1st Time State Champs Westfield Hockey Team Honored By Town Council

WESTFIELD, NJ — First-time state champions, the Westfield High School Boys Hockey Team, were honored by the Town Council recently.

"What a thrill to recognize the state champion WHS boys ice hockey team at last night’s Town Council meeting — their first-ever state title!" said Brindle following the March 25 council meeting.

At the meeting, Brindle read a proclamation honoring the team's victory on March 10 at the NJSIAA Public State Championship.

"The team's historic victory not only highlights the athletic talents of these student athletes but also serves as an inspiration for future generations in our community," Brindle read from the proclamation.

"I just want to congratulate these boys. They put a lot into the season. It's a lot of dedication, a lot of commitment, a lot of sacrifice that goes into years and years and years of build up," said Coach Joe Bertucci. "As good of a hockey team they are, they are even better kids."

The Westfield Boys Hockey team is under the leadership of Head Coach Joe Bertucci and Assistant Coaches Brendan Hickey and Spencer Truesdel.

All of the members of the team include:

Seniors

• Aiden Alon
• Jackson Chicola
• Jack Conrod
• Brody Esler
• Jack Garguilo
• Austen Halleran
• Daniel McDevitt
• Luca McLaren
• Joshua Singer
• Aidan Wilson

Juniors

• Nicholas Benson
• Tyler Bergman
• Troy Conover
• Luke Fitzgerald
• Andrew Lisnock
• Blake Wotanowski

Sophomores

• Ryan Droskoski
• Liam Duffy
• Robert Petrarca
• William Reed
• Christopher Smok

Westfield Rink

Brindle noted that the championship is even more special because of the role the Westfield Rink at Gumbert Park played in getting the players the ice time they needed to compete.

Back in 2018, shortly after Brindle was elected mayor, John McDevitt approached her about a public/private partnership with Ken Anderson from Union Sports Arena to create a temporary rink in town.

Despite opposition, hockey parents, kids, and even elementary school girls advocated for the rink and made it possible.

"A lot of the kids learned to play hockey, learned to skate at that Westfield Rink, so that’s a major part of our community," said Bertucci.

Brindle noted that the Westfield Rink is still temporary and urged the community to support relocating the temporary Gumbert Rink to a permanent facility at Tamaques Park — part of a potential year-round indoor sports complex, built through the same public/private partnership model that made the rink a reality.

"Take the Tamaques survey on our website! Whether your passion is hockey or handball, birdwatching or biking, tai chi or tennis — let’s shape the future of our parks together," said Brindle. "And let’s keep Westfield a hockey town for generations to come!"

To take the survey or learn more about the Tamaques Park Design Plan, click here.

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