GETTING AFTER IT: Princeton High boys’ hockey player Liam Campbell goes after the puck in a game earlier this season. Junior forward Campbell has helped PHS post three straight wins in 2025 after a 1-5 start. In upcoming action, the Tigers, who moved to 4-5 with a 4-3 win over Paul VI on January 13, will look to keep on the winning track as they face Hopewell Valley on January 22, Robbinsville on January 24 and South Brunswick on January 27 with all three games to be played at the Mercer County Skating Center. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Getting off to a 1-5 start in December action, the Princeton High boys’ hockey team reached a crossroads as it headed into 2025.

“Going into the New Year, we had one practice on the 29th of December,” said PHS head coach Rik Johnson. “I was going to do a lot of evaluation, checking to see where we are at. We lost five in row, the wheels were kind of falling off the bus there. We had good numbers, a lot of guys showed up.”

Showing progress, PHS has been on a roll in 2025, defeating Hamilton Co-op 8-0 on January 7, WW/P-South 4-2 on January 10 and and Paul VI 4-3 on January 13 in moving to 4-5.

In the view of Johnson, the win over Hamilton Co-op gave the Tigers a lift.

“It was at the right time where we needed that,” said Johnson. “It was get the young guys out there and they have been really strong.”

Being more physical has been a key to the recent surge by PHS.

“When we are pressing and have a guy on a forecheck hard, things can go our way,” said Johnson. “If we are playing our game then we are fine. It is just discipline. If we execute and cut down on mistakes, it is really only ourselves that are going to stop them.”

Against Paul VI, senior Noah Vitulli played very well, recording 57 saves in the win.

“The first goal he let in was a stinker,” said Johnson. “It is like he is looking at the ceiling and something gets through him and then the next thing you know he is making those huge Martin Brodeur saves. He locked it down.”

Undergoing a youth movement which has freshmen sprinkled on the top two forward lines and two first-year players forming a pair on defense has paid dividends.

“Right now the top line is Brendan Beatty (5 goals, 2 assists this season) with Babtiste Demurge (2 goals, 4 assists) and Dylan Hagt (1 goals, 3 assists), those two are freshmen,” said Johnson. “They have been really good, they are really strong. Baptiste has size, he has got speed. He is a big kid. He is cut from the same mold as Brendan, he has that ability where he can go through you or around you. He has a little edge to him, I like that.”

Senior Beatty, who also stars in lacrosse and is a University of Vermont men’s lax commit, has given the Tigers an edge with this leadership.

“In the last game against Paul VI, he had a couple of nice hits that set the tone,” said Johnson. “He is setting the tone in the room as a captain. Brendan has been there for four years so he is a good voice in the room.”

The Tiger second line features juniors Ryan Garlock (2 goals, 4 assists) and Anders Hedin (7 goals, 6 assists) with another freshman, Abe Arshan (2 goals).

“Anders is a big boy and he is using his speed to his advantage,” said Johnson. “His growth spurt is really working in his favor. When he is going, he is going.”

Sophomore Jacob Rosenberg (3 goals, 3 assists) has emerged as an offensive threat playing with sophomore Emil Vecchi (1 goal, 1 assist) and junior Liam Campbell (2 goals, 4 assists).

“Rotenberg is on the third line, he is on the opposite side of Emil and we usually have Liam with them,” said Johnson.

The Tiger defense is anchored by senior captains Jack Zimet (1 assist) and Wyatt Arshan (1 assist) along with freshmen Sam Gibb (1 goal, 3 assists) and Peter Ross (2 assists).

“Our top player would be Jack Zimet, he has been there four years now,” said Johnson, noting another senior star defenseman Ed Zhao is currently sidelined by injury and should be returning to action soon. “I made Wyatt a captain knowing that he was going to be a utility guy I can plug and play anywhere. He played goalie last year one game. He has been on the top line with Jack on defense. Sam and PJ are the second pair.”

In order to keep on the winning track, Johnson believes his players need to keep playing physical and make sure that they have fresh legs when they are on the ice.

“It is pressuring the puck, keeping the puck deep,” said Johnson. “Even things like getting off the ice when you are tired. I tell them when you think you are tired, get off because if you are out there and your wheels are gone and you pop a tire, then we are stuck.”

With PHS facing Hopewell Valley on January 22, Robbinsville on January 24 and South Brunswick on January 27, the Tigers are in a good place.

“The morale is high,” added Johnson. “The vibe is good so it is just building on things and staying positive.”