Ice Hockey Team on a Roll

The Delbarton Green Wave varsity hockey team has outscored its opponents by a total of 46 goals. This outstanding statistic is just one of the many that represent the Green Wave’s dominance on the ice. The team is currently halfway through the season and remains undefeated, with a record of 10-0. This success is owed to all players, but key performers are freshman Bayard Hall and junior Jalen Kaplan. When asked about the obstacles the team could face throughout the season, Kaplan responded, “The hardest challenge for the team this season will be making sure we don’t get complacent. We can’t be satisfied with what we’ve done to this point and we need to continue to get better every day. If we let up in the slightest and get complacent, we will fall short of our goals.”

Hall, a freshman, has quickly made a noticeable impact on the ice. Kaplan shared praise for his star teammate. “After losing a lot of seniors (to graduation) last season, we have a bunch of younger guys on the team this year who are stepping up and playing significant roles. We have had some younger guys putting the puck in the back of the net every game and they have really been contributing to our success.

Although the offence has scored regularly and enjoyed several lop-sided victories, including the recent 11-1 drubbing of Bishop Eustace, much credit needs to be given to the goaltenders of this year’s squad.  Veteran starter, senior Troy Kobryn, continues to do an outstanding job (as he has done the past three years) and has had no small impact on the team’s championship pursuits.  A happy surprise has been the strong and solid play of back-up goal tender, junior Kenny Burgess.  Usually coming in as relief, Burgess has played near shut-out goalie and has provided  needed rest for the starter.  Their collective success has enabled the team to achieve to a high level thus far.

When asked about his play and that of other juniors, Kaplan admits that individual success is not the ultimate goal. “Personally, I’m just trying to get better every day I’m on the ice, so I can help contribute to the success of the team. He adds that “at the end of the day, the goal is to be holding a trophy at the Prudential Center in March.” The Delbarton Hockey team this year is exceptionally skilled, and with an experienced coaching staff, looks forward to hoisting the New Jersey State Championship trophy.