As Randolph Boys Ice Hockey prepares to kick off the 2024-2025 season, the stakes couldn’t be higher. With many seasoned veterans returning to the squad, the team is eyeing a championship run and reclaiming a state title.
Last year, Randolph went undefeated in the regular season, with a 22-0-1 record heading into the playoffs, after beating challenging opponents like Chatham, Morris Knolls and Morristown. Sadly, the Rams’ magical season came to an end in the semi-finals against Northern Highlands, with a devastating 8-3 loss.
Despite this, Randolph is considered a team to beat this coming season. And now that the season opener is just around the corner, fans are getting excited about what’s to come.
This year’s captains are seniors Jase Zangara, Andrew George and Ryan Potanovic, both of whom have demonstrated leadership and earned the respect of their teammates and coaches alike.
In addition to Zangara and George, key returners include seniors Brian Cislo, Jacob Campbell, Ryan Potanovich, and Isaac Stock; juniors Vinny Crisafulli, Shane Melly, Keegan Melly, Daniel Sharkey, Logan O’Malley and Ryan Thomas; and sophomore Bryson Findling.
Long-time Head Coach Rich McLaughlin also returns for another season at Randolph.
The season represents a chance to bring back a state championship and a second consecutive Mennen Cup to RHS. It would be a pivotal point in the program’s history, marking both a state title and the team’s first return to the Prudential Center since 2020.
“We have to work harder than last year and need to be ready for everyone to step up and play at a higher level,” McLaughlin said. “We have a target on our backs, so everyone will have to give their best game.”
With the losses of senior defenseman Ashton Feinberg and senior goalie Johnny Krynicki to graduation last June, this season may a tougher road than the last one. “Those are big shoes to fill, but we have no choice but move on from those seniors and do our best to replace them,” McLaughlin said.
With the return of many key players, however, there will still be plenty of talent to watch on the team. “A couple of players that you definitely need to keep under the spotlight are Zangara, George, Sharkey and Crisafulli,” Cislo said, “After having such a successful 2023-2024 season with the help of those four players, there is no doubt they will be heavy contributors to the success this season is hoping to bring.”
With the new schedule for this season, there is no doubt every game will be a hard-fought battle, as the Rams will face many of their top rivals throughout the regular season, “Each game is a new rival as we’re playing with targets on our back, but the biggest rival is Morris Knolls,” senior co-captain Zangara said.
The Randolph Boys Ice Hockey squad is ready to go for their season opener and prepared to bring home a state championship.
They’ll lace up their skates for the opener against Seton Hall Prep @ Codey Arena on Monday, Dec. 2.
