Championships

2003-2004 PA State Champions

2003-2004 Flyer's Cup Varsity AA Champions

2002-2003 ICSHL Varsity AA Champions

2001-2002 Flyer's Cup Varsity AA Champions

2001-2002 ICHSL Varsity AA Champions

2000-2001 Flyer's Cup Varsity AA Champions

2000-2001 ICHSL Varsity AA Champions

1999-2000 Flyer's Cup Varsity AA Champions

1999-2000 ICHSL Varsity AA Champions

 1981-1982 Flyers Cup Varsity Champions

1980-1981 PA State Champions

1980-1981 Flyer's Cup Varsity Champions

Revisit Carroll teams of Years Past: See our Yearbook Collection!

History

Carroll Hockey began in 1972, when the first team was started by Mr. Greg Kraeer.  Coached by Jerry Matioli and Jack Pachioli, the team was anchored by sophomore Tony Dahm in goal, and captained by Ernie McKenna.  Carroll’s first ever league victory occurred in 1973 against Norristown; Tony still has the game puck to this day! The Carroll Yearbook, in noting the inaugural season, stated “Hockey seems headed for a long life at Carroll.”

In 1978, a new player arrived on a Carroll team that would make history. Scott Chamness would go on to make high school hockey records that have withstood the test of time. In 1979, Carroll Hockey outscored its opponents 218-8. In 1980, the team won the first Flyers Cup, with Scott being named the Most Valuable Player. Coached by Mr. Gary Vetre and Mr. Frank Giandomenico, the team won the State Championship as well.

Scott’s life was cut short in 1992; in his memory, his wife, family, and friends founded the Scott Chamness Memorial Fund, supporting worthy Carroll scholar athletes. Not only because of his skills, but because of his team spirit and play, the Carroll Hockey program actively supports this Fund.

In 1981, the team would successfully defend its Flyers Cup Championship, with Jeff Arnold winning the Bobby Clarke Award for Most Valuable Player.

In 1983, Mr. Frank Burdo, a former Carroll player and member of the Flyers Cup teams, took over the reins as head coach. He would continue to coach for several years, as the number of players would wane. As the 1986 yearbook article, written by James Mularkey and Captain Brad Chamness states:

“Of all the sports at Archbishop Carroll, Ice Hockey requires the most dedication. To be an ice hockey player one must be willing not only to give 110%, but also paying for their ice-time and equipment. The team represents Carroll but Carroll does not fund the team, the players must pay over one thousand dollars for their ice-time and supplies.”

Some things never change!

By 1988, the team was back to a full strength roster. Frank had weathered the storm, and the program was stronger for it. In 1991, Mr. Dave Burdo took over the coaching reins from his brother and, despite a short bench due to the “loss of two key players and the suspensions of three others,” Carroll Hockey earned a berth for the Flyers Cup for the first time in 10 years. Its JV team also featured #25, Nicole Thomas, who played center and defense, and was the first girl hockey player (not field, ice) at Carroll.

In 1995, Mr. Bill Hammond became head coach, and would lead the team for the next 11 years.  During this time the team would consistently be a contender, and a regular in the Flyers Cup tournament. In 1999, Carroll lost in the ICSHL finals to LaSalle II in four overtimes.  Back then you had to win your league playoffs to qualify for the Flyers Cup.  LaSalle II went on to win the Flyers Cup (rather easily).

Starting in 2000, when the team would post a 15-1-1 season, the Carroll Ice Patriots would go on a three year reign as Flyers Cup AA Champions. The Flyers Cup MVP Award would go to Defenseman Gerry Oakes in 2000, Forward Dave Moccia in 2001, and goalie Ken DiOrio in 2002.

Mr. Hammond’s tenure as head coach would culminate in another Flyers Cup in 2004 and the program’s second State Championship. Sophomore Greg Manz would garner the Cup’s MVP Award; the team also included Freshman Eric Tangradi, who started playing for Carroll’s middle school team as a fifth grader. Eric was drafted in the second round by the Anaheim Ducks, and is currently a top prospect in the Penguins organization. In his first NHL game on September 21, 2009, he tallied two assists, feeding the puck to some other kid named Crosby.

By 2007, however, the team had lost a significant amount of players, and had to pull out of league play. Reorganizing the program to include parent and school participation in administration, and developing a strong groundwork for greater financial oversight, Carroll Hockey has developed the foundation to take it into the future.

During this transitional time, the team was led by Coach Jeff Marinari, the captain of the 1993 Carroll Ice Patriots. Upon his exit in 2008, Mr. Joe Fratoni, the current coach, took over the reins, after helping to establish the program’s current organizational structure and the renewed team spirit of today’s Carroll Hockey.