Greenwich Hockey Raises FCIAC Banner at Alumni Game

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The past and present from the Greenwich High School boys' ice hockey program met up Saturday night at the Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink for the annual Alumni Game. In addition to the great times had by all players was the raising of the 2016 FCIAC championship banner. (John Ferris Robben photos)
The past and present from the Greenwich High School boys’ ice hockey program met up Saturday night at the Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink for the annual Alumni Game. In addition to the great times had by all players was the raising of the 2016 FCIAC championship banner. (John Ferris Robben photos)

By Evan Triantafilidis
Sentinel Reporter

Five decades of Greenwich hockey players gathered at the Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink Saturday night to raise an FCIAC championship banner and to once again hit the ice in the annual alumni game.

The past and present from the Greenwich High School boys' ice hockey program met up Saturday night at the Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink for the annual Alumni Game. In addition to the great times had by all players was the raising of the 2016 FCIAC championship banner. (John Ferris Robben photos)
The past and present from the Greenwich High School boys’ ice hockey program met up Saturday night at the Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink for the annual Alumni Game. In addition to the great times had by all players was the raising of the 2016 FCIAC championship banner. (John Ferris Robben photos)

Brew Pratley, mother of Phil (’87) and grandmother of Ben (’16), watched closely, with her nose pressed up against the glass, while sporting her vintage GHS Hockey pin. The teams were split into even and odd graduating years, but a special exception was made for the only father and son pairing as they played on the same line for parts of the exhibition game.

“They are both shorter players, but they are really feisty,” said Brew. “Every time I would go to one of their games, I would take a look at the lineup card and would be like, ‘Oh my gosh, everyone is so big.’ But they both made it through and they really played their hearts out.”

The yearly tradition brings back players of former teams and is a chance to reconnect with old teammates and the GHS hockey family.

“It’s a real legacy and it’s a great event for the community,” said Joe Mozian, father of junior captain Alex Mozian. “These are five decades of people, some of whom have lost connections. It’s important to build that legacy up.”

While the alumni suited up in red and white jerseys, respectively, the current captains, Mozian and senior Akira Dunham, were in the black and white as officials for the game. Players and coaches exchanged jokes and laughs between shifts, as the event was a blast from the past for some.

“For me, it was awesome playing with my son and a bunch of his friends who I coached while they were growing up,” said Phil Pratley. “It’s fun to see them all grown up. It brings back memories when I see Steve Healey, Kevin Keaveney, Jimmy Fox and all the guys I played with in high school.”

The event is run by the parents of the incoming senior captains. Joe Mozian said that with the raising of an FCIAC championship banner from last year, an extra effort was made to bring out past players and coaches from every era.

The FCIAC championship banners on display at the Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink. (John Ferris Robben photo)
The FCIAC championship banners on display at the Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink. (John Ferris Robben photo)

In attendance was former head coach Bob Russel and newly named head coach Chris Rurak. Russel was back coaching for the white team, and it brought back memories he won’t soon forget.

“For 10 years, it’s really in your blood and you love doing it,” said Russel, who was named FCIAC coach of the year in 2009. “Their season hasn’t started yet, so it hits you more. The kids get on the ice a week from today for tryouts and they’ll be off. Being around the other coaches and kids, you end up touching the lives of 300 kids over 10 years. It’s an incredibly rewarding experience, and I know I’m going to miss out. But it’s time to turn the page and move on.”

Head coach Chris Rurak and assistant coach Julian Mason will be back with the program this season, and they got to simulate their coaching duties with players from the past and present for the alumni gathering.

“Bob and I had a lot of chemistry together,” said Rurak, who served as an assistant coach last year. “It’s sad to see him go, but he walked me through the ropes. So far, it’s been a pretty smooth transition.”

Former GHS hockey player Mike Mozian recalled last year’s playoff run and was excited to see the Cardinals’ 11th championship banner raised at Dorothy Hamill.

“That was big for both the students and the organization,” said Mozian, who was the 2016 FCIAC Most Valuable Player. “We worked so hard and we always had to get past some tough teams, like Darien in the regular season. It was fun, exciting, and I think we deserved it.”

E-mails and phone calls came in from past players who couldn’t make it to the alumni event, including from Harrison Root, the 2009 FCIAC MVP.

The final score was 11-7; more important, the players put on a show for friends and family as a prelude to the upcoming hockey season.

“I didn’t score during my high school career,” said Jack Geary about his alumni game hat trick. “To have three here tonight kind of made up for it. It was definitely fun.”

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