Belger Brothers Named to the Hudson Valley Empire State Games Ice Hockey Team

To be named to play in the Empire State Games is a tremendous honor. It's even more of a thrill when you get to share that experience with your brother.

That's the case for the Belger brothers, Nick, a high-scoring forward, and Robert, a standout defenseman. Each excelled this winter for the Lakeland/Panas ice hockey squad that made the Section 1 finals for the first time in program history.

Both Belger brothers were named to the Hudson Valley ice hockey team that will be competing in the Empire State Games in Buffalo July 22-25.

"I think them being brothers has helped them," Lakeland/Panas coach Bart Mucci said. "They play well together. They are good friends as well as brothers. They aren't really rivals. One plays defense, the other plays forward, so that helps."

During the high-school season, Nick Belger showed why he deserves to be among the Hudson Valley's elite. As a sophomore, he scored 30 goals, which was the eighth highest in all of Section 1.

He also had 23 assists which gave him a total of 53 points, the ninth highest in the section.

"I was really excited when I found out I made the team," Nick Belger said. "This is the first time I have made the team so it is a new experience for me."

Both brothers say the opportunity to play with each other at such a high-level event is a special one.

"I love playing with my brother," Robert Belger said. "He has a bright future and this will give me a chance to push him a little bit more."

Nick Belger is cherishing the opportunity to play with his brother before he goes off to play lacrosse in college at Sacred Heart.

"It means a lot to be able to play competitive hockey with each other before he goes to college so I am really looking forward to playing with him at the Empire State Games," Nick Belger said.

For Robert Belger this is the culmination of what has been a dream school year in athletics.

"Rob brings different intangibles, including his leadership," Mucci said. "He's just a winner. Look at his full senior year. Rob played on an ice hockey team that made it to the sectionals finals and was the starting goalie on a lacrosse team that was in the semifinals of the states this year. He just finds a way to win. The kids follow him. He is always having a blast."

Mucci has a blast when he watches Nick Belger zip by the opposition.

"Nick is an extremely talented offensive player who will shine up there (Buffalo) as far as that goes," Mucci said. "Nick is a kid who has worked extremely hard since the time he was small. He plays hockey seven days a week. He just loves the game and is extremely gifted. In my opinion, he probably has the best hands in Section 1. He's still growing as a player in other ways but as far as overall talent, he is one of the best kids I have ever seen from the area."

The tryouts and practices to make the team were in this area at the Brewster Ice Arena, where the Rebels play their home games.

"I was more comfortable there I guess but ice hockey is ice hockey it doesn't matter where you are," Robert Belger said.

Where the Belger brothers and their Hudson Valley teammates will be 2 p.m. Thursday, July 22 is at practice. They will have their first game at 8 p.m. that night against New York City.

Then at 2:30 p.m. Friday, July 23, Hudson Valley will take on Central.

The following day Saturday, July 24 Hudson Valley has two games.

Hudson Valley's first contest that day will be 7 a.m. against Long Island before a 3:30 tilt against Adirondack. The team's final game will be 9:30 a.m. Sunday July 25 against Western New York.

The practice and all games will be held at the Amherst Ice Facility.

"There is a lot of emotion for them to finish out a good year and the fun of being with your brother," Mucci said. "For a couple of kids: they realize this could be it playing with their brother so they just want to end it with a bang up there in Buffalo."