The Board of the T-Birds Hockey Program would like to thank the parents for the time this season in getting your players to games, practices, and events. And the Board would also like to thank the players for their efforts and enthusiasm brought to games and practices. The season has ended for all three teams for 2023/24 season with last night’s Freshmen game.
On the Freshmen level this season we had a very new and young team, with 13 players new to the roster of which 8 were in 7th Grade. We now will have a base to hopefully form two freshmen teams for next season, with one in the Developmental Division and the other in the Freshmen Division. Like to thank Bennett King, Carter Tomforde, and Julia Madonna for their leadership as the few returning 9th graders on the squad. Our goaltending was outstanding with Brody Morbillo and Liam Vanderbeek, always excepting the challenge of their opponents and enjoying themselves on the ice. And of course a special thank you to Matt Proscia for throwing himself in the roll as 3rd string goalie whenever needed and doing a good job, even earning a win. Thank you to Coaches Steve Neumann, Dennis Fagan, and Ed Friers; particularly Ed and Dennis who donated their time without a kid in the program as of yet. Also thanks to Jackson Tomforde and Tim O’Shea for their support at practices.
Our JV team showed strides towards the positive as the season progressed. Nothing showed this more then the contributions of many players in the second half of the season; 11 Goals for in the first half to 21 Goals for in the second half of the season. Gavin Beisel and Vincent Miciletto lead the way for the squad in scoring, and did it consistently each game. Reilly Hanley played a bulk of the games and improved throughout the season. And after slow starts Nick Masi, Logan Aiello, & Mason Petry become offensive forces for the team. Solid defense all year from Larry Andres, Ella Treco, Josh King, Tyler Scandiffio, and Michael Lagonigro. Again another team and players that will be better served with more experience at the JV level for another season. Thank you to Coach John Ree, Darrin King, and John Jackalone for keeping games competitive throughout the season.
The Varsity year was a tail of two different seasons, starting off with 1 win and 5 losses, and finishing up the rest of the way 8 wins and 6 losses, and classic Playoff game lose to Kings Park/ Commack 1-0 in OT. Shane Kirby was easily the backbone of the teams success; whether it was a win or lose he was the talk of the league for his performances. The team also had a number of first year varsity players, 8 in total, and all took major strides as the season progressed. As a defense first team seniors Jack Mercado, Brent Brdey and Ryan Delucie carry the load for the team, as well as big thanks to Andrew Jozwicki as an excellent swing man between defense and a top two line forward throughout the season. Ryan Fleischauer and Matt Campagnola were 1 & 2 in scoring for the team and were a great tantum on the ice. And few players that had individual success and a big impact on the team turn around included Ricky Guterwill (Senior), Logan Booth-Alam (Sophomore) and Joe Villani (Freshmen). With a team graduating 11 players the team will rely on returning Juniors Eathan Brdey, Brady Hall, Chase Haggerty, and Alex Clark between the pipes, as well as returning sophomore forwards Alex Barylski & Paul Wagner as the T-Birds continue to develop a competitive team and program. Thank you to coach Mike Brdey and Coach Sal Trazzera; hard to find a coach that put more time into communicating and preparation then coach Brdey.
Again, we would like to thank all those families with their first season in the program, as well as those in their 2nd or 3rd season with the program; next season will be a step in the right direction. And for those exiting the program the board and your teammates/underclassmen would like to say thank you for years of devotion to the program. You all will be missed and appreciated; both players and parents – THANK YOU!
