DLN ALL-AREA: Boys Hockey First Team, Second Team, Honorable Mention & Coaches of the Year
In addition to Player of the Year Jason Grande, the rest of the DLN All-Area Boys Hockey team:
FIRST TEAM FORWARDS
Joey Impagliazzo, Jr., Unionville
One of the most underrated players in the ICSHL, Impagliazzo led the Ches-Mont in points (44), tied for first in assists (23) and second in goals with 21. The junior helped the Indians’ offense to a third-place ranking in the league. Unionville is making steady improvements thanks to Impagliazzo’s scoring ability.
Matt Owens, Soph., W.C. Rustin
The leading scorer for the national champs, the sophomore came into his own this season. He tallied 21 goals and 34 points for the Golden Knights. He scored in overtime against Franklin Regional to lift Rustin to the state A division title. He also notched the opening tally in the Flyers Cup final against West Chester East. He helped provide the Golden Knights scoring depth that few teams were able to match.
Collin Harple, Sr., Downingtown East
The senior was one of the catalysts for the Cougars capturing the Flyers Cup crown. The big, tough forward tied for first in the league in assists with 23. He was also near the top in penalty minutes. Was named to the all-tournament team at the Flyers Cup.
Luca Pisani, Jr., Downingtown East
The Flyers Cup MVP after leading the tournament in scoring, Pisani also scored in the national tournament that saw the Cougars take home a bronze medal. Caught fire late in the season to become one of the Cougars’ prime scoring threats. He had 29 points on the season. Scored the final goal in the 3-1 win in the state final.
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
Eric Stankiewicz, Jr., Downingtown East
Became one of the top defensemen in the area, proficient at both ends of the ice. Provided timely points for the Cougars in their postseason run. “He is so consistent and has great vision,” said East coach Dave Hendricks. “He has a calming influence on all the other players.”
Joseph D’Elia, Jr., Malvern Prep
The junior finished the season with 20 points, good for the top 5 among defenseman in the Prep division. He was efficient in front of goalie Matthew Hollingshead and logged major minutes for the Friars.
FIRST TEAM GOALTENDER
Matthew Hollingshead, Sr., Malvern Prep
One of the top goaltenders in the area, and one of the best to have played at Malvern. He became the first goalie for the Friars to be named team captain. He was also the club’s MVP for two straight seasons. “Matthew has been a rock in the net since I came to the program three years ago,” said Malvern coach Dave Dorfman.
SECOND TEAM
F: Tommy Sloan, W.C. Rustin
F: Justin Gordon, Malvern Prep
F: Brendan Harman, Sr., Avon Grove
F: Ryan Johnson, Sr., Kennett
D: Michael Eland, Sr., West Chester East
D: WIll Schnorr, D, Soph., Conestoga
G: Eric West, Soph., Downingtown West
HONORABLE MENTION
Brady Anderson, D, Jr., Avon Grove; Charlie Andress, F, Soph., Malvern Prep; Noah Bebee, F, Jr., Downingtown West; Justin Cohn, F, Jr., Downingtown East; Jeff Cummings, G, Sr., Downingtown East; Stephen D’Elia, F, Malvern Prep; Kyle Dorman, D, Fr., Malvern Prep; Jack Dreisbach, F, Sr., Kennett; Michael Eland, D, Sr., West Chester East; Sam Edwards, F, Jr., Great Valley; Alex Fox, Jr., Downingtown East; Nicholas Ferraro, F, Soph., West Chester Rustin; Joe Galitski, G, Soph., West Chester East; Ryan Ganly, F, Sr., Kennett; Tyler Glennon, F, Sr., Unionville; Zach Hannaway, F, Jr., Downingtown West; Christian Juliana, D, Jr., West Chester Rustin; Frank Konopaek, F, Fr., Conestoga; Owen Lawless, D, Jr., Great Valley; Harrison Layne, F, Sr., Downingtown East; Aiden Masters, D, Jr., Unionville; Matt Miller, F, Jr., Avon Grove; Zack Mullen, F, Sr., Oxford; Ryan Nichol, F, Jr., Avon Grove; Eddie Russell, F, Sr., West Chester East; Eric Stankiewicz, D, Jr., Downingtown East; Ian Strasinski, F, Soph., West Chester Rustin; Jake Sawyze, D, Jr., Malvern Prep.
COACHES OF THE YEAR
Nick Russo, West Chester Rustin
Not many area coaches in any sport can match the level of success that Russo has had in the last few years. Russo has overseen four straight Flyers Cup and Pennsylvania Cup championships, and completed the hat trick this year with a national title. The veteran of more than 30 years on the youth level has helped turned Rustin into one of the premier teams in state. “Playing for coach Russo is great,” said goalie Jason Grande. “He has a lot of experience. He calms us down and helps me focus on my game.” Despite not winning the Ches-Mont title, the Golden Knights ruled the rest of the postseason. “It was quite a ride,” Russo said. Rustin will lose Grande and forward Tommy Sloan to graduation, but plenty of talent is expected to return, headed by high-scoring forward Matt Owens.
Dave Hendricks, Downingtown East
While Rustin has certainly had its fair share of success, don’t discount the hardware won by Downingtown East in the last few years. The Cougars won their second Flyers Cup title and become the winningest AA team in that competition in the last 10 years. A state title and a bronze medal in the national tournament followed. The architect of this stellar record, Hendricks shares the Coach of the Year award with his good friend Russo. Hendricks, who just wrapped up his ninth season guiding the Cougars, preached the everybody contributes philosophy, and his team bought in completely. “The best thing that went right this season is the team,” said Hendricks. “This is not a team of superstars, we need everyone from the first through third lines, one through five defensemen, and even both goalies, we got contributions from.”
