High school hockey is always a pleasure to watch—the atmosphere, the energy on the ice, and the battling between the players bring warmth to the winter. What tops high school hockey?
High school playoff hockey.
This year, players, fans, and students enjoyed the game. After a heartbreaking loss in the IHL championship in the 2022-2023 season to longtime rival Episcopal Academy, a fire was set under the 2023-2024 team.
The feeling of coming so close, and losing to a competitive rival, is unimaginable. The burning ambition to get back to the championship powered the team through the season. Key players such as Sixth Former Connor Gillespie, Fifth Former Reece Childs, Fourth Former Esref Erkmen, and Third Former Jack Torr all made first-team all IHL. Fourth Former Will Forman received an honorable mention.
The team worked hard all season long to get back to where they were exactly a year ago—playing Episcopal Academy in the championship.
The Churchmen scored first, but Forman, Childs, and Fifth Former Ryan Wai shot back, getting the Fords up to a 3-1 lead going into the third period.
With some lucky breaks and help from the penalty box, the Churchmen climbed their way back into the game to make the score 3-3, forcing an overtime.
The Fords were dominant the entire game, outshooting their opponents 61-19.
The student section was ecstatic while the players on the ice were drained. With only three minutes left on the clock, Third Former Micheal DiPalma was the hero, with an assist from Third Former Jack Torr to seal the game in a thrilling overtime win 4-3 for the Fords.
“I feel great because we completed the main goal we had for the year. Winning the IHL championship, especially against EA, whom we have been rivals with during my whole time on the team meant everything to me.”
John Rouse ’24
After the game, Sixth Former John Rouse said “I feel great because we completed the main goal we had for the year. Winning the IHL championship, especially against EA, whom we have been rivals with during my whole time on the team meant everything to me. I think it left a good foundation for the young team. We have to set a standard of winning. Next year I am excited to see what the team can do competing on a higher level.”
The Fords finished 13-5-1, with a perfect in-league record in the IHL (10-0).
“I try and push my teammates to be the best versions of themselves. There are a lot of kids on the team who can always play better so trying to get the best version of themselves by pushing them is how I tried to lead,” Rouse said.
Childs voiced similar sentiments.
“From the start of the season I felt the drive in every player on the team to want to be right back in the position we were last year and come out victorious,” Childs said. “Other schools lost their key players and, in turn, we gained some amazing new freshmen. After a tough game against Cherokee, coming out in a win for our opening game, and going undefeated in the IHL, the team and I were confident in our ability to win.”
The two leading scores of the team were Third Formers Michael Dipalma ’27 and Jack Torr ’27.
Childs said, “I think our future is very bright.”
Some players put the game before their bodies. Wai battled through a broken collar bone and Fourth Former Esref Erkman played in the championship with his right hand in a cast due to a broken finger. This determination to play was certainly a contributing factor in their success.
Wai reflected on the season and the highs and lows.
“My hardest challenge was definitely starting the season late, coming back from a broken collarbone I suffered in my club season two months earlier,” Wai said. “Overall for our team, I think we had a lot of success facing adversity and playing through tough times.”
“This year the team made strides both in skill but also as a team, creating a strong bond,” Rouse said. “Just being in the locker room with all the guys is what I will miss the most.”