Beyond the Scoresheet

Opening Day, 10 years later

December 1, 2006 on 10:22 am | In analysis | 2 Comments

Well, if it is 34 degrees in Houston, it must be hockey season! I’m psyched for the start of the season tonight, even though I likely will not see a game until after Christmas (I did squeeze in one scrimmage during the Thanksgiving holiday). And today marks 10 years since I first decided to cover high school ice hockey, way back when Pope John won its first ever game over a very different Morris Knolls team. As Mike Morreale pointed out in his blog, the number of schools fielding hockey teams has nearly doubled since then. Likewise, my dedication to and coverage of N.J. hockey has increased, and this is always a fun time. While you’re checking out previews and blogs, don’t forget to check out Dan Rosen and the guys at the Varsity Aces blog, including Dan’s Bergen County preview. And in my neck of the woods, Dan Breeman should have a preview coming out soon in Morris County’s Daily Record, but football coverage appears to be dominating the section today. Down the shore, Bob Badders previewed CBA’s season in the Asbury Park Press

With those guys, who are actually on the scene and usually in closer contact with the coaches than I am, handling previews, I do not plan to go very in depth with mine. I have other things on my plate, such as writing high-school football columns, trying to find a broadcasting job, and making plans for Rice’s first bowl game in 45 years.

But I can’t let Opening Day go without a little something, so let’s touch on a few things. First, my HNIB Top 10, which should be available in local rinks at the moment. Remember, preseason rankings are virtually pointless AND I had to submit this before practices even started.

HNIB Preseason Top 10 (11/13/06)
1. Delbarton
2. CBA
3. St. Peter’s Prep
4. Seton Hall Prep
5. Pope John
6. Bergen Catholic
7. Don Bosco Prep
8. Montgomery
9. Ridge
10. Bishop Eustace

And remember, please email me with scores the night of the game, it is a huge help and time-saver for me to have reliable scores coming in so I’m not scouring the newspapers the next morning. You know the drill, jty [at] njhockey.org.

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