Boys Varsity Hockey 2009-2010

Boys hockey at The Governor’s Academy traces its roots back to the school's first “Ice Polo” team in 1895. More recently, Coach Larry Piatelli, after whom the New England Prep School Division II Championship is now named, led The Governor’s Academy to the Division II title in 1988 and was responsible for the program’s jump to Division I play in 1989.

During the season, a typical week for the varsity team consists of four on-ice practices, two off-ice plyometric/stickhandling circuits, and two games. Including holiday tournaments, we generally have 28 regular season contests. Construction on the new $10 million Whiston-Bragdon Arena was completed on November 1st, 2007.  Our Pescosolido Field House includes a fitness center that our players use for in-season and off-season conditioning.

The Governor’s Academy has been a member of the sixteen-team Independent School League (ISL), widely regarded as one of the most competitive high school hockey leagues in the country, since the league’s inception. Our league schedule is made up of home and away games against Keller Division rivals Lawrence, Thayer, St. Sebastian's, Milton, Nobles, Belmont Hill, St. Paul's and BB&N; our non-league opponents include Phillips Exeter, Phillips Andover and Cushing Academy. The varsity team plays in two holiday tournaments each year: The Governor's Academy Holiday Showcase and Tabor Academy’s New Year’s Tournament.

Several recent graduates are currently enjoying success professionally and at the Division I and III college levels. Benn Ferriero 05' (Boston College) is currently playing in the NHL for the San Jose Sharks. Brian McGuirk ’04 (Boston University) is currently a member of the Philadelphia Flyers organization, suiting up for the Kalamazoo Wings in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). Michael Zbriger ’01 returned from playing in Germany and is now with the Corpus Christi Rayz in the Central Hockey League (CHL). Recently, Kevin Kapstad 05' signed a contract to play for SC Riessersee of the 2.Bundesliga league (2.GBun), Germany’s second tier league. See full story under Athletics News.

In Division I, Matt Lombardi ’06 (Boston College) currently competes in Hockey East while Brian Day ’07 (Colgate University) plays in the ECACHL and Herbie Kent ’08 skates for Bentley College in the Atlantic Hockey League. In Division III, Zach Menard '08 (Skidmore), Patrick Morrissey ’08 (Williams College), Trevor Hines '09 (Babson), Chris Menard '09 (Trinity), and Jeff Menard 09' (Trinity) are all key contributors to their teams.

Four former players have received “All-New England” recognition: Michael Zbriger ’00 in 2000, Gabe Winer ’02 in 2002, McGuirk in 2004 and Day in 2007. Three Governor’s skaters have been selected in recent NHL Entry Drafts: in 2004, McGuirk was chosen in the 8th round by the Columbus Blue Jackets. In 2006, Day was taken in the 6th round by the New York Islanders and Ferriero was selected in the 7th round by the Phoenix Coyotes. Both Ferriero in 2006 and Day in 2007 participated in USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camps in Lake Placid, NY which help identify the best Under-20 players in the country. Our program is also fortunate to have had two former winners (Winer in 2002 and Ferriero in 2005) of the prestigious John Carlton Memorial Trophy presented annually by the Boston Bruins to the outstanding student-athlete in Eastern Massachusetts high school hockey.

In 2009-2010, the Governors finished with an overall record of 14-14-1 and an ISL record of 7-7, good for fourth place in the Keller Division. First team all ISL selections this season went to seniors Cody Ferriero, Brett Riley, Jake Picking and junior Brian Ward. Captain Josh Adinolfo was a second team all ISL selection as well. Brett Riley was also the recipient of the Flood Shield Award. This is one of only two awards the league gives out and it goes to “The player whose enthusiasm for hockey and true devotion to the game is marked by his playing ability and the physical toughness and yet whose competitive spirit is balanced by emotional control and a real desire to play within the rules of the game”. Brett is the first Governor’s player to receive this award in over ten years. Also recognized at our year end banquet by the team were Brian Ward (MVP), and junior goaltender Rory Burke (Wasson award/Unsung hero). The 2010-2011 team will have 15 returning varsity letter winners looking to compete for the ISL Keller Division league title and a berth in the New England Prep School Division I Tournament .

With the tradition of a hockey program over a century old, The Governor’s Academy continues to seek motivated student/athletes who can contribute to our school not only on the ice but in the classroom as well.

For more information on our varsity hockey program, please email Coach Michael Delay

Team Practice Schedule

• Monday - 8:30-9:50
• Tuesday - 5:00-6:20
• Wednesday - Games
• Thursday - 3:30-4:50
• Friday - 6:00-7:10 AM
• Saturday – Games

Coaches:  Michael Delay, Matt McDonnell, John Giusto