High School Ice Hockey: Annual Awards presented to South Jersey's Best Hockey Players Monday, March 7, 2005 By Mike Costantino SJSports Staff Writer Each year South Jersey Sports Online, Inc. presents hockey awards to players from the South Jersey High School Ice Hockey League, and each year the selections become more difficult. This year the league combined the Tiers and made it that much more difficult, but next season we will return to the Tier system, which will produce more competitive games. On Monday night before the beginning of the championship game, SJHSIHL along with SJSports were honored to present awards to players and coaches who have demonstrated the ability to bringing sportsmanship, determination and showmanship to the league. Here are the awards that were handed out to the following players: Player of the Year: Fred Brewer - Washington Township High School His 73 points in 20 games led the league this season. Solid in his own end as well, he rarely misses even a practice. Fred has a blistering slap shot with deadly accuracy, he has helped Washington Township regain its stature in the SJHSHL. Defenseman of the Year: Jim Fritz - Clearview High School Here is a tough, smart, dependable and mature young man. He solidly controls play in his own zone. He is a leader and a clean player with just 10 penalty minutes. His 21 points in 21 games shows he is a gifted offensive defenseman as well. Coach of the Year: Ed Schaklet - Shawnee High School Here’s a man who took a team that has struggled over the last few years and guided them to a 7th place finish, and a Flyers Cup appearance. This in spite of the fact that he did not have a player in the top 45 scorers of the league. Breakout Player of the Year: TJ Brennan - Moorestown High School This young man put up amazing numbers in just his sophmore season. He finished 8th in scoring with 40 points in 22 games, great numbers for anyone but unheard of for a defenseman. Leadership Award: Tom Ruiz - Williamstown High School This 11th grader played in every game for Williamstown this season, leading them to a strong finish and an appearance in the Flyers Cup for the first time in school history. His 52 points were good enough for 6th in the SJHSHL. JVA Player of the Year: David Moore - Washington Township High School 50 points in 16 games led all JVA players and paced Township to a 1st place finish. A hard hitting player with deceptive speed and skill, he can even play defense when needed. He’s the type of player anyone would want on their team. JVB Player of the Year: Joe Pezatto - Shawnee High School This hard working forward from Shawnee led the Junior Varsity B League in scoring this year with 43 points in just 18 games. Staggering numbers considering he is in just the 8th grade. Best Goaltender of the Year: Colin Higgins - Moorestown High School This young man led all SJHSHL goalies in almost every meaningful category including a league best 93.2 save percentage and a sparkling 1.20 goals against average. Mature and smart, he was one of the main keys to Moorestown’s success this season. The League also instituted the Jeff Burd award, which was given out to a Cherokee player and a league player for the next three years. This years recipients were, Lou Sarcone form Cherokee and Fred Brewer from Washington Township. Brewer led the league in scoring and his leadership has propelled Township into the championship round. Sarcone averaged a goal per game this season and is the driving force behind Cherokee’s run to the championship. The South Jersey League presented the Jeff Burd Award This Award is presented in memory of a player gone, but not forgotten from the SJHSHL. Jeff was a tireless worker, a team player and a credit to his club, league and family. It should come as no surprise that it is given to the player who best represents commitment & dedication to High School Ice Hockey. The league will present two Burd awards for the next 3 years, one to a Cherokee player and one to another league member. Jeff’s father Pete was present and presented the awards at Center Ice. This first player led the SJHSHL in scoring this season but amassed just 8 penalty minutes in 20 games. He is a leader on and off the ice as he captains Township to its first finals appearance in 3 years. # 8 Fred Brewer of Washington Township High School It s only fitting that the former line mate of Jeff Burd is the first Cherokee recipient of this award, this young man represents all that is good about this sport. He’s a hard hitting, high scoring, and unselfish player. #3 Lou Sarcone of Cherokee High School The annual Glen Holland award, presented to the top goalie, this year went to Mark Cippolone from Shawnee, whose save percentage and goals against average were the main reason Shawnee enjoyed its best season at 10-5-3 in a long time. The 2005 Glenn Holland Award Mark Cipollone - Shawnee High School This player was one of the main reasons for the resurgent Shawnee team this season. He appeared in every game and had a solid 2.89 Goals against average and a respectable 89.5% save percentage We congratulate all the award winners. The league presented a plaque to Jack Anderson for his tireless work and dedication over the many years he has assisted the league from stat man to Vice President. Jack has decided to step down from his post, presumably to allow more time for his successful business as “The Balloon Man”, and to watch his son Derek, entering his senior year, play hockey. Somehow I feel he has inside info on Springsteen and will be touring with the boss! What ever you do Jack, I know you will do it with class and dignity, and I will miss you. Photos by Art Redd