By Jack Beck ’18 & Shane Rabacs ’18

BOYS:

After a Division III state final berth and their best regular season record in team history, the Staples Wreckers boys’ ice hockey team is looking to claim the prize they fell short of in 2015-16.

“Qualifying for both FCIAC and the Division II state tournaments are at the top of list of goals” Chris Avena, head coach, said.

Avena, who took the job as head coach in June after Todd Sharinn resigned in April, will lead the Staples/Weston/Shelton co-op in 2016-17.

Although the Wreckers lost many seniors last year, such as Ian Offenberg, Jesse Greenspun and Ryan Johnson, many key contributors return, such as Sam New ’18, Sam Zaritsky ‘17, Sebastian Zeman ’17 and goalie Zack Bloom ’18.

“We will need to find scoring from some of the returning players, some of which may see an increased role with this year’s team,” Avena said.

The Wreckers made the jump to Division II this year, after their magical run in the Division III state tournament. There are many top teams, such as Westhill/Stamford, who beat the Wreckers in the championship game and the reigning Division II champions, Fairfield Warde. But the team doesn’t seem intimidated by the jump.

“It’s gonna be a challenge playing against stronger teams, but I think we’re up to the task” Zaritsky said.

Avena is keenly aware of the challenges the competition presents.  Focusing on mental toughness and skill is the game plan for the 2017 season.  

“Maximizing each player’s ability, as well as improving their skill-set and mental game is something we are going to strive for each day,” Avena said. “Leaving the rink each day better than when we walk [in] will be the daily goal throughout the season.”

Girls:

The Staples girls’ ice hockey team looks to make it back to the playoffs after a disappointing loss in the first round of FCIACs to rival Darien. The early exit last year has sparked a fire under the Wreckers, and the skaters are ready to prove that they belong at the top.

“We expect to win a lot of games,” Carolyn Gray ’19, a first-line right winger, said. “Hopefully we can make it to FCIACs and, if we can, go all the way to states.”

Despite the loss of top goal scorer, Rachel Stanford ’16, the future looks promising for this team as they have young players who will be stepping up. These young players are surrounded by a strong, but small supporting team of experienced skaters. Alternate captain Stephanie Walsh, a junior at Stamford, and Staples’ Anizia Babcenzco ’17 are looking to lead the team back to success.

Staples also lost their star goalie, Claire Parry ’17, who left for private school for her senior year. However, the Wreckers have a replacement in mind.

“Sophomore Mary Leydon from Westhill has really stepped up as our new goalie, and we have high hopes for her,” Erin McGroarty ’18 said.

Staples, with a 12-8 record, was ranked fourth in Fairfield County and automatically clinched the playoffs last year but faces a hard schedule this year.

This upcoming season, the Wreckers’ schedule is filled with challenging FCIAC opponents. This includes playing their top rivals, Darien two times and Ridgefield once.

“We’re excited to play the big FCIAC teams like New Canaan, Darien, Greenwich,” McGroarty said. “But we’re particularly excited to beat Ridgefield, our long-term rivals.”

After a rough end to last season, in the ranks of the Staples/Stamford/Westhill co-op, the Wreckers hope to make great strides this season and bring a trophy back to Staples High School.