Mass Appeal
Maple Leafs look forward to return as Jr. B team after winning Jr. C Nationals

By Joshua Boyd

The Massachusetts Maple Leafs were always looking forward, never looking back, in their 2007-08 season as a Jr. C team in search of a national championship.

There was really only one time that Leafs captain Ronnie Paiva can remember having to turn around and halt this momentum.

"When we first signed Jeff Petersen, we were going to pick him up at a rest area in New York, that’s just where he was meeting us," said Paiva, the record-holder for points in a season by a Leafs player, with 189 this year. "We got something to eat there, too, and we were getting on the bus and Tone [i.e. owner-managercoach Tony DeSilva] asks ‘Is everyone on the bus?’

"Everyone said ‘Yes,’" Paiva added. "Ten minutes later, we get a phone call from Petersen - we had to turn the bus around and come back half an hour to get him. There are lots of stories - you could write a book."

The final chapter, of course, is the one where the Mass Maple Leafs (as they are commonly known) raise the Jr. C national championship trophy in late March 2008.

The Maple Leafs wanted to prove that they were ready for their next season at a higher level by easily defeating the Charleston Wolverines, 9-1, in the final game of the Jr. C Nationals.

After their national championship year at the Jr. C level, the Mass Maple Leafs are back to competing as a Jr. B team (and a second Jr. C-type team) for the 2008-09 campaign.

"We’ve had our local tryouts [in late April] and it looks like we’re on the way to building that second team," said DeSilva. "With some of the players returning and the players who tried out, I anticipate we’re well on to reaching our goal - anything can change in the next two tryouts, but it’s looking good."

DeSilva added that the lower team will likely end up as an independent team, and if the team is strong enough, DeSilva may enter it into a league that matches its level.

Already the lower-level team has games scheduled in one Buffalo Stars tournament, and the Stars themselves will be visiting Raynham, Mass.’ CDL Arena on Sept. 13 for the Leafs’ banner and ring ceremony.

A history of heights

DeSilva is not a shy person. He takes any doubts from others as an outright challenge, and he can look back at a history of meeting those challenges head on.

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Eastern Junior League alumni big in pro, college postseasons

By Mike Klein

Although the 15th Eastern Junior Hockey League season is in the books, the league still boasts representation on some of hockey’s largest stages.

Former New England Jr. Falcons defenseman Mike Komisarek is an integral part of the Montreal Canadiens’ blue line and will work to bring the Stanley Cup back to Montreal for the first time since 1993.

Should the Canadiens advance, Komisarek could potentially see some familiar foes in the Eastern Conference finals. Representing the EJHL on the Pittsburgh Penguins are Mark Eaton and Rob Scuderi, who both played for Apple Core. Back when all three played for their respective clubs, the Falcons and Apple Core comprised the EJHL’s premier rivalry and the teams were always among the best in the league.

Over in the Western Conference, Doug Murray, formerly of Apple Core, skates for the San Jose Sharks, while Ben Guite, a Capital District Selects representative, suited up as his Colorado Avalanche took on the Detroit Red Wings.

Chris Clark (Falcons), the captain of the Washington Capitals, saw his season end with a heartbreaking overtime loss against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Murray and Eric Nystrom were teammates in the Apple Core organization, but any brotherhood felt as a result may need some damage control, as Murray’s Sharks knocked Nystrom and his Calgary Flames teammates out of the playoffs.

Doug Janik (Apple Core) and Jay Leach (CD Selects) suited up for the Tampa Bay Lightning this season, but their team did not reach the playoffs.

In the American Hockey League, the Calder Cup playoffs have begun, and the EJHL will be well represented as the teams take the ice.

The Providence Bruins and Portland Pirates were competing in the second round, and leading the way for Portland was Jay Leach, who split time with the Pirates and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Kevin Schaeffer (Apple Core) suited up for the Bruins in the regular season, but was not skating during the series.

Many of the teams are still battling in the first round, among them are the Albany River Rats and the Philadelphia Phantoms, the latter boasting former Jr. Falcon and University of Maine forward Rob Bellamy.

Still standing in the Western Conference is the San Antionio Rampage, who include Jon DiSalvatore (Falcons) on their roster. Adam Pineault, a former Junior Bruin, plays for the Syracuse Crunch, who led their series against Manitoba, 2-1.

The Milwaukee Admirals and Chicago Wolves have one of the fiercest rivalries in the AHL, and there is little doubt that former EJHL foes Jon Laliberte (New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs) and Jordan LaVallee (South Shore Kings) will enjoy another shot at each other. Laliberte skates for the Admirals, while LaVallee mans the blue line for the Wolves.

Falcons alumni Ryan Weston (Albany River Rats) and P.J. Fenton (Worcester Sharks) recently completed amateur try-outs following their NCAA seasons. Cody Wild (Junior Bruins) also signed an off-season contract with the Springfield Falcons.

The Boston College Eagles also captured their third NCAA championship, thanks in large part to five EJHL alumni. Mike Brennan (Apple Core) led the team as a senior captain and has since signed with the Chicago Blackhawks. For more information on Brennan, see page 10.

Freshman Nick Petrecki (CD Selects) and junior Tim Kunes (Falcons) contributed to the strong Eagles defensive corps, while Pat Gannon (Bruins) enjoyed a breakout season, scoring six goals and assisting on seventeen others. Joe Adams (Monarchs) also completed his senior season.