MBA hockey gathers to dine and celebrate season.

On a cold and snowy evening, 120 gathered comprised of hockey players and parents to dine and celebrate the 2013-2014 varsity and JV hockey seasons.

SAGE prepared a wonderful meal of pasta and Caesar salad.  

Will Hansen said a thoughtful blessing.

Athletic Director, Scott O'Neal thanked coaches and announced letter winners:

Varsity Letter (1^st year)                         

Bright, David

Logan, Parker

Evans, Jake
Kovick, Jacob
MacDonald-Surman, Cameron
Moore, Ellis

Ray, Nicholas

Wamble, Noah

Fisher, Cal

Malone, Jack

Mowery, Ethan

Smith, Sam

Garey, Jackson

Ray, Stephen

Smith, Turner

Pinsly, Sam

Boney, Nick

Coyle, Jack
Mathews, Chase

Worthington, Kipper

Yahnian, Ben

Coach Deutsch thanked the volunteers, the players and gave a season summary:
 

I appreciate you coming to dine together, to help celebrate our hockey season, and to recognize those who have contributed to more, great hockey memories.

 

The varsity team finished overall 14-6-2 finishing in 1^st place in the league’s tier 2 division earning #7 seed in the state tournament.  We battled hard but our season ended at the hands of JP2 – a tier 1 team we had beaten along with Centennial to get to the state tourney.  Centennial won state yesterday beating Ravenwood.  This team should feel good in that they beat the eventual State Champions back in late January. 

 

Some of the ways I describe this team: Strong defensively (fewest goals allowed), had strong freshman class that stepped in and contributed immediately, not intimidated by GNASH hockey due mainly to already playing at high-level hockey.  This team was amazingly resilient, surviving severe injuries and illness (2 of our captains sustained season ending injuries). 

But, like in life, others got opportunities… not planned, and successfully stepped up.  The players found ways to win close games, and surprised teams in the league.  We were a very flexible team, managing changes forced upon us.  Simply, this club was determined to adjust and win no matter what conditions they faced. 

Thank you to the volunteers:  

 

Coaching Staff (Mike Knapp, Alex Mazzoni, Rob Piana, Tim Kovick) for their dedication, and care for our players.

Strength and Conditioning Coach (John Vernacchio)

GNASH Representative (Hugh McSharry, player registration, monthly GNASH Board Meetings.

Game Operations volunteers - WARDENS of CLOCK, SHEET and BOX:

Varsity: Paul Yahnian, Tim Kovick, Gary Pinsly, Stuart Smith, Jesse Moore, Kip Smith, Doug Mathews

 

JV: Ed Ownby, Paul Abbey.  Kevin McGinn, Gregg Turner, Elaine MacDonald, Davis Hunt

 

Team Doctor/Dentist/Trainers: (STAR Therapy, Rob Piana, Brad Worthington, Doug Mathews, Stuart Smith, Jason Hubbard, Athletic trainers: Brandon Thornsberry, Eric Owens)

Team Manager (Susan Ray)

Team Photographer (Kim Barrick) varsity and JV pictures, poster, and "Men in Black" painting.

Team Artist - (Catharine Hollifield) poster.

 

MBA administration: Brad Gioia, Dr. Rick Seay, Will Norton,  Scott O’Neal, Brandy Lamb, Bob Yakushi, David Norton (and their staffs) for their support of our program.

 

Mr. Steve and Ms. Susan and the entire SAGE staff for preparing the meal this evening.

 

I remain optimistic about the future of MBA’s hockey program.  Our program has a good reputation in Nashville, and we hope to build on this…we are targeting the 5^th grade boys in Nashville as we know young hockey players have many good schools to pick from in Nashville.   Each of you are ambassadors for our school and hockey program.  I encourage you to mention MBA if comes up in your social or business discussions.   

 

We have a strong 8^th grade class with 9 anticipated to contribute to the HS program next season.  We are still on the lookout for goalies as any hockey program cannot have enough goalies!

 

I feel we must continuously evaluate our program, where we fit in the GNASH and NYHL leagues with our players and resources so as to optimally benefit the players and their hockey experience. 

 

The JV program (now after 2 years) continues to provide a safe environment for new player development.  We had 12 who had never played before decide to “strap it on” and experience the speed, physical demands, adrenaline rush, fun and fellowship that comes with the sport. 

My mark of a successful JV season is if these boys come back next season….and maybe bring a friend.  We had 3 JS students play JV this year too. 

 

The program will continue to focus on skills development, identifying and retaining good athletes, summer off-ice and on-ice conditioning, building strength, cross training with other sports, and maintaining a life balance with family, social, academic, and athletic demands that come with “life on the Hill.”

 

We will ask our players to keep it simple, to focus on one aspect of their game they are good at (skating, shooting, passing) and then build on that, and being flexible; consistently coming ready to compete, bringing intensity every shift, being disciplined, and being responsible for their performance on and off the ice, be ambassadors of the sport, and work to maintain the integrity of the game.

 

My main objective remains to work with parents, coaches, fellow teachers, and the MBA administration to build young men with solid character who are humble, contributing student-athletes.

 

Thank you players for your commitment to playing sports at MBA, and especially to playing hockey.  It is a small, “fraternity” of guys that chose to and have the skills to play this game.  I think I speak for your parents and coaches when I say that I can’t think of a better setting than for us to be together as a team tonight to celebrate you, our season, your HS hockey experience, and all the blessings, gifts, and talents you’ve been given. 

 

Seniors, now your job is to take your talents and lessons learned, and use them in your future endeavors to find a way to leave it better than you found it. 

 

Nick Boney, for your kindness and leadership as our captain, and commitment to “team” in spite of the set backs that plagued your hockey experience.

 

Jack Coyle, for your strong defensive play in goal, selection as GNASH all-star, for your special ability to also play defense…and also for the fabulous art you create.

 

Cal Fisher for your dedication to the JV program, a smile and positive spirit you bring to everything…and because you play good golf.

 

Chase Mathews for your strength, pure skating, scoring, speed, and back checking abilities…selection as GNASH all-star…..and for contributions in the classroom as an honors Geo-bro.

 

Sam Pinsly for your work ethic and dedication to get better.  You are the poster player for the merits of our program, and I enjoy telling your amazing story about where you were as a sophomore new to hockey and in my algebra class, then your progress and success, and where you ended up as a senior all because of your hard work.

 

Kip Worthington  thanks for always working to get stronger physically and being the chiseled guy that you’ve become.  Your size and strength often made you a threat to ….and a target of the opposition.  But, you are a model of the physical development we need for our players…and I wish you luck with your music at Sewanee in the Fall.

 

Ben Yahnian for your work ethic, positive life balance, tenacity for all you do….and your care for others.  You are a true leader both on and off the ice.  

 

Seniors, I’ve enjoyed our work together to create and share more, great MBA hockey memories.    

 

 

 

 

In keeping with tradition, I’ve asked each of our seniors to talk briefly about their experiences with hockey, share any words of wisdom for underclassmen, to tell “their hockey story.”  

 

Nick     Boney

Jack     Coyle

Cal       Fisher

Chase   Mathews

Sam     Pinsly

Kip      Worthington

Ben      Yahnian

 

Thank you seniors for your words of wisdom. 

 

Thank you to each of you for coming this evening, and for your continued support of MBA’s hockey program, and to all of you that made this evening a success. 

 

Remember: it’s always a good day for hockey!  Good night.  Please drive home safely.