Wayne

Knights

Last season, players from Wayne Hills and Wayne Valley were used to playing against each other as cross-town rivals.

But on Saturday night in this year's season opener, the two sides were playing together. It was announced during the off-season that the two schools would merge to form a co-op for the 2017-18 season. 

With the way the squad played on Saturday, it would be hard to tell that these players hadn't been playing together for years. The Knights got out to a quick start and showed off its speed and depth in a 10-1 win over West Milford at the Ice Vault in Wayne.

Several different players got on the scoresheet, as Marc Perez put together a five-point night with a goal and four assists. Dean Hulbert had two goals and an assist, while Dan Bielsten and Chris Taranto each chipped in with two goals in the win.

"I was really happy," Wayne coach Joe Belger said after the game. "We kind of rolled four lines today and got everyone in the game. Dan Riina did a great job in net. I'm really pleased, wish we got the shutout, but overall a great effort from all four lines and all of the defensemen. It's a great night."

Hulbert recorded a big career milestone, as he recorded the 100th point of his career by scoring the second goal of the game. He put up 99 career points in three years playing for Wayne Hills, and his first as a part of the Wayne Knights gave his team a 2-0 lead in the program's first game.

"It was huge to get that done in the beginning," Hulbert said. "It was something that was in the back of my mind, now I get to move forward and I get to just focus on winning and achieving the team's goals. It felt good to get it done with and it's a big milestone to reach. I have to thank my linemates for that, Marc (Perez) gave me a great feed in front of the net, and I put it away, it was a great feeling."

The co-op was agreed to in the off-season after each of the schools were hampered by low numbers last year. Although both schools were rivals, there was plenty of excitement amongst the players when the arrangement was announced in the offseason, instead of animosity between rival schools.

"A few practices in I kind of saw us jelling already," Hulbert said. "Everyone's getting along. There's no bickering between the two sides. We're all a team and we realize we have the same goals. We can keep working hard together and keep being a team."

Belger attributed the team's ability to come together so quickly to several off-season get-togethers that were based around team-building. It began in the summer with the team's participation in a 4-on-4 league. Off the ice, the team has gotten together to play games like flag football, ultimate frisbee, as well as a team pasta night, among other things.

"We're trying to get everyone (to believe) that it's not just Wayne Valley, it's not just Wayne Hills anymore," Belger said. "It's Wayne hockey. Everyone has bought into it and everyone loves it. I'm really happy for these kids and they deserve it."

The newly-formed Wayne Knights, which is a co-op between Wayne Hills and Wayne Valley, got off to a flying start on Saturday, as the squad pulled out a 10-1 win over West Milford at the Ice Vault in Wayne.

Here are our picks for the three stars of the game.

FIRST STAR: Dean Hulbert, Wayne.

Hulbert went into Saturday's season-opener with 99 career points, needing just one for the 100 point milestone. That point came on Wayne's second goal of the game, which was the first of a two goal, one assist performance for Hulbert in his first game with the Knights.

SECOND STAR: Marc Perez, Wayne.

Perez was noticeable all over the ice on Saturday, constantly making things happen for his teammates. He finished the game with a goal and an impressive four assists.

THIRD STAR: Dan Bielsten, Wayne.

Bielsten scored twice and came through with an important goal in the second period. West Milford had just cut into the deficit to make it 3-1, but Bielsten scored shortly after to restore the momentum in Wayne's favor.

WAYNE — The rebranding of Wayne hockey started in June and the finished product is ready to go. There’s no more Wayne Valley or Wayne Hills, just the Wayne Knights.

Gone are the maroon sweaters of Hills and the blue of Valley. Color them black, silver and white (think Los Angeles Kings) because the recently created co-op team is about to get going for real Saturday when it faces West Milford in the Ice Vault Arena at 7:30 p.m.

Coincidentally it’s the same program that Knights coach Joe Belger guided last season to a 10-13-2 record. 

“It’s going to be an interesting night to say the least,” Belger said.

Belger was hired in June and coached the team over the summer at 4-on-4 tournament. Wayne decided to co-mingle the programs citing low participation numbers at both schools. Justin Liscio, who coached Valley to a 4-16-1 record last year and no state tournament appearance, heads the Knights JV team and will assist Belger with the varsity. A season ago, Hills, led by Angelo Serse, went 8-13-1 and qualified for the state Public B Tournament before falling in the first round. Serse guided Hills to its only Passaic County tournament title in 2013.

Co-op hockey is the norm these days and two county teams have already done it. DePaul Catholic merged with Morris Catholic two years ago and Passaic Valley teamed up with neighboring Cedar Grove for the last three years.

“This is why high school sports are great. In one season you have players and schools going against one another in a sport and then in the winter they are combining schools and talent to form a team that Wayne can be proud of. So much was brought up initially when the co-op first happened. It was Valley vs. Hills, but honestly that’s the least of my concerns,” Belger said.

“Most of the players grew up in the local hockey community and they know each other. It’s now just developing a chemistry, getting our lines in order and getting a few players healthy again. We’re trying to unite the schools for the common good of the town.”

The roster is senior-heavy and leans toward players from Wayne Hills.

Up front, Dean Hulbert enters his senior captain season as the focal point of the first line having accrued 99 career points on 52 goals and 47 assists. He’ll be flanked by Alex Waterman and Marc Perez.

The second and third lines are blurred but the personnel will see time on both. Richie Sabbagh, Erik Kruglyak, Matt Cappo, Vinnie Tagliaferri, Chris Taranto (injured but expected back in December), Seth Friedman and Anthony Mazzerina (injured) are in the pool. Adding offensive depth includes Chris Gomez, David Smeriglio, Tyler Kirch and Mike Tirella

The Swiss Army knife of the squad is senior Tyler Mirman. The utility player will see shifts on the wing and when the competition is raised he’ll be paired on the back line.

The defense is anchored by junior Jared Cohen and senior Dan Bielsten. Senior Jimmy Peracchio, freshman Nick Miller and senior Matt Riina round out the blue-liners. 

Heading into the final week of the preseason, goaltending is still undecided with senior Luke Horbatuk and sophomore Dan Riina in contention.

“Luke [Horbatuk] has seen tons of pucks and played well in the scrimmages. Dan [Riina] is technically sound and mobile.

Regardless of who starts, both will see time in goal,” Belger acknowledged. 

The Knights will play a majority of their games at the Ice Vault. The schedule (all games are subject to change):

Nov. 25 vs. West Milford, 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 26 vs. Ridgewood, 4:30 p.m.; Dec. 1 at Indian Hills, 8 p.m.; Dec. 2 vs. Ramapo, 6:15 p.m.; Dec. 8 vs. Glen Rock, 9 p.m.; Dec. 9 at Ridgewood, 5:45 p.m. at Ice House in Hackensack; Dec. 15 vs. Mahwah, 7 p.m.; Dec. 16 vs. Ramsey, 6:15 p.m.; Dec. 22 at Passaic Valley, 6 p.m.; Dec. 23 at Glen Rock at Ice House.

Jan. 2 vs. Indian Hills, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 5 vs. Lakeland, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 7 vs. TBA, 6:15 p.m.; Jan. 12 Passaic County tournament first round at Floyd Hall Arena, Little Falls; Jan. 13 county semifinals; Jan. 15 county final; Jan. 19 at Lakeland, 6:30 p.m.; Jan. 21 at West Milford; Jan. 26 at Mahwah, 8 p.m.; Jan. 28 at Ramapo, 6:30 p.m.

The Knights will play three round-robin games in the Pepsi Ice House Classic in December.

The Big North Conference tournaments are slated for mid-February at the Ice Vault. The cutoff for the state Public A Tournament is Feb. 5 and the seeding meeting is Feb. 13. The state tournament opens Feb. 19-20, the second round is Feb. 22-23, quarterfinals Feb. 24-26, semifinals Feb. 28 at Mennen Arena in Morris Township and March 1 at Codey Arena in West Orange. The four state finals are in March at the Prudential Center in Newark. This year there are three public tournaments in A, B and the newly created C, while Non-Public remains the same.

 Wayne Township Board of Education

November 22, 2017 Mark Toback, Ed.D.

mtoback@wayneschools.com 

COMBINED ICE HOCKEY TEAM TO PLAY HISTORIC FIRST GAME

(WAYNE, NJ)—A combined ice hockey team of players from Wayne Hills and Wayne Valley will play a historic first game together at the Ice Vault against West Milford at 7:30 PM on Saturday, November 25th. This game will represent the first time players from both Wayne high schools will be playing together as one team under a co-op option offered by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) and the Big North Conference.

 The idea of forming a combined team started with the realization that it would be difficult for each high school to maintain a team for the 2017-2018 season. The graduation of seniors and a lack of players at the varsity and junior varsity levels would have led to a situation where both high schools would be forced to play younger players not accustomed to playing hockey at the varsity level. Without the co-op option, the future of high school ice hockey in Wayne was in question. The Wayne Township Board of Education passed a resolution to move forward with the application in March of 2017 and it was subsequently approved by the NJSIAA and Big North Conference.

Wayne Valley Athletic Director, Dave Drozjock commented, "We are so excited to see this great group of hockey players playing together for the first time in a game setting. It has been a pleasure working with the administration and athletics personnel at Wayne Hills to create a new start for our hockey players." Wayne Hills Athletic Director Rich Porfido agreed that working together to create this opportunity has been very positive for both schools and added, "Head Coach Belger has been an enormous asset to the district in establishing this combined team. He has gone well above and beyond the call of duty from the moment he started working for the Wayne Township Public Schools."

 The first 50 Wayne students in attendance (with valid student ID) will receive a T-shirt to commemorate this special game.

The 2017-18 high school ice hockey season gets underway today, as teams are cleared to begin practice. In just a few short weeks, the regular season will begin. Below is a list of the most important dates to circle on your calendar for this season.

More important dates will be added to this post as we go through the pre-season, including Cup Tournament dates, but here is what we have for now:

First Practice
November 6, 2017

Opening Day
November 25, 2017

State playoff cut-off date
February 5, 2018

State playoff seeding meeting
February 13, 2018

NJIIHL-McInnis Cup Final
February 16, 2018- 6 p.m. at Codey Arena, West Orange

NJIIHL-Gordon Cup Final
February 16, 2018- 8 p.m. at Codey Arena, West Orange

NJIIHL-Kelly Cup Final
February 17, 2018- 6 p.m. at Codey Arena, West Orange

NJIIHL-McMullen Cup Final
February 17, 2018- 8 p.m. at Codey Arena, West Orange

NJSIAA Tournament Dates

First Round
February 19-20, 2018

Second Round
February 22-23, 2018

Quarterfinal Round
February 24-26, 2018

Semifinal Round
Wednesday, Feb. 28 at Mennen Arena, Morris Twp. (three games)
• 4:30 p.m.
• 6:30 p.m.
• 8:30 p.m.
at Codey Arena, West Orange (two games)
• 4:30 p.m.
• 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 1 at Mennen Arena (three games)
• 4:30 p.m.
• 6:30 p.m.
• 8:30 p.m.

State Finals
Monday, March 5, 2018 at Prudential Center, Newark
• Public A, 3 p.m.
• Public B, 5 p.m.
• Public C, 7 p.m.
• Non-Public, 9 p.m.

PATRIOT DIVISION

River Dell-Westwood
Clifton
Paramus Catholic
Passaic Valley-Cedar Grove
Fair Lawn

FREEDOM DIVISION

St. Joseph (Mont.)
Northern Highlands
Tenafly-Cresskill
Old Tappan-Demarest
Paramus-Lyndhurst-Hackensack
Pascack Valley-Pascack Hills

LIBERTY STARS DIVISION

Indian Hills
West Milford
Ridgewood
Ramsey
Ramapo

LIBERTY STRIPES DIVISION

Glen Rock
Lakeland
Mahwah
Wayne Valley-Wayne Hills