Scott Huff’s first ice hockey notebook features Hatboro-Horsham, CB West and William Tennent. Check back every week for Scott’s notebooks.
By Scott Huff
The 2014-2015 Suburban High School Hockey League is already in full swing this season.
The league will feature 12 teams competing in Class AA – Central Bucks East, Central Bucks South, Central Bucks West, North Penn, Pennridge, and Souderton in the Continental Conference– Abington, Council Rock North, Council Rock South, Neshaminy, Pennsbury, and William Tennent in the National Conference. The league will also showcase seven teams competing in Class A – Hatboro-Horsham, Lower Moreland, Plymouth Whitemarsh, Truman, Upper Dublin, Upper Moreland, and Wissahickon.
And the SHSHL can boast of the returning Class AA State Champion – Central Bucks South. The Titans won the state title with a 5-2 victory over Bishop Canevin. Central Bucks South won the Flyers Cup with a 5-2 victory over SHSHL foe Souderton to advance to the state final.
And the beat goes on…
SHSHL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
Welcome back.
Hatboro-Horsham did not have a SHSHL program last year – and through the efforts of head coach Gus Salfiti and others the Hatters are back.
“Two years ago we were not competitive in the league, and then last year we didn’t have enough players to field a team,” said Salfiti. “So I actually went around the Hatboro-Horsham area and put up signs about registration and tryouts – and we were able to get the numbers to field a team this year.
“We have three seniors on the team, and both Max Thalheimer and Zach Aubry were in the program as sophomores,” added Salfiti. “It is great to be able to provide them with the opportunity to play high school hockey as seniors.”
Hatboro-Horsham has not only rebuilt its program, but the Hatters have been successful and are currently in second place in the SHSHL American Conference with a 4-1-2 record.
“Our goal this year was really only to be competitive, but the winning has been a huge bonus,” said Salfiti. “The players have learned some really good life lessons through this – sometimes you eat the bear and sometimes the bear eats you. We want to eat that bear.”
The Hatters have been strong defensively this year with the play of defenseman Aubry, freshman Eric Wrenn, junior Brian Conlan, and freshman Nathan Reilly. And the goaltending of junior Ryan McElroy has been solid.
“I believe that defense is what wins you most games – and we have been good defensively,” said Salfiti. “And the defense can contribute to the offense.
“I think that Ryan has played goal every week for the last two years,” added Salfiti. “He has worked hard and has developed into a very quiet and focused goalie.”
The top Hatter scoring line this season has been the trio of Thalheimer, Ryan Sharp, and Jordan Brenner.
“The makeup of this team has been unique in that most of the players really didn’t know each other too well before the season,” said Salfiti. “But they have built good relationships with each other and the coaching staff. It has been a great combination and everyone is working well together.”
Welcome back.
SHSHL American Conference Standings (12/2/14)
Harry S Truman Tigers 5 0 1 * 11
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters 4 1 2 * 10
Wissahickon Trojans 4 1 0 * 8
Upper Dublin Cardinals 2 3 0 * 4
Lower Moreland Lions 0 2 3 * 3
Plymouth Whitemarsh 1 4 0 * 2
Upper Moreland Bears 0 5 0 * 0
SHSHL American Conference Scoring Leaders (12/2/14)
Zachary Bennett Truman Tigers 13 17 * 30
Luke Zachy Upper Dublin 17 5 * 22
Michael Roarty Truman Tigers 7 14 * 21
Kyle Bennett Truman Tigers 10 8 * 18
Brandon Rosoff Wissahickon 11 6 * 17
SHSHL American Conference Goalie Leaders (12/2/14)
Noah Katz Wissahickon 3.26
Ryan McElroy Hatboro-Horsham 3.29
Kyle Huth Truman 3.50
‘On Ice’ this week in the SHSHL American Conference (12/2/14)
12/3/14 Upper Dublin vs. Plymouth Whitemarsh Bucks County Ice 8:10
12/4/14 Plymouth Whitemarsh vs Lower Moreland Bucks County Ice 6:30
Hatboro-Horsham vs. Upper Dublin Warwick 8:45
12/5/14 Truman vs. Upper Moreland Warwick 7:00
Hatboro-Horsham vs Wissahickon Warwick 8:45
SHSHL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Central Bucks West Bucks
Central Bucks Westreturned to the Flyers Cup playoffs last year after a painful absence – and the young Bucks are hopeful of a return this upcoming season.
“Last year we made the Flyers Cup and we came into this season with some high expectations,” said Central Bucks West head coach Dave Baun. “Earlier this year we led Council Rock South late in the game and they came back to tie us.
“After the game, the players acted like we lost the game,” added Baun. “We played a great team – with great history – and we were upset that we didn’t win the game. This is a young team that expects to win every game.”
One of the reasons for the CB West optimism has been the play if its defense – mainly, sophomore goaltender Jonah Brous and defensemen junior Ryan Trefz and sophomore Shawn Phillips.
“I strongly believe that Ryan and Shawn might just be the best defensive tandem in the league,” said Baun. “And Jonah has been outstanding. His performance against CB East when he stopped 10 East shooters in a shootout was amazing.”
CB West is a blend of a core of three seniors – Patrick Smith, Shawn Germann, and Tanner Ginn – along with a pair of impressive freshmen – Luke McCleerey and Dalton Karl. But most of the roster is under class players.
“There is no question that we are still a very young hockey team,” said Baun. “Our hope is that experience will make these young players gain in size, strength, and confidence. As this team matures – it will begin to get even better.
“We play Pennsbury this week,” added Baun as his Bucks will take on the 4-0 Falcons on 12/4/14. “They appear to be the best team right now in their (National) conference – and we have to go into their building (Grundy) and learn how to win there. It is going to be a pivotal game for this team.”
The young Bucks will continue to mature one game at a time.
SHSHL Continental Conference Standings (12/2/14)
Central Bucks East Patriots 2 1 2 * 5
Central Bucks South Titans 2 0 0 * 4
North Penn Knights 2 1 0 * 4
Central Bucks West Bucks 1 0 2 * 3
Pennridge Rams 1 4 0 * 2
Souderton Indians 0 5 0 * 0
SHSHL Continental Conference Scoring Leaders (12/2/14)
Jake Heckenberger North Penn 5 9 * 14
Alex Peterson North Penn 9 4 * 13
Leo Flick CB South 5 5 * 10
Nick Chimeria CB East 5 4 * 9
Aaron Crossman Pennridge 4 5 * 9
Bryan McIntosh CB East 2 7 * 9
Derek Heckler North Penn 2 7 * 9
SHSHL Continental Conference Goalie Leaders (12/2/14)
Aaron King CB South 1.00
Jonah Brous CB West 1.67
Evan Angotti CB East 2.00
Steve Gilchrist CB East 2.00
John Roberts North Penn 2.00
‘On Ice’ this week in the SHSHL Continental Conference (12/2/14)
12/3/14 CB East vs. Neshaminy Grundy 8:40
CB West vs. Pennridge Hatfield 9:00
12/4/14 CB West vs. Pennsbury Grundy 7:20
CR North vs. Souderton Hatfield 7:20
12/5/14 CR South vs CB South Bucks County Ice7:15
SHSHL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
William Tennent Panthers
Welcome back – Part II.
William Tennent is back in the SHSHL National Conference this season – playing ‘AA’ ice hockey.
“Last year we down to play ‘A’ ice hockey to be more competitive,” said William Tennent head coach Nick D’Aurizio. “But this year the organization decided to move back to playing ‘AA’ ice hockey – and it is a move that both the players and the coaches were excited about.
“There is a greater number of teams that you can play at the ‘AA’ level,” added D’Aurizio. “And the variety of teams that we play make it a much more interesting season.”
Perhaps the biggest reason that the Panthers have been successful in their move back to ‘AA’ is the superlative play of veteran goaltender CJ Lineman. Lineman has a 1.00 goals against average in the young SHSHL season.
“I really believe that CJ is one of the best – if not the best – goaltender in our league,” said D’Aurizio. “He has been on fire this season, and has played lights out. We are very lucky to have him on our team.
“CJ can read the play better than almost anyone and is never out of position,” added D’Aurizio. He is extremely smart and does all the right things. His play usually will make or break us as a team.”
Lineman – a senior – is backed up by freshman brother Eric Lineman.
“What a great situation that is for us,” said D’Aurizio. “Eric is learning from one of the best, and when his brother leaves, he will be there to continue in goal for us.”
William Tennent has received good work along the blue line from Chris Kreider and Charlie Feeney, while Michael Padgeon and Andrew Bean have been putting the puck in the net on the top Panther line.
“I’m real happy with the way we are playing right now,” said D’Aurizio as the Panthers opened the season 2-0. “It is a nice mixture of seniors and younger players, and we’re happy to be back playing ‘AA’ hockey.”
Welcome back – Part II.
SHSHL National Conference Standings (12/2/14)
Pennsbury Falcons 4 0 0 * 8
CR South Golden Hawks 2 1 1 * 5
William Tennent Panthers 2 0 0 * 4
Neshaminy Redskins 2 2 0 * 4
Abington Ghosts 1 2 0 * 2
CR North Indians 0 3 1 * 1
SHSHL National Conference Scoring Leaders (12/2/14)
Jack Kelly Pennsbury 7 6 * 13
Luke Ledes Pennsbury 3 8 * 11
Kevin Koerner Pennsbury 4 5 * 9
Kyle Bradley CR South 4 3 * 7
Andrew Bean William Tennent 2 2 * 4
Ian Dixon Neshaminy 1 3 * 4
SHSHL National Conference Goalie Leaders (12/2/14)
CJ Lineman William Tennent 1.00
Mason Procz CR South 2.33
Trevor Shadler Pennsbury 2.67
George Christan CR South 3.00
Matt Sheley Neshaminy 3.75
Andy Cicconi CR North 3.75
‘On Ice’ this week in the SHSHL National Conference (12/2/14)
12/3/14 CB East vs. Neshaminy Grundy 8:40
12/4/14 William Tennent vs Abington Wintersport 7:20
CR North vs. Souderton Hatfield 7:20
CBW vs. Pennsbury Grundy 7:20
12/5/14 CR South vs. CB South Bucks County Ice 7:15
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