Printer Friendly Version - Hand Girls’ Ice Hockey Ready to Work Hard, Dig Deep to Return to Playoffs

Hand senior Faith Minickene will serve as a co-captain for the Tigers girls’ ice hockey co-op squad this season, as the group looks to build upon a tandem of playoff berths last winter. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Source

Senior Raegan Wyrebek-Brasky of Valley Regional is one of several veteran key pieces returning to the fold for the Hand girls’ ice hockey co-op team this winter, as she is in her third campaign. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Source

The Hand girls’ ice hockey co-op team took some major strides forward, with a collection of young and hungry competitors coming forth from various towns along the Connecticut Shoreline. Now, after dual postseason berths under their belts, the Tigers are ready to claw another layer deeper into the championship climb.

A year ago, the Hand girls’ ice hockey co-op squad, comprised of athletes from Daniel Hand, Valley Regional, Branford, Haddam-Killingworth, Old Saybrook, Westbrook, and Cromwell, finished 7-9-1 in the regular season.

The Tigers’ efforts netted them the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye in the SCC Tournament, though in the semifinals, they took a 4-2 loss to third-seeded Hamden. Then, as the No. 7 seed in the state tournament, Hand suffered a first-round defeat to No. 10 Suffield, 7-6, and finished 7-11-1 overall on the campaign.

The 2023-2024 edition of the Tigers have earned a split in their first pair of contests for the campaign. Following a 5-3 setback against West Haven-Sacred Heart Academy to open the year on Dec. 16, Hand rebounded four days later with a 2-0 blanking of Hamden.

A tandem of four-year veterans to the program are serving as captains for Hand this year. First up is Faith Minickene, who hails from Hand. Joining her in the stewardship stable for the squad is Haddam-Killingworth senior Jamie DiNapoli.

Backing up those two standout young women as assistant captains are junior Hannah Rich of Madison, and Branford High School senior Avi Ramos. Each of these athletes has suited up for the black and gold for three campaigns.

Looking to the Valley Regional component of the roster, Head Coach Dom Odice noted that an anticipated key contributor will be senior Raegan Wyrebek-Brasky. He added that another player to look out for after her phenomenal freshman slate will be Old Saybrook sophomore Kendall Dobratz.

While the Tigers dropped the opening clash with West Haven-Sacred Heart Academy, they will look to avenge the loss on Saturday, Feb. 3 for a return matchup at West Haven High School’s Bennett Rink, with a 3 p.m. puck drop.

Hand will also entertain close by rival Guilford–on the road at East Haven’s DiLungo Rink on Tuesday, Jan. 23 at 6:45 p.m., and then closing out the regular season on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Tigers’ home rink of the Northford Ice Pavilion.

Odice concluded that he certainly feels the girls will again gain berths to both the league and state draws within the realm of the postseason party. Yet additionally, he knows the only way that road can be paved is with a steady foundation of fortitude, accompanied by a tenacious work ethic second to none.

”I expect hard work and a productive year,” said Odice. “I expect to make it to both the state tournament, and SCC Tournament, and have a good showing in the SCC Tournament.”

The Tigers’ 2023-2024 season roster is comprised of Hand athletes in senior Minickene, junior Rich, sophomores Vivian Gallo, Chloe Monaghan, freshman Ava Bencivengo; Branford’s own in seniors Taylor Manchanda, Ramos, juniors Cheyenne Wilson, Mia Viera, sophomore Callie Michaud; H-K representatives of senior Jamie DiNapoli and sophomore Maggie DiNapoli; junior Alexa Taylor Manchanda and Daniella Taylor Manchanda of Cromwell; Old Saybrook sophomore Dobratz; sophomore Brooke Ouellette from Westbrook; and Valley Regional senior Wyrebek-Brasky and freshman MaiLi Quale.

Odice is now in the midst of his third season as Hand’s head coach. He is assisted on the bench this year by assistant coaches of Greg Thompson, John Minickene, Sara Wilewski, and Tyler Odice. Each of them have been with Head Coach Odice since the start of his tenure.

2023-2024 Hand Girls’ Ice Hockey Co-Op Team Regular Season Results and Schedule