By Andy Loigu

With lots of offensive weapons and a pair of steady goalkeepers returning, the outlook is promising for the MOHOHA high school level ice hockey team in the Halverson Division of the Morris Area Hockey League, which plays most of its games at Morristown’s Mennen Arena.

The local team draws its name from the fact the players come from Mount Olive, Hopatcong, and Hackettstown. By joining forces, the three schools are able to offer their students the opportunity to play ice hockey against a high quality schedule of opponents.

Ryan Tatarka, a former Hackettstown High School football and baseball player, starts his second year as the team’s head coach and his third year with the program. The team went 17-5-3 last season, reaching the Haas Cup Final and qualifying for the state tournament. They are preparing for a 17-game regular season schedule which begins with games on December 10 and 12 against Madison and Mountain Lakes.

“The biggest strength of our team is our experience and leadership,” Tatarka stated. “We have 13 seniors who have been through a lot as a group and are ready to capitalize on a great opportunity. We have a great deal of offensive firepower coming back.”

MOHOHA will be led by a pair of cannons who each scored 20 goals last year, senior wingers A.J. Twist (of Hackettstown) and Mount Olive’s Christian Hertzig. Twist also distributed 18 assists and Hertzig dished out 20 assists. Both earned All Division honors.

Also joining the scoring parade were Honorable Mention All Division senior winger Frank DiLoreto from Hackettstown (seven goals and 25 assists), senior winger Liam Murphy from Hackettstown (five goals and 20 assists), and senior winger from Mount Olive J.L. O’Toole, who put the biscuit in the basket seven times and handled four assists.

Tatarka said the center ice men will be looking to make smart and strong plays from the blue line to put the attackers into advantageous situations. He said he has some sophomores with varsity experience who can step up into expanded roles.

“Our goals for the season are to build off last year’s successes and compete in the Halverson Division. Progress in performance on the ice comes from preparation off the ice,” the coach observed.

Sean Pedersen graduated last year. Alumni playing in college right now include Evan Parr at James Madison University in Virginia and Jason Bonante at Sacred Heart in Connecticut, both at the club level.

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Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building.