2011-12 CTHSHockey All State Teams

By: Luke Devoe


Let me preface this listing by saying this is strictly based on what I've seen this year.  I have been to a ton of games and have seen a great amount of high school hockey.  Naturally, not everyone will agree with these selections but that doesn't concern me much.  I also didn't pay special attention to naming three forwards and two D like many all-anything teams do because many skaters do a little of both during a high school season.  Enjoy.


MVP: Sean Wilkinson, Ridgefield
Coach of the Year: Ken Barse, Glastonbury
Rookie of the Year: Tyler Carangelo, Hamden
Ryan Brennan All Heart Award: Eddie Sherman, NDWH & Conor Peterson, Fairfield Prep
Best Offensive Defenseman: Kyle Leyerzapf, West Haven
Best Defensive Defenseman: Tom Worsfold, Fairfield Prep


First Team
F Ethan Holdaway- (Sr.) Glastonbury

Holdaway in Glastonbury's QF win over Darien.

Holdaway has speed that not many can match within the state.  He tallied 59 points (33 G, 26 A) and led his Tomahawks squad to the state championship game.  Alongside fellow senior Drew Mozzer, Holdaway made up half of the state's best 1-2 punch.  Holdaway is considering Westminster, Loomis Chaffee and Avon Old Farms to extend his career next year.

F David White- (Jr.) Fairfield Prep

White against Hamden.

The Dragon Slayer, White proved that one player can dominate a team.  White has scored the Jesuits' last seven goals against rival Hamden which allowed them to go 3-0 against them this year.  White went on to tally 48 points (28 G, 20 A) with many coming in the dazzling variety.  He finished with two four goal games and 16 multi point efforts.  White and his Jesuits will be primed for yet another title run next year.
F Colby Cretella- (Sr.) Notre Dame-West Haven
Notre Dame-West Haven's captain was as steady of a presence on the ice as anyone in the state all season.  In on every play, Cretella amassed 56 points (25 G, 31 A) and led his Green Knights to a state championship.  This two way player backchecks better than anyone in the state and led the Knights with a quiet demeanor that resonated very loudly.
F Billy Vizzo- (So.) Notre Dame-West Haven

Vizzo celebrating with the ND student section.

The sophomore sensation missed the last few games of the season with presumably a bout with mononucleosis but luckily his teammates stayed alive and Vizzo was able to shine on the big stage, notching a hat trick in the DI final win over Glastonbury.  Vizzo, who will return to NDWH next year, finished with 47 points (25 G, 22 A).
F Sean Wilkinson- (Sr.) Ridgefield

Sean Wilkinson of Ridgefield.

The state's best player is someone many from this area and the SCC may not know a lot about.  Wilkinson dominated the state all year to the tune of 68 points (30 G, 38 A).  His Ridgefield Tigers' early quarterfinal exit was unexpected and put an end to a season many thought would lead the Tigers to Ingalls.  Wilkinson will go on to play lacrosse at Holy Cross.
G Riley Wikman- (Sr.) Fairfield Prep
Many argue that goalies from top teams like Prep don't belong because of all the help they get.  At the end of the day the Jesuits' play one of the hardest schedules in the state against not only the top teams locally but from all over the New England area.  Wikman responded to this incredible strength of schedule with 6 shutouts including "no-no's" against Hamden, Ridgefield, Springfield Cathedral, BC High and Catholic Memorial.  He finished with a 1.40 GAA and a .953 save percentage.


Second Team
F Mike Troiano- (Sr.) West Haven
Troiano started the season like gangbusters leading the state in scoring 8 goals in the first three West Haven games.  He cooled off a bit but still showed the state the incredible amount of talent that he posses tallying 42 points (20 G, 22 A).
F Greg Zullo- (Jr.) Notre Dame-West Haven
Zullo could very well be a first teamer, but imagine the flack I'd catch for that?  Hampered by a concussion earlier this season, Zullo was still miraculously able to collect 48 points (14 G, 34 A) continuously feeding the likes of Cretella and Vizzo on arguably the state's best line.  Zullo returns next year hoping to help the Knights repeat.
F CK Keator- (Jr.) St. Joseph

St. Joseph's Keator

Keator was a constant influence keeping St. Joseph competitive the season after they shocked the state and nearly won it all.  Keator finished with 44 points (26 G, 18 A) and notched 4 hat tricks.  His St. Joseph squad was eliminated in an ugly way in a 9-1 loss to Hamden in the first round of state's but Keator tallied the only goal St. Joe's was able to get.  Watch for him to have a Wilkinson-like rise next year.
F Drew Mozzer- (Sr.) Glastonbury
Holdaway's side kick has speed that can match the best and a deft scoring touch that forces people to nearly jump over the boards and possibly get kicked out of Ingalls.  Wink.  The senior finished with an eye popping 47 points (25 G, 22 A) and is mulling over juniors and prep school for next season.
F Jake Granito- (Sr.) New Canaan

New Canaan's Granito

The New Canaan Rams had a disappointing finish to the year losing in the first round to Darien but they will lose a little bit more this spring when Jake Granito graduates.  Granito finished with 45 points (26 G, 19 A) in the competitive FCIAC.  Granito plans to take his talents to the prep school ranks but is undecided on where at this moment.
G Luc Amatruda- (Jr.) Notre Dame-West Haven
Amatruda stood on his head in the state championship game en route to a shutout victory over Glastonbury.  His microscopic 1.57 GAA is what places him here on this list.  Amatruda wrestled the starting job away from fellow junior Paul Sliwonski and never gave it back.  Look for Amatruda to hold down the fort next season when the Knights go for two in a row.


Third Team
F Joe Bianchi- (Sr.) Amity
Bianchi's name gets forgotten simply because he's on the lone DI SCC school to not make the state tournament this year but don't let that take away from the skills that this kid possesses.  He has one of the finest wrist shots in the state that often catches goalies off balance.  He finished with 39 points (25 G, 14 A) and will play at the post grad level or juniors.
F Jeremy Germain- (So.) Hamden

Amity's captain Joe Bianchi

For a large part of the season, Hamden's production was quite spread out.  Germain rose above the rest and finished with 34 points (16 G, 18 A).  The sophomore showed the ability to be strong on his skates and a monster net front presence.  He is rumored to be leaving to go prep school but that has yet to be confirmed nor denied.  He would be a big loss for Hamden who seems to be having trouble lately keeping kids for four years.
F AJ Unker- (Sr.) Fairfield Prep
The Jesuits' captain was a steadying presence for Prep all year.  The coaches and spectators knew what they'd get out of Unker on any given day.  He finished with 39 points (13 G, 26 A) and with help from White and Connor Henry showed the state what a top line looks like.  He will continue his playing career at Williston North Hampton Prep next year.
F Brendan Hathaway- (Jr.) Darien
Hathaway played leaps and bounds ahead of any other Wave player this year and ended up with 32 points (22 G, 10 A) for his efforts.  The junior will return next year primed for a run a little deeper into the state tourney than this year's effort.
D Kyle Leyerzapf- (Sr.) West Haven
The Blue Devils shook up the state with a quarterfinal win over Ridgefield at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport to move on to the semifinals but it was the effort all year from Kyle Leyerzapf that gave them that chance in the first place.  The state's best puck moving defenseman finished with 32 points (13 G, 19 A) all while playing steady, solid defense for the Westies.
G Max Rothston- (Sr.) Darien
The Wave's senior netminder played nearly every minute in net for them this year.  This big bodied Rothston posted a 2.19 GAA and a .922 save percentage in the process while notching four shutouts.


Honorable Mention

Hamden's Mike Lee

F Dave Canfarotta- (Jr.) Notre Dame-Fairfield
F Austin Hansen- (Jr.) West Haven
F Nick Bruno- (Sr.) Darien
F Rich Decarlo- (Sr.) East Haven
F Stephen Marsico- (So.) East Haven
D Anthony Astorino- (Sr.) Notre Dame-West Haven
F Jack Gethings- (So.) Xavier
F John Ferguson- (Sr.) St. Joseph
D Mike Lee- (So.) Hamden
F Tyler Carangelo- (Fr.) Hamden
D Tom Worsfold- (Sr.) Fairfield Prep
F Dylan Hart- (Sr.) New Canaan
F David Ouellette- (Sr.) South Windsor
F Joey Bonazelli- (Sr.) South Windsor
F Brendan Lemire- (Sr.) Fermi-Enfield
F Tyler Violano- (Sr.) Cheshire
G Andy Varga- (Sr.) Hamden
G Mike Amarone- (Sr.) North Haven
G Chris Marchi- (Sr.) South Windsor