All CTHSHockey D1 First Team & D1 Awards

By: Luke Devoe

The following players are recognized for exceptional seasons at the Division I level. Keep in mind these players are selected based on regular season play not post season performance. Due to number of teams and the talent spread, I've decided to select three teams of 3 Forwards, 2 Defensemen and 1 Goalie.

SKATER OF THE YEAR: David White, Sr. (Fairfield Prep)

GOALIE OF THE YEAR: Stone Denbok, Jr. (Notre Dame-Fairfield)

DEFENSIVE DEFENSEMAN OF THE YEAR: Dan Dupont, Sr. (Xavier)

OFFENSIVE DEFENSEMAN OF THE YEAR: Joe O'Connor, So. (Hamden)

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Adam Karashik (Ridgefield)

COACH OF THE YEAR: Matt Sather (Fairfield Prep)

RYAN BRENNAN ALL HEART AWARD: Shane Baldwin (Xavier)

Ryan Brennan All Heart Award given out each year to players at all three divisions. Brennan, a Fairfield Prep Jesuit lost a two year battle with cancer in February 2011. It was suggested by Prep players last season that we honor the life of Ryan with this annual award given out to players who exhibit excellence on and off the ice.

D1 FIRST TEAM

D1 Skater of the Year David White of Fairfield Prep.

F David White, Sr. (Fairfield Prep)
Prep's best player for the past few seasons finally hung up his Jesuit sweater for the last time.  White, the Dragon Slayer, notched 51 points (21 G, 30 A) his senior year and led the Jesuits to a D1 State Championship and a 4-0 mark against rival ND West Haven. White had 14 multipoint games this year.

F Billy Vizzo, Jr. (Notre Dame-West Haven)
Arguably the best pure scorer in the state, Vizzo led D1 in scoring at 58 points (28 G, 30 A). He also anchored one of the best lines in the state with Ryan Lynch and Greg Zullo.  The junior will be likely taking his talents to the prep ranks next year.

F CK Keator, Sr. (St. Joseph)

Keator potted a ton of goals for the Cadets this year.  No other player in the state with the exception of Austin Hansen may have been as vital to their teams success as Keator. The senior finished with 44 points (30 G, 14 A) on the year. Keator recorded at least a point in every game and was held "goal-less" only twice this year.

D Andrew Gore, Sr. (St. Joseph)
The formidable defenseman chipped in big time on the offensive end this year all while playing impenetrable defense. Gore will be missed on the Cadet blue line after a 20 point senior season.

D Joe O'Connor, So. (Hamden)
Hamden's all around best player will be heading to Westminster next year, continuing the trend of quality Hamden players leaving after their sophomore year.  An excellent puck moving defenseman, O'Connor showed a deft scoring touch around the net and finished the year with 16 points (5 G, 11 A).

G Stone Denbok, Jr. (Notre Dame-Fairfield)
The Canadian import came into town and chased incumbents Justin Krochko and Scott Kline. He posted a 2.37 GAA and only allowed more than 3 goals three times this year. Rumored to be playing with the Brewster Bulldogs, it'd be hard to imagine Stone not coming back for his senior campaign.

Stone Denbok in a game against Fairfield Prep.

D1 SECOND TEAM

F Austin Hansen, Sr. (West Haven)

F Brendan Hathaway, Sr. (Darien)

F Avery Clair, Sr. (Glastonbury)

D Sean Henry, Sr. (Fairfield Prep)

D Darren Capobianco, Sr. (Notre Dame-West Haven)

G Matt Beck, Jr, (Fairfield Prep)

D1 THIRD TEAM

F Greg Zullo, Sr. (Notre Dame-West Haven)

F Connor Henry, Sr. (Fairfield Prep)

F Harry Stanton, Jr. (New Canaan)

D Lou Iannotti, Jr. (Notre Dame-West Haven)

D Dan Dupont, Sr. (Xavier)

G Chase Gabor, Sr. (Glastonbury)

All-CTHSHockey D1 Second Team

The following players are recognized for exceptional seasons at the Division I level. Keep in mind these players are selected based on regular season play not post season performance. Due to number of teams and the talent spread, I've decided to select three teams of 3 Forwards, 2 Defensemen and 1 Goalie.  Check back tomorrow for D1's First Team and Awards.

D1 SECOND TEAM

F Austin Hansen, Sr. (West Haven)

West Haven's Hansen

Where oh where would West Haven have been this year without the heroics of Hansen? Hansen finished with 40 points (22 G, 18 A) including arguably the biggest individual effort all year of any player scoring 6 times in a 7-5 win over Fermi-Enfield.

F Brendan Hathaway, Sr. (Darien)

A terrible end to a brilliant career is how senior captain Hathaway saw his season end with a broken ankle. Hathaway joined the Darien 100 point club this year while finishing with 40 points (20 G, 20 A) on the campaign.

F Avery Clair, Sr. (Glastonbury)

The Tomahawks' senior forward capped off a solid career with a 38 point (26 G, 12 A) senior season. At times undisciplined, it was never a question of talent for the big bodied Clair who notched 4 hat tricks on the season.

D Sean Henry, Sr. (Fairfield Prep)

Arguably the best of an incredible group of senior defensemen this year for Prep, Sean Henry chipped in big time offensively and on the PP for the Jesuits. As dependable as you can find, Henry finished the year with 20 points including 18 helpers.

D Darren Capobianco, Sr. (Notre Dame-West Haven)

A blast from the point and a swagger not to be matched, Capobianco carried the blue line for NDWH coach Bill Gerosa all season. Capobianco like Henry also notched 20 points (3 G, 17 A) as a defenseman this year. 

G Matt Beck, Jr. (Fairfield Prep)

Prep's junior platoon netminder put together an impressive season all while sharing his crease with fellow junior Chris Gutierrez and even sophomore Jack Taubl. With a 1.43 GAA and a resume that includes wins over NDWH (3 times), NDF (2), Delbarton (NJ), Don Bosco (NJ), Hamden and Ridgefield Beck proved multiple times he can hang with the big boys.

Darien's Hathaway

All-CTHSHockey D1 Third Team

The following players are recognized for exceptional seasons at the Division I level. Keep in mind these players are selected based on regular season play not post season performance. Due to number of teams and the talent spread, I've decided to select three teams of 3 Forwards, 2 Defensemen and 1 Goalie.  Check back tomorrow for D1I's Second Team.

D1 THIRD TEAM

F Greg Zullo, Sr. (Notre Dame-West Haven)

Zullo finished quite the career at NDWH with a state championship at both the baseball and hockey ranks and a member of NDWH's 100 point club after a 40 point (14 G, 26 A) senior campaign.

F Connor Henry, Sr. (Fairfield Prep)

An underrated forward, Connor Henry made the most of his senior year. Henry played on one of the most talented lines in the state flanked by David White and Nick Bargiello. Henry finished the season with 39 points (16 G, 23 A).

F Harry Stanton, Jr. (New Canaan)

New Canaan's Stanton

One of the grittiest, hardest working players in the state, Stanton is also blessed with exceptional speed. Stanton did his best to make New Canaan relevant this year and led the Rams in scoring.

D Dan Dupont, Sr. (Xavier)

Dupont will be sorely missed on the blue line for Xavier moving forward. One of the best stay at home defensemen in the state, Dupont anchored a young group that relied on his leadership.

D Lou Iannotti, Jr. (Notre Dame-West Haven)

A physical force, Iannotti also contributed to the scoresheet this season. Iannotti finished with 17 points (6 G, 11 A) from the blue line including his first career hat trick. Iannotti will play for the Hartford Jr. Wolfpack next season.

G Chase Gabor, Sr. (Glastonbury)

Gabor had a down season by his standards after losing some top line talent last season. Gabor was my first team goalie last year but still was able to post a 1.87 GAA and two shutouts this season for the under gunned Tomahawks.

Xavier's Dupont

CTHSHockey D1 Honorable Mention

By: Luke Devoe

Fairfield Prep's Billy D'Amore

The following players are recognized for exceptional seasons at the Division I level. Keep in mind these players are selected based on regular season play not post season performance. Due to number of teams and the talent spread, I've decided to select an extensive number of players for honorable mention from D1. Tomorrow All-CTHSHockey D1 Third Team will be released.

New Canaan's Luke Amero

D1 Honorable Mention

Scott Romano, Sr. Goalie (Cheshire)

Luke Vendetto, Jr. Forward (Cheshire)

Trent Bergin, Sr. Forward (Darien)

Tommy Watters, Jr. Forward (Darien)

Michael Collins, Sr. Goalie (Darien)

Matt Longobardi, Jr. Forward (East Haven)

Tristan Goodwin, Jr. Forward (East Haven)

Mike Falanga, So. Forward (East Haven)

Dean Lockery, Jr. Forward (Fairfield Prep)

Nick Bargiello, Sr. Forward (Fairfield Prep)

Matt Wikman, Jr. Forward (Fairfield Prep)

Billy D'Amore, Sr. Defense (Fairfield Prep)

Kevin Brown, Sr. Defense (Fairfield Prep)

Andrew Hatton, Sr. Defense (Fairfield Prep)

Conor Thompson, Jr. Forward (Glastonbury)

Paul Macken, Sr. Forward (Greenwich)

Matt Lodato, Sr. Forward (Greenwich)

Tyler Carangelo, So. Forward (Hamden)

Mike Regan, Sr. Forward (Hamden)

Matt Hoff, Sr. Goalie (Hamden)

Chris Koenneke, Jr. Goalie (New Canaan)

Puck Richardson, Sr. Forward (New Canaan)

Luke Amero, So. Forward (New Canaan)

Karl Anderson, Sr. Forward (North Haven)

Andrew Graziano, So. Goalie (North Haven)

Christian La Croix, Jr. Forward (Notre Dame-Fairfield)

Greg Ferris, Jr. Defense (Notre Dame-Fairfield)

Ryan Lynch, So. Forward (Notre Dame-West Haven)

Cam Hotchkiss, Sr. Defense (Notre Dame-West Haven)

Matt Dumas, Jr. Forward (Notre Dame-West Haven)

Alex Rowella, So. Forward (Ridgefield)

Cam McGuire, Jr. Forward (Ridgefield)

Liam Smith, So. Forward (Ridgefield)

David Olechna, Sr. Forward (Simsbury)

Dave Eustis, Jr. Defense (Simsbury)

Ryan Carpenter, Sr. Forward (Simsbury)

Josh O'Neal, Sr. Forward (South Windsor)

Chris Gionfriddo, Sr. Forward (South Windsor)

Aiden Cain, Jr. Goalie (South Windsor)

Ryan Corcoran, Jr. Forward (St. Joseph)

Jim Morrissey, Jr. Forward (West Haven)

Alex Scranton, Jr. Defense (West Haven)

Jack Gethings, Jr. Forward (Xavier)

Andrew Meoli, Jr. Forward (Xavier)

Kade McCartin, Jr. Defense (Xavier)

Xavier's Jack Gethings jousting.

CTHSHockey D2 First Team and Awards

By: Luke Devoe

The following players are recognized for exceptional seasons at the Division II level. Keep in mind these players are selected based on regular season play not post season performance. Due to number of teams and the talent spread, I've decided to select three teams of 3 Forwards, 2 Defensemen and 1 Goalie.  Check back tomorrow for DI's Honorable Mention.

SKATER OF THE YEAR: Zach White, Jr. (Milford Co-op)

GOALIE OF THE YEAR: Matt DePalma, Sr. (New Milford)

DEFENSIVE DEFENSEMAN OF THE YEAR: Dan Silvestri, Sr. (Fairfield Co-op)

OFFENSIVE DEFENSEMAN OF THE YEAR: Ryan Moore, Sr. (Guilford)

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Sam Lafontaine (Daniel Hand)

COACH OF THE YEAR: Mark Pettorini (Fairfield Co-op)

RYAN BRENNAN ALL HEART AWARD: Evan Isaacs & Tyler Hanley (Newtown)

Ryan Brennan All Heart Award given out each year to players at all three divisions. Brennan, a Fairfield Prep Jesuit lost a two year battle with cancer in February 2011. It was suggested by Prep players last season that we honor the life of Ryan with this annual award given out to players who exhibit excellence on and off the ice.

DII FIRST TEAM

F Patrick Melanson, Sr. (Northwest Catholic)

One of the best distributors in the state Melanson finished tied with Greenwood for NWC's point lead with 45 (17 G, 28 A) on the year. Melanson had 12 multi-point games this year including 7 and 8 point efforts in wins over RMR and Hall-Southington. Melanson made NWC's transition to D2 seamless and will be sorely missed.

F Dylan Podbielski, Sr. (North Branford)

Milford's Zachary White

Podbielski is the force that kept North Branford going this year. You'd be hard pressed to find a player with the talent of Podbielski's but also the willingness to go to the dirty areas as well. Nearly carrying the T-Birds to the D2 final, Podbielski finished the year with 45 points (17 G, 28 A) and had 13 multi-point games on the year.

F Zachary White, Jr. (Milford Co-op)

Zach White has dazzled for a couple of years now as one of the state's most gifted all around players. His ability to take over a game is uncanny. White led the state in scoring with 61 points (30 G, 31 A) in 21 games. Like NB's Podbielski, White did this while being continually taking long shifts to help his team. White notched a multi-point game in all but two of his games this year.

D Ryan Moore, Sr. (Guilford)

Competent, stalwart, and smooth, Moore piloted the Indians to a successful season from his post at the blue line. Like fellow first teamer Martin, Moore didn't allow his size slow his game, in fact it more than added to it.  Moore finished with 27 points (11 G, 16 A) winning the defensemen scoring title.

D Scott Martin, Sr. (BBD)

Martin, from the blue line, was BBD's most imposing offensive threat. Martin's heroics were no more evident than in their second round overtime win over Guilford when he scored all four of the team's goals.  Martin led the Ice Cats in goals and points and is looking to extend his career to Minnesota with the Austin Bruins.

New Milford's Matt DePalma

G Matt DePalma, Sr. (New Milford)

DePalma is as solid as you get between the pipes and is among a cast of talented goaltenders at the D2 level. DePalma's New Milford club was bounced early in this year's tourney but during the season the senior posted a 1.46 GAA and 3 shutouts. Selfless and goal geared, DePalma shared the crease with junior and next year starter Nick Capriglione. In doing this DePalma won New Milford's Hobey Baker Character Award this season.

DII SECOND TEAM

F Jeff Greenwood, Sr. (Northwest Catholic)

F Kevin Robinson, Jr. (Fairfield Co-op)

F Kevin Murphy, Sr. (Watertown-Pomperaug)

D Zach Cattaruzza, Sr. (Guilford)

D Ben Lavallee, Jr. (Milford Co-op)

G Chase Briggs, Jr. (Daniel Hand)

DII THIRD TEAM

F Matt Horton, So. (Guilford)

F Rob Buskey, Sr. (Milford Co-op)

F Ben Solin, So. (Daniel Hand)

D Dan Silvestri, Sr. (Fairfield Co-op)

D Lorenzo Stellato, Sr. (New Milford)

G Thomas Usseglio, Jr. (East Catholic)

Guilford's Ryan Moore

CTHSHockey D2 Second Team

The following players are recognized for exceptional seasons at the Division II level. Keep in mind these players are selected based on regular season play not post season performance. Due to number of teams and the talent spread, I've decided to select three teams of 3 Forwards, 2 Defensemen and 1 Goalie.  Check back tomorrow for DII's Second Team.

DII SECOND TEAM

F Jeff Greenwood, Sr. (Northwest Catholic)

Greenwood was a key part of NWC's trio of Melanson, Greenwood and Yao.  The senior finished with 45 points (23 G, 22 A) on the year.

Fairfield's Robinson celebrating the biggest win of his life.

F Kevin Robinson, Jr. (Fairfield Co-op)

The Mustangs' championship game hero, Robinson potted all four goals in their overtime win over East Catholic.  Robinson also knocked home 17 goals during the regular season for Fairfield.

F Kevin Murphy, Sr. (Watertown-Pomperaug)

Murphy was the life blood behind a deep Watertown-Pomperaug squad that exited the postseason unceremoniously early. Murphy finished with 25 points (14 G, 11 A) on the year.

D Zach Cattaruzza, Sr. (Guilford)

The speedy, puck moving D man helped lead Guilford alongside fellow senior Ryan Moore on the blue line. Not known for scoring a ton, Cattaruzza is as responsible as they come and locked down some of the state's best talent all year.

D Ben Lavallee, Jr. (Milford Co-op)

Milford's junior defenseman proved that the Indians relied on more than an electric first forward line.  Lavallee finished the year with 11 points (3 G, 8 A) from the blue line.

G Chase Briggs, Jr. (Daniel Hand)

Briggs was underrated all year between the pipes for the Tigers. This was no more evident than his glaring omission on the CIAC Coach's All State squad. Briggs only allowed 4+ goals four times this year and led the Tigers to a D2 SCC Championship.

Hand's Briggs backstopped the Tigers to a SCC D2 Championship.

All-CTHSHockey D2 Third Team

The following players are recognized for exceptional seasons at the Division II level. Keep in mind these players are selected based on regular season play not post season performance. Due to number of teams and the talent spread, I've decided to select three teams of 3 Forwards, 2 Defensemen and 1 Goalie.  Check back tomorrow for DII's Second Team.

DII THIRD TEAMF Matt Horton, So. (Guilford)
Horton paced the Indians this year as a sophomore to the tune of 31 points.  A fast skater with good hands, Horton will leave Guilford for Avon Old Farms next season.

F Rob Buskey, Sr. (Milford Co-op)

Milford Co-op's Rob Buskey

Buskey was quite the wingman to Milford's Zach White and helped lead one of the best lines in the state. Buskey, a senior, finished with 42 points (20 G, 22 A) on the season.

F Ben Solin, So. (Daniel Hand)
Solin, CT's D2 version of Patrick Kane has some of the best set of hands the state saw this past season and if it wasn't for a mid season injury, Solin would be on one of the top two teams.

D Dan Silvestri, Sr. (Fairfield Co-op)
The senior defenseman helped lead a 13 seeded Mustangs squad to a D2 state title.  A solid two way defenseman, Silvestri is not one for the dramatic but is as solid as any Dman in the state.

D Lorenzo Stellato, Sr. (New Milford)
New Milford's senior puck moving defenseman Stellato is more offensively oriented.  Stellato lead New Milford D-men in points with 16 (6 G, 10 A) and lead the team in shots with 126.

G Thomas Usseglio, Jr. (East Catholic)
The lefty, Usseglio led East Catholic just near the pinnacle of D2 hockey losing in the state final. Solid all season, Usseglio hit his stride toward the end of the season allowing only 3 goals over East's final three games locking up the #2 seed. Usseglio could be one of the state's best returning goalies next season.

East Catholic's Thomas Usseglio

CTHSHockey D2 Honorable Mention

By: Luke Devoe

Stamford's Savona

The following players are recognized for exceptional seasons at the Division II level. Keep in mind these players are selected based on regular season play not post season performance. Due to number of teams and the talent spread, I've decided to select an extensive number of players for honorable mention from DII. Tomorrow All-CTHSHockey D2 Third Team will be released.

Amity's Nuzzolo

DII Honorable Mention
Nick Nuzzolo, Sr. Goalie (Amity)
Adam Shea, Jr. Forward (Amity)
Brett McNeil, Jr. Forward (Amity)
Tyler Criscuolo, So. Forward (Branford)
AJ Brink, So. Goalie (Branford)
Alex Sarno, So. Goalie (Branford)
Tyler Hacket, So. Forward (Branford)
Jordan Warren, Sr. Forward (BBD)
Luiz Dibble, Sr. Goalie (BBD)
Kevin Keiser, Jr. Defense (BBD)
Alex Bruttomesso, Sr. Forward (Conard)
Zach Powers, Sr. Defense (Conard)
Grayson Lacroix, Fr. Forward (Conard)
Griffin Casey, Jr. Forward (East Catholic)
Vin Genovesi, Sr. Forward (East Catholic)
Lee Munson, So. Forward (East Catholic)
Evan Cedrone, Sr. F/D (East Catholic)
Jeff Demers, Sr. Forward (Farmington Valley)
Thomas Kryspin, Sr. Forward (Fairfield Warde-Ludlowe)
Kyle Greenhut, So. Goalie (Fairfield Warde-Ludlowe)
Aaron Lickwar, Sr. Goalie (Fermi-Enfield)
Avery Boissy, Sr. Forward (Fermi-Enfield)
Danny Braumann, Jr. Forward (Daniel Hand)
Sam Lafontaine, Fr. Forward (Daniel Hand)
Harrison O'Connell, Jr. Forward (New Milford)
Tyler Hanley, Sr. Defense (Newtown)
Evan Isaacs, Sr. Forward (Newtown)
Nick Johnson, Jr. Defense (North Branford)
Alec Martone, So. Forward (North Branford)
Nik Castaldi, Sr. Forward (North Branford)
Demitri Yao, Jr. Forward (Northwest Catholic)
Zach Hesketh, Sr. Goalie (Northwest Catholic)
John Arel, Jr. Defense (Northwest Catholic)
Cole Savona, Sr. Forward (Stamford)
Sean Stewart, Jr. Forward (Staples-Weston-Shelton)
Ryan Gawricki, So. Forward (Staples-Weston-Shelton)
Drew Ash, Sr. Forward (Suffield-Granby-Windsor Locks)
Jake King, So. Forward (Suffield-Granby-Windsor Locks)
Griffin Northrop, So. Forward (Trinity Catholic)
Eryk Wielgos, Fr. Forward (Trinity Catholic)
AJ DiMasi, Sr. Forward (Trumbull) 
Garret Young, Sr. Forward (Watertown-Pomperaug)
Jon Manzer, Jr. Forward (Watertown-Pomperaug)
Kyle Block, Sr. Forward (Watertown-Pomperaug)
Trevor St. Onge, Sr. Goalie (Watertown-Pomperaug)
Pat Down, Sr. Forward (Wethersfield)

BBD's Warren