LAWRENCEVILLE — The quality of an ice hockey tournament is measured by its longevity.
As the Lawrenceville Tournament begins its 65th year, it not only has stood the test of time,but it has also been the barometer for prep hockey in the Northeast.
This year will be no exception. Taft returns to defend its title in the event, which gets underway Saturday at 9 a.m. when Lawrenceville takes on Canterbury on the ice at Loucks.
“We know with certainty that this is going to be the most meaningful and highest quality stretch of games in a 36-hour period that we are going to see all season,” said Etienne Bilodeau, the Big Red coach. “This is one of the greatest hockey events in the Northeast, and we have a lot to look forward to.”
The tourney continues at Princeton’s Baker Rink at 9 a.m. with always-powerful Nichols facing Governor’s Academy. Taft begins its defense against Choate at 11 a.m. at Loucks. The final opening-round game has Northfield-Mt. Hermon challenging Belmont Hill at 11 a.m.
There will be eight games Saturday, with two at Baker and the rest at Lawrenceville. There are four games on Sunday, including the championship, which is set for 2:30 p.m.
Any youth hockey player who wears their jersey to the tournament will have free admission.
Over the last seven years, Taft and Belmont Hill each have won three and Choate one.
“The whole event is awesome,” said Daniel Murphy, the Taft coach. “Playing at Loucks and Baker is a real treat as they are both unique ice surfaces. It is an elimination tournament, so you have to win your first game or you don’t have a chance to advance into the championship bracket.”
Robert Cerepak is the Big Red’s senior captain and leading scorer from last year. Despite all his accomplishments over the last three years, the one thing that has eluded his is a tournament championship.
“The whole tournament is a great experience,” said Cerepak. “The hockey is so competitive. A championship would complete my Lawrenceville career and be a great way to finish.”
The Big Red are 3-2 and played well in the Albany Tournament, reaching the finals before falling to South Kent.
“We are making progress,” said Bilodeau, of the Big Red. “One of the rewarding aspects was that we made a statement in beating two teams that had beaten us in the past and we reached the finals in Albany.”
Big Red goalie Andrew Lux knows nothing is going to come easy this weekend.
“This tournament brings out the best in everyone,” said Lux, a California native. “The teams invited are the best on the East Coast. We know all the scouts will be here and there will be a lot of people coming to watch the games. We want to go out and put our best foot forward.”
One sure to put his best foot forward is John Kowalewski, a newcomer to the program at Lawrenceville.
“It’s amazing to the see the excitement building around the team,” said Kowalewski. “I’m beginning to get the image of what this tournament means. I’m very excited about the opportunity to play in it.”
Canterbury, the Big Red’s first opponent, is 3-1 and coming off a win over Loomis. They are led by Luke Habich and Anthony Langevin in the offensive zone, and Austin Essery is the goalie.
“They are a good team,” said Bilodeau. “They are off to a fast start and have beaten some very good teams. We know everyone coming in is a contender.”
It’s one of the premier prep hockey events around, and the Big Red are a contender, too.
PDS Heads to New England
Princeton Day School will see its unbeaten record challenged this weekend whenit plays in the Barber Tournament in Massachusetts.
Coming off a great appearance in the Harry Rulon-Miller Tournament and a win over Bishop Eustace the 6-0 Panthers will open tonight at 7 p.m. against Kents Hill.
The other games include St. Mark’s against Vermont Academy, Middlesex vs. Portsmouth, and Portledge taking on the Worcester Academy to round out the slate.
“This are some teams that are going to push us,” said PDS coach Scott Bertoli of this challenge. “We are going to have to play better this weekend that we did last to be successful. Our goal going up there in the past was to be competitive and make a good showing.”
With the Panthers having tons of experience with the likes of Conrad Denise, Rob Colton, Ross Colton, Cody Triolo and Connor Walker in the goal, the plan has changed.
“Our philosophy and our mindset this year is completely different, said Bertoli, “We want to take it gamebygame and periodbyperiod,but our ultimate goal is to win the tournament. We are good enough, we are deep enough and we are playing good enough that we should have no other thoughts than to go up there and win another trophy.”
The Panthers definitely have played like they belong in the championship hunt.