The ETBE players and coaches. Photo by David Herman Photography.

By J. Murrer and S. Q Dejoy 

Feb. 16, 2022: With the 2022 Beijing Olympics underway, there are plenty of opportunities to cheer on winter athletes. The U.S. men’s Olympic ice hockey team is usually composed of NHL players, but this year they did not to send a team because of COVID. With NHL players unavailable, this year’s Olympic team was drawn from an assortment of players including some who have previously played in the NHL and some who are current college athletes.

High school winter sports may not be the Olympics, but a parallel can be drawn. No local community has enough interest to field one ice hockey team, so an assortment of players from Eastchester, Bronxville, Tuckahoe and Edgemont team up to play Section 1 ice hockey. This network of local players won the Sectional Championship last year and has been very successful so far this season.

“I think that the dynamic of this merged team is very unique in the way that we are not spending every day at school together,” said Bronxville junior David O’Shaughnessy. “We go to four different schools, so we really come together in practice and in games. Before games, we will be dancing in the locker room. Energy and enthusiasm are what fuel the team.”

David O’Shaughnessy (83). Photo by David Herman Photography.

The Eastchester/Bronxville/Tuckahoe/Edgemont (ETBE) team, led by captains Will Stupart, Luke Rasetina and Sebastian Henderson, has an overall record of 10-6-1, a league record of 5-2, and is ranked No. 9 in Lohud’s Power Rankings.

“We have had a successful season so far,” said Coach Steve Forzaglia.  “Our team is hitting their stride at the right time heading into sectionals.  We've lost a couple of close games to powerhouses Pelham and Mamaroneck, while pushing ourselves within our league.”

The Eagles lost 4-1 to top-ranked Pelham last Wednesday ending their three-game winning streak against Pearl River (7-2), Mahopac (13-3), and White Plains (9-7).

In the game against Pearl River, Pat Dotson scored 3 goals, Luke Arrighi 2, Seb Henderson 1, and Hero Schmidt 1. At White Plains on February 7^th, Stupart had a big game with 3 goals. Also scoring against the Tigers were David O’Shaughnessy (2), Schmidt (2), Henderson (1), and Dotson (1). Top scorers in the Mahopac game were Henderson with 4 and O’Shaughnessy and Dotson with 2 each.

Junior Alex Clark has stepped up to play goalie this year and had 38 saves in those three wins.

“Starting on a team that won the Section Championship last year is not easy, and a lot of credit goes to Alex,” said O’Shaughnessy. “He has put us on his back and done a great job.”

ETBE Goalie Alex Clark (15). Photo by David Herman Photography.

Even though these players come from different school districts, they have come together as a solid, talented team.

“We have been led by several players, Seb Henderson, Pat Dotson and Luka Rasetina on defense,” said Coach Forzaglia.  “Our scoring has come from David O'Shaughnessy, Will Stupart, Hero Schmidt, and Luke Arrighi, while players like Connor Cipriano and Kyle Klion have really solidified our team.  Alex Clark has done a really nice job in net for us this year. We look forward to the great fan support at sectionals!”

The Olympic ice hockey bronze and gold medal games will take place this weekend, and the Eagles be will be heading to sectionals on Friday. Game time and opponent will be determined today.

ETBE warming up on the ice. Photo by David Herman Photography.