Stamford Sharks Squirt A Champions at First Annual Chris Drury Tournament Chelsea Piers, CT on January 20, 2014

The Sharks Squirt A went 5-0 to capture the Championship while playing against tough competition from teams in Westchester NY, Long Island NY, New York, NY and Springfield, MA. The team completed the sweep by tying the game in regulation with less than a minute  left in the 3rd period. “I couldn’t see the puck go in the net but when the place erupted I knew we had scored,” said Head Coach Albert Lian.  The two teams then played a scoreless 10 minute overtime only to defeat the Springfield Rifles AAA team with a shootout goal in front of hundreds of spectators. “It was probably the best and most exciting game I will ever be a part of in my life.  What a memory!” said assistant coach Peter DiMartino.   “I truly hope those young players will remember that epic final game, particularly for having relentlessly showed perseverance, determination and courage until the very end,” said assistant coach François Cadoret.

The Sharks  players battled with everything they had, came back from behind and achieved success.  The coaches are extremely proud of their players.  “These are moments they will cherish for the rest of their life,” said the Head Coach.

The Squirt A team started off the season by winning the AA Championship at the Haunted Shootout in Marlborough, MA in October.  Earlier in January, the team captured the Bronze medal  at the CAN/AM Lake Placid Winter games battling teams from Canada and the US.  So far, the Squirt A team has a 12-2-4 record and is currently tied for first place with 28pts in the CHC Squirt Tier II. Despite the above success, the coaching staff remains very cautious and recognizes that there is still a lot of work to be done in preparation for the upcoming State tournament.

Team’s roster for the Squirt A’s this 2013-2014 season: Jason Bacco, Nikolas Cadoret, Matthew DiMartino, Jack Doherty, Emmett Donoghue, Luke Dube, Alek Garabet, Damon Harper, Albert Lian, Griffin Makovsky, Wells Masterson, Bennett Masterson, Luke Noonan, Xavier Sang, Charlie Zolin and Wesley Zolin.  The team is coached by Albert Lian and the assistants coaches are Francois Cadoret, Peter DiMartino and Lou Bacco. The Team Manager is Nathalie Hade. 

SYHA Hockey Director, Eric Dube was thrilled to have two SYHA Travel teams (Squirt A and Pee Wee A) involved in Chris Drury’s tournament and both winning their respective Championships.   Chris Drury (ex NHL player) is from the area and remains very involved with Little League and Youth Hockey.  Stamford Youth Hockey has been working hard to become a legitimate Tier II Program that offers challenges to all CT teams playing in that competitive division.  SYHA intends to continue to be part of this great tournament for the years to come.