By Robert Elkin
As the ice hockey season draws to a close in the Catholic High Schools Athletic Association, the St. Edmund varsity team is facing some tough competition and trying desperately to make the playoffs after having a 0-4 start. The Eagles are young, with the make-up of the team mostly freshmen and sophomores, along with six juniors and one senior. “Competition in our division of the league has been strong this year,” said Coach Danny Borgia before a recent practice at the Abe Stark Rink in Coney Island, where the players work out twice a week and conduct most of their games. “Out of the last nine games we have jelled, came together and have been playing as a unit. “We’re in a (close battle) with Holy Cross and St. Peter’s for the playoffs. “The parity in the league is very close and competitive. When I’m coaching as a spectator, it’s great to see how we play, because the games are very evenly played. The games are very entertaining. For the most part the scores aren’t one sided.” However, in the last game before press time, last Friday evening, St. Edmund’s routed Xavier, 10-0, behind the goal-tending of John D’Amado and the three goal performance by Mike Davie. Some teams started the year very well, while the 3-6-4 St. Edmund Eagles started very poorly but after their first four games have really come on. The turn around came because of the commitment from the players. Borgia points to the contributions made by junior captain Kevin Drudy, who has played exceptionally well, along with strong goaltending by D’Amado, who has shown leadership presence in the locker room. Junior forward Chris Brown is the top scorer on the team. Other goal scorers include Michael Davie and Kyle Goonan. Kyle is a special player who has a bright future in hockey. “It’s very exciting and a lot of fun to play with this team,” said Drudy, a junior defenseman from Marine Park. “After we were off to a rough 0-4 start, the coach turned us around and brought us in a new direction. As a defenseman I get to see the whole play (all the plays) develop. Now we’re in a playoff race. Hopefully, we can make the playoffs. Last year we missed the playoffs by a tie-breaker. Playing here at the Abe Stark Arena is close to home.” “Right now I feel we can play with any team in the league,” said Borgia. “No team would hurt us too bad because this team tend a to jell at any time.” The key to the success of this squad seemed to be determination, dedication, hard work and persistence. “The players have done a good job of learning throughout the season,” the coach added. “It’s a learning process and I stress fundamentals, a big part of their learning experience. From here on out I have a positive outlook on the season.” The parents come out to see their children in action, give their support, cheer them on and even watch them practice. Take one parent, for instance, Carl Galeano. He was caught watching his son Matthew in action during a recent practice. “Matthew always loved the sport since he was little,” said Carl, a resident of Old Mill Basin. “It keeps him busy and in shape. Hockey takes up a lot of our time going from game to game. It’s enjoyable. We meet other parents who we wouldn’t have had a chance to meet.” Take another parent Richard Kress, who is watching his son Michael in action. “He’s one of the smaller ones out there,” Richard said. “It’s interesting to see how he competes with the bigger kids. As a kid, he always looked forward to compete in high school. He enjoys and likes it. That’s all that matters.” While the boys at St. Edmund’s are having a decent hockey season, Xaverian, which plays in a different division of the CHSAA, and once a dominant team in the league, is having a miserable season. “For the state of hockey in Brooklyn, I hope next year Xaverian bounces back with everything they have and be competitive in its division,” said Borgia, who played basketball, baseball and hockey while he was at St. Edmund’s. This is the 10th season for hockey at St. Edmund’s. An original founding member of the hockey program was Coach Dan Borgia’s father, John. “I was a student at St. Edmund’s,” Dan recalled. “A few other students and I expressed an interest in having a hockey program at the school and from that point it went. It caught on right away. “With the Rangers doing well at that time, in the early to mid ’90s, there was a growth in hockey throughout the borough. A lot of people took interest in this sport. However, over recent years, there has been a decline because of the situation in the National Hockey League (last year’s strike). Now I think more people are coming back on all levels. “Xaverian had some problems with player recruitment. St. Edmund’s caused a burden on them a little bit. When my brother Chris played for Xaverian (years ago) it was the only school in Brooklyn to field a hockey team. Now there’s three schools in this borough to have a hockey program. Bishop Ford is the other.. The talent goes to other places, not just to one school. It is spread around.” St. Edmund turned in a Varsity ‘B’ championship team back in 2000. Since then the Eagles made the playoffs twice, but hasn’t had one since. “The boys have been great,” Coach Borgia said. “Whether we win a championship or playoff game or whatever the season brings us, the future is bright for these kids at St. Edmund’s. They’re young, smart, hard-working and talented.”
