Boys & Girls Ice Hockey Preseason Preview: 21-22 Season
After being the Halvorsen Cup Champions in the 2020-2021 season, under the coaching of first year head coach Mr. Cecala, the boys team looks to keep their winning ways alive. Their great success last season allowed them to move up to the Mennen Division this year where they will play against teams like Morris Knolls, Mountain Lakes, Mendham, and Chatham. Coach Cecala won the Halvorsen division in his first year as head coach, leading the team to a record of 12-2. He started with the team as an assistant coach in 2011.
Senior Cormac McNamara will continue to lead the team’s forwards this year while senior Liam O’Hearen and sophomore John Rusen will lead the defense for the Dodgers. This year the goalie position will be given to junior Luke Chayut. Although he has only played 4 games, he is expected to have a great season. The Dodgers lost six of their senior players after last season and the majority of players this season, consisting of nine seniors, four juniors, four sophomores, and one freshman, have limited varsity experience.
The Dodgers have a packed schedule this season and have already played their first game of the season on November 28th against Morristown. Although they lost 3-7, freshmen Sam Gero scored his first varsity goal.
The Dodgers go on to play the majority of their games at Mennen but their schedule also includes games played at Codey arena, Flemington, and Woodbridge. For those interested in attending the games, the schedule can be found at madisondodgers.rschoolteams.com They will play a total of three scrimmages and 20 regular season games.
In just the 3rd year since being formed at MHS, the girls ice hockey team has 36 players. Even after graduating six seniors from last year’s team. The team has been coached all three years by Ryan Bailey.
Although their record last year was 2-7, junior Shayne Carfano sums it up perfectly by saying, “We started off as a small team, each person full of heart. But now, as the years have passed, our team has grown so much more, and so has our passion for the game. I was nervous going into my first year as a freshmen, but everyone was welcoming and this team feels like a real team. Our coach Ryan Bailey, is a huge part of the program and has inspired all of us to work harder. He not only takes pride in his work, but makes it so much fun being there even on the coldest of days in the ice rink.”
The girls played their first game on November 29th against Clarkstown North. Although they lost 4-6, they played a hard fought game.
The girls will play a total of 17 games against teams including Oak Knoll, Chatham, Randolph, and Summit. The girls play games at Bridgewater Sports Arena, Mennen, and Twin Oaks and will even play a game at Lisa McGraw Rink in Princeton.
Good luck to both teams as their seasons progress! To find more information on both the boys and girls schedules visit madisondodgers.rschoolteams.com.