2005 All-Area Teams (Delco)

To say that Frank Cross of Cardinal O’Hara (1) works hard would be a grievous understatement. The Lions junior forward maintains a tireless work ethic on and off the ice, which is a big part of the reason Cross was selected as the Daily Times Hockey Player of the Year for the 2004-05 season. Cross is joined on the All-Delco team by O’Hara teammates Mike Cauley and Ryan Klingensmith, along with Archbishop Carroll’s Shane Aldinger and Greg Manz, Monsignor Bonner’s Jim Lutz, Upper Darby’s Andrew Milicia, and Haverford High’s John Povey. The All-Delco team is comprised of the top eight players, regardless of position, in Delaware County this season. The All-Delco team was selected after close consultation with county coaches and league personnel. The basis for selections was how each individual performed for his high school team and the worth of each player to his respective team. Statistics, while considered, were not the final decision-maker for selections. Cross proved that positive results can happen to those who persevere. He was the one player, most everyone agreed, who stood out this season in the county. “As a freshman, he played on the varsity (II) team, and he could have probably played on our team, but he was able to get more playing time there, and he has kept on developing since then,” said Lions coach Bill Swahl. “He has great drive and always wants to get better. “He was always a fast skater, but now he’s worked harder to get faster. He was always a good goal-scorer, and now he’s getting big goals at key times for us. He just keeps on improving and keeps on developing.” Cross, who was a part-time varsity player as a freshman and received honorable mention All-Delco as a sophomore, had the best season of any player on the county’s best team. Cross scored 25 goals and had 13 assists in 20 games for the Lions, who played in the AAA Elite Division and were also the EHSHL AAA champions. “Frank was

outstanding for us this year,” said Swahl. “He gives our team a boost every time that he moves his feet. “If the team is ever in a lull, he gets them going, whether it’s by scoring or making a hit, or creating offense for someone else. He’s a great player and a fun kid to have on the team.” Cross realizes his teammates had a lot to do with his success. “This year we had some players transfer in from other schools in Mac Winchester, Tom Newman, and Mike Cenisio, and they helped open things up for us,” said Cross, who teamed with Cauley and Cenisio to make up one of the area’s top lines. Cross also acknowledges that a big part of his accomplishments was due to the fine play of Cauley, now a two-time All-Delco forward. The duo has become accustomed to playing together throughout their time at O’Hara and also playing for the Little Flyers Midget 16-year-old team. “I’ve basically been with Cauley since I started playing,” said Cross, who began playing hockey as a 10-year-old at THL in Springfield. “Our first year, we were playing against each other, and we were the leading scorers in the league. “The next year, he asked me to play with him for Ridley (club), and we’ve been playing together ever since. It’s been about six or seven years now, and we have a feel for each other when we are out on the ice. It’s so much easier when you play with a kid like that. You always know where he is and that he is going to do something good with the puck. Basically, all of my goals come from him, and all of his goals come from me.” While playing with excellent teammates has been a big advantage, Cross has also put in his fair share of hard work to achieve success. “Over the summer, I did the Jim Watson (camp) at IceWorks that focused on a lot of training and stick-handling,” said Cross. “I think that helped me out a lot. “During my freshman and sophomore years I worked a lot on stick-handling and that is one “During my freshman and sophomore years, I worked a lot on

stick-handling, and that is one thing that I have definitely gotten better at. It’s helped me get better overall as a player.” Cross also credits the Lions coaching staff with pushing him to take his game to the next level. “Coach Swahl has really pushed me this year,” said Cross.

“He’s put me on the power play, penalty-kill, double-shifted me, he’s really worked me hard and wants me to keep improving.” No doubt Cross will carry that same work ethic and attitude into the offseason and return next season to provide a strong foundation with fellow All-Delco selections Cauley and Ryan Klingensmith, and second-team members Tom Newman and George Melanchuk to make the Lions a Flyers Cup favorite next season.