Hudson Catholic, state’s premier team a year ago, begins new season with questions
Although the view from the penthouse might be pleasing to Cory Robinson and the Hudson Catholic hockey team, the rent to remain housed as the No. 1 high school hockey team has been raised substantially.
"I like it, because it still means that we won it all last year," said Robinson, who guided the Hawks to the improbable and incredible run through the NJSIAA Parochial and the Tournament of Champions last season. "That will never go away. Being No. 1 is something new to all of us. But we can’t just think that it’s going to simply carry over. I think the joy ride is about to be rudely interrupted and we’re going to come back to earth very shortly."
The Hawks will miss some key members of last year’s championship season, including high-scoring forward Mike Caputo and hard-working center Ryan Trott.
But the Hawks were dealt an unexpected blow when junior defenseman Jason Ortolano, regarded as the best defenseman in the state, decided to explore an opportunity to play junior hockey in New Hampshire, rather than returning for his senior year with the Hawks.
"The fact that we lost Jason really hurts," Robinson said. "It’s a major loss. When we lose a player of that caliber, we don’t have another player to fill in and play at that level. I had a feeling that he might take that route and head to junior hockey. His family was set on it."
However, the Hawks still have a ton of talented players returning from last year’s sensational championship season, including goalkeeper Joe Aliseo, who was named the New Jersey Player of the Year last season.
Robinson has already lowered the bar for Aliseo.
"I’ve tried to stress to the team that what Joe did last year was in a once-in-a-lifetime year, a career year," Robinson said. "To repeat that kind of performance would be unrealistic. He was simply in a zone last year, doing things that no one could believe. It helps that he’s back, but to expect him to play that way again would be close to dreaming. I never saw anything like that in 10 years and probably never will again."
Added Robinson, "But I wouldn’t trade Joe for another player in New Jersey. He’s a vocal goalie, sees the play happening in front of him and tells the players in front of him what to do. Because he doesn’t have the same support he had last year, he’s been asked to communicate more with his teammates."
Aliseo is also bolstered by the return of two top defensemen, namely senior Bennett Shelley and sophomore Joe Cucci.
"Shelley is considered one of the best defensemen in the state, but he didn’t get the recognition that Ortolano did," Robinson said. "But he was just as consistent. And Cucci is a very good player, one of the best sophomores in the state."
The Hawks have a lot of talent returning up front, led by senior center Peter Haglund, who is perhaps the hardest worker of all the Hawks. Haglund consistently gives up his body for the good of the team and he’s readily seen digging in the corners for the puck.
Three other seniors lead the way for the Hawks as well, namely left wing Mike Lagola and right wings Frank Baker and Logan Levy. All four of the seniors have the ability to score 20-plus goals this season.
Up front, the Hawks also have some talented youngsters, namely sophomore center Patrick Percella, sophomore right wing Christian Rader-Zaren, sophomore left wing Peter Hand and fabulous freshman center Danny Galella.
"I don’t have a problem with the people we have up front," Robinson said. "I do have a problem with their work ethic right now. We lost some key people and we have to have people step in and fill the slots. Right now, we don’t have that work ethic. It has to improve. We’ll see where we stand later on."
Senior Tom Steinel, sophomores Ryan Lucas and Tom Laba and freshman Rich Tauber will key the team’s defense.
Other key reserves for the Hawks include senior forward Matt Tabone, sophomore forward Skylar Cauceglian and two goaltenders to back up Aliseo, namely sophomore Chris Ceransky and freshman A.J. Drago, who have as much chance of playing with Aliseo around as Chris Terreri has playing for the Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils with Martin Brodeur between the pipes.
The Hawks had a fine season opening victory over perennial state power Brick Township, 3-2, on Monday. They will face another state power and perennial nemesis Seton Hall Prep over the weekend.
"We’re getting thrown right into the fire," Robinson said. "Welcome to the new season. It’s not going to get any easier either. It’s going to be different, with everyone gunning for us. Hopefully, we can accept the challenge."
And see if there’s another No. 1 ranked team in the making.