Pictured: Senior Night for the ETBE/New Rochelle ice hockey team. Seniors l to r: Luca Pitocchi, James O’Shaughnessy, Spencer Gray, Alex Benveniste, Nathan Greenberg, Yianni Mamais, Andrew Gildard, Brandon Stramiello, and Ethan Menkes.  Photo by David Fenner.

By S.Q. DeJoy and J. Murrer

Feb. 4, 2026: The ETBE ("Eastchester-Tuckahoe-Bronxville-Edgemont") ice hockey team has a new addition this winter. Twenty or more years ago, Eastchester, Tuckahoe, and Bronxville joined forces to form the ETB ice hockey team, and Edgemont was added many years later.  In 2025, New Rochelle became the newest member of the combined team.

The athletes may come from many different school districts, but the chemistry on the team works very well.  Bronxville senior and team co-captain James O’Shaughnessy has been on the varsity team since freshman year.  There are eight players from New Rochelle, eight from Eastchester, two from Tuckahoe, and five from Bronxville including O’Shaughnessy, Ozzie Arrighi, Jack O’Gorman, Matthew Fezza, and Victor Aviles.

Bronxville ice hockey players supporting Hockey Fights Cancer Night (l to r): James O’Shaughnessy, Matthew Fezza, Victor Aviles, Ozzie Arrighi, and Jack O’Gorman. Photo by David Fenner.

“Every single year the highlight of my year is the hockey team.” said O’Shaughnessy. “We are such a tight group. It is really special that the hockey team brings so many people from different areas together.”

Combining schools to form ice hockey teams is not uncommon in Section 1. There are a total of nine combined teams in Section 1 including Mount Pleasant (Briarcliff, Valhalla, Westlake, Hastings, Pleasantville) and BYSNS (Brewster, Yorktown, Somers, North Salem).

The ETBE/New Rochelle team plays in Division 1, League C. North Rockland, Mount Pleasant, ETBE/New Ro, and White Plains are the top four ranked teams in League C standings at this point in the season.  

The Eagles (8-6-2) opened the season strong, posting seven wins, one loss, and a tie. Along the way, they defeated several top league opponents, including two victories over Mt. Pleasant (4-0, 3-2) and a win over North Rockland (4-1). The Eagles also beat Scarsdale (7-4), a program that consistently fields a very strong team.

The ice hockey team has recently suffered losses to two out-of-section opponents, Potsdam and Franklin Academy, and three losses to Section 1 opponents, BYSNS, White Plains, and Pelham.

James O’Shaughnessy in the game against White Plains on Senior Night. Photo by David Fenner.

“Right now, we are experiencing a little bump in the road,” said O’Shaughnessy. “We lost on Senior Night to White Plains and will face them again on Thursday. We are hoping to come back and show them what kind of team we are. As much as the losses hurt, it is very good for our team.”

For O’Shaughnessy and the other seniors on the team--Andrew Gildard (T), Yianni Mamais (E), Nathan Greenberg (NR), Alex Benveniste (E), Ethan Menkes (NR), Luca Pitocchi (NR), Spencer Gray (NR), and Brandon Stramiello (NR)—Saturday’s senior night was especially emotional as many of the players have been together for years.

Coach Benveniste talking to the team during the game against White Plains. Photo by David Fenner.

During the pregame ceremony at the Ice Hutch, Coach Adam Benveniste introduced and commented on each player, and photographs were taken with parents and other family members.  Highlights of Senior Night are posted on Instagram @etbehockey.

During last night’s home game against Pelham, the players were skating for Hockey Fights Cancer and the American Cancer Society in memory of Samantha Kearns, an Eastchester Middle School teacher and cheerleading coach who passed away in 2024 after a battle with cancer.  Coaches and captains organized the event with proceeds donated from ticket sales, a bake sale, and a Chuck-a-Puck contest. All ETBE/New Ro players and fans wore pink or purple for the event.

Coach Adam Benveniste and fans at the ice hockey cancer fundraiser. Photo by David Fenner.

The team has clinched a spot in the D1 playoffs, but the remaining games are still critical for winning a League Championship and getting a higher seed and home ice advantage.

The Eagles will have an away rematch against White Plains on Thursday and will play Ryetown/Harrison next Tuesday. 

Senior Night game against the White Plains Tigers.  Photo by David Fenner.