(Photo by Bill Allen/NJ SportAction) caption: YOUNG GUN: Princeton Day School boys’ ice hockey star Conrad Denise heads to goal last winter. Sophomore forward Denise figures to be a key player for the Panthers as they look to build on a 2009-10 season that saw the program win its first-ever Mercer County Tournament title. PDS gets its 2010-11 season underway on December 1 when it hosts Red Bank Catholic.

Counting on Battle-Tested Sophomore Stars, PDS Boys’ Ice Hockey Shooting for Titles

Bill Alden

Last winter, the Princeton Day School boys’ hockey team put a lot of responsibility on its core of talented freshmen players.

While the eight newcomers struggled at times early in the season, they helped a key late-season run that saw PDS win its first-ever Mercer County Tournament title.

In the view of PDS head coach Scott Bertoli, the title run was critical to the development of the younger players.

“I think any time you win your final game, especially if it’s in a playoff format, you are doing something right,” said Bertoli, whose team finished the season with a 12-13-1 record.

“We made a lot of strides in the second half. The freshmen were a talented group; they played better in the second half. They got used to playing with players two or three years older.”

Now that last year’s freshmen have that experience under their belts, Bertoli is expecting even more from them this winter.

“They are faster and stronger; they have a lot of confidence,” said Bertoli, whose team starts its 2010-11 season by hosting Red Bank Catholic on December 1.

“We will be relying on them a lot; they will be playing a lot of minutes. We have been getting them into the weight room and some of them would love to play hockey beyond high school and they need to make a commitment beyond what they do on the ice.”

Bertoli has seen a higher level of commitment from one of his key veterans, senior forward Peter Blackburn, who came to PDS last winter after starring at Hun the two seasons before that.

“Peter was getting used to higher level and better competition,” said Bertoli, noting that the high-scoring Blackburn was hampered by a concussion and a knee injury during his debut season with the Panthers.

“He has made adjustments and I am seeing a huge improvement in his game. He has the ability to utilize his linemates; he knows he can’t do everything on his own. He has transformed his body. It helped that he played soccer this fall and has spent some time in the weight room. I expect him to do a lot of good things. He knows he needs to be a better two-way player if he is going to go on to juniors or college.”

PDS is expecting big things from sophomore forwards Alex Nespor, Conrad Denise, and Cody Triolo.

“Nespor is arguably our most talented player; he tries to do a lot of things individually and needs to use guys around him,” said Bertoli.

“Denise has grown taller and lankier. PDS hockey is in his blood; he watched his brothers play when the team was winning prep championships and he wants to restore that. I told him that he doesn’t have to wait until junior or senior year to take ownership of the team. He may not beat you in the 1-on-1 but he is effective in moving the puck and using his teammates. Triolo is a very gritty, good two-way player who excels at both ends of the ice.”

One of this year’s freshmen, Sean Timmons, should excel right away for the Panthers.

“I expect Sean to play on one of the top two lines,” said Bertoli. “He is a big kid; he is a great shooter with smooth hands. He has done things in practice that make you say ‘wow.’ He should be able to finish; I just need to find the right combinations.”

Junior forward Garrett Jensen should be another important piece of the puzzle for the Panthers.

“Garrett should play on the second or third line; he is a little undersized but he is a hard-nosed kid,” added Bertoli. “He has grown a little bit. He brings leadership qualities and the younger guys can look up to him.”

Two of the younger guys, sophomores Bump Lisk and Taran Auslander, figure to spearhead the PDS defense.

“I have noticed a big improvement in Bump and Taran; they have matured with that year under their belts,” asserted Bertoli. “They have gained confidence with the puck and a better understanding of the game.”

Bertoli also has confidence in two senior defensemen, Skye Samse and Will Powers.

“Skye was one of our better defensive forwards last year and we needed a big body back there,” said Bertoli, who noted that junior star Tyler Olsson is currently limited by a wrist injury.

“Powers needs to be more confident with the puck. He is a big body and he is a good skater. He is good positionally and can really help in the d-zone. He can play with Bump or Taran; he understands our defensive philosophy.”

PDS is in a good position goalie-wise as the team boasts a trio of sophomore netminders in Walker Ward, George Blinick, and Connor Walker.

“I am looking at Ward as the starter; we need him to show consistency,” said Bertoli.

“Goalies at this level can make the first save; he needs to be strong and allow the guys to clear the zone. The other kids are going to get opportunities. All three of them are talented and competitive.”

PDS is looking to be competitive both locally and on the state scene. “We are entering the county tournament and we want to win it again,” said Bertoli, whose team will be playing in the Barber Tournament in New England in mid-December to test itself against stiff competition.

“The preps are something we haven’t won in four or five years; the senior class really wants it. With success of our soccer teams this fall, there is also a little internal competition because everyone is friends.”

In Bertoli’s view, how his team fares against stiff competition will be a barometer of what it can do come playoff time.

“Last year, we didn’t beat a team that we shouldn’t; we will have 12-14 chances this year to do that,” said Bertoli, noting that the team will be facing such powers as Randolph High, Montgomery High, LaSalle, Seton Hall Prep, and the Portledge School.

“The better kids need to produce against the better teams; it will be a huge indicator of our season. We didn’t generate offense in those games last year; you can’t beat those teams scoring one goal, you need two, three or four goals. Those teams have talent and they are going to get scoring opportunities.”

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