Life On Ice
- James Casey
- Dec 11, 2023
- 2 min read
This picture shows the five original Metuchen players to suit up for the co-op team
It is 7:15 the night before Thanksgiving. Most high schoolers are sitting at home relaxing before the holiday or traveling to see family. Unlike them, the dedicated players of the joint ice hockey team of the Edison township schools and Metuchen High School had practice until 9 o’clock that night. As you can imagine, life as a high school hockey player is tough but it is even more difficult when your high school doesn't have a hockey team.
Since November 28, 2016 Metuchen high school students have been allowed to play hockey with Edison township schools in a unique partnership. According to former Metuchen Board of Education president Justin Manley,“Metuchen students can play on the team because the Boards of Education of Metuchen and Edison formed cooperative sports teams under the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association rules. These rules allow for schools to join up when they don't have enough players on their own to field a team. There are actually 51 ice hockey co-ops across the state this season. It happens in all sports and in all seasons across NJ.”
Although there is a team, it does not mean that it is easy to play, as students are bussed to Woodbridge for practices and games. Sometimes practices end as late as 9 pm on school nights. Due to the high cost of ice time at hockey rinks there is a cost of $500-$700 a season per-player. During the season the team will travel as far north as Whippany Park and as far south as Red Bank regional to play games.
The first combined Edison / Metuchen team had five players from Metuchen. This year, there will be 7 players from Metuchen (Chris Caccavano, Chase Disotell, Joe Fenton, Michael Dickey, Olivia Dickey, Paige Brooks and Emma Huber). We hope these numbers will grow as many kids in town play in the recreational floor hockey league.
According to Coach Mondano,“Our goal this year is to improve on our tough season last year. We always aim for the state playoffs as well.” Support the team at their seven home games at Woodbridge Community Center and the Club at Woodbridge!
This picture shows some of the current Metuchen players.
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