Macri Optimistic about Ice Hockey Team

The Nutley/Columbia/ Bloomfield (NCB) ice hockey team has made their way back onto the ice for this season, and the team is working harder than ever with the help of new players who recently joined the league.

With the loss of seven graduating seniors last year, the team dynamics have changed. Fortunately, Head Coach David Macri is always able to work the team into shape, despite these obstacles. Macri took over the team during Covid-19 in 2020, and is accustomed to revamping strategies with players. “Seniors are your impact players, and every year you lose them, so there's a team made up of new players every year,” Macri said.

The team is filled with a wide range of skill levels, starting with players who can barely skate, to players who have been playing hockey most of their lives. “I think everybody deserves the chance to play, [and] it’s difficult at times. Everybody's hockey journey is different; twenty people can start on the same day, and all of their skills will be different after the same amount of days,” Macri said.

To talk numbers, Macri said the ideal number of players he originally wanted for the team was 30, but more is always better. Ultimately, he really just wants as many players as possible. Currently, there are 23 players on the roster:

• Abel Grimaldi (#23)
• Aiden Rosamilia (#34)
• Alex Benkert (#12)
• Alexander Madsen (#39)
• Angelo Albanese (#28)
• Cameron Wright (#47)
• Christian Sherman (#11)
• Daniel Legra (#25)
• Daniel Kopcha (#22)
• Dominic Searls (#3)
• Ethan Legra (#7)
• Hank Butler (#4)
• Jack Hafif (#17)
• John Paul Poplawski (#16)
• Liam Madsen (#2)
• Matt Gennings (#26)
• Oliver Penalber (#15)
• Reese McGowan (#10)
• Ryan Coon (#19)
• Sam Kohler (#14)
• Shayna Baldwin (#9)
• Trevor Romonowski (#42)
• William Jacquin (#6)

As there are only 23 players, the team was not able to create a separate JV team in addition to the varsity team, but there are hopes for a JV team next season.

Athletic Director Joe Piro has been a big supporter of the ice hockey team ever since it was formed in the mid to late 90s. After the numbers of players started to drop, Piro said, the team was combined with Columbia, and later on, Bloomfield, as they had a few students interested in playing. “Joe Piro has been so helpful to the team, a huge supporter of ours, and the other ADs from Bloomfield and Columbia high school have been supporters as well,” Macri said.

“Coach Macri does a great job with the program, he manages three different towns very, very well. The kids work very hard, you can see by the way they skate, [and] they continue to put in the hard work. The time commitment of hockey is big, and they do all the little things and do them right, so I’m looking forward to a successful season,” Piro said.

Ethan Legra, a freshman at Bloomfield High School, joined the NCB team this season. Legra has played hockey for around two years so far, and this team will be a new, yet exciting experience for him. “I think this season has gone pretty well so far, and will be even better if us players take practice more seriously, play a little more aggressively, work on skating with our heads up, and practice off ice. The off ice and the off-season practicing will definitely pay off, and help us get better in the long run,” Legra said.

Even just getting a net and a stick, Legra said, and putting that extra time into handling some pucks will definitely help.

Fundraising is also a big factor that comes along with a team. “We have a booster club made up of parents of players, and the three towns are great with that. Parents who have graduated kids still stay in the club. There are various fundraising opportunities throughout the season. Ice time and everything else costs a fortune, so fundraising is always great and beneficial to us,” Macri said.

Before the season began, Macri analyzed what the players' strengths and weaknesses were, and put plans together to maximize strengths and minimize weaknesses, all while making sure to have fun. “Everybody’s number one focus is ice hockey and the team, and having a good season on the ice. If it’s not fun, it’s not worth doing,” Macri said.

So far, the team has played 15 games, and has many upcoming games.

January - Upcoming games:

• Jan 22, 8:15 against Nottingham at Mercer County Park
• Jan 25, 5:45 against Paramus at Codey Arena
• Jan 26, 5:30 against Montclair at Codey Arena
• Jan 30, 4:00 against MKA at Codey Arena
• Jan 31, 6:30 against Scotch Plains at Codey Arena
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The team’s stats is currently 5-7-2-1; 5 wins, 7 losses, 2 ties, and 1 overtime loss.

Fans can stay informed by following the NCB’s Instagram account:

@nutleycolumbiaicehockey