by Boscohockey | Feb 4, 2020
#12 Michael Forgione ’19 celebrates a Bosco goal
Despite a two-year difference in age, two former Ironmen have made immediate impacts at the collegiate level with their respective clubs this season. While Michael Forgione and CJ McGee’s path to hockey on the college level has been very different, each are focused on making the most out of their first years.
After being part of the State Championship team in 2019, Michael Forgione ‘19 wanted to continue playing hockey collegiately. When a few opportunities presented themselves, Michael chose to carve his own path and join a first year NCAA Division 3 program, Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, CT.
“Albertus Magnus gave me a great opportunity to play right away, while fulfilling my academic goals,” said Michael, a three-year varsity letterman at Don Bosco. “Stepping into a first-year program at Albertus allowed me to help build the culture and foundation of this team and it’s a challenge I’ll look forward to throughout my four years at AMC”.
Albertus Magnus currently plays an independent schedule, but there have been some bumps in the road as has been expected with any new program. However, Michael’s time at Don Bosco has prepared him well, “all the key components that the coaching staff at Bosco stressed, being a good teammate, having a strong work ethic, being prepared to play each night, has helped guide me during my first year.” Forgione continued, “We skate six times a week, plus off ice workouts and film twice a week, so its been an adjustment, but playing at Bosco really helped prepare me for the grind.”
So far, Michael has played 17 games and recently tallied his first NCAA goal in a 5-2 win over King’s College and has also added 2 assists.
For former four-year varsity letterman and Ironmen Captain, CJ McGee ‘17, the path to NCAA hockey has been a little different. Following a successful career as an Ironmen, which saw CJ total 40 points (6g, 34a) in 77 games, he played on the 18U North Jersey Avalanche and then went onto play for the Shreveport Mudbugs of the NAHL. Logging 56 games for the Mudbugs, CJ recorded 43 points (10g, 33a) before joining Division 1 Quinnipiac University this past year.
“One of my favorite moments playing at Don Bosco was being able to start a hockey game with my four cousins, Ryan and Liam McLinskey, Will Fortescue and Hunter McGee,” said CJ, “It was a family affair out there for a shift or two, but its something that will probably never be able to do again until an alumni game.”
With several offers to play college hockey, CJ ultimately settled on Quinnipiac because of the coaching staff, trainers, winning culture, academics and top-notch facility. “I couldn’t ask for a better place to continue my academic and athletic experiences,” said McGee. One thing that has helped CJ prepare for the rigors of Division 1 college athletics was the brotherhood at Don Bosco. “At Bosco playing as team and being there for each other is everything. Those characteristics are also key to being successful in juniors and college hockey.”
Former Captain #18 CJ McGee ’17 starts the rush
Playing an ECAC schedule is extremely demanding and a typical week at Quinnipiac for McGee consists of being at the rink Monday thru Thursday, 9 am to 2 pm. “Managing a full academic schedule in addition to those workouts requires planning your time wisely,” says CJ, whose played in 17 of Quinnipiac’s 26 games so far, scoring 2 assists and being a +4 player. With classes typically in the late afternoon and early evening, there’s little time left in the day other than for hockey. “We’re together a lot, so we’re always building team chemistry, and Friday’s and Saturday’s we typically all have team breakfast, video and pre-game skate, followed by a team meal, then back at the rink for games.”
As both players first seasons near a close, each reflected on the positive experiences that Bosco Hockey has prepared them for. “Our first season as a program has been a great learning experience for me both personally and athletically but playing at Bosco taught me how to handle the unique situations that you may face each season,” said Forgione. CJ echoed those thoughts as well, “I experienced both highs and lows at Don Bosco, but facing that adversity made me a better a player in the long run. Those experiences have proved invaluable especially when the post season rolls around.”
Congrats to both Michael and CJ on a successful first year campaign and keeping making Don Bosco Hockey proud!
by Boscohockey | Jan 22, 2020
Junior Zach Hammond prior to a faceoff vs SHP
Fresh off a convincing 11-1 win over #4 seed Ramsey, which saw eight different Ironmen score, led by Liam Heffernan’s five assists, Don Bosco took on Gordon Conference foe Seton Hall Prep.
The upstart Pirates hung tough with the Ironmen throughout most of the game, getting the tying goal with seven minutes left in the third period to knot the game at two. As the final minutes began to tick off the clock, a scramble from behind the net saw the puck find its way out to the point and Junior Defenseman Zach Hammond ripped a slapshot home to put Bosco up for good. DBP would add an empty netter to hold on for a 4-2 win.
Next up the Ironmen look to capture their 9th straight BCCA title against rival Bergen Catholic, this Thursday (1/23), 7:30pm at the Ice Vault.
by Boscohockey | Jan 20, 2020
Senior Troy Clement
Don Bosco continued its strong play following its first win of the new year, blanking a talented Mahwah team 9-0 to open the 2020 Bergen County Coaches Association Tournament. The eight time defending champs wasted no time getting on the board as Sophomore defenseman Lukas Klemm (5g, 1a) opened the scoring two minutes into the game. In all, the Ironmen had seven different goal scorers led by Klemm’s hat trick. Juniors Drew Hansen (1g, 1a), Jack Noel (1g, 1a) and Sophomore Nick Milmore (1g) each netted their first career Ironmen goals. Also contributing to the offensive outburst was Senior Liam Heffernan (3g, 5a) with a goal and two assists, Sophomore Matt Imbriano and Freshman Ty Oller each added a scoring tally.
Following an off weekend, the Ironmen take on in town rival Ramsey on Monday (8:00 pm) in the Semi-Finals of the BCCA at the Ice Vault.
by Boscohockey | Jan 20, 2020
Forward Connor Sedlak looks to make a play during the 2019 Gordon Cup Final, opened the scoring against PDS for the Ironmen
After stumbling out of the gates in the new decade with a 5-3 loss to Suffern, the Ironmen recorded their first win of the new year, taking down a tough Princeton Day School team. Playing their second road game in as many days, following a disappointing 3-3 tie to Delbarton the previous afternoon, DBP leading scorer, Connor Sedlak (6g, 8a) jump started the Ironmen with his 6th goal of the year five minutes into the first period on an assist from Sal Guzzo (2g, 4a). But before the period was over, PDS got on the board to tie the game. Following the first intermission, Bosco again struck first as Junior Defenseman and Merrimack College commit Michael Rubin (4g, 3a) found a rebound along the goal line to put the Ironmen up 2-1. But before the period finished, PDS answered again, to knot the game at 2 heading into the second intermission. Following a back and forth final frame, Bosco finally got the go ahead goal from Junior Joe Caldiero (2g, 2a) and goalie Ethan Marich shut the door on PDS, finishing with 15 saves on 17 shots.
by Boscohockey | Dec 4, 2019
Greg Jandoli (9) & Chris Mazzella (25) celebrate another goal against rival Bergen Catholic
Despite being two years apart at Don Bosco, Greg Jandoli and Chris Mazzella have spent six of the past eight years as teammates, forging a lasting bond that will resonate long after their hockey careers are over. Yet both players came to Don Bosco in different ways. Mazzella had family ties to Don Bosco, his father Mike was a 1980 grad, while Jandoli transferred in as a Junior. Despite their difference in age and graduation year, it was Mazzella who fondly remembers Jandoli’s breakout game for the Ironmen.
“Jando came in late his Junior year (2013) and had to sit because of the transfer rules. We were playing St Augustine’s on a Sunday night, I think it was his first or second game. It was late in the season and we’re down a goal or two. But Jando stepped right into the lineup that night, scored a hat trick and led us to a come from behind win. That win helped us lock up the #3 seed in the state playoffs,” said Mazzella. Despite losing in the Gordon Conference semifinals that year, Bosco made its first return to the State Finals since 1994. “That was tough for me to watch,” said Jandoli, “I wasn’t eligible for the State playoffs that year because of the transfer timing, so seeing my teammates lose in the finals was good motivation for my senior year.”
The following season, both players contributed to the first ever Gordon Cup Championship, a 3-2 victory in overtime against rival Delbarton. “I was on the ice for the winning goal, right as Welch ripped it home. It was awesome to beat them, especially like that, in overtime, incredible,” said Jandoli. Both players had good years in 2014, Jandoli posted 21 points (8G, 13A) and Sophomore Chris Mazzella tallied 13 points (8G, 5A). Mazzella remembers that game too. “I was one of the younger players at the time, but I played in all 24 games. We split with them in the regular season, but that game was just awesome to be a part of. We had a great Senior class that year led by Cody, Dylan and Stimmer, winning like that, in OT was special.”
2014 Gordon Cup Champions
After Jandoli graduated, Mazzella took on a much larger role, posting 78 points (48G, 30A) his final two seasons and finishing with 96 points (57G, 39A) for his career, putting him 10th in All-Time scoring among Ironmen hockey players. A Captain his Senior year, Chris also led the Ironmen to their fourth and fifth consecutive Bergen County Tournament titles, winning tournament MVP in 2016.
Not knowing it at the time, both players would re-unite, playing for ACHA Division 1 Delaware University. While Jandoli opted to play two years of Junior hockey in the EHL for NY Applecore and the NJ Rockets, Mazzella went straight to Delaware, rather than play Junior hockey. “Delaware was just a good fit for me,” says Mazzella, “the facility we have is awesome, the weight room and training area is right near our locker room and the atmosphere at Fred Rust Arena is a great place for college hockey.” Both Chris and Greg credit the competitive Gordon Conference and Non-Conference schedule at Don Bosco for preparing them to play college hockey. “My time at Don Bosco created lasting friendships and great moments,” said Jandoli, “it gave me the confidence to succeed on the ice because of the high level of competition we faced, but also prepared me for the challenges that I would face in the classroom.” Mazzella echoes his long-time teammates words of wisdom, “Each game we played at Bosco was a battle and that turned me into a better player and prepared me for college life.”
As their time at Delaware comes to a close, both players are not done writing the endings to their collegiate careers. “Jando’s been a great friend and having played with him for 6 years, has been awesome. He’s still his energetic self, always cracking jokes and getting the guys going. But we have our sights on finishing what we started here at Delaware,” says Mazzella a Sports Management Major and Senior Captain who has recorded 148 points (76G, 72A) in
Former Ironmen and Current Delaware teammates Chris Mazzella (l) & Greg Jandoli (r) after practice at Fred Rust Arena
126 career games for the Blue Hens. Jandoli, a Biological Sciences Major, also wants to ensure that he leaves his mark on the Delaware program, “It’s been a privilege to play here and I couldn’t see myself anywhere else…I want to finish this season on a high note and leave an everlasting impact on this program.”
“We had many accomplishments during our time at Don Bosco and its been a unique experience coming in as Freshman getting to continue our education and playing hockey together,” says Jandoli. “The brotherhood from Don Bosco has carried into the University of Delaware and I believe I speak on behalf of both Mazzella and myself, in saying that our time here at the University has been unforgettable. I hope we’ve made Don Bosco proud in representing that community to our very best ability.”
Indeed you have boys! Best of luck to both Chris and Greg in their final season. Follow Delaware Hockey throughout the remainder of their season on Twitter: @UDHockey or on the Web at: www.udelhockey.com
