PARK REGIONAL (Hanover Park/Whippany Park)
Head coach: Tom Levis, 30th season
Division: MCSSIHL-Halvorsen
Last year: Park Regional went through an up-and-down 2023-24 season, in which it finished 11-11 overall with a 4-7 mark in the Haas division. It fell, 7-4 to West Morris in the Haas Cup semifinals, before reaching the Public Co-op first round, where it fell to Pascack Valley-Hills.
Key losses: Park Regional graduated just two players from last year’s team- Patrick Mulligan and Ryan Munsey. Mulligan had a goal and five assists in his senior season.
Forwards: This team has a group of forwards who are not just immensely talented, but also young. Juniors Michael Capozzi (23 g,. 21 a., First Team All-Haas) and Chase Olszewski (27 g., 15 a., Second Team All-Haas) have been outstanding in their first two years of high school hockey and figure to continue to improve. Senior Matt McDermott (14 g., 16 a.) and junior Colin Mulooly (12 g., 13 a.) are also key pieces who are talented and experienced.
Defense: Park Regional will also be able to lean on a group of experienced defensemen, led by senior Nick Monaco (6 g., 7 a.). Junior Andrew Steinberg (2 g., 10 a.), junior Giovanni Bruno (3 g., 5 a.), and sophomore Frankie Scrocco (3 g., 5 a.) all have shown strong two-way ability early on in their careers.
Goaltending: Senior Dylan Marion figures to be the starter once again this year after posting an .859 save percentage in 18 games last year. Senior Anthony Perrello should also play a role in the crease as well this season.
Outlook: Park Regional finds itself in the Halvorsen Division for the first time in seemingly forever after spending many years in the Haas, thanks to the re-alignment of the MCSSIHL to three divisions this year. There will be some familiar faces, with Park being one of four Haas teams from last year in this division. That should make for an interesting season in this division, and with the team Park has coming back, this team has the potential to seriously challenge for the Halvorsen Cup. It has plenty of talent and experience, several different scoring options, and steady goaltending. That’s a combination that should lead to a lot of wins this year in the team’s first year in the Halvorsen.
E-mail Mike Gurnis at michaelgurnis@gmail.com
Morris-Sussex Hockey Report 