Another state hockey title in North's plans
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

The Williamsville North hockey team's goal every year is to win a New York State title. Coach Bob Rosen makes this clear to his players at the beginning of every season.

"We ask them 'are you willing to put in the work and effort necessary to get to that point?" Rosen said. "If they say yes, then we treat the season that way. That haven't said no yet.'"

With three New York State Division I titles in the last five years and four Section VI Western New York Varsity Hockey Federation titles as well as being ranked in the top ten among public high schools in the state over the last 11 years on its resume, there's no denying the Spartans' winning longevity.

Back for another state title run are ten senior forwards, including captain Ryan Geary, Justin Kochan and Pat Mulvihill, who is recovering from a back injury.

Geary, returning co-New York State Player of the Year, enters his final high school season 15 points behind North's all-time leading scorer in league play, Vincent Amigone, with 68 points. Last season, Geary finished fourth on North in scoring with 23 goals and 17 assists. He was also on the Western Region's Empire State Games squad.

Kochan and Mulvihill were tied for the team lead with 42 points. Kochan is a returning All-State Second Team selection. His 19 league goals last year were four shy of breaking the North single-season record of 22 held by Amigone and 2006 graduate Kenny Joseph.

"They bring a tremendous amount of speed, talent, and a desire to compete and be the best person on the ice," said Rosen. "The attitude they bring to practice is huge. They come and compete hard. When they came in as freshman, they saw other kids doing that and they've carried that tradition of hard work in practice through the four years they've (Kochan and Geary, Mulvihill on team since last year) been there. That's been a big part of our success."

Rosen said Geary, Kochan and Mulvihill are each different types of players.

"Justin has the best shot of the three but all have a strong tendency to put the puck into the net," said Rosen. "They bring a lot to the table. Those certainly are our team leaders."

Other North forwards Rosen is looking at to contribute are senior Tom Goehrig, a hard-worker and good penalty killer, senior Dan Conover, junior Josh Little, sophomore Nick Angelo and up from JV, sophomores, Cam Sroda and Mark Kadish.

Juniors Jake Newton, who emerged last year as one of the team's best penalty killers, Kyle Agius and Mark Smith and sophomores Nick Fronczak and Mark Capenhurst, and Grant Rickan, comprise a young North defense. North had four senior defenseman last season.

"If you look through the years, a lot of the kids who've played Division I hockey on scholarship from our team were defenseman so there is a slight drop off (this season)," said Rosen.

In net will be sophomore Brandon Komm, younger brother of Jorden Komm, who graduated in June. Brandon started last year on North's JV Federation championship team.

"He's technically very good and has a tremendous work ethic," said Rosen. "He practiced a lot with us last year. There were days when he was the best player on the ice as a freshman. This year, I think the biggest difference from last year to this year is consistency."

Rosen, assisted by Dan Mancuso, Tim DiGiulio, John Burns, Tim Smallwood and goalie coach Brian Willison, said the team has worked hard in the offseason from attending camps and dry land conditioning.

North finished 25-3 last season. Rosen said Orchard Park, Lancaster and Kenmore West all are teams who should be tough. OP's inclusion into the Federation makes the league schedule unbalanced; therefore, all large school games will count towards state qualifying purposes.

North 2006-07 Schedule 12-7 Lancaster............... 9 p.m. (Olympic) 12-9 vs. Shenendehowa at Shenendehowa Tourn. ................................................ 2 p.m. 12-10 vs. Troy-LaSalle at at Shenendehowa Tourn ................................................ 11 a.m. 12-14 Ken. West............... 7 p.m. (Feature) 12-15 Williamsville South Booster Club Tourn. vs. Penfield ........ 9 p.m. (Feature) 12-16 Williamsville South Booster Club Tourn. vs. Seton Catholic . 3 p.m. . (Feature) 12-21 St. Joe's................. 7 p.m. (Feature) 12-23 Frontier................. 1 p.m. (Feature) 12-27 vs. Clinton at Morrisville Tourn 7:30 p.m. 12-28 at Morrisville Tourn................. TBA 12-31 Orchard Park 11:50 a.m. (Feature) 1-4 Canisius .................... 9 p.m. (Feature) 1-6 Frontier.................... 5 p.m. (Olympic) 1-13 Ken. West .............. 3 p.m. (Olympic) 1-18 St. Joe's................... 7 p.m. (Feature) 1-20 Canisius .................. 1 p.m. (Feature) 1-25 Lancaster................. 7 p.m. Olympic) 1-27 East ......................... 1 p.m. (Feature) 2-1 Timon........................ 9 p.m. (Feature) 2-3 Amherst ................... 3 p.m. (Olympic) 2-8 South......................... 7 p.m. (Feature) *All games are played at the Amherst Pepsi Center unless otherwise noted.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com