Mike Richter from Germantown Academy, and Vince McNamee from George Washington High School
Mike Richter from Germantown Academy, and Vince McNamee from George Washington High School

April 11, 1983

The highest-scoring player in Southeastern Pennsylvania and the best goaltending prospect to play in this region highlight The Inquirer’s 1983 all-area hockey team. Vince McNamee, who scored 112 goals for George Washington this year, and goalie Michael Richter, who led Germantown Academy to the Flyers Cup for the second straight year while only a sophomore, headline the six-player first team. Defensemen Doug Bowman of West Chester and Joe Modersky of Episcopal Academy, and forwards Bob Lawrence of Bishop Egan and Mike McGregor of Germantown Academy complete the squad.

Named to the second team were goalie Jim Rolston of Conestoga; defensemen Jeff Cook of Cherry Hill East and Rob Schlegel of Germantown Academy, and forwards Brian Rhodes of West Chester, Steve Galizio of Egan and Nick Vasiledes of Haverford. McNamee’s total of 112 goals is recognized as a record for the area. although no official records are kept. The previous recognized standard was the 91 goals scored by Archbishop Carroll’s Scott Chamness in 1979. 1980, McNamee also was credited with 50 assists. While playing at Egan last season. McNamee scored 59 goals perhaps a more impressive number than the 112, since Washington plays in a weak division of the Suburban League and Egan is a Lower Bucks County League power. McNamee also starred for the Little Flyer Juniors, who made the final game of the AHAUS Junior B National tournament last month.

Mike Richter the only SHSHL goalie to play in the NHLRichter, although still young enough, at 15, to play in midget leagues, was talented enough to be a mainstay of the Little Flyer Juniors. For GA, he posted a 2.35 goals-against average in 19 games this season, with one shutout. Richter has been invited to the U.S. Olympic development camp in Colorado Springs the past two summers. He is ranked the No. 1 midget-age goaltender in the United States.

Lawrence led Egan to 25 straight victories this winter before GA broke the streak in the final of the Flyers Cup. He had 121 goals and 104 assists in his four years at Egan, including 30 goals and 25 assists this winter. The lefthander’s picture-per- fect shot is considered the best in this area since Chamness’. MacGregor, a 5-foot-8 center, scored 47 goals and 35 assists in his last season with GA and registered 107 goals and 95 assists in three seasons. Although only a junior, Mac- Gregor will leave GA this spring to attend a boarding school next fall, in order to hone his hockey skills. Modersky was a complete player for Episcopal Academy. The stalwart defender scored 14 goals and added 20 assists. Bowman, only a junior, scored 49 goals and added 46 assists as West Chester enjoyed a 20-victory.
season.

HONORABLE MENTION
Forwards: Ray Alpaugh, Egan: Tony Black, Cherry Hill East; John Brazer, Haverford School: Bob Brody, GA; Mike Byrnes and Rich Byrnes. Bishop Eustace: Chris Checchia, Archbishop Ryan: Dan David, Episcopal: Mark Erbe, Methacton: Tom Gibson, Malvern Prep: John loia, GA: Darrin Johnson, Unionville; Jim Joyce. Swarth- more; Eric Kim, Haverford: Frank Maimone, West Chester: Steve Materazo, Haverford School; Neal McComas, Conestoga: Scott McHugh, Malvern Prep: Joe McKay, Haverford; J. J. Reydel. GA: Ed Romanowski. St. James: John Sheehan, Malvern Prep: Dave Smink, Conestoga: Dan Treinish, Lower Merion: Greg Van Impe, Swarthmore: Ben Wurts, GA.

Defensemen:John Batley, Father Judge: Dave Franke, Springfield (Delco); Mark Gonsalves, Egan: Jim Lane, Bishop Eustace: Mike Leen, Haverford: Tom Mandell, Marple-Newtown; Claus Primaus, Cherry Hill East: Tom Scarpatto, Malvern Prep: John Zeidel. Lower Merion.
Goalies: John Ettore, Malvern Prep: John McGuire, La Salle; John Perri, West Catholic.

MORE ON VINCE MCNAMEE

Vince McNamee highest goal scorer in LBCSHL and SHSHL historyVince McNamee, they said, was the kind of hockey player only Texas Instruments could love. Sure, he banged in 59 goals in 16 games for Bishop Egan last year, (a Lower Bucks County League record). But in his mad rush for the net, he often treated his teammates like department store dummies. Ater all, Real Men don’t set- tle for assists, do they? Last fall McNamee transferred to Washington High for academic reasons. His reputation followed. “I heard he was kind of a hog who didn’t like to pass the puck,” Washington coach Ephraim Dua said. “But after the first few games he became more of a team player. The kids got on him about it. I think he changed a lot because he wanted to win. “Of course, a lot of times he can’t help keeping the puck. He’s so quick, he’ll break out of the zone and past the defense, and the other guys will be left behind.” McNamee riddled defenses for an improbable 112 goals in 23 games this year, a Suburban League record. He also handed out 50 assists, and the 10-man Washington club went 15-6-2. “He’s unstoppable,” Dua said of his 5-foot-9 center. “He’s scored when I thought there was no way he could score. He looks like a pro compared to the other kids.”” One reason is that Washington. plays in Division 2 of the Suburban League, against some weak goalies. But McNamee also skates for the Junior Flyers against top-flight competition. Last week he helped them take second place in the national junior champion- ships in St. Louis, earning himself The Inquirer’s City Athlete of the Week award. “With the Junior Flyers, everyone’s so much quicker,” McNamee said. “In high school, no one can even catch me. I’ll see myself in the films and think, ‘I can’t believe it’s me.” That’s him, all right. Unless there’s another 112-goal scorer out there somewhere.

CREDIT: The Philadelphia Inquirer

 

 

 

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