Seniors Faith Minnicken, Regan Wirebeck-Blaskie and sophomore Kendall Dobratz were part of the Hand girls ice hockey co-op team that won nine games and made it to both the SCC and state tournaments. There were many celebratory moments on the ice during the campaign.Photo by Melissa Minnicken
Senior Taylor Manchanda and the Tigers' women's ice hockey co-op team worked together extremely well both in and out of the game as the team finished with a win and racked up postseason bids.Photo by Melissa Minnicken
The Hand Girls Ice Hockey Co-op team built a foundation in their hearts for the game and their love for each other this season. The Tigers showed that passion very well, and it was quantified by their regular season success and two playoff appearances.
The team, comprised of players from Daniel Hand, Valley Regional, Branford, Haddam-Killingworth, Old Saybrook, Westbrook and Cromwell, successfully finished the regular season with nine wins.
The Tigers then earned the No. 2 seed and qualified for the SCC Tournament. After receiving a bye in the first round, Hand lost 4-1 to third-seeded Hamden. The Tigers also qualified for the state tournament, but lost in the first round to the Green Dragons, also of Hamden. In the regular season, Hand finished 9-7-1 overall, essentially flipping the script after a 7-9-1 record a year ago.
Head coach Dom Odiche said the girls came up with something more desirable in terms of postseason aspirations. But the Tigers achieved their goal in working together towards the larger goal of building a club that commands the respect of opponents.
“Our goal this season was to provide a competitive high school hockey team while promoting teamwork and passion for the game of hockey,” Odiche said. “I think we were very successful in achieving this goal. Another goal of ours was to win the SCC Tournament, but we just fell short.”
Odiche went on to add that the girls took advantage of most of the mini-games they participated in during practices and drills. Even in games where the team was down, there was no lack of offensive energy as they held the puck for the majority of the ice time.
“Our teamwork and dedication to the game in tight areas during practice has helped us become a possession hockey team,” Odiche said. “Our time of possession and time in the offensive zone increased significantly as the year went on, often outscoring our opponents. Our games against cross-town rival Guilford are always hard-fought, but over the past two years has dominated play and has won every matchup against Guilford.”
Any time you are faced with a deadline with a collaborative element in high school sports, there can be hurdles. However, the Tigers and their coaching staff addressed these potential concerns head-on by being proactive and spending significant time away from the rink to build important team chemistry and synergy. .
“It's difficult to form a cooperative team with several girls from each school,” Odiche said. “Oftentimes, these teammates only see each other during practices and games. We've helped improve this by hosting pasta parties, Chipotle parties, and even spa days where all the girls get together and bond. I tried to overcome this hurdle.”
In terms of the club's statistical leaders, senior Faith Minnicken scored 31 total points and earned All-SCC First Team honors. Sophomore Kendall Dobratz also joined the team, and two of her girls also received second-team All-State recognition.
Minnicken also won the Hobey Baker Character Award. In net, sophomore Chloe Monahan had her first career shutout against Hamden and also had a shutout against Fairfield Ludlow.
Minnicken will serve as a senior captain, joined by fellow seniors Abi Ramos, Jamie DiNapoli, Taylor Manchanda and Regan Wirebeck-Bruskey. No matter their position, school or hometown, they came on the ice every day prepared to play, showing the utmost passion for the sport and their team.
“Faith's tenacity, determination, skill and ability to find the open man kept us in contention for most of the game. The combination of Dovrats and Minnicken was a remarkable pair on the ice. When they were playing, there were very few teams that could stop them,” Odiche said. “Avi Ramos got off to a very strong start to the season, scoring a much-needed goal in the game against East Catholic. Unfortunately, a lingering injury will keep her sidelined for the postseason.”Jamie – DiNapoli and her dedication to the team and each player was truly outstanding. She gave 100% on every shift, cooperated with whatever the coaches asked of her, and played well both on and off the ice. Made an impact. Regan Wirebeck-Blaskie's tenacity and nose for the puck was such that defensemen looked twice before going to pick it up along the boards. Returning from Canada was Taylor Manchanda. Her grit and smart play helped take this co-op to a new level. The captains' dedication to their team was evident in every game and practice.”
Looking ahead to the next campaign in 2024-2025, the Tigers will return a vibrant and healthy core to every line on the ice. Hand offers plenty of depth on defense while also welcoming the return of a strong forward and netminder tandem between the pipes.
“[Junior] Hannah Rich returns as a shutdown defenseman and will be a senior next year and will be a captain.She will be paired with the next on the blue line [sophomore] Maggie di Napoli,” Odiche said. “[Junior] with alexa [sophomore] Daniela Spaniotis will also play defense.Forward returns include: [freshman] Ave Bencivengo, [junior] Cheyenne Wilson [freshman] Maire Quayle, [sophomore] with brooke ouellette [junior] Mia Vieira. Monaghan also have two returning goalkeepers; [sophomore] Vivian Gallo. ”
The Tigers' 2023-2024 season roster consisted of Hand players Minnicken, a senior, Ricci, Gallo, Monaghan and Bencivengo, juniors. Branford himself is joined by seniors Manchanda, Ramos, Wilson, and Vieira, as well as sophomore Callie Michaud. Jamie DiNapoli, a senior, and Maggie DiNapoli, a sophomore, represent Hong Kong. Cromwell juniors Alexa Taylor-Spaniotis and Daniela Taylor-Spaniotis; Former Saybrook sophomore Dobratz. Westbrook Ouellette. and Valley Regional's own Wirebeck Blaskey and Quayle.
Odiche just completed his third season as Hand's head coach. This year, he was assisted on the bench by assistant coaches Greg Thompson, John Minnicken, Sarah Wilewski and Tyler Odis. All of them have been with Mr. Odiche since his inauguration.
2023-2024 Hand Girls Ice Hockey Cooperative Team Regular Season Results
December 16: West Haven – Sacred Heart Academy 5, Hand 3
December 20: Hand 2, Hampden 0
January 5: East Catholic 5, Hand 1
January 10: Hand 6, Amity-Cheshire-North Haven 2
January 12: Hand 7, Woodstock Academy 3
January 13: Hand 3, Southington 2
January 17: Trumbull Street Joseph 3, Hand 1
January 19th: 4 masks, 1 hand
January 23: Hand 6, Guildford 1
January 26: Wilton-Norwalk-McMahon 5, Hand 3
January 27: Simsbury 6, Hand 2
January 31st: Hand 3, Hampden 3
February 2: Mask 2, Hand 1
February 3: Hand 3, West Haven Sacred Heart Academy 2
February 7: Hand 5, Amity-Cheshire-North Haven 1
February 8: Hand 5, Fairfield Ludlow-Warde 0
February 10: Hand 5, Guildford 1
