Freehold High School and ice hockey are a good mix. The Colonials are proving it this winter. In their inaugural season, the Colonials have been anything but a pushover. Coach Brian Simpson’s skaters are 7-9-1 overall and have a chance to qualify for the NJSIAA state tournament, which would be quite an achievement.
The cutoff date for teams to be .500 or better and gain a bid to the state tournament is Monday. Freehold has a game at the Mennen Arena in Morristown against Mount Olive on Friday that could decide its playoff fate.
Regardless of what happens with respect to the state tournament, the Colonials have established themselves as a program that is on solid footing. They are here to stay because the 16-player squad has only one senior, defenseman Mike Berry. However, he will be sorely missed next winter. He is the team captain and leader.
“Our captain, Mike Berry, has set the standard for the players both on and off the ice by displaying excellent sportsmanship, academic success and outstanding play,” said Simpson.
Berry and assistant captains Andrew Ryder (forward), Tyler Blum (forward) and Jordan Black (forward), who are all juniors, are the team’s more experienced players. They have been the squad’s foundation.
Among the underclassmen who have made an impact are freshman forward Charles Tobias and starting goalie Cody Reilly, who is also a freshman. A sophomore, forward Kevin Collins, leads the team in scoring.
With just 16 players, the Colonials are the smallest (in terms of roster size) of the five Freehold Regional High School District squads, all of whom are making their varsity debuts this winter. That has hardly slowed the team down.
“Although we are the smallest team, we have had many successes and have continued to progress throughout the season,” said Simpson.
Simpson also pointed to the team’s fan following as providing a lift for the players.
“The dedicated fan support has been outstanding, continually growing throughout the season,” he remarked.
The future is bright for the Colonials, not only because they will have 15 of 16 players returning, but according to Simpson, they will be adding talent next year.
“We are going to be gaining some great young talent next year and hope to continue the momentum into the 2009-10 season,” he remarked.
Freehold’s final regular season game is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Wall Ice Arena, Wall Township.
— Tim Morris