The Friars Varsity Hockey Team is one of the top programs in all of New York State. They have won 3 in a row and 5 of the last 6 CHSHL championships. Last year the team went an incredible 15-0-1 on their way to a CHSHL championship win over Chaminade and a state championship victory over St. Mary’s Lancaster. The 2017-18 team was loaded with seniors and all stars such as; Coronato, Cozzi, Tullo, Szambel and Haight who provided leadership and carried the team throughout the regular season and playoffs. Despite the turnover, the Friars will still be a force to be reckoned with. This season the Friars will be led by Captain Vinny Migliore, senior Richard McGuigan, junior’s Anthony Russo, John Blair and sophomore’s David Walsh and Bobby Lane.
“I expect leadership from our two veterans from last year’s winning squad, Migliore and McGuigan, and looking forward to seeing some of the newer senior players that have been in the program for the past few years to make the most of the opportunity to lead a young team,” said Coach Lund. The Friars have two exciting sophomores in David Walsh and Bobby Lane. They will look to provide a spark and use their speed and playmaking ability to help create offense. Along with the two sophomores, Captain Vinny Migliore will look to have a big season as the number one center. The Friars have an entire new defensive core which is incredibly talented. Coach Lund stated, “he expects them to adapt to the system and log plenty of ice time as they continue to work hard everyday with the goal of getting better.” The Friars have two new goalies in junior’s Anthony Russo and John Blair. “The two are very talented,” said Coach who expects them to come up big in every game.
In order for the Friars to accomplish their goal of repeating as champions, Coach says ,“it is a must for the team to have a dominant special teams play.” He stated, “the players must follow the system we have set forth and play together as a team and if that happens we will be one of the best on the powerplay and penalty kill”. Coach Lund said, “Every player has a role to play and you can’t have a complete and winning team without scorers, checkers, grinders and players that will sacrifice for each other no matter what. You can’t win without a great, disciplined and cohesive locker room and this team has one.”
The Friars toughest matchups will come against archrival Chaminade and Fordham Prep, the two teams who will compete and challenge the Friar’s for the top spot. The Friar’s key games remaining are:
12/27 against Chaminade at Dix Hills Rink
1/9 against Fordham Prep at Dix Hills Rink
1/23 against Chaminade at Iceland
1/27 against Fordham Prep at Rye Playland
The Friars are off to a fast start this season having gone 2-0-2, tying Fordham 3-3 in the home opener and 2-2 on the road and then easily handling Monsignor Farrell 10-1 and 7-2. The next game will be on Thursday 12/20 against Iona Prep at Dix Hills Rink.
By: Alex Rocco is a junior at St. Anthony’s High School, writing for his third year with the Friar Scoreboard. He hopes to have a career in Sports Management and Media one day. He is also a member NHS, SALT, Friar Faithful, Special Needs Ministry and Franciscan Youth Ministry.
