BY VIN RAPOLLA
Staff Writer

CHRIS KELLY staff Rumson-Fair Haven senior Ed Riguardi controls a face-off during a recent game with Wall Township in Red Bank. The Rumson-Fair Haven High School hockey team looks to rebuild following last season’s success after losing many of its top players from the ’04 season.

And the team has started off strong with 3-1-1 start.

“It’s a respectable start,” said head coach Dave Smith. “We’re working through the softest part of the season. After this week the season gets tougher and tougher.”

Although the team lost the majority of its starters, RFH still has a large group of returners. The Bulldogs have a total of 20 returners coming back.

“We’ve got 20 kids coming back that are better than a year ago, so that’s a big help,” said Smith.

The team’s first line of forwards is led by seniors Justin Gates and Todd Coggins. The two have played together for most of the past four years and have played in first-line situations for the past two. Gates is currently the team’s third all-time leading scorer, while Coggins is currently the fifth all-time scorer.

“The two have always played with very strong players, and they’re used to being the ‘go-to’ line,” said Smith.

Rounding out the first line of offense is junior Clark McIntyre, a transfer who has made an immediate impact on the team.

“He was a very welcome gift. He made an immediate impact on the team and fits in well,” said Smith.

The Bulldogs’ first line defense includes senior Kyle Abbot and junior Joe Torcivia, whom Smith refers to as the team’s “work horses.” Both are extremely well-conditioned and will see a lot of ice team throughout the season.

With the depth of the team, Smith is fortunate to have two strong lines following his first. Both lines are interchangeable, depending on the opponent, and he looks at both equally in stature.

Two forwards that have been able to make a significant impact for the team have been junior Dave VanAnda and sophomore Erick Eli. Another player who has been a pleasant surprise is freshman Jake Cornwalk.

The team will also look to seniors John Cruz and Ed Riguardi, juniors Ben Israel and Ray Gill, and sophomores Sylvain Lucarelli and John Larky to make an impact upfront.

Defensively the team will use senior Basil Henning, junior Tyler Neff, sophomore John Jurewicz and freshman Taylor Dixon to add depth and stamina to the defense.

“It’s a real luxury to have the depth we have,” said coach Smith. “We never have to wait for a blowout to use our whole team.”

In the net, the team will split action between an experienced junior returner in Rob Atkinson and sophomore Mike Swick.

“We feel very comfortable with our goalie situation,” said Smith. “Rob has played some big games for us and Mike is a very talented young goalie.”

With such a successful season last year, this year’s team will have a tough act to follow. This year’s team has also beefed up its season schedule, mixing in very difficult out-of-division games with an already difficult division schedule.

“We feel we can go into any game and compete, and that’s all I ask,” said Smith. “I have high expectations of the team and hope to put us on the map as a competitive program.”