been part of a state championship the year before if he hadn't.
"Depends" has nothing to do with it.
The "prep" player being referred to (the 2nd one mentioned as going to Framingham) presumably left to follow his dreams. His aspirations may not be in line with yours but yours don't matter in his case. Maybe winning a state title was not worth giving up the opportunity to see how far he could take his hockey career.
Also, I'm sure he had some great times in prep school that he would never had otherwise experienced. Lastly, the route he chose has gotten him to DIII college hockey. Who's to say that staying in a local public H.S. would have gotten him at "least" that.
It's public school high school hockey. Kids leaving and going to prep or private school should be expected, even planned for. Rarely does the prep route result in a substantive D1 or DIII for even these kids. Still doesn't mean they shouldn't give it a try.
Don't blame one families decision on the disintegration of a team. Usually many things are the result of that.
For those players aspiring to play college hockey, attending a prep school presents a strong opportunity. Based on 2006-07 NCAA rosters, here's a breakdown of players who made these teams:
71% of D-1 Prep School players in the last 4 years made an NCAA hockey roster.
54% of USA Hockey Junior A Tier I players made an NCAA roster.
32% of USA Hockey Junior A Tier II players made an NCAA roster.
3% of USA Hockey Junior B players made an NCAA roster.
How is D1 prep school defined? What are these schools. What are the other prep school levels, D2, etc.?
Travel Team
Very refreshing hearing a voice of reason on this blog. Thank you for understanding my post.
OldSchool
Interesting statistics, where did you find them? If they are accurate, they do need to be broken down further. Prep schools do place several kids into collegiate hockey but the majority is at the DIII level. The tier 1 junior A that is being referred to can only be the USHL. I think this league has more DI placements then any other by a considerable margin.
If the statistics can be drilled down to DI and DIII, I think that would provide a clearer picture on the "road to collegiate hockey". Great stuff though. Any stats on public high school placements (by state)?
Good question Travel team, there are prep championships each year just like college
Teams like Avon, Cushing, Loomis Chaffee, Canterbury, Taft, Berkshire, Salisbury, Trinity Pawling, westminister, Choate, Hotckiss among others are considered division 1. At all these schools, I would estimate that at least 75% of the players are capable of contributing to an NCAA D.3 or ACHA d. 1 club team, just about all of these teams also have at least 1 or 2 players who will get a d. 1 NCAA scholarship.
The D. 2 prep schools consist of places like Holderness, Hebron Academy, Williston N. Hampton, South Kent, andKents Hill, would play in the D. 2 championships
Here there are also very good players, most teams usually will have at least 1 scholarship player, and about 50% of the team could go on to good college hockey.
I am not exactly sure on D. 3, but I think it refers to the teams that are around us like Don Bosco, Burke, RCDS, Iona, Fordham.
There are many many more schools, but htese are just the ones from the top of my head.
Had to post this and it also fits the conversation. It will also make many of us suffern people feel a little better about the loss to ithica 2 years ago. Andy Iles (ithica goalie) was just drafted into the OHL. He has a really good shot at playing in the NHL. He is considered by many to be the best young goalie in the country.
WHO IS READY FOR S/NS TO COME AND DOMINATE. the cheering section is bigger and louder then ever!!!!!! jo jo and butters will take us home.
It's really sad how far RCDS has fallen in the past 5 years. In 2001, 2002, and 2003 they were the talk of D-2 prep after they started beating teams like St. George's, South Kent, Kingswood Oxford, Portsmouth Abbey, and other D-2 prep powerhouses. They would run up the score 10-0 on teams like Harvey and Fordham and would not even play the best public schools in Westchester. In 2003 I remember they even beat Brunswick for the first time in like 15 years. Ever since the era of players like Shalek, Collingham, Savage, Moses, Exum, Burke, Forstbauer, and a few others, they have been unable to get college-caliber players. I don't know if it's the school or the the coach or what, but the team just seems to be getting worse every year. It's really sad because they used to be a bright spot for hockey in this area.
First off South Kent is a D1 prep school. Can't say what the percentage is at this level that go on to play collegiate hockey at the club level. A fair number of the D1 prep teams have a couple players that go on to DIII. As for D1, most of the prep teams do not have any scholarship players. The top prep programs usually have a couple or in some cases a few. The other D1 teams usually don't have any.
The D2 prep schools rarely have any players that go on to DI programs. Only their top players go on to DIII.
Not sure where the percentages in the post above came from. It would have to include collegiate club hockey in order to approach 75% or 50%.
Yes RCDS has dropped off. Its been about the last five or so years. Lets be fair though. Its not a sleep away school so they can only recruit from commutable distances. It is a superior academic school and has its own rink.
The reason why I think they are falling is a few reasons. They do not play in a league. They can say what they want but they are not in a league where legit standings are kept or where they can win something. Although they have play offs they never make it to them because they do not play a tough enough schedule to qualify. While they play a few hard teams they play alot of junk to. Lastly I think they have trouble drawing from Rye, the same town their schools is. They should be able to draw from Rye and they really dont do that much as Rye continues to stay strong in HS hockey. It would help if RCDS did not always have that fake mini PR machine going all the time.
Who's trying out?
There is going to be like 7 guys from suffern on it
First of all with RCDS I think the glory years were more of the exception than the norm. How did they do the 10 prior years to 2001?
The problem with them is that the local Rye schools (Garnets, and Titans) already have good programs and coaches, so the appeal isn't great to leave. And, if the kids are that good, they are going to go to a bording prep school.
sec1fan May 10th, 2008 at 10:25 am
First off South Kent is a D1 prep school. Can't say what the percentage is at this level that go on to play collegiate hockey at the club level. A fair number of the D1 prep teams have a couple players that go on to DIII. As for D1, most of the prep teams do not have any scholarship players. The top prep programs usually have a couple or in some cases a few. The other D1 teams usually don't have any.
The D2 prep schools rarely have any players that go on to DI programs. Only their top players go on to DIII.
-That's true now, but South Kent was d2 prior to I think 2005 and RCDS did used to play them.
In 2002 and 2003 RCD was emerging as a legit D-2 prep team. One of those years they beat Brunswick, St. George's, Worcester Academy, and other legit d-2 teams and were ranked in the top 5 in New England. I remember an article in the Journal News about how Rye needed one win against Kingswood(who they had beaten twice already) to make the New England playoffs, but the school administration didn't let their leading scorer Jeff Exum play because of some ridiculous reason and they ended up losing by a goal and missing the playoffs. I knew a few kids who went to RCDS and apparently Exum was a troublemaker and the school was trying to make an example out of him for something small. It was a huge deal and some parents tried to get the principal fired because USHR or someone wrote that it was loss the worst in RCDS history and that the school hurt the future of the hockey program by not letting him play. I don't know the exact details but the point is that 5 years ago RCDS was in a legit league and they were on the cusp of being a force in d-2 prep.
sec1fan- you're right that now they don't play a tough enough schedule to qualify but it doesn't matter because they would get blown out anyways. And you're right for the most part about colleges, but in the early 2000's RCDS did send 3 players to D1 programs (Kosilla- Army, Shalek- Yale, and Collingham- Vermont). They had a bunch of D3 players too. Grant Savage played 4 years at Wesleyan, Craig Weiner played 4 years at Babson, Moses is playing at Wesleyan, Forstbauer at Skidmore, and Exum was playing at Hobart but got too many concussions and had to stop. Ryan Burke could have played D3 too but he decided to play D1 lax at Harvard instead. That's 9 college caliber players at 1 school in like a 3 year period.
RCDS Falling is right. How many college player have they had recently? What the hell has happened to this program? After losing to Harvey this year I think it's same to say the caliber of RCDS hockey has reached an all time low.
What 7 players from Suffern are trying out for Empires?
Ruthberg, Salt, Ojeda, Conklin, Natoli, ?????
who are all the players that are trying out for empires…who do u guys think will make the team
Has Luke glaser, Brett jackson,Rob fine,Adam Zweig, and matt seid, should be a good team
Mamaroneck,
It will definitely be a good team. But I doubt any of the players you mention will make the team.
14 retuning players.
First, to get everything straight, South Kent was Division II powerhouse in Prep school, and in recent years they have switched and become a division 1 prep school powerhouse. Second Coach Bingham at RCDS is a great coach and will likely help the wildcats in the future to become a team on the rise. He's already helped them beat Worcster Academy this year, the #1 rated team in Division 2 New England Prep at the time.
Goalies for Empires are already picked…....Natoli and Reagan. Glaser will be cut the first day!
7 was an exaggeration but i believe Ojeda Natoli Hiller Salt and Ruthberg will all be on it.
For some reason too many people are discrediting Mamaroneck, although the loss of Brian Conner will be a blow to their offense, it seems people are forgetting that they still posses the stand out Forwards: Rob Fine, Christian Glaser, Brett Jackson, and the others people dont know from the 3 lines of depth they had last year, and to top it off they lost only one defenseman, there is still Hagan, Zweig, and the two freshman that boosted them mid season. Not to forget goalie Luke Glaser! I mean come on the only team that stood in their way was Suffern, and without Ojeda, Conklin, Salt, Ruthberg Natoli, what other team will stop them from an undefeated season, and a division 1 section championship. I mean the only power teams in div 1 is Jay, Mahopac, RTH, Suffern and WP, and none of those teams after their senior losses could possibly pose a huge threat.
As stated previously, Suffern will beat you next year. Suffern suffers the major loss of Natoli but the back up seems to be working his a$$ off and will do his best to fill Natoli's shoes. There offense is just as, if not more powerful then last year. There defense is very experienced and can hold its own. It will be another enjoyable season with more wins.
Just a question here. I see the alignement is for 13 teams in d. 2 and 16 in d. 1
There are 6 teams on the bubble that basically have the same amount of students. Mamo, C. South, Sleepy/Irvington, S/NS, Yorktown, and Greely. C. South actually has only 10 more students than S/NS.
Are these leagues already set in stone? What happens if South graduates 10 more students than S/NS does, would they switch? Or is it based on the previous year? The rest of these schools are separated by only 30 students.
Mamo has the highest, 1070, and Greely has the lowest 1040.
With Willows and Shu now on board, CN looking VERY VERY tough next year. The Junior forwards – Kapnick, Cohen and Vela, along with a couple talented underclassmen, one who scored his first Varisty goal against Natoli last year as a Freshman, will provide all the depth needed at Forward. They also have a couple great yound D men. Mac in goal (assuming a full recovery). Looking tough and VERY dangerous. They're going to be the alligator lurking in League 2…
the problem is… when I watched them last year… I felt like they were just an awful team. Yorktown, Somers, Scarsdale, all of those teams I saw play and they were head and shoulders above North. I realize that 2 kids can make a big impact, but there are some kids riding the bench in league 2 that could have started on North last year…
The problem with North last year was injuries. Many of the people mentioned by "CN" did not finish the season. Kapnick broke his shoulder, vela broke his wrist, Ryan Byrnes dislocated his shoulder, Alex Willows quit after the first week, and the young freshman were frequently missed practice/games with minor injuries and illness. At times it looked like there was less then 10 players on their bench. It's miracle they did not lose every game by 10 goals playing in league 1.
I commend the players last year for playing smart defensive hockey and for showing remarkable sportsmanship(there were no incidence of fighting all year long) for a team that lost 22 games.
If these players do return CN will score more then 18 goals and if they remember how to play strong D they will win a lot of games – no matter what league they are in.
Stepinac is going to have a hard season this next year. Reagan and Datino are leaving. Who is going to fill the goaltending vacancy since Reagan left. The only reason they made the finals is because of Reagan and he graduated this year.Also who is going to be a goalscorer since Datino left?
Iona lost mccabe and king and there goalie.Does anyone know who is going to fill in those holes
is it true a rule is trying to be made that if you play junior hockey at any level you can't play for your school?
chshl,
I think Stepinac will be OK. They lose alot.( Datino, D'Ofrio, Viggiano, Odardi, Reagan, Coughlin, and I think 3 others). But losing Reagan kills them. Only have one offensive threat in Miano but don't know how many games he'll miss because of Juniors. Their JV team had a tough season so I doubt they have any help coming up.
Iona, also Loses their Goalie and their top two players in McCabe and King. Their leaddreship will be tough to replace but they have alot of skaters returning. With Lopez, Cambria, Molinaro, McCardle, Traficante, Baum they should have no problem scoring goals. They have four returning defensemen with Kirinic, McCrory, Murphy and Gillispie. Their JV had a good season and have a few players like Nolan, Lynett and Patalano who will make an impact as soon as they get on the ice. Biggest problem will be their goaltending. Good but not great. Time will tell.
Regarding Empires- Before the Tiger and Mountie fans fill up the Empires Roster with all their eligible players, they should note that a quirk in the eligibility rules (for this year only) allows most of last year's team to try out again this year. You also need to recognise there are lots of pretty good non Sec 1 and Sec 9 HS players eligible. Will '92 Kevin Clare of the U17 National team show up at tryouts? What about Milton bound (and past RCDS standout) Jake Turrin. Have you guys seen Mearsheimer skate? Will Kevin Tuoy (Shattuck St Mary's) return? What about Willows? What about Iona's Robbie Molinaro who has been out west at some USHL showcases? Maybe Rui is still eligible. And Datino. Jake Douglas was injured most of last HS season, but he might be young enough. Should be a tough team for any skater to make. I agree with the above post regarding Glaser's chances. Haven't Reagan and Natoli been the Empire goalies the last 2 years? I think that under this year's rules, they are both still eligible. Unless Glaser has a birthday after Aug 31 (that is the cutoff starting next year), he might never get the chance to play Empires.
"Haven't Reagan and Natoli been the Empire goalies the last 2 years? I think that under this year's rules, they are both still eligible."
Reagan two years, Natoli just last year. Both still eligible.
Lets not go overboard with the CN talk.
Heard much of the same talk last year with the ETB folk and White Plains. Now I beleive that CN will be better than ETB was last year because of a healthy McIndoe, and that a bit of an if.
Just remember that the "alligator in the grass" (see prior post) is most dangerous because he is so silent.
A question to CHSHL Fans?
What kind of team will St.Anthony's bring to the CHSHL? Long Island has some great club teams…will S. A's turnout a strong squad or something similar to a Chaminade team (mediocre).
Agreed with you Travel Team. The mom has to stop posting the same thing over and over.
Travel Team,
St.Anthony's should be the favorite to win the CHSHL next year. They won the NY State Championship this past year. They beat out all the Club teams, including St.Mary's who had won the NYS Club Championship 6 years in a row.
Also, Molloy has moved up to the "A" Division and St.Edmunds was put back in the "B" division. Next year is going to be VERY competitive.
My prediction, top four teams will be: St. Anthony's, Iona Prep, Farrell and Chaminade.
fanotgame,
Don't forget about DiMaggio, Eck, King, Garnet,Monahan, Cerbino, Moscadelli, etc…........ALOT OF COMPETITION!!!!!
"Not to forget goalie Luke Glaser! I mean come on the only team that stood in their way was Suffern, and without Ojeda, Conklin, Salt, Ruthberg Natoli, what other team will stop them from an undefeated season, and a division 1 section championship". WOW, undefeated seasons happen every year. I'm guessing it's pretty difficult to be the self-proclaimed hunted. Time will tell…but this post will be around long after the first loss.
To CHSHL Fan- St As should be the faves if they beat St. Marys. Didn't St Mary's smoke CHSHL champ Iona 9-2 in a non league game last season?
To Empires- Eck too old for Empires by 8 days.
Rules…
I think that a rule like that would have to be implemented by the travel organizations when they sign these kids to contracts. My guess that if this were to occur it would only be at the junior b-empire level and up…
If somebody is playing junior b empire or higher,(unless its the terrible junior team the suffern guys played on), high school will definatly take a back seat. If the HS coach is ok with that, it will be a situation were the kid can make some but not all practices and about 70-80% of the HS games. But I know the Pelham coach benches players that miss practice. So unless he is willing to make an exception under those circumstances, he may be losing one of his top players (at least that i know of)
If a player is Playing Junior B, which in many instances are high level Midget teams, then I would NEVER miss a High School game which meant something. Believe me, they'll remember their High School results before they remember what took place in Junior B.
just because some key seniors are leaving from a few schools doesn't mean they aren't going to be competitive. many underclassmen can step up and fill the shoes of the graduating seniors…you have to wait until the season starts to really see who is going to compete and who isnt.
Are any key players in the area leaving for prep schools, or not playing due to club teams.
Three I've heard so far (but am not sure of) are
Mamone is leaving Pelham for Kent?
Hagen is leaving ETB for the Hitmen?
Flory is leaving Pelham for Prep School?
I'm not sure if any of these are true yet, but although in most cases its probably best for the kid, it will probably have a pretty big impact on the pre-season rankings. Does anyone know if these, or any others, are true?
Hagen is not leaving ETB. He has decided to stay and play AAA and High school
Harold-
Any word on the TZ/Nyack merger? You said in your original post it was being voted on on 5/13, which was yesterday. I am assuming it was a rubber-stamp type of vote, but was curious what the result was.
empire tryouts start tonight, as stated several times beforeon here, there are 12 returning players as well as both goalies. Not many spots available for new kids coming up. And if you are a goalie I would use this time as a great few practice sessions against the best kids around, you aint got a shot in the world of making the team.
Those three players mentioned as going to prep are not true.
In regards to Empires I cannot figure why returning players get a pass. The tryouts should be equal and fair and open to all. They do that on every other team in every other sport
To my knowledge, Mamone hasn't even played travel the last few years. So, prep might be a big step for him. Maybe you are confusing him with another Pelican D man-Clay who I heard is going back to prep school next year.
Since the HV team got the bronze medal last year (pretty good) it is just human nature for a coach to pick the same kids as last year. That being said, if someone comes in skating circles around everyone, they might take a kids spot. It is funny that you can't figure that out, you must not be that bright or been involved with sports that long.
Same players from last year because someone wants it that way. Notice how the age rules changed for this one year, and will go back next year. How fair is that? Just my opoint, empires are not fair and totally fixed before anyone touches the ice. If you don't know that, you aren't too bright or haven't been around the sport too long!
Its always been like that. The tryouts should be separate from year to year. If the returners are still the best then they should get the spot. Why have tryouts if the tryouts will be meaningless
Empires…third place is usually pretty good. But when there are just 6 regions, third place is not THAT good. Why didn't they just give medals to all the regions…the Copper, Nickel and Tin. LOL.
The flory rumor has some substance behind it, not saying it will happen but it could have happened. The mamone rumor is a little bit on the ridiculous side…there is no way he is going prep.
oops
meant Clay not Mamone going to prep.
Hagan,Would NEVER….EVER be able to make the Hitmen. He's a good player but not good enough to make that Level of Play (NOT EVEN CLOSE).
There's not one player who graduated this past year that could of made the Hitmen last year. If you look at last years Empire Team, only Himelson made it. That gives you an idea of the level of play on that team.
Hagan made the Hitmen b team (which is not very good at their level), not Clare's team.
As for winning the bronze last year, HV won the silver the year before that! So actually….the team was better the year before. So hopefully, they do the right thing and put the best on the team rather than who "someone" thinks is the best or "someone's" favorites. HV could get that elusive gold! It would be nice.
Come on truth…repeat after me…it just doesn't matter. You have kids playing this year that would not have been eligible to play in years past as graduating seniors. And then, the rules change back for next year! Everyone has been saying the same thing. Why? Why change the rules for one year only to revert back to a system that will make most of the graduating seniors ineligible the following year? You think this is a scouted event? Maybe by Division 2 club hockey. Thats about it. Great memories and a medal. Then move on to college and the beer league. Honestly, second or third place out of six. Not so good.
RCDS beat some very good teams last yer and they are a Division II prep team..idk why some people are sayign they are division 3, they are losing 2 players but are also hopeflly getting new people and have a solid core of players
Among the local goalies at empires last night:
Natoli
Glaser
Gluck
delavergne was not on the ice, and Reagan was not there
who does Gluck play for?
Gluck (a 92) is the RCDS goalie.
Old School,
Playing teams like West and Central make the ESG's 10X more competative than HS hockey. Many of the upstaters who aren't allowed to play HS Hockey because of their committment to Juniors are on those teams. I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss these games as just a medal and a memory.
Old School, 2nd or 3rd certainly better that 4th, 5th or 6th. And… repeat after me, not one of these or any kids in the state had anything to do with changing the eligibility requirements for this year. Great event, social and athletic for all the kids participating from around the state, a medal is just a bonus.
Two years ago, Western's first line included several NHL draft picks,including last year's #1 pick in NHL draft (Chicago Blackhawk Patrick Kane). Go on the Empires website and review his scoring stats for the '06 tourney. He put a few in and assisted on a few others, but didn't get a ton of points every game. If you watched the Empires last summer at the Ice Hutch, you would agree it was pretty high level hockey, especially for teams that didn't get much of a chance to play together. Western had US National team Ryan Grimshaw on D. Central had a few top prep players. Fun to watch. I bet a blast to play in.
Why the change in eligibilty requirements for one year? Does anyone know why?
regarding empires: rui was on the ice for the first tryout (not sure if he made cut but most likely), willows was a no show as well as clare (as expected), molinaro was on the ice for the first tryout, tuohy was a no show, but jake turrin was (great defensemen by the way). looking forward to see what happens over the weekend.
Found this website listing all the D. 1 and D. 2 prepschool hockey teams. USHSHO.Com/prepschoolhockeylinks.htm
Looks like it will be Glaser and Natoli
Was at Empires last nite. This is what I heard (lots of chatter in the stands). The players who were on the team last year and who are eligible and want to play again this year didn't have to come after the first tryout skate Wednesday nite. Apparently, they have already made the training camp roster (30 skaters and 4 goalies). Others (like Rui who was not there last nite but was there Wednesday) also may have already made the training camp roster.
Lets assume 12 to 15 skaters are already on the training camp roster. There were about 50 skaters last nite. They cut it down to about 40 after yesterday's skate. So, those 40 fight it out for 15 or so training camp slots this weekend. Pretty good group of skaters on the ice. With the exception of a few standouts, not a lot of difference between the top and the bottom after yesterday's cuts. Lots of Suffern skaters, but I only recognised 2 Mamo skaters (Glaser in net and Jackson at FWD). I think Duffy was the only Pelham skater. Surprising that there was no Flory or McCarrick. Didn't recognise Fine, Zweig, Altieri, Olivario.
Goalies-Heard that Reagan may not play this time around. 2 times may be enough. Mamo's Glaser looked solid. I would be surprised if he is not one of the 4 training camp goalies. RCDS's Gluck also looked good. The goalie that someone said was Suffern's Gabriel looked OK. He will be solid if not spectacular in League 1 next year.
DMen- Turrin (ex RCDS now Milton Academy) was the top guy there. Suffern's Ojeda was skating even tho he was on the team last year. Didn't seem to be taking it seriously. Some big guy from Trinity Pawling looked pretty good. No others really stood out.
Fwds- Ruthberg was the biggest (that counts a lot for Empires- more like Jr hockey- fast and physical), but not the best. Lots of smaller kids who skated better and moved the puck better (example ETB's Hagan). Urban looked good coming off a broken wrist. Heard Hiller and O'Conner were there, but didn't recognise them. A bunch of pretty good prep players.
Should be an interesting weekend. After they set the training camp roster, the group has a few tourneys and practices before cutting down to the 18 skater 2 goalie roster for the games in July. Good luck to all.
I think it will be wakefield over glaser although glaser did look good and both should make it to the training camp. I also think Ruthberg will make it this year, a little shocked he didn't last year. As for Gabriel, if he was who I thought he was, he did look ok, but needs to step up quite a bit to even come close to filling half of natoli's skates.
You talking about Walpole Wakefield? Heard he had a Mass sunburn on the back of his neck from the red light going on so much! I don't think he can carry Glaser's equipment bag.
The Truth Be Told
What is reference to Walpole? Is that same player that used to be at Bear Mountain (5-6 yrs ago). Does he play in Mass?
Yes, same kid that played for Bear Mountain and Polar Bears. Will play Saints Jr. B next year.
fanotgame The skaters from last year's team were not all there on Wednesday. Did they go Thursday? Why don't they have to try out? It just proves the total outright political BS Empires is. It's a joke that they even send out letters to invite the athletes. I guess so they can say they did and that it's for "tryouts!" Great model for everyone on how certain organizations work. Disgraceful.
I guess if your kid doesn't make it, it's political BS. So… there should be 60-70 kids on one rink at the same time to get a good look at them to decide who gets cut? To me it looks like they remove the kids they already know, who were of only 18 skaters on the last years team, and you thin out the ranks to start to get a better look at newcomers. Where does it say they made the final roster? There is 10-14 additional tryout/practices before the final roster. What would be disgraceful is if they just mailed a letter and said your on. This is a process. How would you do it?
Empires has always been a bit political with selection. However, Urban should be on the team. One of the top players in League 1 and hard to match his speed or talent…if his wrist is healed.
Goalies who looked solid:
Glaser
Gluck
Gabriel
Curious….your remarks make you a total ass. There is no process…read everyone's comments. It is already a set team before the "letters" go out. One example, the age requirements being changed this year and then back next year. FOR WHAT TELL ME? What process is that?
Empires Ice Hockey is different from the other sports played on a field. I think anyone can show up at tryouts for those sports (Lax, for eg). If a lot of kids show up for Lax tryouts, they just use more fields. Can't do it for ice hockey. The rink is only so large and ice time on multiple rinks gets expensive. So, invitation only tryouts makes sense. I also agree with Curious that giving last year's rostered players a free pass to the Training Camp is not a problem. Also seems OK to let some others who were not on last year's team but are very strong players (Rui) also get a pass to Training Camp after only one or 2 tryout skates. Frees up ice so bubble newcomers can be better evaluated. Those given an easy route to training Camp still need to participate in camp and "earn" a final roster spot. Can't imagine there are so many good newcomers that a rostered player on the '07 team would not make the Training camp!!
Also, the one time only special eligibility birthdate for this year's boy's ice hockey is not specific to Hudson Valley. It covers all six teams in the state. So, that quirky rule for '08 boys hockey only was not likely generated from the Hudson Valley. I heard it had something to do with a misprint on the application packages for boys ice hockey. Remember that since the ice hockey tryouts are invitation only, the applications go out in December.
but, your are an idiot
Tryouts,
For those players who made the team last year, they shouldn't have to attend the initial 4 tryouts. They made the team lst year and went through the initial four sessions and then the 6 weeks of camp. I think the coaches have an idea what those players can do.It's not saying that they are a shoe in to make the final 20, but if you had the 12-14 players who made the team last year show up then maybe the others who are trying out would not get a a fair chance and might be over-shadowed by the others. Anyway, don't think alot of these players are going out.
Anyone know who showed up from last years team this time, thought I saw mentioned above of Molinaro, Natoli & Ojeda. Anyone know how many others
supposivly iona has 3 goalies comming next year, one of who played on the Westchester express. they will be a good competetor if cambria and molinero dont miss that many games from applecore jrs. but they do have lopez, mcelroy, mcardle, kirincic and traficante returning. 4 of which are going to be jrs. thomas nolan, another express kid is comming and will be a great addition.
responding to a prior post
RCDS may only be losing 2 players, but they are arguably the 2 best
chshl,
Don't forget that they also have two other players on their JV who were very close to making the varsity team as freshman this year(Patalano and Lynett). These two along with Nolan will defeinitely make an BIG impact on next years team.
Also, they have 4 defensemen returning (Gillispie,McCrory, Kirinic and Murphy).
If one of their goalies steps up, they could be a tough team.
Additional Fire Power:
Come on is that all Iona has got? amazing how these blogs talk about hockey. Watch the Memorial Cup going on now and see real hockey players.
Empire team should be easy to pick. So few hockey players around here.
Fanotgame
Just curious, are you a coach/administrator, parent or player? You usually have some pretty interesting comments to make.
you are an idiot "another fan"
that is a good point. lynett is a great player who is playing on the same team as nolan and kirincic this year. the big question is a goalie
Ive heard whispers that Gluck may return to Iona
If Gluck were to transfer back he would have to sit out a year so I doubt he would want to lose a season of hockey
That polar bear goalie you guys are talking about…..I don't know much about him, but if indeed he made the Junior Saints team he must be ok, because once goalies knew natoli was gone there were like 15 goalies (no exgaseration(i know ididn't spell that right) at tryouts
Why would he need to sit out?
The CHSHL has a rule that if you transfer in fron any school and you played in that sport the previous season then you have to sitout a year. That way you can't go out and recruit players from other teams. I don't think that rule applies to the Public Schools.
But if you have a particular family situation (ie, you have moved from another area/state, or parents have seperated etc…), then you need the permission of the CHS to get special approval to play.
Concerning Gluck, he thought that RCD's Hockey Program was going somewhere, but he hedged his bet and lost. Looks like if he stayed at Iona, he would of had a very strong team behind him for the next two years. Doesn't look that way at RCD.
Which returning players from last years team showed up?
From what I've heard, Gluck has a spot in the camp…cant be positive though
Empires
Where did you here that?