Boys’ hockey makes memories on, off ice throughout 2021 season
March 2, 2021
Led by a large group of seniors and strong underclassmen, the boys’ hockey team had a successful, fun and unique season despite COVID restrictions.
The boys finished the season with a record of 5-5-2. Senior Russell Kosovsky is thankful for the memories he made with this one-of-a-kind experience.
“COVID obviously had a huge impact,” Kosovsky said. “There were a lot of things that were disappointing about the season but there were also some unique things that came from it. We were not allowed to get dressed in the building so we all had to get dressed out in the parking lot in the cold of January. It wasn’t all so bad though because we had some killer snowball fights. I think none of us knew if we were even going to be able to play at all so we were all grateful for any sort of season.”
According to Kosovsky, senior co-captains defenseman Jack Shemligan and goalie Jack Blair led the team both on and off the ice.
“Jack Shemligan and [senior] Greg Grimaldi stood on their toes all season holding us together in the defensive zone,” Kosovsky said. “Jack Blair made a lot of crucial saves that swung the momentum in our direction.”
According to Blair, the team’s six seniors (Blair, Shemligan, Grimaldi, Kosovsky, Henry Antino and Nate Gallagher) stood out the most this season. Antino made a large impact on the offensive end.
“[Antino] had been a four year varsity player that really dominated the league this year,” Shemligan said.
There were also underclassmen on the team that showed positive potential for upcoming years.
“A lot of guys developed their game over the course of the season and the team should be good next year,” Antino said.
Shemligan agrees that the team is in good hands both offensively and defensively.
“[Sophomore] forward Andrew Hodge has stepped up and put some pucks in the net despite being a younger player on an older team and [junior] defenseman Sam Salvi has developed into a great player that is going to be able to lead the defense next season,” Shemligan said.
Due to COVID, fans were not allowed to attend any games this season, besides the boys’ senior night.
“The highlight of the season, for me, was senior night,” Shemligan said. “The parents really went all out in planning a great celebration and setting up the rink. This was also the only game the parents could attend which made it all the better during a year like this.”
Overall, seniors on the boys’ hockey team made the most of their season and are going to miss their teammates they like to call ‘family.’
“I am definitely going to miss the memories I made while playing Algonquin hockey. Our team was like a family, the tightest group of guys I’ve ever been around,” Blair said. “All the pasta parties, hangouts and being in the ice everyday is what I am going to miss most.”
“I’m gonna miss playing with my brothers every day and messing around at pasta parties,” Kosovsky said. “I’m gonna miss rolling out of bed at 5 AM to get on the first sheet of ice with the fellas. I’m going to miss it all.”
Antino will also miss his teammates and the lively atmosphere at a hockey rink.
“The brotherhood between teammates is what I’ll miss most. Spending time with my boys after practices and games and just being a part of something bigger than myself is something I’ll never forget,” Antino said. “Also playing for a packed crowd is something I’ll never forget because T-Hawk nation really are some of the best fans around.”
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Geraldine Dalton • Apr 7, 2021 at 1:51 pm
Very nice write up about the boys’ hockey season. It was great that so many in the team were quoted in the piece.
Our grandson is one of the graduating seniors and we’re very grateful he could play in senior year. He’ll have lots of happy memories to enjoy through life.