High school sports rivalries typically make for intense contests, but something special can also develop when rivals come together. That’s what Wayne Hills and Wayne Valley have found out in 2017-18 as the first-year co-op program does a lot of winning across the Garden State.
"The hockey community, as you know, is a tight-knit, great group of people," said Wayne head coach Joe Belger. "It’s small circles, especially with the Ice Vault being in Wayne. They learn to skate together or play at some club or see each other at the rink. Even though it’s rival programs coming together, once you’re in the locker room, there’s no real animosity."
In an incredibly successful season, Wayne went 17-6-3 through its first 26 games, including winning both the Passaic County Tournament championship and Big North Silver Cup championship while earning a trip to the semifinals of the Public A tournament.
Senior Dean Hulbert believes the reason the team is so successful is because both schools came together.