2023 Morris/Sussex ice hockey preview capsules
Morris County Secondary Schools Ice Hockey League
Mennen Division
Chatham
Coach: Brendon Herr, ninth season
Last year: 16-4-5
Returning letter-winners: Sr. F Luc D'Costa; Sr. D Dillon Gagliardi; Sr. G Nate May; Jr. F Matt Nacinovich; Jr. F Thomas White; So. G Snowden Lange.
Newcomers: So. D Nate Crowley; Fr. F Charlie Dunn; Fr. F Danil Shlapak.
Outlook: The Cougars expect to remain competitive in the Mennen.
Morris Knolls/ Morris Hills
Coach: Tim Kepler, eighth season
Last year: 11-6-6
Returning letter-winners: Sr. F Luke Dickerson (20g, 19a); Sr. F Brendan Gleason; Sr. F Jack Martinez (16g, 9a); Sr. F Michael Simone (12g, 12a); Sr. D Tommy Ryerson; Jr. F Jake McCloud (20g, 18a); Jr. F Dylan Williams (4g, 3a); So. D Brandon Strunck.
Newcomers: Sr. F Eli Singley; Sr. F Tyler Brookes; Sr. F Wyatt Dunn; Jr. D Ben Battista; Jr. D Mark Kazik; Jr. D Daniel Onufer; So. F Ryan Nevins.
Outlook: The sister-school co-op wants to compete in the Mennen.
Morristown
Coach: Ian Anderson, second season
Last year: 5-15-1
Returning letter-winners: Sr. F Jack Byrne (15g, 11a); Sr. F Liam Wilson (8g, 15a); Sr. F Clark Smith (5g, 11a); Sr. D Brody Toye (5g, 9a); Sr. G Thatcher Neville.
Outlook: The Colonials hope to progress.
Morristown Beard
Coach: Scott Greene, sixth season
Last year: 10-13
Returning letter-winners: Sr. C Peter Cross (7g, 11a); Sr. D Grayson Strauss; Sr. RW Matt Chuhniko; Sr. F Brendan Tartaglione; Sr. RW Jack Cueto; Sr. G Pierce Brucker; Jr. LW Nick Squashic; (2g, 7a) Jr. D Evan Jones (4g, 12a); Jr. C Sean Rizzo; Jr. D Robert Magnotta; Jr. D Lucas Krzanowski; Sr. F/D Matt Mortazavi; So. RW Ryan Tartaglione (7g, 23a); So. D Logan Turner; So. LW Kevin Fraga; So. C Charlie Fernandez; So. RW John Gonnella; So. D Brian O'Neill; So. D Nick Zayas.
Newcomers: Fr. F Hudson Salvador; Fr. C Mason Hriczov; Fr. F Florian Gao; Fr. F Trenton Fei.
Outlook: The Crimson are relying on young skaters.
Randolph
Coach: Rich McLaughlin, 31st season
Last year: 14-4-4
Returning letter-winners: Sr. D Ashton Feinberg (1g, 13a); Jr. F Jase Zangara (17, 21a); Jr. D Brian Cislo (2g, 10a); Jr. D Ryan Potanovich (15a); Jr. F Jacob Campbell (5g, 8a); So. F Shane Melli (9g, 4a); So. F Dan Sharkey (11g, 8a); So. F Vin Crisafulli (4g, 9a).
Outlook: Young Randolph hopes to compete for the Mennen Cup.
Halvorsen Division
Bernards/ Somerville/ Middlesex
Coach: Paul Manore, sixth season
Last year: 13-5-2, 9-1 Haas champion
Returning letter-winners: Sr. F Jimmy Hathaway (30g, 17a); Sr. F Ryan Leonard (21g, 19a); Sr. F Dylan Leonard (18g, 20a); Sr. G Baylyn Shankman (.836 save percentage); Sr. F Taylor Favreau (15g, 9a); Sr. F Daniel Adams; Jr. D Abbey Gallagher; Jr. F Louis Kilpatrick (6g, 7a); Jr. F Conor Campion; So. G Zack Metz (.840 save percentage0; So. F/D Thomas Diemar.
Newcomers: Sr. F Paul Roman; Jr. F Harley Pirzadeh; Jr. F Spiro Tsilimidos; So. D John Mrotchek; Fr. D Lincoln Moriarty.
Outlook: Veterans lead the tri-op in its move to the Halvorsen and the Skylands Conference.
Kinnelon/ Jefferson/ Sparta
Coach: Jeff Myhren, 18th season
Last year: 14-6-1, 8-0 Halvorsen champion
Returning letter-winners: Sr. F Joey Kopec (9g, 3a); Sr. F Anthony Pandiscia (9g, 13a); Sr. D Anthony Prunty (22g, 11a); Sr. F Adam Stefancik (5g, 19a); Sr. F Logan Winslow (5g, 4a); Sr. D Aiden Parlapiano; Sr. G Rylan Gibbons (.924 save percentage); Jr. D Joey Marino; Jr. G Brian Sisti (.939 save percentage); So. F Michael Pandiscia (6g, 5a); So. D Alex Roslan.
Newcomers: So. D Cooper O'Neil; Fr. F Braydon Sisco; Fr. D Jake Prunty.
Outlook: Veteran KJS hopes to defend its division title.
Madison
Coach: Joe Cecala, fourth season
Last year: 5-16-1
Returning letter-winners: Sr. C/D Kyle Piechnik (8g, 16a); Jr. C Sam Gero (21g, 19a); Sr. W Nathan Tallinder; Sr. W Jack Scalley; Sr. C Jordan Axler; Sr. G Bryan Worthington (.844 save percentage); Jr. W Jonathan Erickson (8g, 6a); Jr. W Chris Palawasta (3g, 3a); Jr. W/D Will Bagley; So. D Jacob Thompson; So. D Patrick Layng; So. F Thomas London.
Newcomers: Fr. D Henry von Steiger; Fr. F Lucas Gero; Fr. D Claes Machacz; Fr. F/D Will Finkle; Fr. F Richie Musa; Fr. F Quinn Leary.
Outlook: Sam Gero and Piechnik will lead the young Dodgers in the Halvorsen.
Mendham
Coach: John Kovacs, 28th season
Last year: 10-9-2
Returning letter-winners: Sr. D Freddy Nunan; Sr. D Zach Naval; Jr. D Hayden Bogart; Jr. F Jake Fox; Jr. F Eddie Fox; Jr. F Ian Aitkenhead; Jr. G Gavin Thrun; So. D Brendan Eigner; So. G Brendan Eigner.
Newcomers: Jr. F Cameron Smith; Jr. F Will Andrews; So. F Max Szpakowski; Fr. F David Kalis; Fr. F Denis Nunan; Fr. F Aschille Pasquier.
Outlook: The Minutemen are relying on veteran defensemen.
Mount Olive/ Hopatcong/ Hackettstown
Coach: Ryan Tatarka, third season
Last year: 10-11-1
Returning letter-winners: Sr. F Sebastian Slawinski; Jr. D Jack Luciani; Jr. F Dylan McGarry; Jr. G Talon Muscolino (.920 save percentage); Jr. D Tyler Muscolino; Jr. F Liam Parr (6g, 7a); So. D Ryan Puco; So. F Anthony Walsh.
Newcomers: Sr. F Sofija Keselovska; Sr. F Veronica Pankowski; Sr. D Daniel Testa; Jr. F Collin Young; Jr. F Jay Franco; So. F Keegan Ciborski; So. D Ryan Picillo; So. F Chris Scelfo; Fr. D Kyle Ensinger; Fr. F Dominic Landolfi.
Outlook: The tri-county tri-op has high expectations for its young players.
Haas Division
Gill St. Bernard's
Coach: Gregory DaSilva, eighth season
Last year: 5-8-2
Returning letter-winners: Sr. F Brad Matthews; Sr. F Michael Scarpati; Sr. D Porter Clark; Sr. D Henry Smith; Sr. F George Taylor; Sr. F Julian Tramontano; So. D Brendan Binder; So. G Luc Jansson; So. D Trey Sanford.
Newcomers: Jr. F Zachary Blinkoff; Fr. F Tyler Bilanin; Fr. F Brendan Whiteley; Fr. F Michael Tighe.
Outlook: The veteran Knights expect to improve.
Montville
Coach: Anthony Iannone, third season
Last year: 14-4-2; Charette champion
Returning letter-winners: Sr. F Matthew Trifari (29g, 20a); Sr. G Alexis Riley (.873 save percentage); Sr. F Michael Maly; Jr. F Logan Engle; Jr. D Marco van de Graaf; Jr. D Connor Howard; So. D Aidan Stepian; So. F/D Cole Riley.
Newcomers: Fr. Aidan Rankin; Fr. C.J. Corino; Fr. Alex Ponikowski; Fr. Zander Novak.
Outlook: The Mustangs are leaning on Riley and veteran defensemen after moving up to the Haas.
Mountain Lakes/ Boonton
Coach: Clint McDonough, seventh season
Last year: 2-15
Returning letter-winners: Sr. D A.J. Wenzel; Sr. F Jonathan Garibaldi; Sr. F Benji Forman; Sr. F Tristan Forrest; Sr. F Jack Fitch; Jr. F Scott Soukup; So. F Andrew Wilmot; So. D Kyle Wenzel; So. F Anthony Maclaren; So. G Cody Roller.
Newcomers: Sr. F Saraj Sheikh; Jr. F Tobias Borden; Fr. F Adam Gryc; Fr. F Eli Forman; Fr. D Lawson Fagan.
Outlook: The neighborhood co-op hopes to compete in the Haas.
Park Regional
Coach: Tom Levis, 29th season
Last year: 9-11-3, 4-6-2 Haas
Returning letter-winners: Sr. RW Patrick Mulligan; Sr. LW Ryan Munsey; Jr. C Matthew McDermott (4g, 9a); Jr. G Dylan Marion (.872 save percentage); Jr. G Anthony Perrello; Jr. D Dominic Perrello; Jr. F Sean Breen; Jr. F/D Nick Monaco; So. D Andrew Steinberg; So. F Michael Capozzi (14g, 12a); So. F Chase Olszewski (26g, 9a); So. F Colin Mullooly (3g, 4a); So. F/D Giovanni Bruno; So. F Brendan Burt.
Newcomers: So. F Dylan Aker; Fr. D Frank Scrocco, Fr. D Joseph Vitale, Fr. D Chloe Makowski, Fr. F Mason Hawkins, Fr. G Kiera Swartz.
Outlook: The young Hanover Park-Whippany Park co-op is aiming at its eighth Haas Cup.
More: From Mennen Cups to milestone win, Park hockey coach Tom Levis hasn't gone far
Vernon
Coach: Nick Vanderlofske, first season
Last year: 1-16
Returning letter-winners: Sr. C Luke Zabriskie (10g, 4a); Sr. G Brady Hendricks; Sr. D Christopher Gay; Jr. F Jake Chromcik (8g, 4a).
Newcomers: Sr. F Drew Shawgo; Sr. F Mackenzie Rivier; Sr. F Carter Wright; Jr. F Rick Bennett; So. F C.J. Vigiletti; So. F Zach Crozier; Fr. F Nate Kouretas.
Outlook: Vanderlofske, a Vernon alumnus who played alongside his now-wife Rachel for four years, is the Vikings’ third coach in as many years.
West Morris
Coach: Phil Togno, seventh season
Last year: 8-9-4, Haas Cup champion
Returning letter-winners: Sr. F Tommy Togno (17g, 22a); Sr. F Zach Knoph (16g, 24a); Sr. D Jake Salamone (4g, 8a); Sr. F Nick Dargel; Jr. F Benjamin Barnhill (20g, 23a); Jr. D Alex Trezza.
Newcomers: Rhone Amijo; Dylan Willmott; Gavin Smith; Shiva Kuttikat
Outlook: Veteran West Morris hopes to compete for the Haas title.
Charette Division
High Point/ Wallkill Valley/ Kittatinny
Coach: Mike Beltran, 20th season
Last year: 10-10
Returning letter-winners: Sr. F Joshua Custode; Sr. D Sebastian Hamarcak; Sr. D Tyler Hennion; Sr. F Mike Sadowski; Sr. F Will Palsgrove, Sr. F James Sonvico; Jr. F Brady Reid; Jr. F Will Schreiber; Jr. D Alex Sonvico; Jr. D Anthony Tokar; So. D Hunter Baker; So. F Noah Custode; So. G Landon Healy.
Newcomers: Fr. D Nick Boffa; Fr. F/D Nathan Shindelman; Fr. F Reagan Tokar.
Outlook: The Sussex County tri-op expects to qualify for the Charette and NJSIAA Tournaments.
Morris Catholic/ St. Elizabeth
Coach: Chris Foer, third season
Last year: 3-17-2
Returning letter-winners: Sr. F Mia Foer; Jr. F Tyler Raucci; Jr. D Colin Shepard; Jr. F Kristina Herman; Jr. F Mercer Acuna; Jr. G Jack Wilson; So. D Michael Najjar; So. F Christian Iacuzzo; So. F Jack Mulholland.
Newcomers: Fr. G Joey Rubino; Fr. F Ryan Keller; Fr. F Cameron Westrick; Fr. F Michael Hugues; Fr. F Brady Baxter.
Outlook: The co-op is small but growing.
Newton/ Lenape Valley
Coach: Ryan Sevean, 20th season
Last year: 8-15-1
Returning letter-winners: Sr. F Justin Zappe; Sr. G Ryan Salerno; Sr. F Martin Murphy; Sr. F Braydon Dabrowski; Sr. D David Pineda; Sr. D Matt Walter; Sr. F Jack McKenna; Sr. F Matt Finn; Sr. F Frankie Boffa; Jr. F Lucas Garofano; Jr. F Kellan Faessinger; Jr. F Tanner Gaboda; Jr. F Ty Dellicker; Jr. F Kayla Latham; Jr. F Kendra Smith; Jr. F Maksym Pastukh; So. G Patrick Boden; So. D Joey Gallucci.
Newcomers: So. F Vince Mancusso; So. F Ganon Hawryluk; So. F/D Jack Boffa.
Outlook: Experienced NLV hopes to compete for the Charette Cup and finish above .500.
Parsippany Regional
Coach: Anthony Egidio, eighth season
Last year: 2-13, 1-7 Charette
Returning letter-winners: Sr. F Nicholas Hornung; Jr. F Max Ingersoll; Jr. F Joe Gasparro; Jr. D William Shoemaker; So. F Robert Hemenway (7g, 6a); So. D Matthew Hemenway (2g, 6a); So. G Andrew Nicholas (.867 save percentage).
Newcomers: Fr. Adam Gasparro.
Outlook: The Parsippany-Parsippany Hills co-op hopes to build up its program.
Roxbury
Coach: Jonathan Benbow, 20th season
Last year: 11-8
Returning letter-winners: Sr. D Gavin Barooah (7g, 12a); Sr. F Sean Hardy; Sr. F A.J. Mancuso (12g, 8a); Sr. D Christian Sokolowski; Jr. F Ryan VanZile (7g, 23a); Jr. F Justin Katz; Jr. D Griffin Warsaw; So. F Michael Nelson.
Newcomers: Sr. F Nick Pieper; So. F Chase Alven; Fr. D Ryan Geller; Fr. F Thomas Sanders.
Outlook: Roxbury remains talented despite the loss of 16 players to graduation, prep school or club hockey.
More: NJ native Luke Rowe turning heads at Devils development camp
Gordon Conference
Delbarton
Coach: Bruce Shatel, 23rd season
Last year: 21-3-1, NJSIAA Non-Public finalist
Returning letter-winners: Sr. D Michael Padula; Sr. F Max Pendy; Sr. F John Good; Sr. F Michael Good, Jr. F Jack Gerne; Jr. D Dante Rodriguez; Jr. D Peter Goffredo; Jr. F Jack Ross; So. F Liam Donnelly; So. F Aidan Pasic.
Newcomers: Jr. G George Cote; So. G Cooper Ranawat; So. D Matteo Conte; So. F Egor Andreev, So. F Ayden Puppe; So. F Cole Hurst; So. D Jacob Gome; Fr. D Matthew Peng; Fr. D Sean O’Gwen.
Outlook: Delbarton is young but competitive.
Pope John
Coach: Ryan Brown, 17th season
Last year: 11-9-2
Returning letter-winners: Sr. F Robbie Myshkoff (9g, 7a); Sr. F Matthew Hughes (7g, 13a); Sr. F David Koptyra; Sr. D Declan Murphy (2g, 8a); Sr. G Soren Torlucci; Sr. D Johans Bars (4g, 6a); Jr. D Muggy Bars (3g, 5a); Jr. F Luke Jarosiewicz (5g, 9a); Jr. F Jack Jarosiewicz (4g, 2a); So. F Nick Colatrella (2g, 5a); So. F Hunter Parrillo.
Newcomers: Fr. D Liam Amabile.
Outlook: Murphy and the Bars brothers will anchor Pope John in its quest to compete in the Gordon and Egan Cup and NJSIAA Tournament.
Girls hockey
Chatham/Millburn
Coach: Kayla Meneghin, first season
Last year: 9-8-3
Returning letter-winners: Sr. F Maddie Jepsen; So. D Sarah Nacinovich; So. D Alexandra Donoghue.
Newcomers: Fr. D/F Bronwyn Shefter; Fr. G Emma Acomb; Fr. F Simone Claps; Fr. D Maggie Breed.
Outlook: Meneghin, a former NWHL forward, takes over a young but improving Chatham team.
Madison
Coach: Ryan Bailey, sixth season
Last year: 2-13
Returning letter-winners: Sr. C Mia McSherry; Sr. D Izzy Hunter; Sr. D Allison Reilly; Sr. LW Maya Metzler; Sr. RW Mae Hurley; Sr. C Ava Haralampoudis; Sr. RW Maddie Santoriello; Jr. G Iris Piskula; Jr. D Emma Wirth; Jr. RW Elizabeth Farrell; So. LW Athena Halewicz.
Newcomers: Sr. F Anastasia Melikova; Fr. G Clementine Dickson-Child; Fr. D Brooke Gundlach; Fr. Leah Jobe.
Outlook: Madison hopes to challenge for the Annis title.
Morristown Beard
Coach: Bruce Driver, 24th season
Last year: 15-6-3; three-time NJSIAA champion; Librera champion
Returning letter-winners: Sr. F Jesse Sperling (26g, 15a); Sr. F Kailin Kane (20g, 11a); Sr. D Brooklyn Chen (1g, 14a); Sr. D Kiera Redmond (1g, 14a); Sr. F Gia Becchi; Sr. Isabella Villanova; Jr. D Julie Jasaitis (7g, 17a); Jr. F Julie Kirshenbaum; So. D Reid Snyder (2g, 11a); So. G Hannah Mortazvi (.924 save percentage); So. F Gabriella DiGeronimo; So. F Marilee Vartanian.
Newcomers: So. F Sylie Sawale; Fr. D Keira Walsifer.
Outlook: The veteran Crimson expect to compete for the WIHLMA and Librera titles, as well as to defend its NJSIAA championship for the fourth year.
Randolph
Coach: Michael Pizzano, first season
Last year: 7-8-1, 6-4-1 Cohen
Returning letter-winners: Sr. D Joelle Yurchuk (11g, 10a); Sr. G Stephanie Zhumba (.904 save percentage); Jr. F Ellen Dell'Aglio; Jr. F Yolanda Sabillion; So. F Ada Shadwell.
Newcomers: Fr. G Maria Dlugolecki; Fr. F Lia Carroll.
Outlook: The Rams graduated their top two scorers from the squad that earned the best record since going varsity in 2016-17.
This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: NJ hockey: Morris County Interscholastic League team-by-team preview
