Delbarton's hockey team made a statement in Boston, winning both games at the Catholic Memorial Tournament on December 27 and 28 to claim the championship. The Green Wave outscored their opponents 10-0 over the two games, showcasing their dominance on both ends of the ice.
In the opening game against Fairfield Prep, Delbarton came out firing, putting up an impressive 34 shots on goal in a 6-0 victory. Dante Rodriguez led the offensive charge with a stellar performance, netting a hat trick and adding an assist. Matthew Good contributed two goals, while Matteo Conte added a goal and an assist. Goaltender Cooper Ranawat stood tall in net, making 13 saves to secure the shutout in his first start of the season.
Delbarton carried that momentum into the championship game, defeating host Catholic Memorial 4-0 to secure the title. Egor Andreev led the way with a hat trick, and Jack Ross added a goal and two assists. Marco Zimovack provided two assists in the win, while George Cote was a wall in net, turning away all 26 shots he faced to earn the shutout.
The championship victory marked a historic milestone for head coach Bruce Shatel, who earned his 500th career coaching win. Shatel's coaching record on the ice now stands at an extraordinary 500-89-46, making him one of the most accomplished coaches in state history. "I'm biased, but I think [he's] undoubtedly the best high school hockey coach in the history of New Jersey," said Kenny Agostino, a former captain and NHL alum. "What he's still doing for decades now is something that I think will never be matched."
When Shatel reached his 500th win, the team presented him with the hard hat, Delbarton's customary award for the player with the biggest contributions. Shatel, however, passed it along to his longtime assistant coach, Craig Wicker. Wicker has been by Shatel's side since Day 1, and the duo has coached over 650 games together over the past few decades. It was a fitting gesture to honor Wicker's unwavering dedication and partnership in shaping Delbarton hockey's legacy.
