The whistle blew, and with adrenaline pumping, my legs quickened in their skates. It was the tail end of our first Yeshiva University Ice hockey practice in front of our coach, and I wanted to make a lasting impression. I raced for the puck but was beaten by captain Sol Feder. Nevertheless, I closed in and pressured him. The helmet and puck came into focus as I hoped to shock everyone by forcing our star into a turnover. However, it didn't matter because I worsened my hockey image instead of rising to the occasion. As I went after him, I collided with Coach Adam Carlo, nearly knocking him over. Sol blew past me, and the whistle sounded, ending the practice. As if that wasn't enough, a kid skated up to me and likened my performance to someone having Down syndrome. That comment did me in. After returning to campus and reaching my dorm, tears came down my face as I had just completed the most embarrassing practice of my hockey career. Yet, in the depths of despair, I saw a glimmer of hope. I may have lost the night's battle, but the season-long war was far from over.
I was ecstatic when it was announced in October of 2023 that Yeshiva University was testing the waters of ice hockey for the first time. Hockey is my favorite sport to watch, play, and write about. The chance to be on the inaugural team of the maiden Jewish Orthodox college program was an opportunity I cherished deeply. I would also measure myself against and join forces with fellow Jewish hockey players from around North America and make new friends from school. Due to the fact I hadn't played organized hockey outside of local community leagues, many players would be better than me. Yet, while I told myself not to expect to blow others away, I felt inclined to do so. As a result, every mistake felt like a dagger to the heart, a blow to my confidence that left me reeling. The drills were relentless, and I found myself constantly one step behind. I wasn't the worst but I was far from the best and felt dejected. Captain Feder tried to console me, saying that while I would stay "Under the Pack" in comparative skill levels, I would significantly improve by the end of the season because I was facing stiffer competition. However, even through the growing pains of the first few practices run by Feder before coach Carlo arrived, something felt wrong. I had trouble staying on my feet and could barely see. While this wasn't new to me, as I reluctantly adapted to playing through the blurry shapes without glasses, the elevated pace forced my hand.
So, as I lay there following my nightmare performance, I knew I needed to make a change if I wanted to give myself the best chance to succeed.
I turned my attention to my eyewear, recognizing that my inability to see was holding me back. Despite the constraints on contact imposed by my eye doctor due to my eye shape, I refused to accept defeat. As I stepped away for two from YU hockey in late November due to my brother's bar Mitzvah trip, I embarked on a journey to find a solution. I stumbled upon Rec Specs, a company specializing in eyewear for athletes. With their help, I found a pair of goggles that fit snugly inside my helmet, providing the clarity I desperately needed on the ice. When I returned to practice, the transformation was nothing short of miraculous. With my new eyewear in place, I soared across the ice with newfound confidence and purpose. Gone were the days of uncertainty and self-doubt; in their place stood a player reborn, ready to take on the world. My teammates couldn't believe the difference. Even Coach Carlo was impressed, praising my newfound awareness and lightning-fast speed. That said, I quickly learned hockey isn't just about pure speed but rather smooth speed.
As the coach continued to asses us through his introductory practices, skating edge drills were on the agenda. However, as we got into it, I rushed through them.
Thankfully, teammate Joey Winer, whom I playfully took banter from throughout the season, noticed and offered valuable advice. "It's not about speed; it's about form," he said. I realized I habitually got too caught up in the "speed" part because I wanted to be faster.
Those comments stayed with me for the rest of the session. Even though I was the slowest on the team in our backward skating races, I stuck true to form and didn't cheat my way through. It was hard to swallow personal pride, but I did, knowing I would have moments of glory later.
I had embraced the idea that being true to myself and remaining patient would improve my performance as a player. I recognized that the change I required was my mindset more than anything else. Lowering my expectations and dismissing the self-placed pressure saw me embrace the grind. It allowed me to accept another move: getting a shorter hockey stick per Carlo's request, which fit my body for the rigors of the forward position on the team.
My long one was for a defenseman, who would use long reaches to knock opponents off pucks despite being harder to shoot. As a kid playing offense, scoring goals was my job, hence the stick change.
Yet, while the switches helped, they didn't guarantee me stardom. There were regretful moments, like a practice where I smashed my stick on the ice out of frustration for repeatedly failing our team breakout drill and forcing our team into the dreaded "Suicides." Or when I was criticized and forced to do push-ups for rushing plays or not paying enough attention to instruction. However, despite the failures, I still saw light at the end of the tunnel, confident it would arrive in our games.
The buzz in the air was electric on January 21st, 2024, as we geared up for our first-ever game in Yeshiva University ice hockey history. The excitement was palpable as we stepped onto the ice at RWJ Barnabas Hockey House, the official practice rink for the NHL's New Jersey Devils. Even those at "Jewish Ice Hockey Players" on Twitter and the Yeshiva University accounts were sending us good vibes.
Yet reality hit us hard when we faced off conference foe Stevens, a powerhouse team ranked in the top 40 of ACHA D3. They wasted no time showing us what they were made of, racking up a commanding 7-0 lead by the end of the first period. We were stunned. However, with his experience playing in the USPHL and skill development coaching with the Devils, Carlo knew just what to say.
In the locker room, he reminded us that the score didn't define us and urged us to stop playing afraid. We took his words to heart, and in the second period, we managed to put a couple of goals on the board – including the first-ever goal in YU hockey history, courtesy of Ariel Greenberg. Later in the middle frame, Josh Lando scored our second. The bench erupted in cheers despite the scoreboard not being in our favor.
Coach Carlo gave me a shot on the top line in the third period. It was a chance to make an impact and finally show who I am. He'd seen the hard work I had put in both in team practices and the private sessions I had with him when school was off for winter break. He appreciated my work ethic and welcomed change in all areas of my game. I didn't care about the scoreboard, which now read 10-2.
And let me tell you, I didn't waste a single moment. With determination in my heart, I hit the ice and immediately went on the attack. Despite being one of the minor players, I didn't shy away from physical play, even knocking down a towering opponent while fighting for control of the puck.
Together with my linemates, we put together a relentless offensive push, and I forced several Stevens turnovers, to the delight of my teammates.
Unfortunately, we couldn't find the back of the net. However, I faced my biggest challenge in the defensive zone. Coach Carlo's instructions to switch to zone defense caught me off guard, and I struggled to adjust, focusing too much on the point men instead of protecting the slot. Luckily, Stevens didn't score when I was on the ice.
Despite the final score being a harsh 14-2 defeat, I walked away from that game with my head held high. Most importantly, it was a learning experience, a chance to grow and improve, and I couldn't be prouder to be part of this historic opportunity with my YU hockey family. We had played a game. The next step was a win: our chance to do it a week later.
Despite the doubts swirling in my mind due to poor defensive play, I was thrilled to find my name on the lineup card and not be healthy scratched for our next game against conference veterans NJIT back at Barbanus. It was another chance to make history, and boy, we delivered.
The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, with our captain, Sol Feder, leading the charge with an incredible five-goal performance, including the late go-ahead goal. Matthew Loren was a brick wall between the pipes, making game-saving saves, while Greenberg, Yonah Suissa, and Jacob Diner each contributed crucial goals. And despite playing through a severe wrist injury, Diner's determination never wavered, as he played right to the end, even sealing things with an empty net tally.
When the final buzzer sounded, we secured an 8-6 victory – our second win in our second game. It was a momentous occasion that we celebrated with class on the ice but with jubilation in the locker room. Jewish music filled the air as we reveled in our triumph.
The night's excitement was overwhelming, and I couldn't help but channel it into something tangible. So, I sat down and penned an article about our victory published on the Maccabees website and a newspaper site, thejewishvoice.com. Writing has always been a passion of mine, especially when it comes to sports. From hockey to basketball, I love capturing the highs and lows of the game.
Yet what made this victory even sweeter was that I had dressed for the game despite not getting any playing time. Coach Carlo had kept the bench short, given the close score, but simply being there, in uniform, for our first-ever win was a moment I'll never forget.
As we basked in the glow of our success, I couldn't help but feel proud of my school and my teammates. We had achieved something remarkable, and the ripple effects were felt far and wide on social media and in casual conversations with classmates the next day.
The outpouring of support and admiration from our fellow students and fans was incredible. Our journey inspired people, energized by our victory and eager to see what we would accomplish next.
Yet, we didn't have time to rest on our laurels. Two days later, we hit the road again to face off against CCNY in Harlem.
It was a dominant 10-4 victory; Benji Froom stole the show with an incredible four-goal, three-assist performance. Yet he wasn't alone in the spotlight. Players like Coby Cohen, Eytan Ghermazian, Yoni Berger, and Ezra Nussbaum notched their first collegiate goals, marking a special milestone in their hockey careers. As for me, I had my fair share of chances but couldn't find the back of the net. It was frustrating, sure, but also incredibly motivating. I knew my hard work would pay off one day, and I'd get my moment to shine.
However, that game against CCNY will be remembered for more than just the action on the ice. In the stands, a group of Beavers fans decided to make a statement with an antisemitism demonstration, chanting and waving Palestinian flags. It hit close to home for all of us, and we took it personally.
In response, we found a different kind of pride that night. We intentionally celebrated by banging on the glass nearest to where the jeering was coming from. We weren't just a hockey team; we were a family, bound together by a shared passion for the game and a commitment to standing up against hatred and bigotry.
We didn't have to worry about any negative chants next game because it was our home opener on February 15th against St Thomas Aquinas, who eventually became the conference runner-up. We were outclassed 9-3, but assistant captain Yosef Tropp did score his first career goal. Yes, we're a first-year program partially student-funded and can only practice once a. week at 10 PM, but that defeat reminded us how far we are from being competitive.
I'll put this loss into perspective for you. Our conference was won by undefeated Sacred Heart. St Thomas lost 10-0 to Sacred Heart in the conference finals. Sacred Heart went to nationals in St. Louis and came home winless in pool play. Top-ranked Lawrence Tech from Michigan won the ACHA M3 championship, beating third-seed Grand Valley 4-2 in the finals.
As we approached the season’s final week, I felt a burning desire to score a goal. Yet I told myself that as long as we won, I'd be just fine. So, I was excited when we hosted CCNY on Sunday, March 10th. I got the start on the first line and even had some power play minutes—I felt confident this would be my moment.
Unfortunately, fate had other plans. Despite an early opportunity to put us on the scoreboard, I whiffed at a wide-open net chance after forcing a turnover and a slick feed from Froom. It was frustrating. Ending the season without a goal stung, but knowing I had those opportunities in crucial moments was a step in the right direction, even if it was against a seemingly inferior opponent.
However, I managed to redeem myself in another way. When Matthew Loren had to leave abruptly stop tending the goal due to personal reasons, I stepped up and volunteered to serve the five-minute team penalty. Meanwhile, defenseman Yaakov Seif came through in an emergency goaltending role in the clutch. With Froom netting another trick and Suissa burying an insurance breakaway goal, we secured our first-ever home win, 4-2. Yet it was a bittersweet victory, marking the final game for senior forward Rafi Nemet. Rafi was more than just a teammate – he was a mentor and a friend, and he'll be sorely missed. Together, Rafi and Junior defenseman Ezra Dweck and I represented the Brooklyn Jews proudly. People are stunned when we tell them we’re from the area because of how basketball-driven it is. I have nothing against basketball and even covered the Macs’ run to the Skyline Conference finals this year for Macslive. Yet hockey’s speed, pace, physicality, athleticism, and uniqueness have engrossed me each time I write about it. Watch my favorite team, the NY Rangers, who I get paid to write for by media company Fansided.com, and play it. I loved Nemet as a teammate and a person. He pushed me to improve through his passion for structured hockey and doing things the right way as a five-man unit on the ice.
To conclude the season, we faced the North Jersey Avalanche's 18U single A team in a Jewish-friendly match at the American Dream Mall on Wednesday, March 13th. Half our team was out due to midterms, which didn't bode well for us against an undefeated midget hockey opponent who had played together for over a decade. Unsurprisingly, they dominated, crushing our shorthanded bunch 13-2. Even if I had scored, I wouldn't have been satisfied – losing in any fashion doesn't sit well with me. While the blowout defeat made personal achievements irrelevant and magnified my mistakes, I did show off my skating skills, proving that I could hold my own on the ice even with Velcro straps instead of laces.
Regarding the velcro straps, let me tell you a little something. See, I was diagnosed with dyslexia years ago, which affects my handwriting and even makes tying challenging to the point where I don't wear shoes with laces anymore. In a season of change, that was one area I didn't budge on.
Now, as I sit down to reflect on the conclusion of this season, I can't help but acknowledge the wisdom in Captain Feder's words. Sure, I may still have a ways to go before reaching my full potential, but there's no denying the growth I've experienced both on and off the ice. I've learned the value of patience and resilience in adversity through challenges and setbacks. And yes, as cliché as it may sound, I understand the importance of embracing change.
Yet, none of this progress would have been possible without my teammates' and coaches' unwavering support and guidance. Their belief in me has been a constant source of motivation and inspiration, pushing me to strive for excellence daily. And while I may not be in the spotlight as much next season due to the influx of talented recruits, I'm okay with that. Ultimately, what matters most is the team's collective success and the program's growth. Yet i’ll always say I was part of the foundation.
So, as I look ahead to the off-season, I'm filled with a renewed sense of determination. I'm committed to putting in the required hard work in the weight room, honing my mental game through the pages of a recently purchased hockey mindset book, and hitting the ice with a relentless drive to improve. The journey will be challenging, but I wouldn't trade the ups and downs of this season for anything. Those prepared me for what's next. Ultimately, while I may have lost a few battles, I emerged victorious in the war of self-improvement. And that, my friends, is the accurate measure of success.
Comments