Fair Lawn Hockey Records Best Season Since 2008

The high school's varsity ice hockey program continued its steady resurgence this season under third-year coach Brack Healy.

Fair Lawn notched more wins than any Cutters' team since 2008, finishing third in the nine-team Big North Gold Division with a 14-8-1 record. They lost 4-1 to Hillsborough in the first-round of the state playoffs.

"I was very proud of how our guys battled the entire season," Healy said. "Last year we fell off at the end, but this year the guys finished strong and were extremely competitive in the season ending loss to No. 11 Hillsborough."

The team graduates three key senior leaders in center Kevin Carney (16 goals, 15 assists), defenseman Sean Milnes (5 goals, 14 assists) and Thomas Calderone (11 goals, 4 assists), but its talented returning cast of underclassmen and pipeline to the borough's burgeoning youth hockey program should keep the Cutters competitive next season.

"This program is definitely on the rise," Healy said. "The youth program is the strongest it has ever been. The middle school team recently won the Ice Vault Showcase, going 3-0 and outscoring teams 27-4."

Next year's Cutters squad will be led by forward Justin Ritter (15 goals, 22 assists), who projects as one of the top players in the league. Mark Williams (13 goals, 13 assists), Frankie Maneri (4 goals, 9 assists) and Joey Ferrante (9 goals, 17 assists) also return as top offensive contributors. Goaltenders Ken Martorelli and Garret Baldacci, who both played well between the pipes this year, will be back to mind the net.

Despite returning Ritter, the team's leading point-scorer each of the past two seasons, Healy said he'll continue to push a team-first mentality.

"It will take a team effort to make sure we are competing with the top teams," he said. "It has never been a one-man show since I came to Fair Lawn in 2010."

Along with Carney, Milnes and Calderone, other seniors who donned the Crimson and Gray for the final team this season include Corey Boettcher, Dan Garafano, Ryan Linn and Josh Samels.

"These guys really showed me how dedicated and determined they were. It was a group that never gave up and always competed hard," Healy said. "I am very fortunate to have such a great group of young men."

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