Ice Hockey - Senior Night 2018

Senior Night 2018

HGP v Malvern Prep -

7:20pm at Grundy Arena

Happy Senior Night, Day!

It's that time of year when we pay tribute to the accomplishments of our seniors and prepare for the Flyers Cup.

What a group of seniors we have in the Class of 2018. Some people might immediately talk about two Flyers Cup Championships or the Pennsylvania Cup victory. The truth is that our class of 2018 seniors have caused way more to talk about that just ice hockey! Connor Fife put down the soccer ball and became a manager (and decided to learn what a real sport looks like), Shane and Tristan argue nonstop like an old married couple (what is amazing is that they almost always agree with each other, but still they yell), Pat Cannon went to a Flyers practice after a brief stay in the hospital (what happened again?), Ryan Legris is here (well he was before, then he wasn't, but now is here again), Eric starting wearing a smoking jacket and ascot to school (Penn doesn't start until August buddy), Tim keeps telling us about landscape architecture (dude I want to be impressed, but I don't even do my own laundry, you think I plant stuff?), Ryan Mudrick showed up one day in 11th grade (and hasn't come to school one day since without copious hair product forming his former lax bro lettuce), Casey has yet to hear a conversation that he didn't want to participate in (pseudo only child), Max has yet to hear a conversation that he will participate in (I didn't know what his voice sounded like until last Tuesday) and Luke never misses a chance to say "68" (how long have you played hockey? You can't get the assist when two other teams are on the ice and you're in the locker room). [Insert mom comments to me - protecting their babies - here.]

For the last three plus years I have spent more time with these 11 guys than anyone else on the planet. There's been cheering and challenges, celebrating and hurt, theft of homemade cookies on my desk, the disappearing of every pen I have from my office, hundreds of mostly full water bottles left for me to clean up after break, the meetings with Mr. Geruson interrupted when my office door swings open because knocking is a lost art, begging for late notes after the bell and the never ending "Abe!" launched in my direction, in various forms of media, day and night. To be sure, way back in the beginning, when I started in the hockey world, I thought I'd be paying some bills and scheduling some games. I never realized where this would go.

What makes this group unique among others of the past is the amount of success they have accomplished as a group. No span of time in the history of the HGP ice hockey program has enjoyed so much success.

Connor Fife, as one of our managers, took some time away from the grass and learned to slide across the ice while balancing two water bottle holders and a puck bag. Connor has also been a member of our admissions office staff and an incredible help to me and our office. As the premier player on the soccer team, all-area player of the year and future college star at Gettysburg, Connor could have easily stuck to activities on the pitch, but instead gave his time to help the hockey team…and along the way learned how to build puck towers, found places to fill water bottles at every rink and found a way to pretend that hockey doesn't smell as bad as it does.

Ryan Mudrick started his HGP journey late, but found his roll quickly as a reliable member of the defense. Transferring into HGP is a tough task, but Ryan made it look easy as he navigated the new classes, big personalities and high expectations. Along the way, he didn't just get the "HGP thing" – he embraced it and has risen to the challenges this year of being counted on as one of our top defenseman.

Ryan Legris started his career lifting up a trophy at Penn State University, then took a break, and returned to an important role at the blue line. Few can go from an outrageously long poke check, to singing the warm up music when skating around at warmups and then back to chasing down a forward like Ryan. When there is conflict, he always seems to see through the weeds and understand the right path forward. He is often more wise than he gives himself credit for and we were lucky he returned home where he belonged for his senior season.

Eric D'Angelo also came to the party late. While his roles have changed over the last three years, his commitment to the hockey program has never diminished. Eric's role started with playing defense, but then his knees decided that he would pursue other things. To compensate, Eric has found his niche as a manager – splitting his time between reading a ton of books, getting incredible grades and swinging through activities at HGP like Chess, Forensics and Student Government. We are lucky that he still found a way to keep hockey at the top of the list. The reward for all his work = early acceptance at the University of Pennsylvania.

Pat Cannon's journey has been a lot more interesting than most of us. Let's face it, Pat is the only one that got to take a helicopter ride as part of a practice. There is recovering and there is incredible recovering and Pat's commitment to getting back on the ice is something every single person can look to for inspiration. Pat works hard, never complains and always takes the time to compliment the people around him.

Tim Wolfe (aka Wolfeeeee) has been a journeyman player. Tim started his career on the JV team and quickly rose through the ranks on the varsity squad. Tim has enormous passion and sincere love for the school and program. Somehow Tim finds time to go to school, play hockey, work a job and have a second or two left over for some free time. Tim rarely complains. He wants things to be right and is willing to fight to make the world around him better. I am often impressed at his quiet success.

Casey Buck also rose through the ranks on the hockey team, but never stopped working hard to be a difference maker on the defense. Casey asks all the time, "how can I get better?" This never ending drive to improve and be his best is the reason that Casey's future is guaranteed to be successful. Casey is always involved in a million things, but his heart never strays too far from the hockey program. This commitment has absolutely contributed to our success this year.

Max Massari found himself on the top line this season and has proved he earned his place there. Not really a man of many words, Max has always let his actions speak for him. The result has been the affection and respect of all of the people around him. I once described Max as the guy who "wants to be there." While so many people today search out the spotlight, Max simply enjoys the moment and appreciates the joys that so many of us miss because we are too concerned with what is next. The benefit is that Max usually finds himself in the right spot at the right time…a great location for any hockey player brave enough to stand in front of the net.

Shane Stevens and I spend a lot of time together because he also works in the admissions office. In fact, our new jersey designs came from Shane's brain. Shane always has something going on around him…it's like a whirlwind of Shane 24/7. He unapologetically wears his heart on his sleeve…but no one I have met in my years at HGP has the kind of never ending, overwhelming passion and commitment of Shane. Break through the packaging and you always find a kid who is all-in…determined to help everyone be their best…solve conflicts and create the awesome experience he wants everyone to have.

Luke Aquaro has spent his time in the HGP sweater earning the title of one of the best ever. This year, Luke was called upon to be "the guy." He embraced the role and exceeded everyone's expectations. As the captain, Luke is also the face of the program in the school. Luke traveled to the Dominican Republic on our service trip, represents the program on the Student Athletic Council and is a member of the National Honor Society. Luke has exceptional expectations for himself and this level of excellence is not just impressive, but truly makes him a standout part of the history of the ice hockey program.

Tristan Devine is the goalie…and goalies are unique…so he is last in the biographies here. I have no idea how this season will end up in 2018, but what Tristan has done over the last two seasons is beyond profound. Tristan has worked endlessly to improve…helping the JV team win a championship and the varsity team win the Flyers Cup. In some cases, Tristan has been alone on the ice – no backup to count on to come in or offer words of encouragement – no time to be sick or take a day off – Tristan demands the best from himself and has embraced the role of the team's goalie unlike anyone before him. In the process, Tristan has set a great example for the younger goalies to follow – both Sean and Bobby have been alone at games, counted on without a backup and needing to take over a game. Following in Tristan's footsteps will be hard, but following his example is a benefit not to be missed.

As always, so much of what we do is because of the commitment of our coaches. Craig Campanolio was a great leader of the JV program…now solidly guided by George Mundy with assistants Matt Massari, Brett Antosh and Mike Mudrick. Gump Whiteside continues to help lead the program in the right direction. Along with all the varsity responsibilities, Gump is a regular at the JV games, preparing for the future and celebrating the present. Assistants John Seravalli and John Soroka willingly give their time to support HGP and we are surely appreciative of their commitment to HGP. We are also glad to have the attendance of volunteer Coach Kyle (Massari) at practices after school

So Senior Night will come and go. A game, good eats and some quick cheer before heading right back into the grind of the post season. I've stood on both sides of that trophy raising…more often than not going home without the hardware. What never changes is the amazing gift of our players. Families sacrifice, injuries are overcome, disappointments are replaced by joyous moments…and at the end of the day, the memories are always good…the house in Jamestown…the pregame meals…the bus rides to games…the friendships…the list goes on. As always, my prayerful hope is that our paths always cross. I've been to weddings now, baptisms, birthday parties and even a professional game or three. But always, I think about the days packed in my office…cookies stolen, water bottles left behind, meetings interrupted, asking for notes because you'll be late for class, moments of concentration dramatically broken with the sound of "Abe!"…and I realize I am among the luckiest guys on the planet.

Happy Senior Day.

Mr. Abe

*that's a lot of writing…forgive my typos please!