2001 Hockey star played despite the knocks

Dave Moccia, who had a career year, led Carroll to a second Flyers Cup championship.

this season, Dave Moccia felt like a ping-pong ball. Entering the season as the best player on the defending Flyers Cup Class AA champion Archbishop Car roll team, the No. 17 on his back served as a bull’s-eye. Moccia endured. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound center took more than his share of whacks and double- and triple-teams, and had a career year, scoring 106 points this season, with 48 goals and 58 assists. That’s why, for the second straight season, Moccia is The Inquirer’s Main Line/Delaware County area ice hockey player of the year. The senior led Carroll to a second-straight Flyers Cup Class AA title and finished his career as one of the best players in the history of Carroll. “I thought there was a lot of pressure this year, I felt like I was trying too hard, but I had other people on the ice helping me out a lot,” said Moccia, who finished his four-year career at Carroll with 238 points (121 goals and 117 assists). “There was always someone else picking us up this season. I didn’t think I’d do as good as I did this year. I was going to be the target of everyone and I wasn’t sure how I’d be.” The season was nearly perfect for Moccia. The only thing missing was a state championship, as the Patriots lost to Beaver, 8-2, in the Class AA Pennsylvania Cup game. Moccia’s season was highlighted by a hat trick in the Flyers Cup Class AA championship game, an 8-1 victory over Central Bucks West. Moccia was selected MVP of the Flyers Cup Class AA tournament and was the tournament’s leading scorer with 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in three games. An example of the constant attention Moccia received from the opposition occurred in the state championship game. Whenever Moccia was on the ice, a Beaver player tried to plant him. With Carroll down, 5-0, in the first period, it was Moccia who sparked the Patriots with their first goal of the game. “I can’t really explain, why I did better with more attention on me,” Moccia said.

“Knowing that was the way it was going to be, I guess I had to take my game to another level. You have to be focused, and mentally prepared for every game. You try doing too much and it defeats the purpose. I tried to do as much as I could.” Among Moccia’s many assets is his poise. There were many players who made runs at him, but Moccia had enough maturity to skate away and not retaliate. Moccia found it difficult to avoid slamming someone in return but he knew he could hurt an opposing team more with his scoring. “It wasn’t easy,” admitted Moccia, who is considering continuing his hockey career at Penn State or Stonehill College in Easton, Mass. “When you get hit in the corner, with guys hooking you or slashing you, it does get under your skin. But with a lot of guys out there, that’s their game. I had to keep a clear head, but it’s a good idea for anyone in that situation. I guess it’s just part of the way I am, my character. My junior year, I wasn’t turning away that much.” Carroll coach Bill Hammond built his team around Moccia this season, flanking Moccia with junior speedsters Stefano Tecce and Ta Ung. “David just never gave up,” Hammond said. “A good example of what David went through was the championship game. He was never fazed by the garbage of being marked. He battled through the slashes and the hooks. Dave has tremendous drive and tremendous heart.” After the championship game, Moccia came up to Hammond and said: “This was the greatest four years of my life.” The player said that this season represented the most fun he has had playing the game. “I said a prayer to be truly blessed with the kind of kids I had playing for me,” Hammond said. “People dream all of their lives to have players like David. I would say David was absolutely the greatest player I’ve coached in my six years.”