Head Coach Dustin Depalma

Assistant Coach  Sal Spinale

2009/2010 Team Roster

A weekend split is usually a good thing but this weekend I think that it was even better. The 6-0 loss at Grundy was a well-played game in which we made some mistakes and paid for them but overall we had chances and quite honestly the final score was not a clear indication of the game play. Our intensity level was up, our physical play was more prevalent, our “D” zone coverage was better and our transition game even surfaced a couple of times turning defense into offense in a hurry. In the absence of our captain and alternate captain Bill Tomlin stepped up to act as captain with Matt Kotch serving as alternate and Bill displayed some strong leadership qualities keeping the group focused while leading by example with his relentless hustle. Interestingly enough all this was accomplished without perhaps our two best players in T-Ron and “Steinie”. Additionally, we were missing Sammy on “D” while “Bakes” and “Freight Train” stepped up to play forward in place of the missing players leaving us with only four defensemen. I would be remiss if I did not mention the yeomen work by “Flem”, “Kotchie”, “F-Rod” and “Francy”. They hung in there and competed until the end despite the fatigue that is associated with playing four defensemen. All in all it was a good performance for our group and an indication of things to come. On Sunday The Toms River Hawks strolled into our building where they have defeated us twice already this season only this time they found a different Titans group. This group had made up their collective mind that this was “our house” and that there was a price to be paid for success by the opponent. Every time they touched the puck they paid the price, every time they went to the net they paid the price and when they tried to goad us into nonsense penalties they paid the price of our “daunting” discipline. Our speed to loose pucks was almost alarming, our puck movement, even from unlikely sources (I will explain later), was too much for TR to handle and our physical play RIGHT FROM THE OPENING DROP was intense. Nick K had a terrific bounce back from the Saturday game and was stellar when needed in nets. Our shutdown game from the time that we took the lead at 3-2 was magnificent with every player exhibiting defensive responsibility. Many coaches would have shortened their bench to two lines after establishing the one goal lead in the third period but we decided that those players who helped forge that lead should help us protect it and so except for the final two shifts all three lines were contributors. All in all this was a very satisfying and complete team effort. I try not to mention individuals in my commentary because this is the consummate team sport but in this case I will make an exception and for good reason. Brandon “Chins” Bussey was the unlikely source to whom I referred earlier in this writing but on Sunday Brandon came to the rink on a mission after having a strong game at Grundy on Saturday. Somehow the Sunday game was not about Brandon but about the Titans, it was not about scoring goals but about playing hockey, it was not about receiving the puck but passing it as well and it was not about skating and shooting alone but about thinking and making smart decisions. I have known this player for many years and Sunday I saw him at his absolute best. This is a marvelously talented player who has the capacity to make every player that he plays with better when he is playing the game for his peers and not for himself. This is a concept that I have preached to Brandon and I think that on Sunday he himself may have finally seen the rewards to be reaped by the team and himself for playing the game as part of the team and for thinking rather than just playing. On Sunday he scored a brilliant short-handed goal (which I believe turned the game around) simply by being in good defensive position on the PK and on Saturday he generated a penalty shot by simply being in good defensive position and using his great speed. I can only hope that this is a turning point for Brandon and that we will get the right Brandon every week regardless of the opponent or the score. He certainly has the physical tools and he certainly has the heart, now he needs to keep those things connected to his brain. Great job Brandon and wonderful job Titans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome to the NJ Jr. Titans U16 home game vs. Team Comcast.  Team Comcast dominated us worse than any other opponent so far this season – our new forecheck and D-zone systems will be put ot he test this afternoon against our quickest League opponent. Our U16s are very much aware of Team Comcast’s set offensive plans and their ability to create back-door tip-in goals – we’ll see if our attention to detail and our energy level are enough to steal two points in front of our re-juvenated home crowd. Coach Jared Beach has Team Comcast rolling on quite a winning streak – we hope they come in a little overconfident and allow us to take advantage of their affinity to “over-pass” which we can use to counter-attack in transition.

Your Jr. Titans U16s come into the game with confidence in themselves and the new systems.  We wrestled a hard fought point from the previously un-blemished NJ Colonials Friday night here at WSA.  Friday’s tie felt like a win and truly was our most complete game of the season.  Our boys should be commended for sticking to the gameplan and executing it almost to perfection.  Yesterday’s 4-1 loss was just an unfair result as we were severely under-manned against a very beatable team.  We look forward to playing the chippy Jr. Flyers with a full bench.  Our U16s are playing their 3rd game of the weekend and 3rd game with the new forecheck and D-zone systems in place – meaning our boys are comfortable and confident in their individual responsibilities.  We have a big chip on our shoulder as it relates to Team Comcast, so the coaching staff is anxious to see the intensity level this afternoon.

We’ll have a full bench again this afternoon as we get re-inforcements from both our Midget American and Midget AA teams.  Jack Dunleavy, Jim Burns, Rich Steinmann, and Todd Renae have been a huge help so far this weekend and we expect their contributions to continue today. Our Special Teams will be a large factor in today’s game – we’ve had trouble in past games with puck support (which we’ll work on this week at practice). We must capitalize on odd-man rushes and our chances to score inside the hash marks in order to pull off an upset this afternoon.  Our boys will be expected to limit turnovers and walk away from rabbit-punches after the whistle once Team Comcast’s frustration starts to set in.  We hope to have a raucous, positive crowd today.

Jason Vico

2008-Present Junior Titans U-16 Tier II (Short Season)
2007-Present Notre Dame High School (Varsity)

As a Player:
Travel Ice Hockey Teams:

1993-1995 Played for Philadelphia Little Flyers (AA Level)
1995-1996 Played for the Philadelphia Flyers Alumni (AA Level)
1996-1999 Played for the Mercer Chiefs (A Level)
2000-2002 Played for the Junior Titans (Junior B)
2002-2003 Played for the Bozeman Ice Dogs (Junior A - AWHL)

School Teams:

1997-2001 Played for Notre Dame Ice Hockey team (Varsity all 4 years)

Select Teams:

1998 Played for USA Hockey Select 16 Team
2000 Played for Team New Jersey for the Chicago Showcase
2001 Played for Team New Jersey for the Chicago Showcase

Individual Awards and Achievements:

1999 Awarded M.I.P. (Most improved Player) of the Notre Dame Hockey Team
1999 Announced as a member of the All-CVC team (Sophomore year)
2000 Announced as a member of the All-CVC team (Junior year)
2001 Announced as a member of the All-CVC Team (Senior year)
2001-February  Announced as the New Jersey Devils High School Player of the Month
2001 Announced as a member of the New Jersey All State Team
1997-2001 Finished High School Career as the All time leading scoring Defensemen in Notre Dame history. (103 points)