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Guilford Boys’ Hockey Looking to Grow with Young Club

Guilford boys’ ice hockey Head Coach Ralph Russo sees and studies the game with the best of the state’s coaches. Five games into the 2019-’20 season, Russo has been making constant line changes, while using just about everyone on his 20-player roster. With only three seniors on the squad—captain Jack Dacey, EJ Vickerman, and Tyler Considine—Russo is reaching deep into the underclass ranks this winter.

Guilford has a record of 1-4 through its first five games of the campaign. Most recently, the Indians took an 8-3 home loss to Trumbull at Patsy DiLungo Ice Rink on Jan. 4. Guilford’s victory came against North Branford by a 5-2 score in a home game on Dec. 23.

“We’re young and we’re inexperienced, so we’re going to have some games where we’re going to get handled a bit. We’ll get through that,” Coach Russo said. “We have eight freshmen on this team. Most of them are going to see considerable ice time. I’m putting them out there to experience what high school hockey is all about.”

Russo did the same thing with his 2009 team, which won the Division III title two years later and then moved up to Division II and made the final the following season. Two years ago, the Indians won their second state title with Russo when they beat Watertown-Pomperaug in Division II state final.

Last year, the Indians finished with an overall record of 16-8 and lost in the quarterfinals of the Division II State Tournament. Two key players from that team—John DeLucia and Jake Watrous—have graduated. Now, Dacey, who came into this season with 147 career points, is on center stage as Guilford’s premier player and the team’s senior captain.

“Jack’s got a great engine. He’s physically strong with a powerful shot,” said Russo. “He sees the ice as well as any player and will be a terrific leader. He’s already taken that role with our younger players.”

Dacey has been playing right wing on a line that also features fellow senior Vickerman, who’s on the left wing, and sophomore center Michael Torre.

Juniors Thomas Ring and Zach Sperry are teaming up with freshman William Petrick on one of Guilford’s lines. Freshmen Mitchell Ward and Gabe Mongelli are also in the mix of forwards for the Indians.

“We have so many centers that there have been times when I’ve broken them up and put some of them in wing positions,” said Russo.

Guilford’s defense will be anchored by Considine and junior Steven Tortora. Considine’s brother, freshman Shane Considine, and sophomore JT Murray are joining forces as another pair of defensemen.

Sophomore goalie Gavyn Litvyn is taking over in the net for the Indians.

“Gavyn was a junior varsity goalie last year. He did play sparingly on the varsity,” Russo said. “Against the quality of the teams that we’ll be playing, he will be tested.”

Coach Russo said that he isn’t going to make any predictions about how well this team will do record-wise this year.

“I’ve never been much of a scoreboard watcher. What we need to do is get more consistent and be able to do that for longer periods of time,” Russo said. “I’ve seen some bright spots in our play. We’ll work at it shift by shift.”

While wins are important, Coach Russo is looking for improvement first and foremost as he dives into the heart of the season with his young club.

“If we’re still losing, but we’re cutting that scoring gap, that will be a good thing,” said Russo. “When you see that, you know you’re getting better.”