Sports
Hockey Night in Marblehead Caps Off Dream Season
Hockey fans of all ages were on hand at the Gerry 5 to celebrate Marblehead High School's boys' state championship team.
Fans, parents, coaches, cheerleaders and players were on hand Thursday night, as Marblehead High School's boys' hockey tram wrapped up their championship season with a celebratory dinner at the Gerry 5.
The coaching staff singled out no individuals, instead, all team members were recognized as members of a championship team, one that beat Westfield for the title and finished the season at 20-4-3.
Marblehead's hockey team actually took two titles during the 2010-2011 season, the state title at the TD Garden last month, and the Haverhill Christmas Tournament crown in December.
The team received jackets, plaques and a DVD of the Westfield game, a 6-3 win over the Bombers. The boys were fitted for championship rings last week, which are expected to arrive later this year.
The evening kicked off with a presentation from retiring hockey cheerleading coach Wendy Milmore, who recognized seniors Jamie Belostock, Kati Hahn, Gabbie Claveau and Brittany Murtaugh. Aliza Bogosian and Kathy O'Shea were named cheering captains for the 2011-2012 hockey season.
Bill Hughes spoke on behalf of Marblehead Youth Hockey president Bruce Woodfin, assistant varsity coach Tom Colby spoke on behalf of Friends of Marblehead Hockey president Dana Tufts, and then it was time to hand out awards.
Junior varsity head coach Brian Donovan handed out the Coaches Award to junior Dylan Woodrow, the Defensive Player of the year award to sophomore Nick Perry, and the Offensive Player of the Year award to freshman Erik Powers. The JV's finished 12-4-2 this season.
"I'm losing ten seniors," head coach Bob Jackson said when he addressed the JV squad. "I have high hopes for you boys, and I'm looking forward to you coming up to the varsity and filling some big shoes next season."
Coach Jackson and assistants Mark Tarmey (also the athletic director), Gary Conn, Tom Colby and Patrick Flynn took turns at the podium handing out the jackets, plaques and DVDs to the team.
Team members of the 2010-2011 state champs included Ian Magg, Cam Rowe, Tom
Koopman, Hunter Graves, Aaron DeAngelo, Liam Gillis, Brenden Lydon, Ryan Dempsey, Jake Kulevich, Tyler Gelineau, Will Hughes, Alex Whitmore, Ben Katzman, Chris McLeod, Ty Bates, Ben Koopman, Austin Haley, Joe Newall, Trevor Jones, Hunter Whitmore, Mike Harper, Harrison Young and Tony Cuzner.
With his 47 points during the season, Ryan Dempsey moved to sixth place all-time on the school-scoring list with 110 points. Chris McLeod tied his coach, Bob Jackson for ninth place with 104 points all-time, and Jake Kulevich moved into second place all-time for points by a Header defenseman, two behind Tim Howe's career mark of 88 points from the blue line.
Kulevich finished with 29 career goals, none bigger than his game-winner against Westfield.
Assistant coach Mark Tarmey also pointed out that Kulevich played at Gillette Stadium, Fenway Park and Boston Garden during his athletic career at MHS.
A packed function room at the Gerry 5 dined on chicken, steak and shrimp and loudly cheered for every name that was called off during the evening, in celebration of the most successful hockey team in the history of Marblehead High School.
