Hockey Team Celebrates Memorable Season
The hockey team gathered for one more time together at the Mathews home. Ethan Vines began the evening with a short blessing. All enjoyed a delicious meal catered by San Antonio Taco. The coaches reviewed the 8-8-4 season - good enough for 4th place in the league for the regular season. It was most disappointing to lose to Fr. Ryan in pool play which turned out to be the loss that eliminated us from achieving our goal of making it to the final 4 of the state tournament, but it was still a memorable season. Wins and losses were important, but it was also about building solid young men who are student-athletes.
We focused on being disciplined; consistently, coming ready to complete; and taking ownership of our performance on and off the ice. This was a very unselfish team. We were hard to play against by even for the best teams. We tied state champion Brentwood 3-3, and also Ravenwood 2-2 (state runner-up), but JP2 and Ryan gave us fits. We enjoyed the league parity and competition of each game created by playing against gold division teams each game due to league re-alignment.
We had strong team leadership with 9 seniors. They will be missed no only for their on-ice prowess, but for their accomplishments off the ice as: service leaders (Christian Alford, Alex Austin, Nick Bessette, Cum Laude (Nick Bessette) and Totomoi membership (Nick Bessette, Jack Keller), National Merit scholar selection (Connor Pagnani), Wilson grant recipients (Max Coyle, Jack Keller, Alex Austin, Nick Bessette), multi-sport athletes (football – Jack Keller, track – Nick Bessette, LAX – Connor Pagnani, Alex Austin), class executives (Christian Alford - student body president this year, Harrison Mathews – VP of his Junior class), league All-stars (Max Coyle, Alex Austin), and for being active in their churches and FCA (Ethan Vines, Connor Pagnani), and Bradley Worthington for his dedication to the program even when playing time was limited due to injury and the competitive nature of this team.
With 15 returning players, plus our student manager Alex Floyd - the future is bright for our program and we expect these players will continue to contribute off the ice too as writers for the school news paper (Scott Dalton), honor council members (Scott Dalton), musicians in the jazz band (Aidan McSharry, Michael Piana), participants in SYLO (Michael Piana), and members of the chorus, and actors in the plays (Alex Floyd). But, we need another goalie to help Jack Coyle out, so if you know of someone who could play for us, please let us know!
Thank you to all who helped with the team this season:
Finally, thank you our players for your commitment to playing sports and playing hockey at MBA. I think I speak for your parents and coaches when I say that I can’t think of a better setting for us to be in than to be together as a team one more time to celebrate you, our season, and all the blessings, gifts and talents you’ve been given.
Seniors, now your job is to take your talents and use them in your future endeavors to find a way to leave it better than you found it….because as you know: the dugout rule always applies! I enjoyed our work together to create more great hockey memories because, like they say in Minnesota: “It’s always a good day for hockey.”
We played a very entertaining DVD that highlighted players in action this season.
Our captains gave captain awards:
- Scott Dalton - Offensive MVP
- Conner Griffin - Defensive MVP
- Alex Austin - Heart and Spirit Award
- Christian Alford - Sniper Award
- Justin Yoon - Rookie of the Year
- Jack Keller - Grinder Award
- Nick Bessette - Shut-out Award
- Jack Coyle - Most Improved
The seniors gave thoughtful speeches about their experiences with hockey on the Hill.
We thanked everyone for coming, Mrs. Austin and Mrs. Griffin for organizing the banquet, and the Mathews for hosting. A good time was had by all.
Back
We focused on being disciplined; consistently, coming ready to complete; and taking ownership of our performance on and off the ice. This was a very unselfish team. We were hard to play against by even for the best teams. We tied state champion Brentwood 3-3, and also Ravenwood 2-2 (state runner-up), but JP2 and Ryan gave us fits. We enjoyed the league parity and competition of each game created by playing against gold division teams each game due to league re-alignment.
We had strong team leadership with 9 seniors. They will be missed no only for their on-ice prowess, but for their accomplishments off the ice as: service leaders (Christian Alford, Alex Austin, Nick Bessette, Cum Laude (Nick Bessette) and Totomoi membership (Nick Bessette, Jack Keller), National Merit scholar selection (Connor Pagnani), Wilson grant recipients (Max Coyle, Jack Keller, Alex Austin, Nick Bessette), multi-sport athletes (football – Jack Keller, track – Nick Bessette, LAX – Connor Pagnani, Alex Austin), class executives (Christian Alford - student body president this year, Harrison Mathews – VP of his Junior class), league All-stars (Max Coyle, Alex Austin), and for being active in their churches and FCA (Ethan Vines, Connor Pagnani), and Bradley Worthington for his dedication to the program even when playing time was limited due to injury and the competitive nature of this team.
With 15 returning players, plus our student manager Alex Floyd - the future is bright for our program and we expect these players will continue to contribute off the ice too as writers for the school news paper (Scott Dalton), honor council members (Scott Dalton), musicians in the jazz band (Aidan McSharry, Michael Piana), participants in SYLO (Michael Piana), and members of the chorus, and actors in the plays (Alex Floyd). But, we need another goalie to help Jack Coyle out, so if you know of someone who could play for us, please let us know!
Thank you to all who helped with the team this season:
• Assistant coaches: Steve Dalton (coordinating practices) and Mike Knapp (working with our goalies and defensemen).
• Wives and families of coaches for their support given the many hours it takes.
• Parents: transporting our players, being off-ice officials at games (Steve Alford for coordinating this and our player registration), attending GNASH meetings (Jay Yancy, Frank Coyle, Hugh McSharry), doctoring our players when injured (Dr. Don Griffin, Dr. Scott Standard, Dr. Mike Pagnani, Dr. Doug Mathews, Dr. Mike Hays, and Dr. Brad Worthington), team managers: Michelle Austin, and Susan Griffin.
• Trainers: Mark McIntosh, Star Therapy, and Dr. Hubbard (concussions) and coordinating rehab for player injuries.
• Strength and conditioning coaches: John Vernachio, and Giles Cheevers.
• Student manager: Alex Floyd.
• Team photographers: Paul Smith, Mr. Tillman, Michelle Griffin, Susan Griffin, and others.
• MBA administration: Mr. Gioia, Mr. Tillman, Dr. Seay, Mr. O’Neal, Mrs. Morrissey for their tireless support of our program.
Finally, thank you our players for your commitment to playing sports and playing hockey at MBA. I think I speak for your parents and coaches when I say that I can’t think of a better setting for us to be in than to be together as a team one more time to celebrate you, our season, and all the blessings, gifts and talents you’ve been given.
Seniors, now your job is to take your talents and use them in your future endeavors to find a way to leave it better than you found it….because as you know: the dugout rule always applies! I enjoyed our work together to create more great hockey memories because, like they say in Minnesota: “It’s always a good day for hockey.”
We played a very entertaining DVD that highlighted players in action this season.
Our captains gave captain awards:
- Scott Dalton - Offensive MVP
- Conner Griffin - Defensive MVP
- Alex Austin - Heart and Spirit Award
- Christian Alford - Sniper Award
- Justin Yoon - Rookie of the Year
- Jack Keller - Grinder Award
- Nick Bessette - Shut-out Award
- Jack Coyle - Most Improved
The seniors gave thoughtful speeches about their experiences with hockey on the Hill.
We thanked everyone for coming, Mrs. Austin and Mrs. Griffin for organizing the banquet, and the Mathews for hosting. A good time was had by all.
Montgomery Bell Academy
4001 Harding Road
Nashville, TN 37205
(615) 298-5514
