Don Bosco Hockey is proud to announce that Seniors Zach Hammond and Connor Sedlak along with Junior Lukas Klemm have been named team captains for the 2020-21 season. Head Coach Greg Toskos is excited to get started in this unusual year, “We have a great core group coming back that we’re really excited about and we couldn’t be prouder as a program to feature these three players as our captains. Their leadership will be tested right away as we will play one of the toughest schedules in the state.”
The Ironmen open the season on the road, December 21st, in a State Semi-Finals re-match vs Seton Hall Prep, followed by Bergen Catholic two days before Christmas.
Bosco will close out 2020 with two more games against Gloucester Catholic on the 27th and Morristown Beard School on the 29th, before breaking for the new year. “It’s a different year for sure,” said Coach Toskos, “but our goal remains the same and we’re looking forward to getting the 2020-21 campaign under way.”
Coming off the an 8-3 quarterfinal win over Pingry, the Ironmen looked to keep their offensive momentum rolling into Mennen Arena for an NJSIAA Semi-finals showdown against six seeded Seton Hall Prep. The Pirates, fresh off their 3-2 win over three seed Bergen Catholic, were all that stood in Bosco’s way for a return trip to the Prudential Center and a chance to defend their 2019 State Title crown.
Merrimack College commit Michael Rubin with 3 assists vs SHP in Semi-Final action
After a scoreless opening few minutes, that saw each team trade scoring chances, Seton Hall Prep got on the board first to take a 1-0 lead. Five minutes later, leading scorer, Junior Connor Sedlak (20g, 22a) found a loose puck behind the SHP goal tender off a Lukas Klemm (6g, 11a) shot to even the score.
Coming out of the break, Bosco struck first, six minutes in as Freshman Sal Guzzo (10g, 15a) cashed in on the power play off a nice feed from Lukas Klemm and Junior Michael Rubin (7g, 18a) to put the Ironmen up 2-1. Shortly thereafter, Senior Arthur Tsimerman (4g, 4a) scored his second goal in as many games, taking a pass from Rubin to give Bosco a 3-2 lead. However, Seton Hall continued to play tough all night and answered right back two minutes later to pull within one going into the final period.
Jr. Connor Sedlak, 2 goals vs SHP, leads the rush
In the third, with the season on the line, the Ironmen rallied for two goals as Sedlak found the back of the net on the power play, for his second of the game. But the Pirates would continue to hang around, getting their third of the game a minute and a half later, to pull within one again. A minute later however, Bosco would strike again, as Freshman Ryan Fine (10g, 13) took a Drew Fortescue (1g, 9a) pass and went five hole, to secure a 5-3 win and the Ironmen were off to the Rock for the fourth straight year to defend their 2019 title.
Don Bosco looks to defend their title and repeat as NJSIAA Non-Public Champions against number one seed CBA, Monday March 9th, 6:30 pm at the Prudential Center. Please come out and support the Ironmen!
After facing off with a tough Pope John team in the first round of the state playoffs, the Ironmen faced upstart Pingry School. Coming off a win against St. Augustine Prep, Pingry brought in plenty of fire power looking to knock off the defending champions.
Soph Lukas Klemm chipped in with 3 assists
Right away, the Ironmen would go to the power play and cash in as Merrimack College commit, Michael Rubin (7g, 15a) took a feed from Lukas Klemm and rifled home a point shot to put Bosco up 1-0. Less than two minutes later, Senior Arthur Tsimerman (3g, 4a) found the back of the net for a 2-0 lead. However, Pingry would answer right back to get on the board. Bosco found the net two more times in the opening frame on goals by Will Fortescue (5g, 18a) and Boston University commit Freshman, Ryan Fine (9g, 12a) to take a 4-1 lead into the locker room.
Following the ice cut, the Ironmen wasted little time, putting another three goals on the board in the second period, as Senior Hunter McGee (6g, 14a) and Junior Jake Geraci (1g, 10a) each netted a goal, while Ryan Fine added his second of the game. Despite the offensive outburst from DBP, Pingry added a second goal to close out the second period scoring.
Jr. defenseman Jake Geraci notched his first goal of the year
Senior Captain Robbie Greenleaf (2g, 2a) finished off the scoring for the Ironmen in the third period, while Freshman Goalie Ethan Marich made 16 saves on the night as the Ironmen advanced by a score of 8-3. Lukas Klemm (6g, 8a), Sal Guzzo (9g, 15a) and Connor Sedlack (18g, 22a) had three assists apiece to lead the team in scoring on the night.
Sr. Captain Robbie Greenleaf tallied a goal and an assist
Don Bosco returns to action Thursday night, March 5th with a chance to go to the Prudential Center and play for its second consecutive state title against Seton Hall Prep, who defeated Bergen Catholic 3-2 earlier. Please come out and support the Ironmen as they continue to defend their state title, 8:30 pm at Mennen Arena in Morristown.
Freshman Eric Vivinetto fires a shot on goal in NJSIAA first round play
Coming off a tough loss in the Gordon Cup finals, Don Bosco entered the NJSIAA round of 16 as the number two seed. Taking on a familiar Gordon Conference foe Pope John for the third time on the season, their first round game would not be easy. “Pope John is well coached and there is a familiarity level with both teams,” said Head Coach Greg Toskos. “Brownie does a great job with his guys and we’ve played some nail biting state playoff games the past few years against them to say the least. We don’t ever over look an opponent, but that is even more the case tonight, because we know what they’re capable of,” said Toskos.
Junior Kevin Rose stopped 14 of 15 shots in NJSIAA first round match up vs Pope John
The Ironmen came out firing in the first period, peppering Pope John with 18 shots, but only managed one goal. Freshman Ryan Fine (7g, 12a) buried a chance off a nice feed from Junior Connor Sedlak (18g, 19a) and Sophomore defenseman Lukas Klemm (6g, 5a). Bosco would continue the offensive display, adding another 26 shots in the second period, but were denied each time. However, Junior goaltender Kevin Rose, was just as good for the Ironmen, stopping all 10 shots he faced through two periods. Making his 12th start of the year, while posting a 93.2% save percentage and a 1.2 GAA, Rose kept the Lions off the scoreboard until a power play opportunity in the third, found the back of the net to tie the game at one.
But the Ironmen would not be out done on this night. Answering with two goals twenty seconds apart as two Freshman led the way for Bosco. Eric Vivinetto (3g, 17a) ripped a shot from the left circle off a pass from Senior Captains Hunter McGee (5g, 13a) and Will Fortescue (4g, 18a) to give Don Bosco the lead. Moments later, Sal Guzzo (9g, 12a) would add an insurance goal, putting Bosco up for good off a feed from McGee and Junior Drew Hansen (1g, 8a).
Don Bosco continues its NJSIAA Non-Public title defense on Monday March 2, 8:15 pm vs Pingry at the Ice Vault
After finishing the 2018-19 with a 27-2 record and winning their first JV Gordon Cup Championship and second Ice Vault JV League Championship. The 2019-20 Ironmen set out to defend both of their titles. After a rocky start, dropping games to Gordon Conference foes Seton Hall Prep, Delbarton and Bergen Catholic, the team came together and put on an unbelievable 8-0-2 run to close out the regular season. First up in the Gordon Cup semifinals, the Ironmen would take on rival Delbarton. After a strong 2 periods, the Ironmen held a 2-0 lead on the Green Wave. A strong third for the Green Wave knotted the contest, which brought the fans to their feet for a 3 on 3 overtime.
After several high danger scoring chances for both teams, it would end in a tie and head to a shootout. Don Bosco won the shootout 3-0, while saving all 5 shots. With their semifinal win secured, the Ironmen would head down to CBA for a rematch of last year’s final.
The first period saw each team trade scoring chances, but the goalies stood tall and neither team found the back of the net. However, midway through the second, Bosco broke through to take a 1-0 lead. Playing their second game in as many nights, Bosco shut down CBA through the next 15 minutes leaning on their strong defensive play and outstanding goal
DBP JV Repeats as Gordon Cup Champions
tending. CBA, who heavily out shot the Ironmen, had one final chance with a 5 on 3 late in the third. The Colts almost took the game to overtime, but they rang one of the crossbar and the Ironmen closed out the game and hoisted their second JV Gordon Cup, winning a 1-0 thriller.
Moving on to the Ice Vault league playoffs, Bosco had their sights on a rematch with Bergen Catholic, but the Crusaders were upset by St. Joseph Regional in the first round. During the tournament, the Ironmen utilized all 3 goalies and 30 skaters to propel them to wins over West Essex and Ramsey. The title game matched Bosco up against a familiar opponent in SJR. Through two periods, Don Bosco dominated and out shot the Green Knights leading 3-1 after two periods. However, SJR would not go away quietly. Sloppy play and a costly too many men penalty would tie the game in the final two minutes of regulation. After a quick break following the end of the third, the Ironmen reset and headed into another 3 on 3 playoff overtime. A clean opening faceoff win is all Don Bosco would need as they took possession in the zone and only needed 14 seconds to score the game winner and win their second straight Ice Vault League Championship.
Congrats to all 33 JV players for a great year and finishing with 18-8-2 record, winning back to back JV Gordon Cups and Ice Vault League Championships.
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!
