Bantam 1

AHA B1 - Wrap Up - Part 2

Hope everyone had a great Easter weekend and you are enjoying the week off (if you are indeed off!). As promised, I wanted to share some season wrap up stats that I thought might be interesting to the group.

Our overall record this season was 16-24-5 (45 games). Adding in HS hockey and many of our players played in about 60 games - some even more than that. That's a lot of ice!

Our regular season league record was 13-18-5. We remained in the top VHL bantam division all season, which is something underrated but for which the boys should be very proud. During the course of that regular season, we beat and tied Wilmington, who won the small tier MA state championship and VHL North title; and we also beat and tied the Maine Gladiators, who won the USA Hockey 14U national championship.

According to our schedule online, we had 70 practices from September through April. If we add in the pre-season skate I held in August as well as the outdoor game over Christmas break, that's a total of ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTEEN TIMES we were together this season. Obviously not everyone made it to every event. But many of you were there for the overwhelming majority of them, and that is something in which I take great pride!

For a moment I contemplated going through and attempting to compile our scoring and points leaders, but then I decided against that - because, first, I don't have every single scoresheet, and more importantly, my philosophy has always been about the team first and not individual stats.

(I can tell you with relative certainty, however, that Gavin was once again the team leader in penalty minutes).

Instead, I went back through our schedule and came up with what I think are the top ten moments of this past season for our TEAM. Below is my list in chronological order:

1. First Win - 9/19/21 - W 3-0 vs. NH East

2. Gritty Effort w/ Only 9 Skaters - 11/14/21 - W 2-0 vs. Everett/Revere

3. Buzzer Beating Win - 11/19/21 - W 2-1 vs. Triton/Amesbury

4. Last Minute Win - 12/5/21 - W 3-2 vs. Everett/Revere

5. Christmas Tourney Shutout - 12/23/21 - W 2-0 vs. RI Saints

6. New Year's Eve Doubleheader - 12/31/21 - T 1-1 & W 4-3 vs. Gladiators

7. Beverly "Monkey" Off Our Backs - 1/1/22 - W 2-0 vs. Beverly

8. Great Effort in State Tourney - 3/5/22 - L (OT) 2-1 vs. Arlington

9. The Shamrock Shakes Game - 3/9/22 - W 6-1 vs. Wilmington

10. Nail Biting Playoff Victory - 4/3/22 - W 1-0 vs. Beverly

I would appreciate it if each player/family could let me know what their #1 moment is (or add something to my list I may be forgetting).

I'll be in touch with more details about our season ending turbo hockey tourney and team breakup party shortly. Until then, one more heartfelt thank you and farewell to all team members and families!

-TB

AHA B1 - 4.11.22 Wrap up

Dear Families,

I plan to send a longer, more thoughtful, recap in the near future, but for now I just wanted to say thank you for the opportunity to coach your boys this season. It was an honor and a privilege, and a memory I will keep with me forever. I am proud not only of the effort we put forth on the ice but more importantly that we chose to do things the right way.

Special thank you's are in order to Mike Longo and Mike Addesa - for their dedication, preparation, and, really, teaching the kids how to play hockey at a high level; and to Rachael Longo, for planning some excellent team bonding and community building events.

Also thank you to the Murray family. Chase was our MVP this season, and it was great getting to know Sandra and Michael. We appreciate their efforts making sure we had a top notch goalie between the pipes each week.

Good luck to those participating in the HSHS tryouts this week and to everyone in the spring sport season and the rest of the school year.

I'm thinking we can plan two more team events.

First, I'm working on a team "turbo hockey" championship at Elev802. Each round will have a different genre of music and we can bring in some food (and maybe even drinks for the parents). More to follow on that. Second, I saw on a text chain that the Longo's were offering their pool for a team party once the weather is warm. That sounds like a great idea to me, so we can schedule that for sometime next month on a date that works for the group.

One last point - I told the boys in the room after the game Saturday that if they ever need anything - on, or more importantly off, the ice - the other coaches and I are only a phone call away.

That's all for now. Have a great Easter holiday and spring break, and see everyone soon. I'm going to decompress for a bit and then will send some more stats and summaries from the season shortly.

Thanks for everything,

Coach Tim

AHA B1 League Championship Tomorrow!

Just a reminder, hopefully you don't need it. Game tomorrow (Saturday) 12:25pm @Haverhill v. Wilmington. This is what Tedy Bruschi used to call a "T-Shirt and Hat Game".

Please tell the boys to double check their bags tonight. Make sure skates are sharpened and mouth-guards and chinstraps are attached to helmets. Please pack extra laces, tape, and anything else that may be needed. We can't waste time or get dumb penalties for things like that.

As with the states, the coaches are approaching tomorrow trying to place our team in the best position to win a championship, something that every member of this team deserves and has contributed to for the past seven months. We are going to give everyone the opportunity to play, and to earn more playing time, but there may be certain scenarios (power play, final minutes) where some of the boys play more than others.

This is the final time we will be together on the ice as a team, the final AHA "youth" hockey game for all these boys, and the final time some of our players will lace up the skates competitively in their hockey careers. The coaches have done everything in our power to make sure they are motivated, prepared, and in position to execute. But once the puck drops, it is up to them. And I am fully confident they will do their best, win or lose. And regardless of whether we win or lose, we will represent our town, our organization, and our selves and our families with class and dignity.

Please arrive at least 45 minutes prior to game time tomorrow in case things are running early. If anyone has any questions, please let me know.

See you tomorrow,

TB

VHL Bantam AAA North Championship

Andover v. Wilmington

Saturday 4/9/22

12:25pm @Haverhill

Practice Wednesday 6:40pm @P.A.

That is all.

AHA B1 Playoff Update

Great win today by the boys! Everyone contributed and we converted the chance we needed to pull it out at the end. I'm proud of all of them.

I was just informed by VHL that the Maine Gladiators will not be available to play tomorrow, so we will automatically advance to next weekend's finals.

Enjoy the day off tomorrow.

The conference finals will be next Saturday 4/9 12:25pm @Haverhill. It could be Wilmington, Tewksbury, or Everett-Revere. We will know tomorrow night.

Please let me know of any conflicts next Saturday asap.

I've added practice Wednesday night at 6:40p for whoever is available.

Thanks!

TB

AHA B1 Quick Schedule Note

Great win last night - building momentum heading into the playoff weekend.

Just a note that we just had a practiced added for Friday night at 7:20pm. I would recommend you check your calendar before heading out because there have been a lot of moving pieces this week and the schedules are subject to change.

Thanks

TB

AHA Weekly Update 3.29.22

Reminder - Makeup Game TONIGHT

7:40pm @Phillips v. Tewksbury

We don't have any practice ice booked this week, there are placements going on for the younger kids so the rink is booked... This is our final tune-up before the playoffs start.

1st Round Playoff Game

Saturday 4/2

4:40pm @Hockeytown v. Beverly

If advance, Game 2

Sunday 4/3

2:40pm @Haverhill v. Gladiators

AHA B1 Makeup Game Added - Tuesday 3/29 7:40pm @Phillips v. Tewksbury

AHA B1 Weekend Reminders and Playoff Schedule

This is our final weekend of the regular season:

Saturday 8:45pm @Haverhill v. Everett/Revere

Sunday 3:40pm @Breakaway v. Gladiators

We have practice ice Tuesday and Friday next week. I will try one last attempt to see if we can use that ice to make up some of our cancelled games from the winter, but can't guarantee a reply from the other teams.

Our first round playoff game will be NEXT SATURDAY, April 2, at either 4:40pm or 6:10pm at HockeyTown, contingent on final seeding. It looks like we could end up anywhere from 3rd to 6th depending on how the remaining games play out.

If we win the first round match then we would play SUNDAY APRIL 3 at either 2:40pm or 4:10pm in Haverhill.

If we advance beyond that, I will grab practice ice the week of April 4, and then we would play SATURDAY APRIL 9 at 12:25PM in Haverhill for the AAA North championship.

(I assume there would then be a cross-over league championship game against the AAA South champs on Sunday the 10th but that is not posted yet.)

Please let me know if anyone has any questions or conflicts for this weekend, or for the playoff schedule as currently laid out.

I'm guessing we will start to run into spring sports conflicts but fingers crossed we can have a full squad ready to make a playoff push.

See you this weekend,

TB

Volunteers Needed for Tryouts Tonight

Team - I am helping to run the tryouts for next season's AHA bantam teams tonight. The sessions are at 5:20 and 6:30, right before our 7:40 practice. If anyone wants some extra ice, does not have a spring sports conflict, and could help me by demonstrating the drills, grabbing pucks and cones and otherwise herding cats it would be greatly appreciated. You just need a helmet when on the ice. Thanks!

AHA B1 Weekly Update 3.21.22

Reminder there is a GAME TONIGHT 7:50pm @Haverhill v. Beverly. I know HS spring sports season/tryouts starts today, so if you cannot make it please let me know asap.

Rest of the week:

Tuesday - Skills @Elev802 6pm

Wednesday - Practice @P.A. 7:40pm

Saturday - Game @Haverhill 8:45 v. Everett/Revere

Sunday - Game @Breakaway 3:40pm v. Gladiators

Next Sunday is our last regular season game. We will most likely have playoff games the weekend of April 2/3 and continuing if we advance to the weekend of April 9/10. Exact dates/times TBA.

We have practice slots booked for next week, and I will get ice for the week of April 4th if we advance.

Also note the AHA HSHS tryouts are the week of April 11. Please make sure to register if you haven't done so already.

Yesterday the effort was lacking and the attitude was frankly poor. This is in contrast to Saturday's game which I am told was great.

We have beaten every team in our league and there is no reason why we can't run the table and win a championship. But it's on the boys to decide how hard they want to work and in what way they want to finish their AHA youth hockey careers.

Thanks

TB

Sled Hockey - Thank you!

A big thank you to Rachael and Mike Longo for coordinating last night's event. I think it was a great experience for the boys, in many ways.

If you have not had a chance to donate yet please consider doing so today, we will keep the link open through the weekend.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/aha-warriors-...

Also if anyone has any photos or videos please share so we can post them to AHA social media.

Reminder practice tonight 7:40pm.

Thanks!

TB

Sled Hockey Event Tonight!

1. Just a reminder for our team event tonight with the NE Warriors Sled Hockey Team. Please be on time and dressed by 7:40pm. Bring closed toe shoes to wear when you are trying out the sleds. And please consider a donation to the Warriors:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/aha-warriors-...

2. Also if any families need an extra ticket to the AHS banquet Friday evening please contact Carina.

Thanks!

TB

AHA B1 Update 3.14.22

Good morning-

This week's schedule

Tonight - Practice - 7:20pm @ Phillips

Wednesday - Event w/ New England Warriors Sled Hockey - 7:40pm @Phillips

Thursday - Practice - 7:40pm @Phillips

Saturday - Game - 3:40pm @Phillips v. Wilmington

Sunday - Game - 3:20pm @Chelmsford v. Gladiators

Just a reminder of our team event on Wednesday night with the NE Warriors Sled Hockey Team. Please bring full equipment but you will take your skates off for a portion of the event to use the sleds, so make sure to have closed toes shoes (no slides).

Please consider making a donation to the Warriors program here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/aha-warriors-...

Thanks!

TB

AHA B1 Reminder - Game Tonight

9:10pm @Haverhill v. Wilmington

AHA B1 Weekly Update 3.7.22

1. Weekend Recap.

While we didn't get the results we wanted, I am overall pleased with the effort, particularly given the adversity we faced each game. On the bookends, we played two very good teams and held our own, losing 2-1 in OT to Arlington and then 1-0 to Wellesley. In between we played an outstanding Hingham team (which eventually won the state title, for those wondering).

I'm not going to linger on the "what ifs", but as I told the boys leaving the locker room Saturday night, there is still a lot of hockey left this season, and we won't face anyone better than the teams we just played.

In terms of looking forward, we have about one month left of hockey this season and so I want to make the most of it. There is no reason this team cannot contend for a VHL championship. We just need to play with intensity and intelligence, and execute on the things we've been practicing all season.

The way I look at it, there have been basically three phases to this season. The first, which ran from the beginning of the season until Thanksgiving, was all about PREPARING - getting the boys ready for the next phase of their careers, which for many was a high school hockey experience. The second, which we just completed, was about MAINTAINING (some weeks, surviving) while we managed illnesses, injuries, and conflicts and BUILDING towards the state tournament. Now we are onto the final phase which is about EXECUTING and COMPETING for a VHL championship. We have come so far and improved so much, I want this season (and their youth hockey experience) to end on a high note and not with a whimper.

One final note regarding states - if you have not yet paid me for the tournament please do so at your earliest convenience. I fronted the check for $1200 to Mass Hockey and based it on 15 rostered skaters. Venmo is Timothy-Bennett-26. Thanks!

The Week Ahead.

Tonight - Practice - 7:20pm @P.A.

Wednesday - GAME - 9:10pm @Haverhill v. Wilmington

Thursday - Practice - 7:40pm @P.A.

Friday - GAME - 8:15pm @Hockeytown v. Beverly

Saturday - GAME - 8:00pm @Hockeytown v. Everett/Revere

Sunday - GAME - 11:40am @Lawrence v. Tewksbury

Finally, I hope everyone saw the note from Rachael Longo about our event next week with NE Warriors Sled Hockey team. Although we missed it by a few weeks, Rachael came up with this idea as a part of AHA's community service initiative last month. I think it will be an eye-opening experience for the boys and would ask that you give generously to support their program. More details to follow next week but please make every effort to attend.

Thank you!

TB

AHA B1 - No game tonight

We are going to postpone tonight's game. Chase has two more games today, as he is trying to break the shots on goal record for a weekend; Liam is still on the injury list; the rest of the boys deserve the reward of a day off; and most importantly, the parents don't deserve the punishment of a 9pm Sunday night trip to Kasabuski.

Longer recap later, I am still decompressing from a busy but ultimately (I hope) worthwhile weekend of hockey.

BUT please note one schedule note this week - we have a game scheduled for Wednesday night (in addition to practice Monday and Thursday).

Enjoy the day off.

-TB

AHA B1 - Details for This Weekend

Good morning - it was nice to see so many players and teammates at dinner last night. Thanks again to Rachael Longo for organizing!

As a reminder Game 1 of the Mass Hockey State Tournament is this evening. Puck drop is at 6:20pm at the New England Sports Center in Marlboro. We will be on RINK 5 tonight.

There will be a check in table in the main lobby. Locker room assignments will be posted. Whoever arrives first, please send out a text to the player group chat to let everyone else know where to go.

I would like all the boys in shirts and ties this weekend.

Please give yourself at least 90 minutes before faceoff to get there. AHA PW 1 is on right before us so it would be nice if we could see some of that game and cheer them on.

When they get home from school please make sure everyone has a snack and drinks some water. When they get to the arena, do some light warmups and stretching down in the hallways to get loose.

FYI Tomorrow's schedule

10:50AM vs Hingham - RINK 6

5:40PM vs Wellesley - RINK 1

Please double check your bags before you leave. Any questions please let me know. See you tonight!

-TB

AHA B1 Tonight

Just a reminder - no practice tonight. Team dinner at The Chateau at 7pm.

AHA B1 Weekly Update 2.27.22

Good evening!

Please read this note carefully as it contains lots of details on the upcoming week and our state tournament next weekend.

First, apologies that there was no game this morning. I got a phone call from the Maine coach literally as we were pulling into the parking lot. They had their state tournament this weekend (and won, by the way) and apparently their ice director neglected to cancel all their VHL games this weekend. He was very apologetic and offered to reschedule. I am frankly doubtful that can happen but we shall see what we can do.

Next, quick recap from Saturday. Overall, I was pleased with the performance. Still a few issues in terms of getting the puck out of our zone, defensive zone coverage, and making smart decisions with the puck. But overall I think we really dominated the play and the game was not as close as the final score indicated. It was nice to get the win and hopefully get some momentum for next weekend and the rest of the season.

As for this week, the good news is that we have practices scheduled for Monday and Wednesday evenings, both at 7:40p at Phillips. The bad news is we have to share the ice with the other bantam teams. That is not ideal especially the week before the states, but we are at the mercy of the ice scheduling gods and this is high school playoff season so we will take what we can get. Please make every effort to attend these sessions.

Next, Thursday night we will have our team dinner from 7-9pm at The Chateau on River Road in Andover. Please RSVP to Rachael Longo if you have not done so already. Hopefully the boys can bond while they carbo load for the weekend.

Our state tournament schedule has been previously posted and should be loaded to your calendars. We obviously have a very tough draw with the likes of Arlington, Hingham, and Wellesley... but I have said it before and I will say it again - when we play as a team with intelligence, intensity, and execution, we can play with anyone at this level. I want the boys to believe in themselves going into this weekend and the coaches will reinforce that this week.

A few quick logistical notes:

1. Game 1 is Friday night at 6:20pm. Those families who have already made a dozen trips to NESC this season know it is exactly 42 minutes door to door on a Sunday morning. However, this is a Friday night and we all know how 495 can be during the Friday evening rush hour. Please give yourself plenty of time to get there. There will be traffic. The parking lot will be a zoo. And the boys need to sign in before each game. Please plan to leave at least 90 minutes before game time to get there. The AHA PW 1 team is on right before us, and other AHA teams are playing that evening and on Saturday, so please get there a little earlier than normal and cheer on our fellow Warriors.

2. I would like the boys to arrive to the arena in shirts and ties for these tournament games. I think it helps convey the seriousness of the event and the "big game" atmosphere. I'll tell them tomorrow but please remind them as well. There may be a prize for the best dressed player.

3. Like I said before our first game in September, please make sure everyone's skates are sharpened this week and has their mouthguards and chinstraps attached to their helmets. Please pack extra laces, tape, and anything else you may need. We can't waste time or get dumb penalties for things like that.

4. Finally, the coaches are approaching these games trying to win, even more so that our regular season games. We are going to give everyone the opportunity to play, and to earn more playing time, but there may be certain scenarios (power play, final minutes of a close game) where some of the boys play more than others. And that lineup may vary game to game. If anyone has any issues please let me know, but please give it 24 hours after the game.

I'm looking forward to an exciting week of hockey. If anyone has any questions please let me know.

Thanks

TB