Behind the scenes
-
- November
- 25
Today’s Journal News features a look at three of the top seniors from last year (Suffern’s Tom Natoli and Matt Ruthberg and White Plains’ Rui Encarnacao), and what they’re doing to try and play at the NCAA level: “It’s slow going on an icy road.”
I’m sure this is not news to anyone on this blog, but maybe it will help people on the outside realize the dedication and sacrifice that is needed to play college hockey, and make them aware of a situation that is really unique to this sport. One thing I didn’t have the space to address is why it is that high school hockey players, unlike counterparts in basketball, lacrosse, football, soccer, etc., have to play years of juniors in order to make a college roster. It seems unfortunate, but obviously it’s not going to change anytime soon.
Anyway, I was working on that story and the football, but I’m back now. I’ll put out the League 2 overview later today, and then tomorrow I’ll look back at the limited action so far, and look ahead to a huge weekend. Away we go
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, November 25th, 2008 at 1:11 pm by Harold Gutmann. 
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Its really because most of the best players don’t play HS hockey, except in Minnesota. They are playing travel and junior in HS or for a top prep school. No offense to those guys and I did see Encarnacao play last year, and he’s a good hockey player but they aren’t as good as they think they are just because they aren’t really playing against the best hockey players.
Nice article Howard. I remember reading something about this phenomenon on USCHO.com (I think). Some of the college coaches would rather have real 18yr old freshman but if they do that they can’t compete. I think all 3 of those guys will find themselves on D-1 rosters eventually. If not then top D-3 teams.
I dont think Taylor, that that has anything to do with it. Coaches want, expect an get older players who have more experience, more maturity and have paid there dues. Its not a knock on HS or Travel hockey. The recruiting for these school and for that money is very tight and very competitive, Give the kids mentioned in the article and tremendous amount of credit and support. They are working for their dreams and I (and hope everybody on the blog and who appreciates HS sports, sports and the ability dream) will support these guys in their quest. They have chosen a path not often seen or taken locally and they have chosen to take the hard road to achieve a dream. In the end, they win either way. The character and heart that, that takes is great. My hats off to them
I challenge all of you to watch these kids play in a junior game and NOT judge them from watching them play in a high school game in the last couple of years. It’s a completely different game and perhaps you’ll appreciate them a little more.
Take a look at Tommy Capalbo and Greg Ciciola. Both graduated 100 years ago. Both were the best of the best in Section 1 and are listed on the Hobart College website as So and FYP. It took an enourmous amount of work on both their parts to get this far. Tommy and Greg hung in there, took those bus trips, worked hard and are now seeing their hard work pay off. No one knows if they will be good enough for the ultimate level but at least they made it to a nationally ranked team.
Perhaps the three young men listed in the article today will be just as fortunate, I see no reason why they shouldn’t. 3 terrific and gifted players.
Our own backyard,
Your right! But could Capalbo or Ciciola gone to a D3 school 5 years ago?
Also, if you compare Rui/ Ruthberg to Capalbo/Ciciola, there’s no comparison. Capalbo and Ciciola would skate circles around Rui and Ruthberg! Knowing this, why bother to kill yourself?
Suffern 6 Pelham 4
I see Pelham winning 6-2
I have said this before and now Biff agrees. The Suffern defense and goal tending is a real cause for concern.
“h”,
thats funny because greg ciciola and Rui were teammates last year. nice try tho!
Hey Ha,
Looks like Ciciola made it through the season, he didn’t get cut like Rui!
So Ha HA!
prediction—suffern over the pelicans 4-1, did you ever see a pelican on skates? its not pretty
I really hope fake postman and fake Biff is a kid, if not you really are insane, so how many slices of pizza did you have last night faker.???
I hope everybody i know reads this article. I’m applying to schools now, some of which have D1 teams and if 1 more person asks me if i’m going to play on that team i’m going to punch them in the face. People tell me stories of people walking on to a football or track team and tell me i should do the same. I try to explain that its not the same for hockey and the response is always encouraging and telling me i just need to believe. I might keep this article in my wallet and give it to somebody whenever they ask me that question from now on. If I don’t get into any schools then i’ll try juniors and risk becoming a 21 year-old freshman who may still end up playing club hockey.
Long Bus Rides, I guess just to state my point a little better : in other sports like baseball, football and basketball, the best HS players are the best players around. There is no football, basketball or baseball leagues (in season) that take away the best players from the high schools. Harold made the point that a 1st team all-state basketball player would almost certainly have a scholarship offer somewhere but not for hockey. But the 1st team all-state basketball players really are the best basketball players in the state of high school age. For hockey they really aren’t. That was my only point.
But he’s right too about the Juniors and Post-grad prep thing. They are not only competing against other graduating 18yr old seniors but against older kids with an additional year or two of high level hockey under their belts. BTW I’m rooting for those guys too.
Pelham 4 Suffern 2. 4th goal is an empty netter
so why dont u go ask applecore yourself and see that he did not get cut u moron. lemme guesss.. suffern parent?
Lots of kudos to him, but he was never the best player in the section
He was very good but not the best
High School Senior,
There are kids that do make it as a walk on. Its takes lots of guts and heart, but it happen every year. Boston University as a Hockey East power house almost always has a walk on as do other schools. The truth is that if you are willing to try, willing to give it your effort you can make it happen. No need to give up or quit, we have seen it happen!
Club hockey is getting really strong now a days and to spend an extra two to four years playing juniors etc just to maybe get a D3 sniff may need to be reviewed
It is really up to the Players and their family. It is their life and future. The blog has listed all the local kids on D III and I rosters. Good luck to all of them and also the rest who are playing club hockey. 3 local kids actually are playing at Framingham as Freshmen this year.
Not to squash any hopes here but Framingham St. took almost everyone they could ,this is one of the very weak D3 programs and the 3/4 of the league they play in are also very weak
I have seen this league and plenty of Club teams and the top 1/2 of the club teams would pretty much destroy these D3 Schools.
All or nothing: what is your point everyone knows that league and school isn’t great. The kids knew it but wanted to play. They love hockey.
To go play at a “D3” school just to prove a point to say you played D 3 hockey is stupid, unless thats the school you really want to go to.
None of these kids are trying to prove a point. The only point people are the blog is proving is to jealousy is a wasted emotion.
All kids should go to a college that suits them academically. Selecting a school simply because it gives you the opportunity to play college hockey is stupid and short sighted. Unless you have to justify all the running around the globe you did to “chase your dream”
Hey Pointless,
It’s funny, but Rui wasn’t even in the top three if you look at the top forwards: Salt (Suffern), Connor (Mamaroneck) and King (Iona).
He should of went to college instead of getting cut by the Applecore! What a waste of time!
By the way the Bloggers are not jealous! They are using their brains and really understand what the process is. I really don’t think you understand the process.
Jealousy reeks
GET REAL – you are still a Rui hater? Why does he get your panties in such a twist…..something you should really look into! lol lol
He was not cut from Applecore but asked the team for a release and “paid” for by the Rockets. Applecore’s coach is young and not doing the right thing by his players. A junior program is about development and “press” to get to a college program and the Applecore coach told his players that they were on their own for college. Exactly not what a Junior Program is about, hence the asking for releases by at least a 1/2 dozen players so far this year. That is the REAL Deal and you can spin it anyway you want if it makes you feel better about yourself.
So shut up or put up and let me know how much better a hockey player you are than he is Get Real, who still hands out the BS behind his little anonymous blogger’s name tag!
Everyone knows who I am…..the real deal, HOCKEY MOM!
GO WHITE PLAINS!
Applecore is all about the money and not the kids. Good luck to your son.
want to sleep with snakes? that what you get hockey mom.
Well I guess that my post knocked some sense into the “nasty blogger” but the comment above is strange and whoever wrote it needs an English class…..BTW – who/what snakes?
Everyone needs to calm their nads