Another story I wasn’t able to get to during the season was the ongoing saga of the 2009 Empire State Games. It was originally scheduled for July in the mid-Hudson Valley (Poughkeepsie and Newburgh), and then cancelled after state pulled all $3 million in funding and threatened to charge participants $285 each.

There is still no official word on whether the games would be played elsewhere in the state, but time is clearly running out. This e-mail was sent to Hudson Valley coaches from regional director Frank Intervallo this morning:

Dear friends:

Many of you have been calling asking for information on this year’s Games.  I have not received any official word regarding the status of the 2009 Games, but in view of the fact that the time has passed to start the process, and no direction has come from State Parks on the prospects of holding a viable program this year, the thought that we will have Games for 2009 fades away further and further each day. 

After analyzing every possible scenario, a strong dose of reality has begun to set in.  It is unfair to you to ask you to wait any longer on your decisions for summer plans, as it is to ask venues to hold dates for us for tryouts that may never occur.  At this point, I am releasing you from any obligation to coach at the Games in 2009, and you are free to pursue other opportunities that may come your way for this summer.  If, of course, through some miracle, we are able to hold a program, and you wish to participate, I will certainly welcome your participation, as I will also welcome you back for the 2010 Games.   Also, if you  have made any arrangements with venues for tryouts, I would ask that you please cancel them and release the facility to pursue other options that may be available to them, as well. 

This is a message that I am sure we all hoped would never be sent, but I feel that our only option left at this point is to re-group and begin preparing for the 2010 Games in Buffalo.  While I share your disappointment, I thank you all for your hard work and dedication that you have consistently given to the program, and look forward to working with you again next year.

Regretfully,

Frank

A lot of people know about Rob Fine’s theatrics in the postseason (five straight games with a goal, including the winner against White Plains in the sectional final and in double-OT against Massena in the state quarters). That’s what likely earned the Mamaroneck senior forward his all-section honors. But perhaps more remarkable was his play in the regular season, considering the circumstances.

There was a lot of talk about injuries and illnesses this season. One that didn’t go reported, until someone referenced it in the comments this week, was that Fine broke the left thumb on his shooting hand early in the season.

When Mamaroneck went upstate for its first tournament at Saratoga in December, Rob Fine was slashed in the final game against Liverpool. The doctor confirmed it was a severe break and his left hand was put into a full cast up to his forearm. Being that it was his final season at Mamaroneck, Fine begged the doctor to clear him (which he did), and he cut his left glove open to accomodate the cast.

Fine played the next five weeks with a full cast on his left (shooting) hand. His teammates kept it quiet so opponents wouldn’t be gunning for it, and he continued to play on the first line and the power play unit. He finished fourth in League 1 in goals, assists and points, and it’s interesting to think what would have happened if he was completely healthy.

I purposely stayed away from travel hockey during the high school season, but now that it’s over it’s time to congratulate some local players.

Alex Hagen and Brian McNamara of ETB, Ryan McGee of White Plains and Brad Pesce of Sleepy Hollow/Irvington will be playing in the Midget Tier 1 Hockey National Championships with the Long Island Gulls next weekend in St. Louis. This could be the second national championship for Hagen and McNamara, who won Peewees with the New Jersey Avalance in 2005 in Fairbanks, Alaska. And McGee and Pesce were on the Westchester Vipers team that made nationals last year.

Hopefully someone can update the blog with next weekend’s results. Also, please let me know if any other local hockey players are heading to nationals.

Hi everyone, thanks for hanging in there while I was on furlough. I’m just starting to go through four days of e-mail but here’s the rest of the postseason awards from the coaches. There a few awards remaining — Section 1 awards that will be given out at the all-section dinner Wednesday, and the Journal News all-stars teams which will be posted in a few weeks. If you want to play along, it’s a first team (three forwards, two defensemen and a goalie) from Rockland County and Westchester/Putnam Counties (including Stepinac/Iona/Fordham but not Pawling).

League 3 all-stars:

Scott Miele, Sr., Ossining
Joe Giordano, Sr., Ossining
Matt Annibale, Jr., Ossining
Ken Freitag, Sr., Ossining
Geoffrey Semmens, Jr., Somers/NS
Jesse Rome, Jr., Somers/NS
Joe Marasco, Sr., Somers/NS
Mike DeLaVergne, Jr., Pawling/Dover
Matt Burdick, Sr., Pawling/Dover
John Bellucci, Jr., Pawling/Dover
Danny Feliu, Sr., New Rochelle
Freddy Martignetti, Sr., New Rochelle
Richie Prunesti, So., New Rochelle
Eric Basmajian, So., Byram Hills
Eric Jacobs, Jr., Clarkstown South
Matt Suranko, Jr., Fox Lane

Honorable mention
F Ricky Mueller, Jr., Pawling/Dover
F Dan Johnson, Sr., Pawling/Dover
Malcolm Mfoula, Jr., New Rochelle
Pat Staropoli, Sr., New Rochelle
Brendan Meyers, Jr., Clarkstown South
Brian Gabay, Jr., Clarkstown South
Steve Aruilio, Jr., Somers/NS
Martin Sheehy, Jr., Somers/NS
Ryan Basmajian, Sr., Byram Hills
Kevin Lendhardt , Sr., Byram Hills
Joe Corsi, So., Fox Lane
Cody Williams, Jr., Fox Lane
Joe Riley, Jr., Ossining
Greg Robins, Sr., Ossining

Player of the year: Scott Miele, Ossining
Rasbeck Award (Scholarship):  Greg Robins, Ossining
Simon Award (Sportsmanship): Freddy Martignetti, New Rochelle
Team sportsmanship: New Rochelle
Coach of the year: Kevin Connelly, Ossining

League 4 all-stars
G Dylan Lacey, Sr., Sleepy Hollow/Irvington
D Brett Pesce, Fr., Sleepy Hollow/Irvington
F Brad Pesce, Jr., Sleepy Hollow/Irvington
D Craig Halpin, Sr., Sleepy Hollow/Irvington
F Frank Celentano, So., Lakeland/Panas
D Robert Belger, Jr., Lakeland/Panas
F Robert Caffrey, So., Lakeland/Panas
D Andrew Doria, Sr., Carmel
F James Oliver, Sr., Carmel
F Paul Moreau, Sr., Pearl River
F Tom Conway, Jr., Pearl River
F John Garcia, Sr., Nyack/Tappan Zee
F Nathan Quicke, Sr., Greeley
F Sean Sullivan, Sr., Kennedy/Putnam Valley

Honorable mention
F Paul Cho, Sr., Nyack/Tappan Zee
F Mike McGivney, Fr., Nyack/Tappan Zee
G Daniel Frankel, Sr., Greeley
F Sam Spar, Fr., Greeley
D Dylan Rooney, Jr., Kennedy/Putnam Valley
D Mike Tierney, So., Kennedy/Putnam Valley
F Nicky Belger, Fr., Lakeland/Panas
F Jackson Griggs, Sr., Lakeland/Panas
F Luke Brennan, Jr., Pearl River
G Pat Heraghty, Sr., Pearl River
G Marc Glaviano, Jr., Carmel
F Brianna Rossi, Sr., Carmel
F Josh Kaplan, Jr., Sleepy Hollow/Irvington
F Robert Logozio, Sr., Sleepy Hollow/Irvington

Player of the year: Craig Halpin, Sleepy Hollow/Irvington
Rasbeck Award (Scholarship): Aaron Duffy, Nyack/Tappan Zee
Simon Award (Sportsmanship): James Oliver, Carmel
Team sportsmanship: Greeley
Coach of the year: Howie Weiner, Sleepy Hollow/Irvington

CHSHL A Division All-stars
Leading Scorer: Rocco Miano, Stepinac
Most Valuable Forward: Rocco Miano, Stepinac
Most Valuable Defenseman: Anthony Reagan, Stepinac
Most Valuable Goalie: Ian McBride, Farrell

First Team
F Rocco Miano, Stepinac
F Stephan Imbasciani, Farrell
F Chris Bruno, Chaminade
D Anthony Reagan, Stepinac
D James Pizzo, Farrell
G Ian McBride, Farrell

Second team
F Mickey Spillane, Fordham
F Frank Posillico, St. Anthony
F William Pascalli, St. Anthony
D Steve Yankowski, Stepinac
D Kenny Kaufman, Stepinac
G Joe Hutter, Chaminade

Third Team
F Michael Singer, Farrell
FNick Thorgersen, Farrell
F Mike Cambria, Iona
D Ryan Rueda, Stepinac
D Andrew Balzafiore, St. Anthony
G Mike Lanaro, Stepinac

Team Sportsmanship : Fordham Prep