DELBARTON GREEN WAVE
Head coach: Bruce Shatel, 24th season (495-89-45 career record)
Division: Gordon Conference-American Division
Last year: Delbarton finished 17-7 overall with a 6-4 mark in the Gordon-American. It reached the Gordon Cup final, where it fell, 4-2 to Don Bosco Prep. In the state tournament, it made the Non-Public semifinals, where it fell, 4-2, to eventual state champion St. Augustine.
Key losses: Delbarton graduated its top player in First Team All-State forward Max Pendy (26 g., 25 a.). He is playing for the Coquitlam Express of the BCHL this year, and will play for Princeton University next winter.
It also graduated defenseman Michael Padula (1 g., 8 a.) along with forwards John Good (1 g., 13 a.) and Michael Good (5 g., 8 a.). In addition, it lost Liam Donnelly (14 g., 17 a.) who was due to be a junior this year, as he transferred to Avon Old Farms Prep in Connecticut.
Forwards: After graduating a standout in Pendy and losing a key player in Donnelly, Delbarton will turn to junior Egor Andreev (15 g., 13 a.) and senior Dante Rodriguez (11 g., 23 a.) to lead the way up front. Junior Aidan Pasic (6 g., 15 a.), senior Jack Gerne (7 g., 13 a.) and senior Jack Ross (10 g., 16 a.) will also have big roles this year. In addition, the Green Wave added transfer Tommy Keough, who played at Bergen Catholic last winter and recorded four goals and four assists.
Defense: Delbarton will be led by a group of four defensemen returning from last season. Sophomore Sean O’Gwen (1 g., 4 a.), junior Matteo Conte (1 g., 3 a.), sophomore Matt Peng (2 g., 4 a.), and senior Peter Goffredo (1 g., 4 a.) will all be back this year.
Goaltending: Senior George Cote had a breakout season last winter, posting a .918 save percentage with three shutouts in 18 games for the Green Wave, and figures to be in line for another big year. Junior Cooper Ranawat also had a solid showing last year with an .897 save percentage and will see some time this year as well.
Outlook: Delbarton has long been one of the most storied programs in the state of New Jersey, but it will have a challenge in front of it this winter after graduating a top-tier player in Pendy and losing Liam Donnelly to transfer. Fortunately, as it often does, it has plenty of talent returning that should continue to develop, and if it does, the Green Wave should be in line for another great season. It will have its eyes on winning the Gordon Cup for the second time in three years, and will look to break its six-year state title drought. Expect this team to be right in the mix for both.
Note: Delbarton coach Bruce Shatel stands just five wins away from 500 for his hockey coaching career. Between baseball and hockey, he won his combined 900th career game this past spring.
E-mail Mike Gurnis at michaelgurnis@gmail.com
Morris-Sussex Hockey Report 