Daily Sports Digest: Iona Prep Ice Hockey Preview

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As all the local athletes finish up their turkey leftovers, winter sports are quietly beginning around the area. The hockey and bowling seasons have already started while other sports will be spending the next week fine tuning their rosters in scrimmages and final preseason practices.

Last year the Iona Prep hockey team finished 14-10, and now in his second season at the helm, Head Coach Mike Bonelli has raised his expectations for himself and his team. Recently Patch caught up with the coach to discuss this year’s squad. Check out the team’s schedule. 

As far as age and, more importantly experience goes, what type of team do you expect to have this season? 

“We expect to have a deeper, more balanced line up this year with contributions from a variety of sources including some good point totals from the defense.”

What were some of the weaknesses your team had last year that you hope to improve upon this season?

“We will have to improve with our defensive positioning in all areas of the ice.  We gave up to many odd-man situations last season that we would like to focus on remedying this year.”

Who are some of your returning players coming back who you see being big contributors?

“We would hope to see big numbers for McDermott and Logerfo but feel because of the balanced lineup other players like Chiariello and Donoghy will have a chance to get on the score sheet more often. On defense, we expect a big impact from Junior Rob Dillion and other strong year out of Senior Connor Barry in net.  Connor was the CHSHL Goalie of the Year last season and we hope he builds on that success.”

Who are some of your new players you are expecting to thrust into a larger role on the team?

“Matt Donoghy, a transfer from New Rochelle, will make an immediate impact and we are looking forward to seeing strong play from sophomore defenseman Giancarlo Pochentesta this season.”

How has the team been preparing in the off-season?

“The guys have played in various spring, summer and fall programs as a group and have also committed to a more committed fall through dry land and more video work than in the past.”

What are your goals for the season as a team?

“As always we expect to be in the top of the CHSHL A Division and competing for a league and state title.  Not that anything else is a failure but we always have high expectations for our program, and we expect a lot out of these student athletes each day.”

Are there one or two games circled on the schedule this season? 

“Always have Fordham as a big game because of our past rivalries, and I would say getting a chance to play St Anthony’s again later in the season at the Nassau Coliseum will be a fun day for the kids.”

What are you personally looking forward to this season?

“I want the players to embrace the new direction of the program. Practice every day and commitment to team play, discipline and ‘learning the game’ are not staples to high school hockey in Westchester County. I hope to get the guys to understand and develop within this complex system and give them the chance to advance to the next level of their playing careers.”

Yesterday’s Results:

Sport: Ice Hockey

Game: New Rochelle vs. Ossining

Score: New Rochelle Won 6-4

Highlights: Chris Ramondelli had four goals and an assist in the win.

Sport: Ice Hockey

Game: New Rochelle vs. Yorktown

Score: New Rochelle Won 4-3 

Today’s Schedule:

There are no local varsity games scheduled for today.