N.J. High School hockey championships

Monday March 31, 2008 @ 07:58 PM EDT

Prior to diving into all the pomp and circumstance that is the NHL playoffs, there’s just one item of business I’d like to touch upon as a big time fan of high school ice hockey in the Garden State – the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association/Devils high school championship games held March 22 at Prudential Center in Newark.

Congratulations to all the teams and their coaching staffs for reaching the Big House!

As usual, the ice hockey scribes at Dorf Feature Service in Mountainside, which provides much of the high school content within The Newark Star-Ledger, did a fabulous job in relaying all the pertinent information leading up to and including the three championship games. That staff included Paul Bruno, Gerry Davidove, Jeff Karn and J.C. Hageny. The attendance for all three finals was 8,248.

The two high school players performing in the championship games, whose last names may sound a bit familiar, were Delbarton School’s Alex Velischek and Ridge High School’s Chris Mullen.

Velischek, a senior who will follow in the footsteps of father, Randy, and continue his career at Providence College next fall, was a key defensive cog in Delbarton’s 5-1 victory over St. Augustine Prep of Richland, N.J. in the non-public tournament final. The triumph gave Delbarton, winner of three non-public school titles, a record of 27-1-1 and set a new state record for most victories in a season. Delbarton goalie Michael Infante halted 21 shots to finish the season 22-1-1 with a stingy 1.20 goals-against average.

Delbarton spotted St. Augustine, the 2006-07 non-public champion, a 1-0 lead before scoring five unanswered goals. Mike Smigelski scored a pair of goals and Andy Bell had a goal and two assists to lead the Delbarton of Morristown offensive attack.

``It doesn’t matt who puts them in, but getting two goals that quickly (in a span of two minutes) really throws the other team off its game,’’ Smigelski told The Star-Ledger’s Paul Bruno. ``We’ve got 27 wins now, so I guess there is no denying we’re one of the best teams ever. I think we have to be thought of as one of the best. We had a super season.’’

The win was vindication of sorts for Delbarton, which dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to St. Augustine in last season’s non-public schools semifinal round. Delbarton, coached by Bruce Shatel, finished the season with 24 straight victories while extending its unbeaten streak to 25 games. Congratulations to Shatel, his entire coaching staff and players.

In the Public A tournament finale, Ridge, coached by Tim Mullin, scored a decisive 5-0 victory over Watchung Hills of Warren to garner it’s first state championship. It has been a long time coming for Mullin and his charges, as the team has always come close only to be eliminated in the later rounds. Despite that, Mullin, this season’s NJ High School Coach of the Year, was a complete gentleman and always gave the opposition full credit, which is something I’ll always remember about him.

Leading the way for Ridge was senior Keith Macey, who contributed a goal and one assist while Adam Borchering and Bill Higley combined for the shutout with 22 saves.

Ridge freshman Chris Mullen is the son of Brian Mullen, who played in 832 games over 11 seasons in the NHL. Father Mullen also coached several of the Ridge players as bantams and was in attendance for his son’s victory at the Pru Center. Ridge, which finished the season with a 24-4 mark, held a 19-8 shot advantage through two periods and was able to limit Watchung’s potent duo of Alex Kong and Mike Lundberg, who entered the game with a combined 71 goals.

``In our first meeting we had trouble shutting down Kong and Lundberg,’’ Macey told The Star-Ledger’s Gerry Davidove. ``We talked about it and focused on them this time. We just tried to keep the puck away from them.’’ That’s precisely what happened.

In the Public B state final, brothers Mike and Pete Crampton and cousin, Tom Mongelli, aka `The Family Line’, combined for four goals at surprising Kinnelon earned its first state title with a 5-1 verdict over Jefferson.

``This is the greatest moment in my life and I can’t even describe it,’’ Mike Crampton told The Star-Ledger’s J.C. Hageny. ``There are no words. I’m speechless. I couldn’t go to sleep fast enough and get to the rink quick enough on game day. Ever since we were mites, this has been a dream of ours. It’s every kid’s dream to make it here and I told the boys, `We’re going to get there, we’re going to make it.’ We did and won it.’’

Again, I’d like to congratulate the three champions and the runner-ups. It was a remarkable accomplishment in reaching the Pru Center and you all deserve a standing ovation. Enjoy the conclusion of the NHL season and the playoffs and to those preparing for graduation, good luck.

The 2007-08 N.J. All State Hockey Teams (The Star-Ledger)
G – Michael Infante, Delbarton
D – Mike Zuppe, Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft
D – Alex Velischek, Delbarton
F – Ryan Mara, St. Augustine Prep
F – Charles Nerbak, Delbarton (State Player of the Year headed to Middlebury College, Vt.)
F – Keith Macey, Ridge

Second Team
G – Tyler Jackson, Christian Brothers
D – Sean Magrann, St. Augustine Prep
D – Thad Williams, Delbarton
F – Chris Preziosi, Seton Hall Prep
F – Zach Stern, St. Augustine
F – Kenny Agostino, Delbarton

Third Team
G – George Huber, Kinnelon
D – Bill Foard, Ridge
D – Trevor van Riemsdyk, Christian Brothers (Brother of James van Riemsdyk)
F – Justin Decowski, Steiner (Hamilton East)
F – Alex Kong, Watchung Hills
F – Dan Weiniger, Pingry, Martinsville, NJ

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