March 29, 2009
ICE HOCKEY PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Ian Barnes
When Ian Barnes made his decision to come back to Pennsbury after two years at Wyoming Seminary, a prep school near Scranton, he wasn’t quite sure what to think.But after two seasons with the Falcons, he was glad that he came home. “I’m still having fun,” Barnes said. “I liked my decision to come home and go to Pennsbury. For me, personally, it was a good decision. I don’t regret it at all.” The rest of the Philadelphia-area hockey circuit might have wished Barnes stayed a few hours away. The Yardley native, who will be attending La Salle University next year, torched the Suburban High School Hockey League for 44 points in 22 games as the Falcons captured their first SHSHL National Division crown. The Falcons (15-5-2) advanced to the SHSHL finals in their first year in the league but ultimately fell 2-1 in the best-of-three series to North Penn. A quiet person off the ice, Barnes helped lead the Falcons as an alternate captain. He was a do-it-all type player for Pennsbury in earning Courier Times Ice Hockey Player of the Year. “He isn’t overly vocal,” Pennsbury coach John Bria said. “Ian leads through his game and the kids know that. Whether he does a great job on the penalty kill or scores a big goal, the other guys follow. They know that’s how he leads. He [was] a big part of our offense.” While the number-one-seeded Falcons fell in the first round of the Flyers Cup to William Tennent, Barnes looks back on this season with nothing but the best memories. “It was a fun year,” he said. “I finally felt used to the game again – the first year back was a learning experience. I knew what to expect this year.”It was tough losing in the first round, especially with it having happened the year before, but I’m not disappointed. We accomplished a lot, and it was good playing with these guys.”
ICE HOCKEY COACH OF THE YEAR – Joe Houk
What a run it was for the Council Rock South Golden Hawks. Despite falling to North Penn in heartbreaking fashion in the Suburban High School Hockey League semifinals, coach Joe Houk rallied the Hawks to a 5-2 victory over the Knights in the Flyers Cup Class AA finals. It was Council Rock South’s first Flyers Cup crown. Though the Hawks fell in the Pennsylvania Cup to an undefeated Latrobe team, Houk always had South (17-5-1) ready to go. Along the way, South captured the Rock Cup with a Thanksgiving eve victory over rival Council Rock North. All of these accomplishments make it easy to see that this was the best year in South hockey history.
All-Area Team (Bucks County)
FIRST TEAM
Forward: Ian Barnes, Pennsbury, Sophomore, 17 goals, 27 assists (44 points), A crafty and creative player, Barnes helped lead Pennsbury to the SHSHL final in their first year in the league.
Forward: David Dugan, Neshaminy, Senior, 14 goals, 13 assists (27 points), Dugan is a clutch performer. He played his best hockey in the playoffs and Flyers Cup, netting five points in two tournament games as the Redskins nearly upset Council Rock South.
Defense: Greg Fittipaldi, Archbishop Wood, Senior, 4 goals, 15 assists (19 points), Fittipaldi was the consummate leader for the upstart Vikings. He helped carry them all the way to the Flyers Cup semifinals.
Forward: Patrick Grilli, Council Rock South, Junior, 20 goals, 15 assists (35 points), Coupled with linemates Tyler Deitrick and Pete Malamud, Grilli helped make the best line in Bucks County a consistent offensive threat.
Forward: Eric Neiley, Archbishop Wood, Junior, 40 goals, 28 assists (68 points), In his first year with the Wood program, Neiley scored at will. He led the Vikings to the inaugural PCL Blue division crown while averaging more than 3 points per game.
Forward: Tom Seravalli, Holy Ghost Prep, Junior, 17 goals, 10 assists (27 points), Seravalli led the Firebirds in scoring this season, pushing Holy Ghost to its fifth Flyers Cup AAA semifinal appearance in the last six years.
Defense: Peter Sweetland, Pennsbury, Senior, 8 goals, 32 assists (40 points), Sweetland was a do-it-all type player for the Falcons this year. As team captain, he was also a big presence in the locker room.
Goaltender: Joey Mangiaracina, Neshaminy, Junior, 12-8 W/L record, 2.99 GAA, Mangiaracina only allowed 68 goals in the regular season. Playing behind an offense that struggled to score at times, Mangiaracina would have had more wins with more goals.
SECOND TEAM
Forward: Tyler Deitrick, CR South, Junior, A great playmaker
Forward: Pete Malamud, CR South, Junior, Gritty, hard-working digger
Defense: Joe Gunerman, Holy Ghost Prep, Senior, Steady as a rock defensively
Defense: Paul Burns, Holy Ghost Prep, Junior, Hits like a ton of bricks
Forward: Brendan Bradley, Holy Ghost Prep, Sophomore, Gifted scorer, bright future
Forward: Justin Kozak, CR North, Senior, Superb senior year
Forward: Matt Mager, Pennsbury, Senior, Most improved player
Goaltender: Sean Boyd, CR South, Senior, Part of Bucks’ best goalie tandem
HONORABLE MENTION
Archbishop Wood: Frank Grimes (So., G), Matt Abramek (Jr., F).
CR South: Anthony Hourmouzis (Sr., D), David Chiokadze (Fr., G), Frank Junod (Sr., F), Mike Junod (Sr., F);
CR North: Evan Small (Sr., F), Jared Geer (Sr., G), Tom Elmer (Jr., F), Scott Titus (Jr., F);
Holy Ghost Prep: Rob Hoffman (Sr., F), Steve Berardi (Jr., G), David Bowman (So., D), Matt Sklodowski (Sr., F);
Neshaminy: Vince Mazzanti (Sr., F), Devin Young (Sr., F), James Rambo (Jr., F);
Pennsbury: Matt Mager (Sr., F), Ken McCormick (So., F), Corey Chapin (Jr., G).
By Frank Seravalli
The Bucks County Courier Times
