Record Turnout for Alumni Hockey Game

The biggest problem facing the 30th annual Larry Tomaselli Hockey Alumni game on Friday night was what to do with the 86 hockey players who were dressed and ready to skate. The alumni team had 47 players, 39 members of New Canaan High School fall team showed—believed to be the largest turnout ever.

After the players lined up on their respective blue lines for the introductions, the teams split up in order to accommodate all the players. The more current alums played the more veteran high schoolers in the first half of a doubleheader. Before the start of the first 25-minute game, the remaining players left the ice and headed for the locker room to clear room on the bench. Game one ended at 2 all. Then the waiting younger high school players and older alumni came out on the ice for the second game, which the alumni took 4-3.

The alumni team was comprised of players dating back to the class of 1970 (Larry Tomaselli) including other from the 70's (Tom Cassidy,'73), (Jim Tomaselli,'74), (John Barada and Walter Ruscoe, '75) and (Bill Panella,'77). Alumni from each decade were represented right up to the current crop who were playing in their first alumni game.

For parents of players, past and present, the game can stir up some bitter sweet memories. Christina McGinnis one of many parents with sons who have gone through the hockey program said,"this is the third and last McGinniss to play in this game. Bo is a co-captain this year and Richie and George are now alumni." Mary Stanton's son, Sam, is a co-captain and younger brother, Jack, also plays, while Charlie, a sophomore in college, played on the alumni team. Anne and Peter Krieger have two sons who skated for the alums—Peter and Andrew—and a third who's a member of the varsity—6'5", 225 pound defenseman, Tom. The "family affair" extends to this year's group of players, where brother combinations are expected to play: Tucker and Parker Dennis (older brother Oliver, last year's co-captain, played for the alumni), Jake and Jimmy Joe Granito (older brother Frank, also a  co-captain last year, played for the alumni) and Henry and Peter Richardson.

The games were followed by a reception at Waveny House for all donors and alumni.

The fund raiser will help defray the costs for ice time and equipment for the varsity and junior varsity teams. Anyone interested in in making a tax-deductible contribution can call Fiz Tomaselli at 966-4394.

Hockey tryouts begin next week for the 2009-2010 team