| JV Metro West Champs | | Print | |
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Maybe it began when this group worked with their Varsity teammates to construct, install and even paint brand new lockers in a locker room they could call home for the first time. Maybe it was the parents who hosted the players for some fun times off the ice. Maybe it was the countless hours and years these kids (and yes the hockey moms and dads too), invested into this game. All of these things contributed to the success of York Hockey Club this season.
On January 8th, York JV hockey handed the home crowd a key win! The coaches hyped the boys up just before taking the ice stating a win this night meant Metro-West Champs! Most fans didn't realize winning meant securing the "Champions of Metro-West" title. Further, nobody realized history was made for York Hockey Club. No prior YHC team achieved this goal. "They had 4 games left in regular season play, but they had no interest in waiting. They've made this one of the most exciting seasons for JV hockey" said one of the spectators. They put an exclamation mark on the win by shutting out Neuqua Valley. After some Mites and Squirts finished practice on Addison's other rink, they watched the end of York's game and cheered York on to victory. They saw the banner "2009-2010 Metro West Champs" paraded around the ice. The best was watching the awestruck little guys smile as the York JV came off the ice to head back to their locker room. One said "I hope I can play for York when I'm in high school" as he looked up at the team.
Head coach Bob Moretti probably said it best when he asked for a quote. "This season we proved that the sum of all of our players' efforts working closely together is much greater than their individual skills. Since all the boys play equally, even on special teams, they have come to learn and trust all of their teamates are capable of doing what it takes for us to succeed. Our continued focus on player development along with reaching our three team goals has really paid off. Everyone on the team is playing at a level we are extremely satisfied with... and they continue to push that level higher every week" said Coach Bob.
The strong defense, led by Captain #24 John Peterson, #7 Sean Delaney, #13 Paul Restivo, #16 Mike LeDonne, #25 Brad Johnson, #88 Thomas Gnadt provided strength for the wall goalie #39 Jeremy Fisher-Haase put up in so many games. Coaching this group led to a championship and an almost unheard of 12 shut-outs.
Combine that force with the unbelievable stats put up by leading points' Assistant Captain #11 Alex Carson, #3 Justin Schwarz, #14 Dakota Lamb, #19 Adam Kosecki, #22 Sean Marchese, #23 Jon Bogdanowicz, #28 Matt Bogdanowicz, #32 Brian Gleason, Assistant Captain #36 Adam Hilgenkamp, #57 John Harrell, #66 Dalton Osmanski and #74 Tyler Winker. While defense is usually the "unsung hero", this was a team comprised of selfless players. If an offensive player saw a better shot sending it to the high slot, he did it. When the defenseman saw an opportunity to lay full out to stop a goal, he took it.
They have their work cut out for them with both Metro-West playoffs and state play-offs within sight. For now, they're continuing their hard work and having a lot of fun too.
Pictured left to right are:
Sean Delaney, Coach Bob Moretti (hidden), Adam Kosecki, John Harrell, Dakota Lamb, Mike LeDonne, Brad Johnson, John Bogdanowicz, Sean Marchese, Alex Carson, Brian Gleason, Paul Restivo, Thomas Gnadt, Tyler Winker hidden behind Matt Bogdanowicz, Dalton Osmanski, Justin Schwarz, Adam Hilgenkamp, John Peterson, Jeremy Fisher Haase and Coach DJ Orzechowski
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