April 16, 2016
ICE HOCKEY PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Bobby Freiling
Bobby Freiling feels good about what he and his hockey teammates accomplished on the ice at Holy Ghost Prep this season.
It’s true that the Firebirds came up short in their bid to defend their Class AAA Flyers Cup title; they fell to La Salle in the title game. But they still won 23 games, more than any team in Lower Bucks County. Freiling had much to do with his team’s success. He closed his high school career with 24 goals and added 24 assists for 48 points. His efforts earned him Golden Teams Player of the Year honors. Freiling’s impact, however, could not defined by numbers alone. His sense of the game, his on-ice presence, and his influence on his teammates defied statistical analysis. Freiling cited team chemistry as a major factor in the Firebirds’ success. “I think we were pretty successful because the guys had known each other and played on club teams together before,” he said. “We all liked each other. “The locker room wasn’t divided like some teams I’ve played on before. Everyone wanted everyone to succeed. They didn’t care who scored the big goal, if it was them or if it was a teammate. All they cared about was winning the game and being a good teammate.” The loss to La Salle stung, of course, but the Firebirds’ season revolved around the rivalry with the Explorers. The teams split two regular-season meetings prior to the Flyers Cup final, and Freiling said the teams get the best out of each other. “The atmosphere at those type of games is just great,” he said. “You get great student sections, and I feel like every time you play La Salle, everyone’s game gets taken up to the next level. “We just want to beat them so bad … When we see La Salle on the schedule, we have an extra boost of energy when we go out on the ice.” Freiling is hoping to play junior hockey next year and eventually play in college. But the experience of wearing the Holy Ghost Prep colors has provided memories that will endure long after his playing career concludes. “Representing your school is an awesome feeling,” he said. “Just being able to play hockey with guys I see every day, my best friends, that’s a plus.”
All-Area Team (Bucks County)
FIRST TEAM
None found…..
SECOND TEAM
Forward: Darren Barder, Council Rock South, Senior
Forward: Alec Dugan, William Tennent, Senior
Forward: Kyle Weller, Holy Ghost Prep, Senior
Defense: Jacob Crespo, Holy Ghost Prep, Freshman
Defense: Kyle Wilkins, Pennsbury, Senior
Goaltender: Mason Procz, Council Rock South, Sophomore
HONORABLE MENTION
Archbishop Wood: Tim Cordero
Council Rock North: Cavan Tully
Council Rock South: Justin Adams, Parker DeFelice
Harry S. Truman: Kyle Bennett, Kyle Huth, Mike Roarty
Holy Ghost Prep: Robert Ovecka, Kyle Peters
Neshaminy: Ian Dixon; Pennsbury: Jake Sieger
William Tennent: Jack McKeever, Sean Ovington
By Rick Woelfel
The Bucks County Courier Times
