(Photo by Bill Allen/NJ SportAction) caption: SKYE HIGH: Princeton Day School boys’ ice hockey forward Skye Samse heads up the ice in recent action. Junior standout Samse will be depended on this winter to give PDS some scoring punch. The Panthers start their 2009-10 season when they play at defending state Public champion Randolph on December 2.

Boasting More Depth Than in Recent Years, PDS Boys’ Hockey Excited About Season

Bill Alden

Scott Bertoli will enjoy a luxury this winter that he hasn’t had in his first two seasons at the helm of the Princeton Day School boys’ ice hockey program.

With an infusion of freshman talent and a key transfer, Bertoli will have the opportunity to run three lines of forwards and three pairs of defensemen.

“We have some some more depth,” said Bertoli, a former Princeton University men’s hockey star who guided PDS to an 11-14-1 record last season.

“Last year against the better teams, we were playing the same kids over and over to be competitive. It started to get to them; we lost some third periods. I like to play the better players but it gets to a point where it is too much.”

The Panthers will need that depth as they look to overcome the loss of star forward John Inman and standout goalie Nick Jabs to graduation.

“John was the best skater in just about any game we had last year,” said Bertoli, whose team made it to the championship game in both the Mercer County Tournament and the state Prep tourney.

“He was a great leader on the ice and in the locker room. When he was on his game, he was very tough for other teams to contain. Jabs was All-Prep and All-County; he stole some games for us.”

The transfer of high-scoring junior forward Peter Blackburn to PDS from Hun should help make up for some of the production lost by the graduation of Inman.

“From a purely offensive standpoint, you could trade Peter for John,” asserted Bertoli, whose team starts the 2009-10 season by playing at defending state Public champion Randolph on December 2.

“John is more of a complete player at both ends of the ice. Pete is a goal scorer; that’s what he likes to do. He should help us a lot on the power play.”

Bertoli will use juniors Skye Samse and Roger Mittnacht on the same line with Blackburn.

“Samse is a big kid with a good shot,” added Bertoli. “Roger Mittnacht has grown and matured and is playing well.”

The Panthers are looking for good play from sophomore Garrett Jensen and senior Cameron Billingsby.

“Garrett was fearless to begin with last year,” said Bertoli. “Now he is three inches taller and a bit heavier; that should help him. Cameron should contribute more by getting a regular shift. He is a good shooter.”

Bertoli is excited about the contribution he hopes to get from a trio of promising freshmen, Conrad Denise, Alex Nestor, and Cody Triolo.

“Our freshmen are solid; they have all played on high-level travel hockey teams,” said Bertoli. “Cody and Alex are playing together on one line and I am putting Conrad with Jensen and Billingsby.”

Senior defensemen Brooks Herr and Theo Casey give PDS a solid foundation on the blue line.

“Herr and Casey should play a significant role this season,” said Bertoli. “I am looking for them to be leaders in all situations.”

The Panther defensive corps should also include sophomore Tyler Olsson together with juniors Sam Mehrberg and Will Powers and freshman Taron Auslander.

“Olsson is another big kid,” said Bertoli. “He was sick last year; he likes to get into the offense and has a good shot. He reads the game well at the offensive end. Sam and Will are better.”

In replacing goalie Jabs, Bertoli is looking at senior Ed Riley along with a pair of freshmen, Connor Walker and George Blinick.

“Ed will get the start against Randolph; I hope he will be the one for us,” said Bertoli.

“He is a little bigger and more experienced than the others. It is up to him to take this role. Hopefully, he is up to the challenge; I think he is. He has been a goalie all his life. He is technically sound and plays the angles well.”

In Bertoli’s view, his team has shown signs that they will be up to the challenges presented this winter.

“It’s early but I have been happy with a lot of things so far,” said Bertoli. “We have a good core of returners. Goaltending will have to be a strength. We will be relying on the freshman and seeing if they can play a 25-game season and fight through the bumps and bruises. If they can hang in there, we have the make-up to be successful.”

Noting that the rink was packed for a recent preseason scrimmage, Bertoli believes his players possess a fighting spirit.

“There is a lot of excitement around the program,” maintained Bertoli. “The kids are excited; the parents are excited. There is a new mindset; they want to get back to our winning ways.”

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