The Hand girls’ ice hockey co-op squad used a foundation of heart for the game and love for each other this season. The Tigers displayed that passion quite well, as it was quantified by a successful regular season slate and two playoff berths.

The team, comprised of athletes from Daniel Hand, Valley Regional, Branford, Haddam-Killingworth, Old Saybrook, Westbrook, and Cromwell, finished a successful regular season slate with nine victories.

The Tigers then earned the No. 2 seed and qualified for the SCC Tournament. After a first-round bye, Hand suffered a 4-1 loss to third-seeded Hamden. The Tigers also qualified for the state tournament, yet they lost a contest in the first round against those same Green Dragons of Hamden. For the regular season, Hand finished 9-7-1 overall, essentially flipping the script following a 7-9-1 campaign a year ago.

Head Coach Dom Odice noted that the girls came up with more to be desired in terms of their postseason aspirations. Yet towards the bigger objectives of constructing a club that earned the respect of their adversaries while working together, the Tigers hit their mark.

“The goal for the season was to provide a competitive high school hockey team while promoting teamwork and passion for the game of hockey,” said Odice. “I think we were very successful at achieving this goal. Our other goal was to win the SCC Tournament, where we fell short.”

Odice went on to add that the girls utilized the most of the mini games they took part in during practices and drills. Even in clashes that the team dropped, it certainly was not for lack of offensive energy by possessing the puck for a majority of the ice time.

“Our teamwork and dedication to small-area games during practices helped us become a possession hockey team,” Odice said. “Our time of possession and time in the offensive zone greatly increased as the year went on, and we often outshot opponents. Our cross-town rival Guilford games are always hard fought, but for the past two years, Hand has dominated play and has been the victor in all matchups against them.”

There are hurdles that can certainly arise when you are deadline with a co-op element in high school sports. Yet the Tigers and their coaching staff were proactive and met those potential concerns head on by spending plenty of time away from the rink to build critical team chemistry and synergy.

“Having a co-op team with a few girls from each school is a challenging situation,” said Odice. “Oftentimes, these teammates only see one another during practices and games. We tried to overcome this hurdle by having pasta parties, Chipotle parties, and even a spa day when all of the girls got together to bond.”

In terms of statistical leaders for the club, senior Faith Minickene tallied a total of 31 points to notch First Team All-SCC accolades. Sophomore Kendall Dobratz joined her on that squad, plus both girls additionally earned Second Team All-State recognition.

Minickene also was bestowed with the Hobey Baker Character Award. In net, sophomore Chloe Monaghan had her first career shutout against Hamden and another against Fairfield Ludlowe.

Minickene served as a senior captain, and she was joined in the captain’s chair by fellow seniors Avi Ramos, Jamie DiNapoli, Taylor Manchanda, and Reagan Wyrebek-Brasky. No matter their position or school and hometown, they came to the ice each and every day ready to play while displaying their utmost passion for the sport and team.

“Faith’s tenacity, determination, skill, and ability to find the open person kept us in most games, and the duo of Dobratz and Minickene was a remarkable pair to watch on the ice. When they were on their game, there weren't many teams that could stop them,” Odice said. “Avi Ramos started off the season very strong by scoring a much-needed goal in the game against East Catholic. Unfortunately a nagging injury kept her on the sidelines for the postseason. Jamie DiNapoli and her dedication to the team and each player were truly remarkable. She gives 100% on every shift and helps with anything the coaches ask for, and she impacted play on and off the ice. Reagan Wyrebek-Brasky’s tenacity and nose for the puck made defenses look twice before they went to pick up a puck along the boards. Returning from Canada was Taylor Manchanda. Her grittiness and smart play helped propel this co-op to a new level. The captains’ dedication to the team showed in every game or practice.”

In looking ahead to the next campaign for 2024-2025, the Tigers will return a hearty and healthy core of players at every line of the ice. Hand looks to flash plenty of depth on the defensive front, while also welcoming back formidable forwards and a tandem of netminders between the pipes.

“[Junior] Hannah Rich, returning with her shutdown defense, will be a senior next year and captain. She will be paired on the blueline with [sophomore] Maggie DiNapoli,” said Odice. “[Junior] Alexa and [sophomore] Daniella Spaniotis will also be on defense. Forwards returning include [freshman] Ave Bencivengo, [junior] Cheyenne Wilson, [freshman] MaiLe Quale, [sophomore] Brooke Ouellette, and [junior] Mia Viera. We also have two returning goalies in Monaghan and [sophomore] Vivian Gallo.”

The Tigers’ 2023-2024 season roster was comprised of Hand athletes in senior Minickene, junior Rich, Gallo, Monaghan, Bencivengo; Branford’s own in seniors Manchanda, Ramos, Wilson, Viera, sophomore Callie Michaud; H-K representatives of senior Jamie DiNapoli and sophomore Maggie DiNapoli; junior Alexa Taylor Spaniotis and Daniella Taylor Spaniotis of Cromwell; Old Saybrook sophomore Dobratz; Ouellette of Westbrook; and Valley Regional’s own Wyrebek-Brasky and Quale.

Odice just completed his third season as Hand’s head coach. He was 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 Odice since the start of his tenure.

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

Dec. 16: West Haven-Sacred Heart Academy 5, Hand 3

Dec. 20: Hand 2, Hamden 0

Jan. 5: East Catholic 5, Hand 1

Jan. 10: Hand 6, Amity-Cheshire-North Haven 2

Jan. 12: Hand 7, Woodstock Academy 3

Jan. 13: Hand 3, Southington 2

Jan. 17: Trumbull-St. Joseph 3, Hand 1

Jan. 19: Masuk 4, Hand 1

Jan. 23: Hand 6, Guilford 1

Jan. 26: Wilton-Norwalk-McMahon 5, Hand 3

Jan. 27: Simsbury 6, Hand 2

Jan. 31: Hand 3, Hamden 3

Feb. 2: Masuk 2, Hand 1

Feb. 3: Hand 3, West Haven-Sacred Heart Academy 2

Feb. 7: Hand 5, Amity-Cheshire-North Haven 1

Feb. 8: Hand 5, Fairfield Ludlowe-Warde 0

Feb. 10: Hand 5, Guilford 1