Leaders unclear at Williamsville East
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Williamsville East comes into the 2007-08 hockey season with a lot of uncertainty.

The Flames graduated several players who had key roles last year, including a lot of scoring punch at forward with Anthony Clair, Eric Charlton, Kyle Smith, Chris Fabozzi and Spencer Barrett and leadership from defenseman Andrew Ross. Clair and Ross were all-state honorable mentions. Ross was a Section VI Western New York Varsity Hockey Federation Second Team all-league selection; Clair and Smith were Small School division all-stars.

"We have a lot of guys back who are somewhat unproven to the (Western New York Varsity Hockey) Federation," said East coach Mike Torrillo. "We're looking for seniors to step up and take charge of the team."

Returning forwards include seniors Eric Bogart (6-foot-3, 190 pounds), Max Kweller, Colin Lucey, John Gambacorta, Gary Styn, Justin Floss and Mike Esposito and junior Mike DeStephano.

Torrillo is hoping seniors Kyle Murray and Dan Tyx and junior Max Fogel, three more returning players, can provide leadership at defense.

Senior goalkeepers Matt Bradley and Jay Hall also return. Hall and Bradley were fourth (.916) and sixth (.907), respectively, in save percentage in the Federation last year.

"It's one of the most important spots on the team," said Torrillo. "They'll push each other."

Torrillo is also excited about sophomore forwards Eric Esposito, James Faran, Joey Cantafio and sophomore defender Ted Tetrault. Senior defender Austin Barnett also returns after a two-year hiatus. Six-foot-4 304-pound Tyler Durinka could be a force in front of the opposing net.

Torrillo is comfortable with his team depth.

"I feel comfortable with all four lines," said Torrillo. "Defensively, have enough experience back. And we're excited about our goaltending."

For his team to have success, Torrillo feels they will have to outwork other teams.

"We can't go to sleep in our defensive zone," said Torrillo. "If we take care of that and capitalize on our chances, we should be in every game."

East finished 16-7-3 last year and 10-4-2 in league play. Their season ended with a 3-1 loss to Lancaster in the second round of the Federation playoffs.

Torrillo expects his team to be in the mix at the end of the year.

"It's going to be how well we play as a team," said Torrillo.

East is 1-0-1 (see other East story).
East 2007 Schedule
12-6 Amherst (Feature) ... 9 p.m.
12-8 North (Olympic)....... 5 p.m.
12-13 Lancaster (Olympic) 9 p.m.
12-14 South Tournament vs.
Clarence (Feature)........... 7 p.m.
12-15 South Tournament vs.
Glens Falls (Feature)....... 1 p.m.

12-16 Sweet Home (Buffalo State
College) .............................. 5 p.m.
12-20 South (Feature)...... 7 p.m.
12-21 at Batavia Tournament vs.
Frontier .............................. 6 p.m.
12-22 at Batavia Tournament vs.
New Hartford or Batavia 1 p.m.
12-27 Bishop Timon-St. Jude
(Olympic) ........................... 7 p.m.
12-29 Ken. East (Feature)........ 1
p.m.
1-5 at Webster-Schroeder (Webster)
...................................... noon
1-10 Sweet Home (Feature) .... 9
p.m.
1-12 Ken. East (Feature). 1 p.m.
1-17 Bishop Timon St. Jude
(Olympic) ........................... 7 p.m.
1-19 Orchard Park (Feature)... 1
p.m.
1-21 Amherst (Feature) ... 3 p.m.
1-24 St. Francis (Olympic) 9 p.m.
1-26 Niagara Falls (Feature) 3 p.m.
1-31 Niagara Falls (Feature) 9 p.m.
2-6 South (Olympic)......... 7 p.m.
2-11 St. Francis (Rink No. 2) 3:30
p.m.
* All games are played at the
Amherst Pepsi Center's Feature,
Olympic unless otherwise noted.
e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com