Led by a strong core of upper classmen, Don Bosco Hockey has opened the 2024-25 campaign with five straight victories, including two wins over Massachusetts power houses BC High (3-1) and Pope Francis (4-1) to repeat as Barky Cup champions. Bosco has also notched victories over St. Joseph Regional (6-1), Seton Hall Prep (8-0) and defending State Champions St. Augustine (5-2).
Senior Goaltender and Captain John Gazzola has been fantastic in back stopping the Ironmen in the early season. Posting a 95.9% save percentage and yielding a 1.00 GAA. He’s tallied one shutout (SHP) and recorded all 5 wins, while also adding two assists.
In front of Gazzola, the defense has been rock solid, led by two Senior Captains Aidan Morik (0g, 5a) and Jack Fortescue (0g, 2a) who continue to keep opponents off the scoresheet. Senior Michael Halvorsen along with Juniors Jack Ozder (0g, 1a) and Nick Zayas have played big roles as well, adding size and strength to one of the most talented back ends in the Gordon Conference.
Up front, Seniors Rian Lahar (3g, 6a) and Erik Wrynn (6g, 3a) are tied for the team lead in scoring with two more Seniors, Captain Matthew Shpungin (0g, 7a) and Jack Kennedy (5g, 1a) also making significant contributions. Freshman Jack Foye (6g, 1a) and Preston Ferro (0g, 7a) along with Sophomore Peyton Murphy (2g, 2a) continue to provide a spark when called upon.
The Ironmen will be busy before the Christmas break, with three straight league games against Princeton Day, bergen catholic and CBA to round out 2024.
Check out some highlights from our victory over St. Augustine Prep, courtesy of Jersey Sports Zone.
After a stellar regular season, which saw the Ironmen win the Gordon Conference league championship and earn the top seed in the state, Bosco faced the tall task of upholding the high standard that they’ve set for themselves. However, this team, led by 13 Seniors, was up for the task.
Junior Ferry Netusil
Opening Gordon Cup play, Don Bosco faced off against eighth seeded Pope John and defeated them 3-0. Led by Senior’s AJ Carey (3g, 1a) opening period tally and Jacob Castana’s (3g, 2a) two goals, the Ironmen jumped out to an early lead which they would not surrender. Senior Nick Feeley (6g, 8a) contributed three assists while Doug Sampath (1g, 5a) and AJ Carey each added assists as well. Goaltender James Tarabocchia stood strong for his 5th shutout of the season.
In the next game, CBA rolled into town looking to knock off the Ironmen, but again it was strong play from the Senior’s, as netminder James Tarabocchia made 35 saves, while Captain Dean Toskos (19g, 13a) added one goal and assisted on two others by Danny Kelly (10g, 9a). Junior Matt Shpungin (4g, 19a) added 3 assists of his own and the Ironmen were off to the final to face off against rival Delbarton for the prestigious Gordon Cup.
In the Cup final, the Ironmen kept rolling. Junior Eric Wrynn (8g, 4a) opened up the scoring in the first period, off a nice feed from Senior Captain Massimo Monteleone (6g, 11a). Dean Toskos followed up near the end of the frame, burying a wrist shot from the left circle to make it a 2-0 lead heading into the second period. However, Delbarton clawed back and tied the game mid-way through the third period at two. But less than two minutes after Delbarton tied the game, Junior Ferry Netusil (13g, 13a) found himself all alone on a pass from Gordon Conference MVP and Senior Kenny Kalman (2g, 21a) and sniped a wrist shot to give the Ironmen a 3-2 lead. Ferry would net his second goal of the third period off a feed from Sophomore Colin Feeley (0g, 8a) and Senior goalie James Tarabocchia continued his outstanding play, stopping 37 shots to earn the Ironmen their 4th ever Gordon Cup Title.
Check out the highlights courtesy of Jersey Sports Zone!
Don Bosco opened the 2023-24 season with one of the toughest schedules in the state. With a lineup led by 13 seniors, Bosco made an early statement, defeating three number one ranked teams in a span of nine days. Led by Senior Captains Dean Toskos (9g, 2a) and Matt Bossolina (5g, 2a) as well as Juniors Matt Shpungin (2g, 8a) and Ferry Netusil (3g, 8a) the Ironmen have knocked off number one ranked Delbarton, Pope Francis (MA) and St. Augustine as well as CBA, BC High and bergen catholic twice.
Sr. Defenseman Caiden Sullivan
While the offense has registered most of the highlights, Senior goaltender, James Taraboccia has been a rock on the back end, going 6-1 with a 2.00 GAA and 93.09 Sv%. In addition, Senior defenseman and Captains Kenny Kalman (2g, 6a) and Luca Chiase (0g, 6a) along with Seniors Doug Sampath (0g, 2a) and Caiden Sullivan (0g, 1a) have provided much needed depth on the blue line, limiting opponents to only 2.25 goals per game.
Bosco opens up 2024 with a home matchup vs border rival Suffern High School, January 3rd and then hits the road for a game against the Hun School on January 4th.
Former Ironman Drew Fortescue Drafted 90th by NY Rangers
Former Ironman and 2021 Gordon Cup State Champion, Drew Fortescue has become the first ever Ironman drafted into the NHL. The New York Rangers, traded up one slot with the Pittsburgh Penguins to select Drew with the 90th overall pick in the 3rd round. Prior to being drafted, Drew spent two years playing on the USA National Team Development Program which most recently won the Gold Medal at 2023 U18 World Championship.
Drew will be attending and playing his college hockey at perennial Hockey East powerhouse, Boston College, this coming fall.
Don Bosco Hockey started 2023 right where 2022 ended, notching back to back wins and capturing the Harry Rulon Miller Tournament for the second time. Despite the start of the season being pushed back this year by the NJSIAA, the Ironmen opened up with three straight wins, defeating Seton Hall Prep, St Peter’s Prep and Pope John. Following the three in state wins, the Ironmen then made their annual trip up to Boston to take on Xaverian Brothers and BC High.
The first matchup against Xaverian Brothers, took place at famed Matthews Arena on the campus of Northeastern. Junior goaltender, James Tarabocchia (1.00 GA, 96.5%) stole the show, putting up a 38 save shutout against #8 Xaverian, while Junior defenseman, Luca Chiaese (2g, 7a) scored the games only goal to give DBP a 1-0 win. In the second matchup, Bosco took on #3 BC High at Babson. The Ironmen jumped out to a 3-1 lead, with two goals by Junior Captain Dean Toskos (7g, 12a) and one from Senior Captain Ty Oller (9g, 8a), but BC High battled back to tie the game in the final minutes.
Junior Defenseman Luca Chiaese
As 2022 began to wind down, Bosco continued its hot play, notching three more Gordon Conference wins, defeating Gloucester Catholic 5-1 and Bergen Catholic twice in two days. Following the New Years break, Don Bosco faced off against the HRM tournament host and Gordon Conference opponent Princeton Day. Once again, Bosco jumped out to a lead on goals by Toskos, two by Oller and Freshman Ryan Murphy notched his first varsity goal in a 4-2 win. The following day, DBP took on Lawrenceville School for the HRM title. In what proved to be a back and forth affair, Bosco had a 2-1 lead through two periods, but allowed the equalizer in the third. As the game went into OT, the Ironmen capitalized on a power play opportunity and once again, Senior Ty Oller delivered the game winner.
