Ice Hockey: All Delco Teams

The following members of the Central League have been named to the All Delco Ice Hockey teams.

First Team

Michael Lassik, Garnet Valley: A quick glance at his statistics would justify Lassik as an easy choice, but he may be the unlikeliest member of the first team given his path to Garnet Valley stardom. Lassik suffered a gruesome broken leg during a game his sophomore year, and there was a thought that he might never play hockey again. The Jaguars senior recovered to become one of the Central League’s top point producers over the last two seasons. In 2014-15, he led Garnet Valley with 28 goals and 63 points. Lassik’s finest performance came against then-undefeated Springfield in early February. He scored twice in a 2-1 win, including a highlight-reel goal in which the captain danced around a Cougars defenseman before going top shelf on the goaltender. Garnet Valley was expected to regress this season. Instead, the Jags finished 15-6 with Lassik setting the tone.

Joe Moran, Haverford High: “Moran’ was a name that showed up on plenty of Haverford score sheets throughout the season. Shane, a sophomore, provided heroics down the stretch as the Fords won the Central League title. But it was Joe’s leadership that keyed Haverford’s success. The senior paced the Fords with 41 points in 21 games while wearing the captain’s “C.’ He was also the team’s best penalty ******, best skater, and arguably its most clutch player. In the dying moments of the Central League Championship game with the score tied 2-2 against Ridley, Joe calmly circled the net on a rush before finding Shane in front for the winning goal. Undersized and without a blistering shot, Moran instead relied on guile and strong balance to beat defenders and goaltenders alike.

Sean Dolan, Ridley: No one in the county drove his team quite like the senior defenseman Dolan. He relished contact and took advantage of every opportunity to lay a big hit. A two-year captain, Dolan played a hard-nosed but clean game that inspired his Green Raiders teammates. He was effective in the offensive zone as well. Dolan finished with four goals and 10 assists, none more important than the one that came in the Central League semifinals. His point shot rebounded to the stick of Nick Catona, who ended a thriller with Springfield in the third overtime. Despite losing to Haverford in the Central League title game, Dolan and company rode the momentum into the Flyers Cup where they reached the semifinals in the AA division.

Josh Vershinski, Garnet Valley: There was an element of ruefulness when it came to Vershinski’s presence on the Garnet Valley blue line. How far would the great Jaguars team of 2013-14 have gone had the 6-3 defenseman played high school as a junior in addition to club hockey? It’s a moot point, but one that comes to mind given just how good Vershinski was for Garnet Valley in 2015. He used a booming shot to score 11 goals from the point. And he wasn’t just a power-play specialist. Of Vershinski’s 34 points, 30 came at even strength or shorthanded. On the defensive end, his long reach served as a barrier for all opposing forwards. A tremendous skater, especially at his size, Vershinski is being recruited by several Division I schools.

Joey Harant, Haverford High: The two-time All-Delco received strong consideration for Player of the Year after backstopping Haverford to a Central League title. Harant led the league in wins (15), save percentage (.932), and shutouts (7). A rash of injuries to the Fords’ blue line early in the season makes Harant’s statistics all the more impressive. The senior made his mark with positionally-sound goaltending so good that it hinged on boring. If Harant saw the puck, more often than not, he saved it. For all he won during his Haverford career, Harant’s finest hour came in defeat. In the Flyers Cup AA quarterfinal against top-seeded Council Rock South, the netminder stopped 39 of 40 pucks sent his way. Alas, the one that beat him came in overtime. Harant was the rare goaltender who also served as a team captain.

Haverford High goalie Joey Harant led the Central League in wins, save percentage and shutouts as the Fords won a league title and Harant earned a second straight All-Delco nod. (Times File)

Second Team

Nick Catona, Ridley Jr. F

Steve Cavaliere, Springfield Sr. F

Gannon Stuart, Garnet Valley So. F

Ryan McNelis, Haverford High Sr. D

Brendan Brawley, Ridley Jr. G

Jake Branyan, Penncrest Sr. G

Honorable Mention

Garnet Valley: Anthony Starzi, Max Selverian, Greg Schenk

Haverford: Beau Dougherty, Shane Moran, Joe Gibbs

Haverford School: Otis Baker

Marple Newtown: Matthew Merrone