50th Anniversary Celebration

Ladies & Gentlemen, tonight we welcome all as Cheshire celebrates OUR HOCKEY HISTORY

Over 50 years, we have amassed a record of 579 wins, 429 losses and 31 ties

Cheshire is the only team in the state to win a State Championship at Division 1, 2 and 3 with appearances in 22 State Playoffs and 8 SCC finals

50 years of Cheshire High School hockey would never have happened without the first organized club hockey team in 1970-71. This team laid the foundation for the first varsity team in 1974-75.

FIRST Organized Club team

Representing our first organized Club team… We recognize the founder of Cheshire Hockey and first coach Dean Hodgson: Dean’s son, Chris and daughter, Leigh Nesdale couldn’t not make it tonight. Dean’s grandson, Jake Nesdale, was on the 2011 Championship Team. 

Team member(s):

Frank Salvatore (Frank’s son, Mike went on to captain the 2003 team)

Paul Bowman

  

SUPPORTERS

There are so many people who have contributed to the success of our program. Please welcome:  

- Bob Bush – Owner of Cheshire Sports…..50 year supporter and supplier of Cheshire hockey (B-day 1/21)

- Representing Cheshire Athletic Department:

• Steve Trifone – Athletic Director for 19 years

• John Perisino – Current Athletic Director

- Jeff Solan – Former CHS Principal and current Superintendent

- Greg Lederer – best sports reporter EVER!!

- Mark Malloy – Former game announcer (son Bert – former captain)

- Scott Duff – Former videographer

- Paul Killea – Current videographer (son Liam – former Asst captain)

- Former Parent Assoc treasurers – Rich Ferraro & Ralph Larson

- …and countless team managers!!

- And a big round of applause especially for the organizers of tonight’s program!!

“THANK YOU” TO OUR COUNTLESS SUPPORTERS and PARENTS OVER THE YEARS !!!!

HEAD COACHES

Please join us in recognizing our 10 head coaches:

- Representing our first varsity coach, Steve Mrowka, are his family members: son Bill Mrowka and granddaughter Kate Courto.

Steve coached the Rams for 5 seasons and led them to their Division 1 State Championship over FFLD PREP as well as three other Finals appearances.

- Unable to attend this evening; Tony Catapano. Tony served 2 seasons as head coach

- Representing Jack Guetens is his son John Guetens. Jack was behind the bench for 5 seasons.

- Current Hamden High School Head Coach, Billy Reynolds led the Rams for 4 seasons

- Herb Fay - The longest serving head coach at 11 years for 233 games and with the most wins (132) and two Finals appearances.

- Jeff Owens led the Rams for one season after assisting Herb for 8 seasons.

- Head coach of the Rams for 3 season; Will McPhee

- A 9-year head coach, 3-time state champion – Jim Riccittelli

- Current Xavier High School Head Coach, cannot attend due to a game. 4 years behind the bench, Karl Sundquist.

- Currently in his 9th season as head coach and 13th overall with the program, Anthony “Juice” Giusto

A BIG “THANK YOU” TO ALL COACHES FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND GUIDANCE THROUGHOUT OUR 50 YEARS !!!!!

100 POINT SCORERS

Over 50 years, only 13 members of Cheshire HS Ice Hockey have reached the 100-point plateau. We recognize our Century Point Club:

- Gary Blandy – unable to attend

- John Cerotti

- Mike Devine

- Greg Kampf

- Brian Leetch – unable to attend

- Steve Mrowka – represented by brother, Bill & neice, Kate Courto

- Jamie Riccitelli

- Jed Richards – unable to attend

- Greg Schena – represented by his mother Mary Ellen Schena

- Jim Toomey

- Curt Voegeli – unable to attend

- Alex Watts – unable to attend

- Our all-time leading scorer with 175 points: Rick Fitzgerald

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 100 POINT MEMBERS !!!!!

  

NOW BACK FOR THEIR 50th Reunion!!!

Cheshire’s 1974-75 FIRST VARSITY TEAM

Please welcome members from our first Varsity team 1974-75:

- Mike Devitt

- Bob Erickson (goalie)

- Rich Nesbitt (A. Capt)

- Jay Martha

- First goal scorer and following yr’s Captain: Larry “The Rock” Richard

- Our first captain: Keith Erickson

Players that could not attend:

• John Drury

• Mark Fournier

• Dan Gallagher

• Ed Harrison

• Tom Kramer

• Jim Messer

• Philip Miller

• George Smith

• Bill Stakosch

• Bob Upton

• Charles Welton

• Frank Welton

• Michal West

• TRAINERS: Joe Kowalski & Pete Shugrue

Members of our first team that have passed away

• Neil Ferguson

• Curt Smith

 

Next up our - STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS


1977-1978 Division 1 State Champions (over FFLD Prep)

Team Members:

Jim Bowman Rich Bush

John Cerrotti Brian Doherty

Carl Drury Mike Festa

Mike Fitzgerald Rick Fitzgerald (Capt)

Kent Foster Scott Hume

Joe Kowalski John Martha

Mike O’Halloran (deceased) Dave Peterson

Steve Peterson Greg Polansky (deceased)

Curt Smith Jim Toomey

Curt Voegeli (Capt) (not attending) Mark Wieduwilt

Steve Williams Jeff Wood

Coaches: HC: Steve Mrowka, AC: Jim Toomey

2005-2006 Division 3 State Champions (Over Newington) 

Team Members:

Tyler Arpin Mike Barillaro (Capt)

Josh Barez (deceased) Ryan Carbone

Steven Carlette Alan Dagesse

George Donnarumma Rick Duchette

James Esposito Steven Farrel

Bubba Fischer Alex Garcia

Logan Gibbs (Capt) Ryan Hanley

Matt Larson Tyler Martone

Dan Mazzacane Dennis McSherry

Cully Naramore Michael Norwid

Eric Olander Joe Ortowski

Sean Payne Brent Reihl

Adam Vaughn (Capt) Joe Violano

Coaches: HC: Jim Riccitelli, AC: Pete Simoni

2008-2009 Division 2 State Champions (Over Enfield) 

Team Members:

Tyler Arpin (Capt) Tom Bartlett

Trevor Bond Greg Breda

Dave Brzozowski Tyler Carbone

Ryan Carbone John Cunningham

Drew Cunningham Alan Dagesse (Capt)

Mike Devine Will Devine

Mike Digglio George Donnarumma

Matt Dupont Nate Gaudio

Spencer Hackett Ryan Hanley

J.D. Keegan Kyle Murgo

Eric Olander Colby Olin

Ryan Powers Nate Turner

Alex Vendetto Joe Violano

Tyler Violano

Coaches: HC: Jim Riccitelli, AC: Pete Simoni

Managers: Colby Gibbs & Samantha Loignon

2010-2011 Division 2 State Champions (Over Guilford)

Team Members:

Jason Bailin Tom Bartlett

Tyler Carbone Walter Cashore

John Cunningham Joseph D'Errico

Will Devine Matt Dupont (Capt.)

Tom Dupont Spencer Hackett

Jonathan Hauser Trace Lange

Jared Lawson Tyler Lima

Matthew Muzyka Kyle Murgo

Jack Naramore Jake Nesdale

Owen Powers Ryan Powers (Capt.)

Sean Richard Scott Romano

Chris Stevens Kevin Stevens

Joey Solla Nick Vaill

Alex Vendetto Luke Vendetto

Tyler Violano Greg Zovas

Coaches: HC: Jim Riccitelli, AC: Pete Simoni

Managers: Erin Donnarumma & Miranda Garcia


At this time, we would like to welcome all alumni onto the ice for a group photo with our current team.

Thank you to all who have contributed to 50 years of Cheshire High School Hockey