Author Archives: mikegurnis

DELBARTON GREEN WAVE Head coach: Bruce Shatel, 20th season. 435-68-41 career record. Division: Gordon Conference Last year: Delbarton went through an uncharacteristically down year in 2019-20, as a young roster finished with a 10-10-3 overall record. It lost to Gloucester Catholic in the first round of the Gordon Cup, before falling once again to thatContinue reading “Delbarton 2021 preview: Green Wave look to bounce back”

I’m happy to announce the start of the Morris-Sussex Hockey Report podcast! Each week, we’ll recap the previous week and look ahead to the following week, plus go over any major storylines. For the first episode, I discussed the upcoming season- specifically, the COVID-19 disruption at Morristown-Beard, playing games in front of no fans. Then,Continue reading “Listen to the Morris Sussex Hockey Report podcast!”

KINNELON-SPARTA-JEFFERSON (KSJ UNITED) Coach: Jeff Myhren, 16th year coaching Kinnelon. 167-139-36 career record. Division: Halvorsen Last year: This is the first year of the new KSJ United tri-op. Last year, as separate programs, Sparta-Jefferson and Kinnelon finished fifth and sixth in the Halvorsen Division, respectively. Kinnelon finished 2-13-3, while Sparta-Jefferson finished 4-12-3. Key losses: LoganContinue reading “Kinnelon-Sparta-Jefferson 2021 preview: How will new tri-op fare?”

RANDOLPH RAMS Head coach: Rich McLaughlin, 30th year (28th year at Randolph). 440-176-66 career record at Randolph, 458-188-68 overall record. Division: Mennen Last year: Randolph won the program’s ninth state title and first since 2015 with an overtime win over Ridge in the Public B title game. It finished with an impressive 21-3-4 overall record,Continue reading “Randolph 2021 preview: Reigning champs must replace key scorers”

By Mike Gurnis One of the top hockey programs in the Morris-Sussex area will not be starting the 2021 season as originally scheduled due to COVID-19 related concerns. According to the school’s website, Morristown-Beard will begin a two-week distance learning period on Monday, which is expected to last for two weeks until Monday, Jan. 25Continue reading “Morristown-Beard season-opener on hold”

POPE JOHN LIONS Head coach: Ryan Brown, 14th year. 174-105-33 career record. Division: Gordon Conference Last year: Pope John finished with a 6-18-1 overall record, and saw its season end in the quarterfinals of both the Gordon Cup and the Non-Public state tournament. Key losses: Alex Blaszak, F. This year’s squad: Pope John will lookContinue reading “Pope John 2021 preview: Young Lions look to be competitive in Gordon Conference”

MENDHAM MINUTEMEN Head coach: John Kovacs, 25th year (34th overall). 255-246-43 career record at Mendham, 369-318-52 overall record between Mendham and Morris Knolls. Division: Halvorsen Last year: Mendham claimed the Halvorsen Cup, becoming the first team to win the Haas Cup and Halvorsen Cup in consecutive years. It finished with a 13-7-5 overall record andContinue reading “Mendham 2021 preview: Can juniors claim the three-peat?”

WEST MORRIS WOLFPACK Head coach: Phil Togno, fifth season. 31-52-8 record at West Morris, 123-142-17 overall career record. Division: Haas Last year: West Morris went through an up-and-down season in 2019-20, as it finished with a 10-12-2 record. Its season came to an end at the hands of Gill St. Bernard’s in the first roundContinue reading “West Morris 2021 preview: Patience key for young roster”

GILL ST. BERNARD’S KNIGHTS Head coach: Co-coaches Greg DaSilva and Chris Wiggins are entering their fifth season of leading this program, with a record of 23-43-9. Division: Haas Last season: The Knights experienced their best season in program history last winter, as it finished with a 13-6-3 overall record. It reached the Haas Cup finalContinue reading “Gill St. Bernard’s 2021 preview: Knights look to continue upward trend”

ROXBURY GAELS Head coach: Jon Benbow, 17th year Division: Halvorsen Last year: Roxbury experienced a resurgence in 2019-20 after a couple of down years, and took home the regular season Halvorsen title. It reached the Halvorsen Cup final, where it was upset by Mendham in the final. It finished with a 13-10-2 overall record andContinue reading “Roxbury 2021 preview: Seniors key for Gaels’ cup hopes”