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
by Boscohockey | Dec 2, 2019
Coaches (l-r) Andrew Steffey ’99, Greg Toskos ’94 & son Andrew, Sean Foye ’94 with Former Ironman & Current USMA Freshman Grant Nawoichyk ’18
It was a night of firsts for the Don Bosco Hockey program. On the night of the program’s first ever State Championship banner raising, Freshman Ryan Fine opened up the scoring with his first ever Varsity goal, while assisting on two others. It was a huge momentum changer coming with 30 seconds left in the period and gave the Ironmen a 1-0 lead into the first intermission break. “Obviously, it was a huge momentum shift for us going in 1-0 as opposed to scoreless and it set the table for the second period,” said Coach Toskos.
With the Ironmen on the kill, Senior Liam Heffernan notched his first career goal, setup by Sophomore Matt Imbriano, that opened up the second period scoring. A minute later, Freshman Sal Guzzo netted his first career varsity goal and the Ironmen had a 3-0 lead. The Bosco offense continued to roll in the third period, notching three third period goals, two by Junior Connor Sedlak, who also contributed with two other assists, and another shorthanded tally by Senior Troy Clement to close out the scoring. After it was all said and done, eight different Ironmen found the score sheet, as Defensemen Michael Rubin and Will Fortescue each tallied a helper, while Junior Rob Flaherty added two assists, for his first ever varsity points.
Don Bosco returns to action this Wednesday for Gordon Conference road matchup against Pope John, 4:30 pm at Skylands Arena.
by Boscohockey | Nov 29, 2019
Don Bosco Hockey is proud to announce that Junior Defensemen Michael Rubin has committed to play Division 1 NCAA hockey at Merrimack University. Congratulations to Michael and his family on this great accomplishment. Read more about Michael’s commitment courtesy of the The Mack Report.
by Boscohockey | Nov 26, 2019
Senior Arthur Tsimerman
The 55th season of Don Bosco Hockey opens Friday night, November 29th (6:00 pm, Ice Vault) as the defending NJSIAA Non-Public State Champions begin their title defense for the first time in history vs the Pirates of Seton Hall Prep. Gone is a senior class that won four straight Bergen County Titles, a Gordon Cup and 3 straight State Finals appearances. In its place, the Ironmen return a veteran core of 12 players led by seven Seniors, including Captains Hunter McGee (45 GP, 15-25-40), Will Fortescue (73 GP, 4-23-27) and Robbie Greenleaf (59 GP, 10-8-18), looking to leave their own mark and continue to build on the successes of the last season.
In addition to its three Captains, Seniors Troy Clement (47 GP, 3-7-10), Sean Kenny (19 GP, 1-1-2), Arthur Tsimerman (19 GP, 3-6-9) and Liam Heffernan will anchor an offensive attack that also returns key contributors in Juniors Connor Sedlak (54 GP, 21-19-40), Zach Hammond (37 GP, 14-9-23) and Sophomore Matt Imbriano (17 GP, 2-4-6). Joining Bosco’s attack are newcomers Freshman Ryan Fine, Sal Guzzo, Eric Vivinetto, Ty Oller and Junior Joe Caldiero.
Forward Connor Sedlak looks to make a play during 2019 Gordon Cup Final
On the back end, Captains Hunter McGee and Will Fortescue are joined by Juniors Michael Rubin (36 GP, 1-9-10) and Jake Geraci (39 GP, 2-20-22). First year players, Juniors Brendan Flaherty and Drew Hansen, along with Sophomore Lukas Klemm and Freshman Drew Fortescue will also play key roles throughout the 2019-2020 season. Anchoring the Ironmen in net will fall on the trio of Juniors Kevin Rose, Damien Blando and Freshman Ethan Marich.
Junior Michael Rubin leads the rush
Opening night will be a special night for the entire program as the Ironmen will raise their first ever State Championship banner, closing out last seasons campaign while looking ahead to a successful title run that 14 year Head Coach Greg Toskos can’t wait to get started. “We’ve played three pre-season games and the Seniors have done a good job of leading the way, establishing our team identity and showing the new guys what is expected of them,” said Toskos, “We know we have a bullseye on our backs and we should, but the expectations remain the same year in and year out. Getting better each day we’re together and working through tough situations has been a hallmark of our teams in the past and we expect it to be no different this year.”
Year in and year out, Don Bosco plays as tough as a schedule as there is in the state and 2019-2020 will be no different. The Ironmen open with 5 straight Gordon Conference opponents, including a state finals rematch with Delbarton December 1st. Prior to heading up to Boston to take on out of state rivals BC High and Catholic Memorial, Bosco will face-off against Gordon Conference opponents Pope John, St. Augustine, CBA and Gloucester Catholic before a Rivalry Night game vs Bergen Catholic (12/23) to close out 2019. As DBP rings in the new year, they will restore an old rivalry game against longtime Non-Conference foe Suffern, while Princeton Day, Portledge School, Morristown Beard and Lawrenceville Prep round out the rest of the Non-Conference schedule.
Come out and support your 2019-2020 Don Bosco Ironmen at the Ice Vault or follow along via social media accounts; Twitter: @DBIronmenHockey and Instagram: @boscohockey and check back frequently to our website for articles and videos updated all season long.
