March 28, 2008<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to Daily Times Player of the Year Ben Slagis of Strath Haven<\/strong><\/em>, the rest of the 2007-08 All-Delco hockey team includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ben Slagis had a decision to make entering his senior season at Strath Haven.The talented skater had the opportunity to return to his Little Flyers Junior A team for another season, competing against older, more skilled players. Or he could return to his high school team, enjoy one last season playing with his long-time buddies, and take one last run at bringing a Flyers Cup Class A championship to the Panthers\u2019 program.While Strath Haven ultimately fell short of winning a Flyers Cup championship, Slagis was an integral component is helping the Panthers\u2019 improve from a 3-13-2 record in 2007 to 17-5-4 in 2008.Slagis\u2019 impact was immense. In addition to being the Panthers leading scorer, he helped resurrect the program from the basement of the Central League to one with a 7-0-3 division record. Overall, Slagis had 22 goals and 26 assists, and was one of the area\u2019s top two-way players this season. For his efforts both on and off the ice, Slagis has been selected as the Daily Times Hockey Player of Year.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Slagis is joined on the All-Delco team by Haverford High forward T.J. Haeberle<\/a>, Cardinal O\u2019Hara forwards Sean Coll and Ed Banes, Garnet Valley forward Greg Strootman, Springfield defenseman Pat Hayden, Haverford High defenseman David Baker and Ridley goaltender Steve Boraske. 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 area coaches, league personnel, and local hockey observers. 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 and club team statistics and performance were also not considered. Even with the great experience he had playing Junior A, Slagis had an empty feeling by not playing for Strath Haven that he could not shake. His decision to return to the Panthers hockey program was an easy choice, and Slagis knows now, in retrospect, that he could not have fully enjoyed his senior year at school unless he was suiting up for the black, silver, and white.\u201dI\u2019ve been playing with some of these guys forever and I felt bad about not playing last season,\u201d Slagis said. \u201cI wanted to be able to help guys like Ben Grossman, Michael Florio, Greg Swinburn, and Matt Markert have a good senior season. \u201cI also wanted to be able to have fun, and we did that.\u201dStrath Haven coach Mike Keenan knew that a player with so many positive attributes like Slagis would help his team improve dramatically.\u201dFrom the bench, I\u2019m able to point out aspects of the game to the players like three-zone play, constant motion, anticipation, communication, solid contact, discipline, and Ben has them all,\u201d said Keenan. \u201cI used him on the power play, penalty kill, alternating shifts, everything. \u201cHe could have scored all night long in some games, but instead, he put on passing clinics that everyone learned from. His scoring touch was also the best in the league. He has a hard slapshot, a sniper-like wrist shot, unbelievable dekes; you name it, Ben could do it. Coaches and goalies would always comment to me during the handshakes how impressed they were with Ben.\u201dHis most impressive skill to me was his speed, whether it was from a standstill or an open-ice rush, he had maneuverability and endurance. He could do so much in a game because the skating component was an afterthought; an effortless exercise. That\u2019s what really makes him an outstanding player and athlete.\u201dKeenan also sensed his team\u2019s anticipation at the news of Slagis\u2019 return and was able to take advantage of that enthusiasm.\u201dThe excitement from my returning players to the news that Ben was rejoining the team was overwhelming, not just in anticipation of his on-ice contribution, but these kids were very close at school,\u201d said Keenan. \u201cThey were happy to have another true friend in the locker room, in our meetings, in dry land sessions, and of course on the ice.\u201dKeenan also wanted to make sure he found the right line combinations where Slagis could help the team shake off its losing 2007 season.\u201dChoosing the proper linemates was tough since everyone wanted to play with him,\u201d Keenan said. \u201cBoth players would have to be able to stay up with Ben\u2019s abilities, but also hopefully be able to improve their play while being on the ice with him. \u201cI think that Ben jelled beautifully with Ben Grossman and Mike Florio. Grossman had a standout year, better than he and I expected. He attributes some of his success to Slagis for increasing his play speed and decision-making. \u201cMike Florio gained the best experience by playing with Slagis. Mike proved that he could play with a true Junior A talent. I think he learned great mental lessons about preparation, focus, and determination. You can talk all day to a player about \u201dintangibles,\u2019 but all that I had to do with Mike was to point to Ben\u2019s example.\u201dSlagis was not only the Panthers’ top scoring threat, but he was also a stellar defensive forward, an excellent playmaker, and a strong voice in the Strath Haven locker room. Slagis, however, is quick to praise his teammates for the Panthers’ turnaround. To outsiders, Strath Haven\u2019s performance was directly linked to Slagis\u2019 effort, but internally, Slagis credits a combined effort from the players and the coaching staff for the team\u2019s resurgence.\u201dAfter our only loss of the regular season, we got together and guys like Michael Florio, Ben Grossman, Derek Pastuszek, and Greg Swinburn just decided that we were going to get past that and have fun playing,\u201d said Slagis. \u201cWe tried to be confident in the locker room, and we also tried to make jokes and things like that to keep everyone loose and involved.\u201dWhen it came time to get serious, we were. If the leaders of the team were confident, we felt like the other players would play that way, too.\u201d Even when Slagis suffered a troublesome shoulder injury toward the end of the regular season, he was able to fight through and miss minimal time and play through the pain.\u201dA tribute to Ben\u2019s impact on his linemates\u2019 improvements was how well they continued to do during his shoulder injury during the last quarter of the season, but they \u2014 and all of us \u2014 were dramatically affected by Ben\u2019s untimely absence due to the injury,\u201d Keenan said. \u201cOur players watched in amazement as he came back in the playoffs and went all-out each and every shift. \u201cHe wanted to be out there all night and give everything left in him for the team\u2019s success. Only after the games did we see how much pain he was in, how much of a sacrifice he was making.\u201dIn the end, when he had to look back on whether or not he made the right move by coming back to play for the Panthers, Slagis was quick \u2014 and certain \u2014 with his response.\u201dComing back to the school team was everything I could hope for and more. I\u2019d do it again in a heartbeat,\u201d Slagis said. \u201cNothing against the Junior team, but I had so much fun this year being able to play in the high school environment with my teammates and in front of my classmates.\u201dTo have the experience of playing with these guys, to have the kind of year that we did as a team, and to have a good year personally was just awesome. I have so many memories that I\u2019ll remember forever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First Team<\/strong>

T.J. Haeberle<\/a>, Sr., Forward, Haverford High: Haeberle was the county\u2019s leading scorer with 45 goals and 36 assists and was also named EHSHL Class AA MVP. As one of the most dangerous scoring threats in the area over the past two seasons, Haeberle had to be accounted for by the opposition each time he was on the ice. He was able to become the latest in a line of potent Fords forwards by capitalizing any time the opposition made a mistake. Goaltenders and defensive units throughout southeastern Pennsylvania were thoroughly aware of Haeberle\u2019s scoring potential. Haeberle is a two-time All-Delco selection and plays club hockey for the Haverford Hawks 18-U AA team.

Ed Banes, Sr., Forward, Cardinal O\u2019Hara: Banes has been a model of persistence over the course of his career at O\u2019Hara. After playing on the varsity-II as a freshman, Banes developed into the team\u2019s most consistent scoring threat as a senior, as he tallied 23 goals and 10 assists this season, while helping lead the Lions to the EHSHL Class AAA championship. Banes was also named EHSHL Class AAA Division MVP. \u201cEd is not a guy who beats you with his speed or finesse moves, he\u2019s a power forward and he\u2019ll go right through you,\u201d said O\u2019Hara coach Bill Swahl<\/a>. \u201cHe was a good leader to our team, and it was nice to see him get rewarded with being MVP of the league. He deserved it, and it was good to see him get that recognition.\u201d

Sean Coll, Jr., Forward, Cardinal O\u2019Hara: Coll is a two-time All-Delco selection and is one of the most dangerous players in the area. His all-around skill set features tremendous speed and excellent scoring ability. Despite missing time with a knee injury this season, Coll had 11 goals and 11 assists, while also helping lead the Lions through their rugged Class AAA schedule and to the EHSHL Class AAA championship. \u201cSean is an explosive player, he\u2019s a game-breaker, and he draws a lot of attention when he\u2019s on the ice,\u201d said Lions coach Bill Swahl<\/a>. \u201cHe was keyed on by other teams. He had to fight through a lot of other teams\u2019 top players and he was still able to make an impact. He can take control of a game and I still think he has a lot to give and if he comes back next year, we\u2019ll lean on him heavily.\u201d Coll plays club hockey for the Jr. Flyers 18-U AAA team.

Greg Strootman, Sr., Forward, Garnet Valley: Strootman was the Jaguars\u2019 main scoring threat all season and racked up 32 goals and 16 assists despite drawing attention from each opponent\u2019s top defensive pairing. Strootman saved his best performance for the ICSHL Director\u2019s Cup tourney when he helped lead the Jaguars back from a three-goal deficit with 2:26 to play in the game. Strootman had a hat trick in the contest and scored the game-winner with 16 seconds left in regulation. \u201cHe was on a great line and he was spectacular throughout the season,\u201d said Jaguars coach Brian Danish. \u201cThe way he played in the playoffs, especially in the Sun Valley game and against Bishop Shanahan in the Director\u2019s Cup championship where he scored all four goals was really a great way for him to end his career here. With the personal things he was going through at the time (the loss of an uncle) it just shows that he\u2019s going to go on to bigger and better things.\u201d Strootman plays club hockey for the Jr. Flyers 18-U AAA team. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pat Hayden, Jr., Defenseman, Springfield: Hayden is a two-time All-Delco selection who, again, had an excellent season on the blue line for the Cougars. In addition to playing his normal brand of physical, intense hockey, Hayden made greater contributions to the Springfield offense than he did as a freshman or sophomore. By tallying eight goals and 14 assists, Hayden became a two-way force that each opponent had to account for. \u201cThe thing about Pat that people might not know is that he\u2019s a warrior,\u201d said Cougar coach Phil Eastman<\/a>. \u201cIn our Flyers Cup game he had a shoulder injury that might have kept a lot of players out, but he played and didn\u2019t let it have any effect on him. A lot of focus is on him because he\u2019s such a physical player and a great defensive player, but he also tied for the team lead in scoring.\u201d

David Baker, Sr., Defenseman, Haverford High: Baker was an iron man on the blue line for the Fords this season as he had to constantly match up with the opposition\u2019s top scoring line, provide a scoring presence, and play a vital role on special teams all while logging a ton of ice time. Baker was a steady, consistent fixture throughout his time as a Ford and was able to garner respect from many of Haverford\u2019s opponents for his willingness to provide stability at both ends of the ice. Baker had five goals and 31 assists. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steve Boraske, Sr., Goaltender, Ridley: Boraske was the most complete and consistent goaltender in the county this season and was a huge reason why Ridley found itself back in the Flyers Cup Class AA tournament. While his record (9-9-5) may not seem overly impressive, his other statistics surely were. His .931 save percentage, 2.20 goals-against average, and six shutouts gave the Green Raiders an outstanding presence in net all season. \u201cStevie really is the type of goalie that can steal a game for you,\u201d said Green Raiders coach Jim Hazelton. \u201cHe had such a great year for us and really kept us in so many games that could have gotten out of hand with the way he played. He just made so many big saves throughout the season, I can\u2019t say enough about how much he meant to the team.\u201d Boraske plays club hockey for the Haverford Hawks 18-U AA team.*

Second Team<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forwards
Robert D\u2019Urbano – Marple Newtown
Steve Karpinski<\/a> – Haverford High
Kevin Murray – Cardinal O’Hara Lions
Dave Orlando – Garnet Valley Jaguars
Alex DeFruscio – Monsignor Bonner Friars
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Defensemen
Joe Naselli – Penncrest Lions
Scott Wallace – Ridley Raiders<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Goaltender
Chris McCullough – Springfield Cougars<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Third Team<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forwards
Ben Grossman – Strath Haven Panthers
Matt Kloton – Ridley Raiders
Tom Wienckowski – Marple Newtown Tigers
Jeremy Vernon – Sun Valley
Will Senatore – Interboro Buccaneers
Brian Dolan – Monsignor Bonner Friars<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defenseman
Sean Aldinger – Archbishop Carroll Patriots<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Goaltender
Jim Murray – Cardinal O’Hara Lions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Chuck Smith
The Daily Times<\/strong><\/p>\n