New Jersey Freeze Mite Program

The NJ Freeze will be skating two teams in the New Jersey Youth Hockey League for the 2009-2010 season.  These Mite teams will have 40 practices, 20 games and compete in 2 tournaments. The tuition cost is only $750. Please click on the information on the right side of this page for complete program information and to register. Roster positions are limited.

 

Freeze Roster Positions Available

The NJ Freeze has roster positions available at several levels.
If you are interested in trying out for the Freeze, please
contact us as lou@njfreeze.com

2009-2010 NJ Freeze Teams

Mite Blue (Skater and Goalie Positions Available)
Mite White (Skater and Goalie Positions Available)

Squirt Blue (Skater Positions Available)
Squirt White (Skater and Goalie Positions Available)
Squirt Grey (Skater Positions Available)

Peewee AA
Peewee A
Peewee B

Bantam AA
Bantam A
Bantam B 

16UAA (Goalie Position Available)
16UA Blue
16UA White
16UA Grey (Skater Position Available)

18UAA
18UA

NJ Freeze Peewee A Atlantic District Champions

This past weekend the NJ Freeze Peewee A team was proud to become the Atlantic District Champions. Finishing our league season with an impressive 19-1-2 record making the Pee Wee A's the NJYHL National Division Champions, taking us straight to Districts as the #1 seed. The team's victory was led by Head Coach Walt Keiper and Assistant Coaches John Laden, Kevin St. Germaine and Kevin Keiper. Playing in the round robin preliminaries, NJ Freeze, NJ Colonials and the Red Bank Generals Black played against 3 Delaware Valley teams. The Freeze team's hard play once again led them to placing 1st going into the championship game with an outstanding 12 point spread, playing against the Red Bank Generals Black.
 
Before arriving to Northeast SkateZone in Philadelphia, the NJ Freeze knew they would be facing tough competition. Due to an injury, the team was down a strong defenseman, Zach Mazzarisi. Coach Walt Keiper moved Tyler Hardgrove from forward to defense. Tyler proved to be up for the task.
 
The 1st game on Friday against the Quakers was a 7-3 victory with a scoreless 1st period.  30 seconds into the 2nd period, defenseman Walter Keiper scored the first goal, followed with a goal by defenseman Jarrad Laden with an assist from Jacques St. Germaine. The game was close with a score of 2-1 when Zack Potten scored a shorthanded goal. Another goal scored by the Quakers at the end of the 2nd period, brought the score to 3-2. Anthony Zaragoza opened the 2nd period with a goal, followed by another goal from Jarrad Laden. The Quakers played hard, scoring a 3rd goal, but with shorthanded goals from MJ Melillo, and Cory Chaplin at the end of the 3rd period sealed the victory. 
 
Saturday morning the NJ Freeze PWA team showed up determined to win against the Delco Phantoms. Less than 2 minutes into the 1st period Cole Skelly scored the 1st goal getting them off to a good start as well as ending the period with a goal assisted by Michael Hanley. Brian Andrzejewski and Chris Rupp with back to back goals and assists with each other finalized the score of 7-1, giving the team an overall goal spread of 10 points by this time. 
 
Saturday night's game against the DVHL Champions, the Pocono Pirates proved to be tight competition. Solid goaltending by Adam Katz along with the last goal scored by MJ Melillo assisted by Brian Gruelich put the Freeze at a commanding lead winning the game 4-2.
 
The NJ Freeze advanced to the Championship game as the 1st place team with the highest point spread ready to play against the Red Bank Generals Black. NJ Freeze Pee Wee A players and coaches were pumped up for the final round, with 100 Freeze fans watching and cheering them on. The game opened with a goal scored by Cory Chaplin with less than 1 minute into the 1st period. The nail biter game continued in the 1st period as the team played shorthanded 4 on 5, 10 out of 15 minutes. Brenden Siegel dominated the defensive play working hard to clear the front of the net, ending the 1st period 1-0. The 2nd period continued as a hard fought battle when Zack Potten scored giving the team a lead of 2-0. The Red Bank Generals ended the 2nd period with a goal, cutting the Freeze lead in half. Zack Potten didn't waste any time scoring the 3rd goal at 14:28 of the 3rd period giving the Freeze a 2 goal lead. Gavin Spray was rock solid as he turned in his strongest goaltending performance of the tournament with 23 saves on 24 shots. The game ended with a 3-1 win,making the NJ Freez PeeWee A team the Atlantic District Champions.
 
Congratulations to all the NJ Freeze Pee Wee A players and coaches for winning the Atlantic District Championship. It was the greatest victory with a total team effort of determination and perseverance. It was the best way to end an awesome season finishing with an outstanding record of 48-6-4.

Story by Dianne Melillo

Photo by Bill Greulich 

The Roche Family of Denville, NJ

The Roche Family – as many around Aspen Ice may already know, consists of Pat, Jenn, Owen and Riordan.  With Owen playing goal for the NJ Freeze Squirt team last year and Squirt team again this year – the lot of them are in and about Aspen several times per week, all year long.

Pat and Jenn originate from Buffalo, NY where they were born, raised and married prior to moving ‘down South’ to New Jersey where they have made their home since 1995 aside from a 3 year stint in Minneapolis, MN for Pat’s work.  FYI, they are still rabid Sabres’ Fans (and unfortunately, the Bills as well).  Due to Pat’s rigorous travel schedule as a Global Director of Project Cargo Services for a major, US – based shipping company, you are more likely to see Jenn, Owen and Riordan around the rink more regularly. 
 
A true – blue hockey family – all of the Roche’s love the sport and have come to truly enjoy the camaraderie that defines the NJ Freeze. What many of us may not know is that Pat also works part-time for the US Navy – as an Intelligence Officer specializing in Maritime Anti-Terrorism.  One weekend per month and approximately 2 weeks per year are dedicated to Pat’s commitment to our great country. 
 
Recently, Pat was activated by the Navy and sent to Iraq as an Individual Augmentee (basically as an abled-body with the right skillset and security clearance that will assist the US Army’s activities in Baghdad's International Zone.

Pat will be “in – Country” for 350 days and should be back home in Denville by June of 2010.  He will miss out on Owen’s final season as a Squirt in its entirety, but I am sure will be kept up to speed both via the phone and internet – and we are certain Pat will be a regular visitor to the NJ Freeze Website –  to witness from abroad – as Owen’s Squirt team ‘cleans up’ in the 2009-2010 season.
 
The entire organization is proud of Pat Roche of what he is doing and for being a member of our extended family. There are not many people who deserve the label of “HERO”, but Pat Roche is one of those who deserve it. We wish you much success and a safe return home as us as an organization watch over your family as part of our own.

Freeze Coaches Ready for 2009-2010 Season

With tryouts less then 4 weeks away, the New Jersey Freeze is gearing up for the 2009-2010 season. Once again the organization has the best slate of coaches in the state. These coaches and their players have accomplished a great deal in the young franchise history of the Freeze.  In just 5 years, Freeze Teams have won over 20 Tournaments, 4 State Championships and 1 Atlantic District Championship. 

The Freeze AA Coaches for the 2009-2010 Season are:

Rich McLaughlin - 18UAA Head Coach

Randolph High School Head Coach and 3 time NJ State High School Champion, 4 time Freeze Coach

Bruce Shatel - 16UAA Head Coach

Delbarton School Head Coach and 4 time NJ State HIgh School Champion, 4 time Freeze Coach

Walt Keiper - Bantam AA Head Coach

Morris Knolls High School Head Coach and former NJ State High School Champion. NJYHL State Runner-up, USA Hockey Atlantic District Champion, 3 time Freeze Coach

Todd Drevitch- Peewee AA Head Coach

Pope John High School Head Coach, NJYHL Coach, Founder of Hockey Techniques

Marc Ozga - Squirt AA Head Coach

NJYHL and AYHL Coach with over 20 Years of Coaching Experience, 5 time Freeze Coach

 

Congratulations to Coach Shatel and Coach McLaughlin for winning the State High School Championship on Saturday.

Public School Final:  Randolph 1, Ridge 0

Non-Public School Final:  Delbarton 7, CBA 0

 

NJ Freeze Squirt Blue Team conquers the Congressional Cup “AA” Division

In the final games of the 2008-2009 season, the NJ Freeze Squirt Blue team made a statement in the Congressional Cup that they were indeed a force to be reckoned with in the “AA” division. Playing against the Syracuse Stars, the Long Island Rebels and the Valley Forge Colonials, the NJ Freeze capped their season in dominant fashion.

 

The first game against the Syracuse Stars, the Freeze jumped out to an early 4-1 lead. Then uncharacteristically of the team, the Freeze was called for a total of 9 penalties in the game allowing the Stars the opportunity to come back in which they did. Up 6-3 with four minutes the play, the Stars kept attacking bringing the score to 6-5.  With 8 seconds left and a face off in the Freeze zone, a quick shot was gobbled up and covered by the goalie to preserve the win.

 

In the second game, the penalty bug followed the Freeze again. Eight more penalties led to another defensive game for the Freeze against the Valley Forge Colonials. The Freeze went on the beat the Colonials 4-2 setting themselves up for a run at the championship round. The only team that now stood in their way would be the Long Island Rebels. Fortunately for the Freeze, the refs finally left their whistles in their pockets and let the boys plays. The Freeze dominated the game from the beginning to the end which led to a 6-3 win over the Rebels and a chance for the gold.

 

In the finals, the Freeze would once again face the Syracuse Stars. The Stars were confident going into the game that they had a chance to defeat the Freeze after almost coming from behind in their first meeting. However they forgot to take into account that the Freeze was shorthanded most of their first meeting. It was 2-0 after the first, 5-0 after the second, and 8-0 after the third. The game was highlighted by great saves early on by Owen Roche and Alex Kranis getting his first and second goals of the season in the final game.

 

Coach Marc Ozga keeps his tournament streak going strong as the Freeze Squirt Blue Team won 2 out of the tournaments that they were entered in this year. This was a great win for the team and a great way to end the season.

 

 

 

Story by Joe Ciccarelli

Mite C’s Take Silver at Shamrock

The NJ Freeze Mite C team finished up a successful season after earning the Silver Medal in the 2009 Ed Lynch Memorial Shamrock Tournament, hosted by the NJ Devils Youth Hockey Club at R. J. Codey Arena/South Mountain. 

 

The Freeze swept the first three games vs. the Devils Youth, Old Bridge Jr. Knights and NJ Jr. Titans.   The championship game found our Mites battling the Titans again early the next morning, succumbing to a 3 – 1 loss.  Our C’s capped off a winning 12-4-0 collective travel team season while finishing top in the standings in the Aspen Ice Mite Hockey League split as two different Blue and Grey squads.

 

Congratulations to our players and special thanks to all coaches, assistants and parents.  It was a very cooperative, fun and entertaining season.  Our players displayed incredible development and improved their skills, understanding and appreciation for the game of hockey.  We look forward to the 2009-2010 season. 

 

We would like to wish the best of luck to all players moving on to the Squirt level.  You will be missed and we will be watching.

 

 

Story by Carmen Spagnuolo

Photo by Robin Barrasso

Bantam B Blue Takes Silver at NESC

The Bantam Blue team played their season ending tournament at the New England Sports Center in Marlboro, MA

Their first game was against the Millbrook (N.Y.) Knights. After an early 2-2 tie, the team broke the game open with four straight goals resulting in a 6-2 victory.

Next up was the local team, the Tri-borough Bruins. The Freeze scored early and often, winning 6-0.

The third game turned into a tough, hard fought game against a team from Maine. After trailing 1-0, the Freeze rallied for two goals and eked out a 2-1 win. With a 3-0 record, it was on to the playoff round.

The playoff round put the Bantam Blue team up against our own Bantam White team. The teams had met twice already during the regular season with each team winning a one goal game. This game turned out to be no exception. A goal with 18 seconds remaining in the third period gave the Bantam Blue a 2-1 victory. A great game!!

In the championship game, the team fell behind early against a good Beaver Dam (N.Y.) team and lost 5-0. Despite the outcome, the team skated and played hard as they did every game and took home the second place trophy.

Recapping the 2008-2009 season: 42 wins, a third place finish in the league during the regular season which qualified for the league playoffs where the team finished third in the state, and a 14-1 record in the three tournaments entered, finishing in first place twice and in second place in the other.

Congratulations to Bantam Blue team coaches Steve Thompson and Art Warden and to all of the players on a great season!!

Story by Eileen Schultz

Mites Take Gold at Niagara

The Freeze NJ Playoff Champion Mites continued their winning ways with a sweep this past weekend at the Niagara Falls March Classic.  The team won all 4 games, with three shutouts including one in the Finals against Port Colborne, Ontario.  A good time was had by all both on and off the ice.  The Mites finish out their season next weekend with a bump up to the A division in the Shamrock Tournament at South Mountain.  Congratulations to the team and coaches on an outstanding season!

 

Story by Kari Szary

Squirt Grey Wins Falls Classic

The Squirt Grey team ended their season with a Championship win in the Falls Classic tournament this past weekend in Niagara Falls. We went undefeated into the final round, where we faced the Gilmore Lancers, out of Ohio. The boys won the Championship with a 4-0 shutout, with Dylan Lynch scoring the game winning goal. The boys all played their best and ended the season with their second Championship win!

Game Summary: 7-4 win over Garfield Heights, 5-2 win over Gilmore Lancers, 6-0 win over Bucks County, 4-0 win over Gilmore Lancers in the finals.

Squirt Grey: Coach Craig Cohen, Jesse Cohen, Sean Hill, John Lynch, Christian DiCesare, Coach John Lynch, A.J. DiCesare, Gavin Angulo, James Santoro, Coach John Santoro, Nick Schnuriger, Dylan Lynch, Hunter DAvella, Thomas Housel, Alex Welch, Robbie Veraldi, Gavin Weeber, and goalies Andrew Capelli and Taylor Zink. 

Team Pictures by Dawn Welch

Story by Kerri Capelli