CHS Ice Hockey has a long tradition dating back to our 1974-1975 inaugural season. Since inception CHS Ice Hockey is the only program in the state to win state championships in all three Divisions (1, 2 and 3)
Thank you to Brendan Kelly for capturing the historic state championship from this past season. Video can be viewed at:
Message from Tom Manning with Best Buddies:
Good evening, Coach,
I wanted to drop you a quick email to tell you how magnificent your team was with the Best Buddies Floor Hockey clinic. As a teacher and the parent of a son with special needs, there aren't words to adequately describe how spectacular today's event was, and how proud I am to have these student athletes in our midst. It was fun, energetic, raucous, and lively, which are all the things we love about Best Buddies and hockey at their best:)
I am so proud to have been a part of this and humbled and thrilled by their enthusiasm. Please share this with anyone who knows these layers because they are absolute superstars.
Be well,
Tom Manning
Ladies & Gentlemen, tonight we welcome all as Cheshire celebrates OUR HOCKEY HISTORY
Over 50 years, we have amassed a record of 579 wins, 429 losses and 31 ties
Cheshire is the only team in the state to win a State Championship at Division 1, 2 and 3 with appearances in 22 State Playoffs and 8 SCC finals
50 years of Cheshire High School hockey would never have happened without the first organized club hockey team in 1970-71. This team laid the foundation for the first varsity team in 1974-75.
FIRST Organized Club team
Representing our first organized Club team… We recognize the founder of Cheshire Hockey and first coach Dean Hodgson: Dean’s son, Chris and daughter, Leigh Nesdale couldn’t not make it tonight. Dean’s grandson, Jake Nesdale, was on the 2011 Championship Team.
Team member(s):
Frank Salvatore (Frank’s son, Mike went on to captain the 2003 team)
Paul Bowman
SUPPORTERS
There are so many people who have contributed to the success of our program. Please welcome:
- Bob Bush – Owner of Cheshire Sports…..50 year supporter and supplier of Cheshire hockey (B-day 1/21)
- Representing Cheshire Athletic Department:
• Steve Trifone – Athletic Director for 19 years
• John Perisino – Current Athletic Director
- Jeff Solan – Former CHS Principal and current Superintendent
- Greg Lederer – best sports reporter EVER!!
- Mark Malloy – Former game announcer (son Bert – former captain)
- Scott Duff – Former videographer
- Paul Killea – Current videographer (son Liam – former Asst captain)
- Former Parent Assoc treasurers – Rich Ferraro & Ralph Larson
- …and countless team managers!!
- And a big round of applause especially for the organizers of tonight’s program!!
“THANK YOU” TO OUR COUNTLESS SUPPORTERS and PARENTS OVER THE YEARS !!!!
HEAD COACHES
Please join us in recognizing our 10 head coaches:
- Representing our first varsity coach, Steve Mrowka, are his family members: son Bill Mrowka and granddaughter Kate Courto.
Steve coached the Rams for 5 seasons and led them to their Division 1 State Championship over FFLD PREP as well as three other Finals appearances.
- Unable to attend this evening; Tony Catapano. Tony served 2 seasons as head coach
- Representing Jack Guetens is his son John Guetens. Jack was behind the bench for 5 seasons.
- Current Hamden High School Head Coach, Billy Reynolds led the Rams for 4 seasons
- Herb Fay - The longest serving head coach at 11 years for 233 games and with the most wins (132) and two Finals appearances.
- Jeff Owens led the Rams for one season after assisting Herb for 8 seasons.
- Head coach of the Rams for 3 season; Will McPhee
- A 9-year head coach, 3-time state champion – Jim Riccittelli
- Current Xavier High School Head Coach, cannot attend due to a game. 4 years behind the bench, Karl Sundquist.
- Currently in his 9th season as head coach and 13th overall with the program, Anthony “Juice” Giusto
A BIG “THANK YOU” TO ALL COACHES FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND GUIDANCE THROUGHOUT OUR 50 YEARS !!!!!
100 POINT SCORERS
Over 50 years, only 13 members of Cheshire HS Ice Hockey have reached the 100-point plateau. We recognize our Century Point Club:
- Gary Blandy – unable to attend
- John Cerotti
- Mike Devine
- Greg Kampf
- Brian Leetch – unable to attend
- Steve Mrowka – represented by brother, Bill & neice, Kate Courto
- Jamie Riccitelli
- Jed Richards – unable to attend
- Greg Schena – represented by his mother Mary Ellen Schena
- Jim Toomey
- Curt Voegeli – unable to attend
- Alex Watts – unable to attend
- Our all-time leading scorer with 175 points: Rick Fitzgerald
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 100 POINT MEMBERS !!!!!
NOW BACK FOR THEIR 50th Reunion!!!
Cheshire’s 1974-75 FIRST VARSITY TEAM
Please welcome members from our first Varsity team 1974-75:
- Mike Devitt
- Bob Erickson (goalie)
- Rich Nesbitt (A. Capt)
- Jay Martha
- First goal scorer and following yr’s Captain: Larry “The Rock” Richard
- Our first captain: Keith Erickson
Players that could not attend:
• John Drury
• Mark Fournier
• Dan Gallagher
• Ed Harrison
• Tom Kramer
• Jim Messer
• Philip Miller
• George Smith
• Bill Stakosch
• Bob Upton
• Charles Welton
• Frank Welton
• Michal West
• TRAINERS: Joe Kowalski & Pete Shugrue
Members of our first team that have passed away
• Neil Ferguson
• Curt Smith
Next up our - STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS
1977-1978 Division 1 State Champions (over FFLD Prep)
Team Members:
Jim Bowman Rich Bush
John Cerrotti Brian Doherty
Carl Drury Mike Festa
Mike Fitzgerald Rick Fitzgerald (Capt)
Kent Foster Scott Hume
Joe Kowalski John Martha
Mike O’Halloran (deceased) Dave Peterson
Steve Peterson Greg Polansky (deceased)
Curt Smith Jim Toomey
Curt Voegeli (Capt) (not attending) Mark Wieduwilt
Steve Williams Jeff Wood
Coaches: HC: Steve Mrowka, AC: Jim Toomey
2005-2006 Division 3 State Champions (Over Newington)
Team Members:
Tyler Arpin Mike Barillaro (Capt)
Josh Barez (deceased) Ryan Carbone
Steven Carlette Alan Dagesse
George Donnarumma Rick Duchette
James Esposito Steven Farrel
Bubba Fischer Alex Garcia
Logan Gibbs (Capt) Ryan Hanley
Matt Larson Tyler Martone
Dan Mazzacane Dennis McSherry
Cully Naramore Michael Norwid
Eric Olander Joe Ortowski
Sean Payne Brent Reihl
Adam Vaughn (Capt) Joe Violano
Coaches: HC: Jim Riccitelli, AC: Pete Simoni
2008-2009 Division 2 State Champions (Over Enfield)
Team Members:
Tyler Arpin (Capt) Tom Bartlett
Trevor Bond Greg Breda
Dave Brzozowski Tyler Carbone
Ryan Carbone John Cunningham
Drew Cunningham Alan Dagesse (Capt)
Mike Devine Will Devine
Mike Digglio George Donnarumma
Matt Dupont Nate Gaudio
Spencer Hackett Ryan Hanley
J.D. Keegan Kyle Murgo
Eric Olander Colby Olin
Ryan Powers Nate Turner
Alex Vendetto Joe Violano
Tyler Violano
Coaches: HC: Jim Riccitelli, AC: Pete Simoni
Managers: Colby Gibbs & Samantha Loignon
2010-2011 Division 2 State Champions (Over Guilford)
Team Members:
Jason Bailin Tom Bartlett
Tyler Carbone Walter Cashore
John Cunningham Joseph D'Errico
Will Devine Matt Dupont (Capt.)
Tom Dupont Spencer Hackett
Jonathan Hauser Trace Lange
Jared Lawson Tyler Lima
Matthew Muzyka Kyle Murgo
Jack Naramore Jake Nesdale
Owen Powers Ryan Powers (Capt.)
Sean Richard Scott Romano
Chris Stevens Kevin Stevens
Joey Solla Nick Vaill
Alex Vendetto Luke Vendetto
Tyler Violano Greg Zovas
Coaches: HC: Jim Riccitelli, AC: Pete Simoni
Managers: Erin Donnarumma & Miranda Garcia
At this time, we would like to welcome all alumni onto the ice for a group photo with our current team.
Thank you to all who have contributed to 50 years of Cheshire High School Hockey
CIAC released a video with Ginny Curello…..Mask for all Seasons. Check it out at the link below:
Captain: Evan Vasiljevs
Assistant Captain: Biagio Pepe Assistant Captain: Drew DePodesta
