HIGH SCHOOL GAME OF THE WEEK: BRIGHTON/HFL/EASTRIDGE VS. IRONDEQUOIT
Dec 3, 2024By Ryan J. Harr
For the next several months, the Rochester Americans will be front and center of the local high school hockey scene as part of a weekly series that features the latest news and notes, scores and stats of select Section V games around the Greater Rochester Area.
This week’s High School Game of the Week features the Brighton/HFL/Eastridge Bruins hosting the Irondequoit Eagles (0-1-0) on Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. at Genesee Valley Ice Arena.
The Bruins, who return their two top point-getters from the 2023-24 season and nine players overall, took last year’s game against the Eagles by a 4-3 score. Including the win against Irondequoit on Dec. 5, Brighton started last season with a 3-1-0 mark before finishing with a 5-15-0 record.
Of Brighton/HFL/Eastridge’s 31 goals, 40 assists and 71 points last season, Emmet Landt topped all Bruins in both goals (14) and points (18) as he appeared in 19 games while Patrick Rohr led the club in assists (8) and finished second in points (13).
Goaltender Ryan Hurwitz also returns to the crease after appearing in all 20 games last season as he posted a 5-15-0 record and two shutouts to go with a 4.25 goals-against average and .892 save percentage.
Matthew Brassie, Carson Meehan, Jason Bennett, Phillip Stapf, Brandon Taccia, Nathan Loncz and Sebastian Cottrell all look to make an impact this season for the Bruins as they return from last season’s roster.
Head coach Grady Monks leads the Bruins for his first season while Brad Ryan serves as assistant coach.
After posting a 1-16-3 record in 2023-24, Irondequoit is looking to improve this season as they return 20 players, including five of its six top-scorers and all three goaltenders.
Landon Bryan topped the club with 15 points (8+7) while Dylan Carey (5+8) also logged double digits in points as they both skated in all 20 games with the Eagles. Douglas Velepec (3+5), Matt Whalen (3+5), Henry Velepec (3+4), Tommy Holve (1+5), Nick Beechey (1+3), and Alex McLaughlin (1+2) all recorded multiple assists.
Netminders Joel Reeves (1-8-3) and Will Napierala (0-8-0) split the duties in the goal crease last season while Chase Wallner also returns to the blue paint in 2024-25.
Matthew Parsons, Andrew Nechipurenko, Calden VanDeusen, Robert Wunsch, Jack Schowenwitz. A.J. Tuff, Porter Roberts, Andrew Kessler, and Ryan Adams all conclude the players to return from last year’s squad.
Mike Cimino is the head coach of Irondequoit with Greg Manley, Theo Cup, Dave Velepec and Rick Giuffrida serving as assistants.
Following Tuesday’s matchup, the Eagles will close out December on Tuesday, Dec. 17 when they face Penfield at Webster Ice Arena for a 6:00 p.m. matchup. Meanwhile, Brighton/HFL/Eastridge will take on Frontier High School on Friday, Dec. 6 for a 1:00 p.m. contest at Town Ice Arena in Hamburg.