Page 10 - North Haven Magazine Issue 32 Winter 2024

North Haven Boys Varsity Ice Hockey
by Mike Proto

Team on a Mission

The North Haven Boys Ice Hockey Team From 1996 to 2008, he was the Head coach at
has achieved unparalleled success during St. Bernard High School. He then spent two
the last three years. In 2021, they were SCC years at Staples High School before landing
Conference Champions for the first time in the Head Coaching position at North Haven
school history, posting an 8-2 record. Two in 2018.
years ago, they finished with a 23-3 record,
which included a run of 21 consecutive wins From the very beginning of his tenure,
before losing in the Division II State Final to Coach Avena has focused on building a pos-
Wethersfield. Last year, they finished with a itive team culture based on the development
24–2 record, winning the Division II State of character, integrity, hard work, dedication
Championship in a 2-1 come-from-behind and team chemistry. His practice sessions
overtime victory against Woodstock Acad- are planned down to the last detail with em-
emy. phasis placed on developing fundamental
skills and team play. For their part, the play-
There were nine graduating seniors from last
year’s team, including All-SCC and All State
selections, Bryce Peterson and Owen Quick,
as well as All-SCC selection, Tommy Gui-
done. As a result, this year’s squad is a much Assistant Coach Mike Tantorski, Head Coach
younger and more inexperienced team, and Chris Avena, and Assistant Coach Dennis
they have big shoes to fill. However, after Mastriano
seeing this year’s team practice and meet- fighting through adversity.” From Donavan’s
ing with team captains, Jake Donavan and perspective, their role as captains has been
Jack Kenney, as well as speaking with Head to help the team take things “game by game”
Coach, Chris Avena, it is clear that they are and “pull together” when things get tough.
up to the task at hand. This year’s team has been involved in many
close games and this mindset has undoubt-
edly been instrumental in the success they
have achieved thus far this season.
While the Boys Ice Hockey program has
posted outstanding win/loss records in re-
cent years, Coach Avena is quick to point
Last Year's North Haven Boys Hockey Team cele- out that playing hockey at the high school
brating moments after their State Championship
victory over Woodstock Academy level is about much more than just win-
ning. As he stated, “It is bigger than just
ers move from one drill to the next and are winning. It’s about positively impacting the
lives of these student athletes and building
very attentive to the instruction they receive. up friendships that last a lifetime. It is the
Each year, Coach Avena meets with the team journey that brings you back every day.” He
at the beginning of the season and together, is also very thankful for the support he has
they develop a team motto. This year’s motto received from Athletic Director, Steve Blu-
is for the team to “Be elite at getting better.” menthal, and the administration at the high
Just as the motto “How can we do 23–3 bet- school, as well as the “phenomenal parent
ter” positively impacted how last year’s team organization” that has been a great asset to
prepared and practiced each day, this year’s the program. Finally, he credits his assis-
motto has served as a motivation for the cur- tant coaches, Mike Tantorski, who has been
rent players to work together and put forth with the program since his tenure began in
their best effort every day in practice. 2018, and Dennis Mastriano, with much of
Captains Jack Keaney and Jake Donavan The captains on this year’s team are Jake the success the Hockey team has achieved.
Donavan and Jack Kenney. Donavan, who “Both of these men provide invaluable help
Coach Avena arrived at North Haven six is looking at attending either Marist or Mer- and bring a wealth of knowledge with them
to the program.”
years ago and brought with him a wealth of rimack this coming fall, has been a defen-
knowledge and experience. An East Haven seman on the team for the past four years. As this article is being written the Boys Ice
native, he attended Bryant College and be- Kenney is headed for Boston College and is Hockey team’s record stands at 6-4. While
gan his coaching career when he was just 23 the team goalie. He has been with the team it remains to be seen how the remainder of
years old becoming an assistant under coach for three years. Both of these young men are the season will progress, one thing is certain.
Gary Thompson and coaching in the Nut- well-spoken and understand the important This is a team on a mission and they will
meg games. This provided Coach Avena with role they play in keeping the team together work hard every day to achieve their motto
a solid base on which to build. In speaking of and are focused on becoming the best they to “Be elite at getting better.”
Thompson, he said, “He was one of the most can be. In speaking with Kenney, he said,
educated guys about the game, a great man.” “There has been much emphasis placed on
the development of mental toughness and

10 North Haven Magazine - Winter Issue 2024