When the Kearny-North-Arlington-Secaucus ice hockey team won the NJIIHL McMullen Cup championship last season, it may have seemed like an unexpectedly quick rise for the tri-op squad in just its third year playing varsity together. But head coach Tim Firth, his staff and his players past and present have been laying the groundwork for this sort of success for years before the three teams joined forces.
“It was a long journey. In our particular area of New Jersey, there wasn’t a lot of hockey interest — some, but not a lot,” he said. “And then as we continued on with the program, built it up more, more people got interested and started skating at a younger age. We slowly became less of a ‘learn to skate’ program and more of a team that was kinda competing and starting to play meaningful games. What really turned the corner was when we did our (tri-op) with Secaucus and North Arlington.”
With the vast majority of the team back that defeated Bayonne in dramatic fashion for the cup title last season, and with a crop of new promising players coming down the pipeline, the Kardinals are primed for another standout season.
“Coming into the season this year, everyone is in good form, in midseason form,” Firth said. “The chemistry and comfort level is in a really good place. Even with three different towns, everybody is on the same wavelength — there’s really good communication with the guys.”
Leading the offense is returning standout forward Matt Golon, an All-McMullen Division First Team selection last season who notched the goal of the season when he scored a short-handed game-winner with 1:28 to play in the championship. And after tallying 36 goals — second in the NJIIHL — and 19 assists for 55 points — fifth in the NJIIHL — the senior could reach even greater heights this season.
“I expect big things from Matt this year,” Firth said. “The skillset Matt has, the experience he has playing outside school, he’s used to a higher level of competition. He’s got his teammates around him now also playing at that level. I think he will be a key factor to our success this year.”
Starting alongside him will be senior Owen Logue — a four-year player and team co-captain whom Firth says is “excited to leave his mark” in his final season — and Chris Crawford after the junior sparked the offense with 23 assists last season. And he can find the back of the net too, as evidenced by his 11 goals, including a pair of first-period goals in the McMullen Cup semifinals.
“Last year, he was able to get a full year under his belt and is now really able to show the coaches what he’s capable of this year,” Firth said. “He’s a little bit bigger, stronger and more focused - I’m expecting him to have a very successful season as well.”
Firth is also expecting a lot from a pair of returning sophomores who will play together in Aiden Stamm and Rafael Campo. Stamm will center one of the top two lines after tallying 21 goals and 16 assists a year ago, including the game-tying score late in the championship. Campo will shift from defense to forward after notching six goals in limited action last year due to injury.
“They work fantastically together,” Firth said.
Freshman Arthur Bor and junior newcomer Anthony Leppin should also factor into the top six at forward. And seniors Andrew McDermott and Joe Drefko highlight the third line. McDermott is in his second year with the team and may also play defenseman. And Drefko, another co-captain, is a four-year player who Firth can rely on to set the tone.
“He brings the energy and the vocal support in and out of the locker room. I’m looking forward to seeing his leadership this year.”
Junior Kevin Zidiak returns to anchor the defense after earning an All-McMullen Division Honorable Mention nod a season ago. His well-rounded game — as indicated by his 24 assists last season, good for ninth in the division — will be integral for the squad again in 2022-23.
“Kevin is fantastic, he’s an excellent defender, an incredibly strong player. Whatever the situation demands, he adapts. Whether that’s leading the break on a rush or being the first one back to backcheck and regain his position,” Firth said. “The kid’s got wheels. He could put in an incredible number of minutes for us this year without blinking an eye.”
He will start alongside returning sophomore Ian Fu, back after tallying 12 points last season.
“He’s an excellent skater, a good defender and not afraid to throw his body around either,” Firth said.
Sophomore Sean Meaney will play significant time at defenseman after playing at forward last season, as will freshman Billy Worman. And junior Joseph Crawford is an experienced returning player who will play both sides of the puck.
“Looking forward to having his versatility this year,” Firth said.
Senior Morgan Iachetta ascends to starting goalie after making 208 saves last season backing up now-graduated Jack Logue.
“Morgan has been putting in the work the last three years, he’s more than ready for the starting role. This is his year,” Firth said.
Backing him up will be sophomore Sebastian Andaluz, who made the move from forward midway through last season.
“We’re looking to get him ready because next year the job will be his,” Firth said.
And behind him is freshman newcomer Braidan Logue, younger brother of Jack.
Kearny-North Arlington-Secaucus kicks off the season Thursday as the technical road team against Fair Lawn despite playing on their home ice at Secaucus Ice Rink. The actual home opener is the next day when the Kardinals host High Point.
Ad Choices