The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Shortened season puts more emphasis on league play
The high school ice hockey season will feel more like a sprint than a grind this winter.
With COVID-19 preventing area teams from starting competition until mid-January, it left area clubs with minimal ice team leading up to the first puck drop. Clubs managed it well and with thrououghly prepared safety guidelines, have started play.
The SHSHSL is running a 12team regular season. The seven teams in the Class A American division will play each other twice to make up the league schedule while the nine teams in Class AA’s National and Continental conferences will play each other once and four opponents two times with one of those games counting as a nonleague contest.
While some venues used by SHSHL teams are hoping to allow limited spectators, the league is streaming every game with a season pass available at SHSHLTV.com that also included a weekly highlight and interview show.
SHSHL play began on January 13 and the regular season will conclude on March 19. Council Rock South is the defending Class AA champion while Plymouth Whitemarsh is the defending Class A champion.
The four-team APAC, which includes La Salle, will see each team face its conference members three times and the schedule’s 10th game will come in a crossover with an ICSHL Class AAA program.
The Flyers Cup is slated to happen this season, with the field being announced on March 28 and tournament play running from April 5-15. Additionally, the state championships are scheduled for April 24 in Pittsburgh.
Abington
Coach: Ken Brzozowski
Last Year’s Record: 4-13
Returning Key Players: Colin Bruton (SR), Holden Booker (SR), Tommy Rourke (JR), Joe Stelacio (JR), Griffin Carpenter (SO)
Outlook: The Ghosts return a seasoned and experienced team from last year’s squad which consisted of mostly freshmen and sophomores. Senior leadership will be provided by Colin Bruton, Ethan