After a stellar regular season, which saw the Ironmen win the Gordon Conference league championship and earn the top seed in the state, Bosco faced the tall task of upholding the high standard that they’ve set for themselves. However, this team, led by 13 Seniors, was up for the task.
Junior Ferry Netusil
Opening Gordon Cup play, Don Bosco faced off against eighth seeded Pope John and defeated them 3-0. Led by Senior’s AJ Carey (3g, 1a) opening period tally and Jacob Castana’s (3g, 2a) two goals, the Ironmen jumped out to an early lead which they would not surrender. Senior Nick Feeley (6g, 8a) contributed three assists while Doug Sampath (1g, 5a) and AJ Carey each added assists as well. Goaltender James Tarabocchia stood strong for his 5th shutout of the season.
In the next game, CBA rolled into town looking to knock off the Ironmen, but again it was strong play from the Senior’s, as netminder James Tarabocchia made 35 saves, while Captain Dean Toskos (19g, 13a) added one goal and assisted on two others by Danny Kelly (10g, 9a). Junior Matt Shpungin (4g, 19a) added 3 assists of his own and the Ironmen were off to the final to face off against rival Delbarton for the prestigious Gordon Cup.
In the Cup final, the Ironmen kept rolling. Junior Eric Wrynn (8g, 4a) opened up the scoring in the first period, off a nice feed from Senior Captain Massimo Monteleone (6g, 11a). Dean Toskos followed up near the end of the frame, burying a wrist shot from the left circle to make it a 2-0 lead heading into the second period. However, Delbarton clawed back and tied the game mid-way through the third period at two. But less than two minutes after Delbarton tied the game, Junior Ferry Netusil (13g, 13a) found himself all alone on a pass from Gordon Conference MVP and Senior Kenny Kalman (2g, 21a) and sniped a wrist shot to give the Ironmen a 3-2 lead. Ferry would net his second goal of the third period off a feed from Sophomore Colin Feeley (0g, 8a) and Senior goalie James Tarabocchia continued his outstanding play, stopping 37 shots to earn the Ironmen their 4th ever Gordon Cup Title.
Check out the highlights courtesy of Jersey Sports Zone!
Don Bosco opened the 2023-24 season with one of the toughest schedules in the state. With a lineup led by 13 seniors, Bosco made an early statement, defeating three number one ranked teams in a span of nine days. Led by Senior Captains Dean Toskos (9g, 2a) and Matt Bossolina (5g, 2a) as well as Juniors Matt Shpungin (2g, 8a) and Ferry Netusil (3g, 8a) the Ironmen have knocked off number one ranked Delbarton, Pope Francis (MA) and St. Augustine as well as CBA, BC High and bergen catholic twice.
Sr. Defenseman Caiden Sullivan
While the offense has registered most of the highlights, Senior goaltender, James Taraboccia has been a rock on the back end, going 6-1 with a 2.00 GAA and 93.09 Sv%. In addition, Senior defenseman and Captains Kenny Kalman (2g, 6a) and Luca Chiase (0g, 6a) along with Seniors Doug Sampath (0g, 2a) and Caiden Sullivan (0g, 1a) have provided much needed depth on the blue line, limiting opponents to only 2.25 goals per game.
Bosco opens up 2024 with a home matchup vs border rival Suffern High School, January 3rd and then hits the road for a game against the Hun School on January 4th.
Former Ironman Drew Fortescue Drafted 90th by NY Rangers
Former Ironman and 2021 Gordon Cup State Champion, Drew Fortescue has become the first ever Ironman drafted into the NHL. The New York Rangers, traded up one slot with the Pittsburgh Penguins to select Drew with the 90th overall pick in the 3rd round. Prior to being drafted, Drew spent two years playing on the USA National Team Development Program which most recently won the Gold Medal at 2023 U18 World Championship.
Drew will be attending and playing his college hockey at perennial Hockey East powerhouse, Boston College, this coming fall.
Don Bosco Hockey started 2023 right where 2022 ended, notching back to back wins and capturing the Harry Rulon Miller Tournament for the second time. Despite the start of the season being pushed back this year by the NJSIAA, the Ironmen opened up with three straight wins, defeating Seton Hall Prep, St Peter’s Prep and Pope John. Following the three in state wins, the Ironmen then made their annual trip up to Boston to take on Xaverian Brothers and BC High.
The first matchup against Xaverian Brothers, took place at famed Matthews Arena on the campus of Northeastern. Junior goaltender, James Tarabocchia (1.00 GA, 96.5%) stole the show, putting up a 38 save shutout against #8 Xaverian, while Junior defenseman, Luca Chiaese (2g, 7a) scored the games only goal to give DBP a 1-0 win. In the second matchup, Bosco took on #3 BC High at Babson. The Ironmen jumped out to a 3-1 lead, with two goals by Junior Captain Dean Toskos (7g, 12a) and one from Senior Captain Ty Oller (9g, 8a), but BC High battled back to tie the game in the final minutes.
Junior Defenseman Luca Chiaese
As 2022 began to wind down, Bosco continued its hot play, notching three more Gordon Conference wins, defeating Gloucester Catholic 5-1 and Bergen Catholic twice in two days. Following the New Years break, Don Bosco faced off against the HRM tournament host and Gordon Conference opponent Princeton Day. Once again, Bosco jumped out to a lead on goals by Toskos, two by Oller and Freshman Ryan Murphy notched his first varsity goal in a 4-2 win. The following day, DBP took on Lawrenceville School for the HRM title. In what proved to be a back and forth affair, Bosco had a 2-1 lead through two periods, but allowed the equalizer in the third. As the game went into OT, the Ironmen capitalized on a power play opportunity and once again, Senior Ty Oller delivered the game winner.
Don Bosco Hockey is proud to announce that Seniors Liam St. Pierre, Ty Oller, Ethan Marich and Junior Dean Toskos will serve as team captains for the 2022-23 campaign. “All four players have been key contributors throughout their time as Ironmen and we look forward to an exciting year ahead. Playing one of the toughest schedules in the state, they will be counted on to bring leadership qualities on and off the ice,” said Head Coach Greg Toskos.
Senior Ethan Marich
Playing in his first Varsity season in 2021-22, Defenseman Liam St. Pierre (1g, 13a) appeared in all 28 games, leading all defensemen in plus/minus (30). “Liam really gave us stability on the backend all year and we look forward to seeing his offensive game continue to grow,” said Toskos. Also joining Liam from the defensive side of the puck, Senior Goaltender Ethan Marich (21-14-3, 90.7% Sv%, 2.16GAA) a four year varsity player, “Ethan has been a huge part of our success since his Freshman season, he’s a strong voice in our locker room that the players respect and the coaching staff felt he’d be a great piece to the leadership group.”
Joining Ethan and Liam are forwards Senior Ty Oller (23g, 30a) and Junior Dean Toskos (8g, 9a) who both will be counted on to lead the Ironmen scoring attack. “Both Ty and Dean have grown up playing together, they’ve been teammates at Bosco for three years now and we expect them to be key contributors like they have been in the past,” said Toskos.
Junior Dean Toskos
Senior Liam St. Pierre
Don Bosco will play one of the toughest schedules in New Jersey high school hockey starting opening night, December 9th vs Seton Hall Prep. Along with the grueling Gordon Conference schedule, DBP will also take on Non-Conference opponents, Morristown Beard, Suffern and will travel up to Boston for games against Xaverian High School and BC High.