January 3, 2011
Homegrown Success Stories
by Michael Mroziak/
Some prep school hockey programs recruit players from all over North America and Europe. And then there’s St. Francis High School, based in Athol Springs, located just outside of Buffalo, New York.
Restricted to choosing players within the school district, the St. Francis hockey program has nevertheless developed a heritage of success stories, including some who have advanced to the National Hockey League.
Developing from within has worked out just fine for St. Francis coaches.
“We have three Varsity hockey teams -- prep, scholastic and club – along with two junior varsity teams which allow us to monitor all the boys in the program as to their talent, skill level and development,” said St. Francis varsity prep head coach John Bowers. “When it comes time to pick the prep team, we have a good knowledge of where everyone stands. We don't have to rely on a three-day tryout period to pick the best players, because we have the opportunity to watch them all year on the various teams they are on at school.”
For some former players, the next levels have included junior hockey, college, and even professional careers. Noted alumni include NHL players Aaron Miller (retired), Patrick Kaleta (Buffalo Sabres), Lee Stempniak (Phoenix Coyotes), as well as pro player Brian Roloff (Portland, American Hockey League).
Bowers looks for “the usual attributes” of speed, size, strength and skill. But he’s also interested in players that show “exceptional hockey sense and a great work ethic.” They also need to be equally successful in the classroom.
“We have an academic eligibility requirement,” said Bowers. “If you are not meeting the standards in the classroom, you are ineligible to play or practice for a five-week period, so these boys have to be good students also.
“This year’s prep team only has a few returning players and they are doing a nice job of leading the team, but we also have a group of new players, who are thrilled to be here, and are working hard to show they belong,” said Bowers.
“Matt Pietrzykowski and Dallas Szustak have been our leading scorers early on, while Brendan Cullen and Kenny Tencza have been lighting the lamp lately. Dom DiCioccio is definitely out spark plug. When we need a lift, it's usually Dom who provides it. If I had 20 Doms, we probably wouldn't lose a game. He's a real team guy, and all the players feel the same about him.”
Bowers also points to players he thinks represent his team’s future.
“Tim Kielich is a player to watch for us. He has all the talent and skill you need to be an elite player, he just needs to push himself a bit more. Look for him in the future,” said Bowers.
As for the classroom standouts?
“I have some very bright students on this year’s team, led by Josh Dempsey, who has a 4.2 out of a perfect 4.0,” said Bowers. “Brendan Natywora is right behind Josh and so is Jared Vona. All three are great students.”
St. Francis’ prep squad plays a 45-game schedule, from November to March, that includes competition in the Midwest Prep Hockey League plus tournaments including those hosted by Nichols/Belmont Hill, McPherson Tournament, Northwood School and Culver Academy.
Many of their opponents’ rosters are stacked with players who come from literally all over the world. For example, Midwest Prep league rival National Sports Academy has a roster that features players from all over the USA and Canada and also includes two players from Scandinavian countries.
Bowers likes putting his homegrown talent against such competition.
“We look at that as a positive for our program,” said Bowers. “We transitioned from the local high school league to the prep level to give our boys a consistently higher level of competition, to give them the best chance at playing at the next level, whatever that may be for them.”
Alumni now playing college hockey include Vinny Scarsella, Pat Sullivan and Chris Barrea (Canisius) as well as Kevin Ryan (Niagara University). Former St. Francis players now playing high-level junior hockey include Anthony Day (Sioux City, USHL), Scott Diebold (Tri-City, USHL) and Mike Benedict (North American Hockey League). Anthony Day has already committed to his next level of hockey, scheduled to join Yale next year.
