How tired are west suburban hockey teams of seeing their North Shore counterparts grab all the headlines? So serious that Waubonsie Valley, one of the area’s top teams, searched long and hard to find a Canadian as its new coach.
Well, not exactly.
“The opportunity came up out of the blue,” Waubonsie coach Vic Langley said. “If I still lived in Canada, I don’t think I’d be doing this, because everyone plays hockey.”
What truly makes Waubonsie a novelty is its talented young nucleus covering all three levels: offense, defense and goaltending. Fresh from last spring’s appearance in the state semifinals, the program figures to be competitive for some time, because 11 of its 18 players are juniors.
And, as indicated by Waubonsie’s invitation to the Loyola Academy Thanksgiving Tournament, which runs from next Thursday through Sunday, that talent hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Heading into Loyola’s 26th annual event, an early-season indicator of who’s who in Illinois prep hockey, the Warriors have won all 10 of their Chicago Metropolitan League West Division games–by a stunning 71-11 margin.
Backstopped by stingy junior goalies Steve McCarthy (.913 save percentage) and Corey Konen (.941), Waubonsie doesn’t require much offense to get by. But it still gets plenty, thanks to Langley’s balanced four-line attack.
And once again, the Warrior juniors–notably forwards Colin Hatch (10 goals, 13 assists), Brian Tuch (14 goals, four assists) and Ryan Krzmarzick (eight goals, nine assists)–pave the way. Defenseman David Dombrowski (10 goals) heads an offensive-minded defense that has added the art of shot-blocking to its repertoire.
“Next year the team should be even better,” Langley said. “Not putting down our seniors, but our strength is our juniors.”
Also figuring to make a strong showing at the 16-team event and make a statement early in the season:
New Trier Green
The Trevians, who suffered a heart-breaking loss to nemesis Loyola Gold in last year’s state semifinals, also have a new coach. Under coach Bob Melton, New Trier is off to a 4-0-1 start. With both starting goalies back, including junior C.J. Heitmann, the team has allowed just four goals while killing off all 66 penalty minutes. Melton’s offense is led by sophomore center John Wilson (seven goals, six assists) and junior winger Bobbie Skalla (three goals, six assists).
Mt. Carmel
The Caravan was a quarterfinalist last season, and this season’s squad has yet to allow a goal in four Chicago Catholic League matches while surrendering just 11 in nine games overall. Returnees Mike Formas and Todd Chrustowski anchor the offense and defense, respectively, while junior center Ryan Feil (15 goals, 10 assists) complements Formas nicely. Junior goalie Pat Patel, a transfer from Marist, already has four shutouts and a .944 save percentage.
Loyola Gold
After enduring a 1-0-2 start, poor by Loyola standards, Gold has won three straight, including a 4-0 whitewash of the team that snapped its two-year title run–Lake Forest Academy. Back for his ninth season, coach D.J. LaVarre has a knack for getting the most out of both star-studded and starless teams. Gold’s top returnee, forward Matt O’Connor (seven points), leads a balanced offense.
Lake Forest
The Scouts (3-1-1 Metro North) also have a new face behind the bench in John Edgcomb. If the name sounds familiar, it should. Edgcomb guided Lake Forest Academy to last season’s inaugural Blackhawk Cup. Punching that ticket again, this time from the other side of town, might not be difficult given Lake Forest’s impressive number of key returnees. They include junior goalie J.P. McIntosh (1.06 goals-againsr average) and forwards Casey Felling, Weston Struwe and Mike McConanhie.
Lake Forest Academy
If ever there were a term to describe Lake Forest Academy, dark horse is it. All the Caxys have done since joining the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois’ playoff format three years ago is go from quarterfinalist to titlist. The return of goalie Eric Richardson for his senior season over the lure of junior hockey makes the team a threat to repeat.
