DOWN LOW: Princeton High boys’ hockey player Cooper Zullo skates around a goalie in action last season. Senior star forward and captain Zullo is primed for a big final campaign. PHS opens its season by facing Notre Dame on December 12 at the Mercer County Park rink. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Rik Johnson underwent a trial by fire last winter when he joined the Princeton High boys’ hockey program as an assistant coach.

“It was exciting, at first I was a little apprehensive,” said Johnson, who had played for the Monmouth University club hockey team and in men’s leagues but had never coached before. “I observed and I was able to learn a lot different ways to approach things.”

This season, Johnson will be getting the chance to apply those lessons as he is taking the helm of the PHS program, succeeding head coach Dave Hansen.

“There is a learning curve for sure, learning everything you need to know as the head coach,” said Johnson. “My personal philosophy is for the players to try not to make the same mistake twice. Three, four practices in now, we are trying to scratch those off the list. I am trying different things out, seeing what works.”

The PHS players are responding well to their new leader.

“Brian (PHS Athletic Director Brain Dzbenski) said he was looking for somebody from a head  coaching perspective that was going to be around so there was continuity for the kids,” said Johnson, who is taking over a program that went 16-5-3 last winter and advanced to the Mercer County Tournament final. “It is positive, they are great kids, they are helpful. It is great roster, we have got 15 returning players.”

Johnson is expecting a great senior year from star forward and captain Cooper Zullo (39 goals, 32 assists in 2021-22).

“Cooper is doing his thing, he is doing a great job as a leader,” said Johnson. “He is going to be our captain again this year. He is great with ushering in the new kids and leading the group. I think last year was a little bit of a shock to him when he was named captain; that caught him off guard, but he grew into it. He is so good. The one thing I added last year in working with him was hit the net. He has improved on that.”

A trio of key seniors — Ethan Garlock (11 goals, 16 assists), Gabe Silverstein 10 goals, 14 assists), and Julian Drezner (8 goals, 12 assists) — should be hitting the net a lot this winter.

“Ethan is going to be an assistant captain, he is a very big player, I am trying to get him to play a little more physical,” said Johnson. “His skill set is fine-tuned. He is not a rah-rah guy, he brings a quiet game and a quiet demeanor to the team. Gabe’s game looks like it is improving. It looks like he has worked on his shooting quite a bit. He is going to be an assistant captain, he is another one who is a great locker room guy that rallies the troops. Drezner is a great role player and an all-around good guy. He is like an EMT off the ice — he is a great human. These guys are class acts.”

Sophomore Brendan Beatty (13 goals, 20 assists) is bringing class and skill as he looks to build on a superb debut campaign.

“Lacrosse is his main sport but his hockey game is right there,” said Johnson, who will also be using junior Charles Ross (1 goal, 4 assists), Andrew Benevento (1 goal, 2 assists), senior Nico Vitaro (2 goals, 3 assists), and freshman Ryan Garlock, Ethan’s younger brother, at forward.

“If he needs to be physical, he will be. If he needs to use finesse, he can. He reminds a little bit of a Peter Forsberg (former NHL star), where he can go around you or through you.”

On defense, junior Graham Baird (2 goals, 4 assists) should be tough to get around.

“Graham should be leading the way, he was with the team last year and is very sound, very smart,” said Johnson. “He is a quiet guy, he is not a big talker or anything. He plays the game well, he knows that game. He is nice and sound on defense.”

Joining Baird on the blue line will be junior Mike Prete,  junior T.T. Zhao (3 goals, 8 assists), sophomore Jack Zimet (1 goal, 5 assists), junior Oisin Odell (1 goal, 2 assists), and sophomore Ed Zhao (4 assists).

“Mike is going to be defense; T.T. plays club, when I have him, he going to be top two, top four defense,” said Johnson. “Jack grew over the summer, his game was improving over the course of last season. In practice so far this season, it looks like he can find his way into the top four. Oshin is a role player, he minimizes mistakes which is nice. Ed is another d-man.”

At goalie, senior Ryan Friedman (21 saves in 1 game in 2021-22) is primed to step into a starting role between the pipes.

“Ryan has improved his game tremendously from last year when he was learning how to skate in goal,” said Johnson, who has a back-up goalie in sophomore Noah Vitulli. “So far this season, his athleticism has shown in practice. He gets better at each practice. His glove is good. There is a second goalie, Noah, who has been away from the game and  played when he was younger.”

With PHS having lost 7-2 to Notre Dame in the 2022 MCT final and then losing 8-5 to Randolph in the first round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic
Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Public B tourney to end last season on a down note, the Tigers are determined to do better in postseason play this winter.

“It is playing the same game as we played last year and following that path; I have told them if we are faster, stronger, and smarter than the other teams, that is a good way to win,” said Johnson. “We are starting with Notre Dame, all I have to say is look who we are playing. Our theme this season is unfinished business.”