Brick Twp. hockey looking to build upon last year's success
BY WAYNE WITKOWSKI Staff Writer
Brick Township's hockey team, coming off a 14-8-2 season and its first NJSIAA tournament appearance in three years, began practice last week as it prepares for next Saturday's opener against Morris Knolls.

"Everybody's enthusiastic. We have hard work ahead and we'll see how the boys push themselves," said Bob Auriemma, who has coached the team for more than 40 years. "They've been preparing on club teams and have been weightlifting, which is good but you have to be able to perform on the ice."

Leading a large group of returnees is senior forward Matt Dornacker, who scored 10 goals and had seven assists, and senior defenseman Ken Bogert, who had three goals and three assists. Sophomore Patrick Kearns, another leading defenseman who must help fill the void left by the graduation of standout defenseman James Murphy, scored four goals and assisted five others but will be coming out late for the team as he is the placekicker for the football team that still has a Thanksgiving game left against cross-town rival Brick Memorial. Murphy's younger brother, Brian, is a good freshman prospect.

Last year's team finished third in the Shore Conference A South Division in its best season in recent years after struggling in the Gordon Division for many years. It reached the Handchen Cup finals where it lost to Red Bank Catholic and lost in the opening round of the state tournament to Montgomery.

"We have to shoot harder and be able to pass much more efficiently," said Auriemma, an aspect of the game that he has stressed throughout his coaching career by saying, "You can't outskate a pass."

"I see things that are glaring that we need to improve," said Auriemma.

But Auriemma has the experienced personnel who can tackle it with seniors Jesse Halleck, a forward; Ryan Martin, a defenseman and Bob Koste, who can play both positions. Pete Savage, a senior, may be moved from defense to forward. Another leading senior, Jim Whalen, is out indefinitely with a broken collarbone.

Forwards Ryan Graf and Connor Noonan and defenseman Mike Auriemma (the coach's grandson) are joined by fellow junior Mike Lantieri, up from the junior varsity, who draws on ample club experience. Sophomore Matt Gumina, whose older brother, Mike, was a standout player last season before graduating, is looking to play an even bigger role this year.

Other young players who are expected to make an impact this year are Tyler Martin, Austin Blanco, Tom Reinstetler and Brendan Dowd, nephew of former Brick Township star player and NHL veteran James Dowd, who retired after 14 seasons. Auriemma said he isn't sure what roles they will play and may be moving some players around as practices continue in order to find the right combinations.