Chaminade Flyers 2010-2011 Hockey Preview

Flyers

Conference: CHSHL "A" Division

2009-10 record: 4-11-1 (7th place)

Coaches: Frank Bendl, Vinny Cappaso

Rinks: Superior Ice Rink (King's Park), Abe Stark Skating Arena (Coney Island), Iceworks Syosset (Syosset), Ice Hutch Ice Skating Rink (Mount Vernon), World Ice Arena (Flushing), Playland Ice Casino (Rye) and Cantiague Park Ice Arena (Hicksville).

Expectations:

The 2010-2011 CHSHL season opens this weekend and the Chaminade Flyers are hoping change will be a good thing.

The Flyers lost 14 seniors from last year's squad and will feature 13 seniors this year. There has also been a slight coaching change. Frank Bendl, who coached the Flyers to the CHSHL "A" division title in 2004-2005, will return to the bench with last year's coach Vinny Capasso serving as his assistant. Bendl took Chaminade to the CHSHL state title in 2005, but fell short to St. Mary's high school of Buffalo. Capasso served as head coach since Bendl left the program in 2005.

The Flyers will compete in the Catholic High School Athletic League's "A" Division against arch-rival St. Anthony (Huntington), St. Mary (Manhasset), Holy Cross (Flushing), Iona Prep (New Rochelle), Fordham Prep (The Bronx), Msgr. Farrell (Staten Island) and St. Joseph by the Sea (Staten Island). St. Joe's by the Sea and Holy Cross are new to the "A" division this year, Holy Cross having won the 2009-10 "B" division title.

There will have a final skate on Monday at Iceland before Chaminade opens the season on the road . Game time is 4:30 p.m.

Offense:

One of the biggest strength's of this year's team is that three of the team's top four scorers from last year are back. The Flyers are hoping the twin brother tandem of Dylan and Matthew Scarpato will drive the team this season. The Scarpato's combined for 30 points as juniors last season. Dylan was named a third-team CHSHL All-Star despite the team's struggles. Senior forward Norman Riker collected five goals, three assists for eight points last season and should give the Flyers another scoring threat. Senior forwards Joseph Vella, Anthony Ambrosino and Michael Romano should all contribute.

Defense:

Chaminade has a solid core of senior defensemen including Michael Gallagher, Michael Ferns, Sean Dvorak, Patrick DiPippo and Christop Juul-Neilsen.

Goaltending:

In goal, Bendl and the Flyers will rely heavily on last year's starter Thomas Dorsey. A senior, Dorsey stopped 284 of the 351 shots he faced last season. Junior Chris Agnone may also see time in front of the net.