SCYH STARS
HELPING TO BUILD LEADERS FOR LIFE

The objective of The Southern Connecticut Youth Hockey Organization 
is to provide a well-organized and supervised youth ice hockey program,
offering opportunities to children of all levels of skill and proficiency.
 

Blue Line Sports Shelton

Shelton RINKS

784 River Rd

Shelton, CT

203.701.7924

The following are SCYH UNIFORM
 
Fitting Dates:

April 27th 4p-7pm,

April 29th 4p-7pm 

May 1st 9am-1pm.

These fitting dates are for any age and any team. 

If you can not make one the listed dates,

you can call and make an appointmet.  

Please bring a mask.  

The Fittings will take place at 

Blue Line Sports Shelton, CT

There is a Blue Line Order form located under the

Documents tab of the SCYH Website,

in the Uniform folder.

The address for Blue Line Sports is at the

top of this announcement.

Hello:

Just a quick note now that we are through the first night(s) of tryouts.

Thank you all for being understanding during this process. Rest assured it is as trying for parents as it is for coaches. We want the best for our young athletes, and to make them happy. Unfortunately that is not always the reality. As coaches, we trust in the process… Whether it’s getting players to crash the net, use their back hand, or perform a pivot, the process gets us there. Same goes for tryouts, its all about the process.

As we said earlier this week, our ultimate goal is to place your child on the best team for his or her development. Hockey lifecycle’s are incredibly long. Think about it, you are performing a gross motor skill(skating), while performing a small motor skill(stickhandling), while processing information in milliseconds. The time to acquire these skills take years.

It’s a marathon not a sprint. Development takes place over years. If you felt your son or daughter was the best player in their group, I would ask you to drill down a little further….He or she was the best player that day, after wolfing down a slice of pizza, Gatorade and sour patch kids on their way from another tryout, during COVID-19. 

Understand that we want the best for all of our young players, just like you do!

Last couple thoughts:

• Remember that players need to wear masks.
• Lastly the most important tip for tryouts

REMEMBER TO TAKE OFF YOUR SKATEGUARDS!!!!!

Please continue to check the Tryout schedule on the SCYH website in case of any changes. 

The SCYH BOD is pleased to announce the coaches for the 2021-2022 season in alphabetical order.

Matt Boyhen(Pee Wee) Matt grew up playing youth hockey for the Southern Stars! He played high school hockey at Notre Dame of Fairfield and was a contributor in 1989 to the school’s first State Championship as well as serving as Assistant Captain his senior year. Matt played varsity NCAA hockey at Nichols College as a freshman. Matt enlisted in the CT Army National Guard, Infantry Unit and completed 6 years of service, while playing ACHA-club hockey at C.C.S.U., where he was Captain of a National Tournament team. Matt began coaching at Hamden Youth Hockey soon after graduating from college and has coached all ages from clinic to bantams. He is a level 4 certified USA Hockey coach. Matt returned to the Stars in 2017 to help coach his daughter’s U14 team and is a proud Southern Star! The past 2 season’s Matt has coached the Peewee A team. As a coach Matt believes the most important roles he has is player skill development, while encouraging a love of the game of hockey within a team concept.

Dave Canfarotta (U16 T2, Pee Wee) played youth hockey for the Southern Stars and high school hockey at Notre Dame Fairfield. Dave was the team Captain his senior year and was selected to the All State team. After HS Dave played for the CT Oilers Junior Hockey team in Norwalk, CT. Dave  went on to play college hockey at Franklin Pierce in NH and Post University in Waterbury, CT for two years, where he was also named Team Captain. After college Dave founded and is the lead instructor of DC Skills Hockey.  Over the last three years Dave has been the skills instructor for the Southern Stars.  In addition, Dave is a certified Power Edge Pro instructor and an Assistant Coach at Fairfield high school.

Tyler Hackett(Midgets) was assistant coach of the Southern Stars Midget U18 team. He played junior hockey for the Hartford Jr. Wolfpack in the Eastern Hockey League. Tyler then proceeded to play college hockey at Post University in the NE-10 Conference and graduated in 2020. Tyler is currently the leading scorer in Post University history.

Dr. Steve Hetherman(U15, U16, Bantams) has over 25 years of coaching experience and authored Southern’s modern player development program which offers Southern players twice as many ice touches when compared to any other youth hockey program in CT. Steve was named New Haven Register’s High School Coach of the Year for the 2013-2014 season.  He led NYU to three consecutive National Championship Tournaments and was named American Hockey Coaches Association’s Coach of the Year for the 2001-2002 season.  He is a certified Power Edge Pro instructor, a level 4 USA Hockey coach, and has coached every level of youth hockey from Mites to Midgets.

Brian Hopper(U18 T2) began his coaching career at age 12 as an assistant with mite house teams; he continued to help teams at nearly every level before heading off to play at St. Michael’s College.  After graduating college, Brian returned to Southern to coach Pee Wee, Bantam, and Midget teams.  He has been coaching Midget teams for the last 10 seasons.  Brian played high school hockey at Notre Dame of Fairfield as a 4 year varsity player and captained the team his senior year. After graduating high school, Brian played for the Junior Wolfpack, and subsequently at St. Michael’s College.

Carl Larouche(Bantams) is currently the Head Coach of Fairfield High School and is a level 5 USA Hockey coach. Carl played Jr A hockey in Canada and has coached Squirts, Pee Wees, and Bantams. One of Carl’s core value is to help people and coaching hockey gives him an opportunity to help players grow through a philosophy of integrity, sportsmanship, and work ethic.

John Major(Squirts) is the head coach for the Southern Mite A team.  He is a level 5 USA Hockey coach and has coached Learn to Skate, Learn to Play Hockey, House league, Mites through Bantams, High School, and College. John coached for 10 years in the New Jersey Devils Youth Hockey Club.  Also, he coach internationally in Australia with the Sydney Bears while working abroad.  His goal is to help develop young men and women who play hockey well and have a lifelong love of the game.

Shaun Malay(Squirts) is the Southern Squirt A coach. Shaun’s coaching experience includes nine (9) years at Joel Barlow High School as well as Wonderland Wizards Mite A for two (2) seasons. He played youth hockey with GBJHA and Mid Fairfield.  Shaun played high school hockey at Fairfield Prep and Joel Barlow.  After high school Shaun played junior and professional hockey in Winterthur, Switzerland.  He continued his hockey career at the University of Rhode Island.  

Seamus O’Rourke (U15, Midgets) prioritizes player enjoyment and development. He wants everyone to enjoy the sport and continue to play hockey, and he wants to prepare players for their next level of play.  Seamus is excited to be coaching with the Southern Stars again this year, a program that prioritizes player development just as he does.  He is looking forward to expanding players’ skills, awareness, creativity, and confidence as hockey players and as young adults.  Seamus is a certified Power Edge Pro instructor.  As a player, Seamus played high school hockey at Notre Dame Fairfield, captained the team, and was an All-State defensemen. In college Seamus played club hockey at Marist College. 

Pete Petrino (Bantam, Midgets) has coached the Mite Blue, Squirt A, Peewee A, and U18 teams since 2018.  Pete played high school hockey at Notre Dame of Fairfield and captained the team his senior year. After graduating, Pete played for the Bay State Breakers in the USPHL. Subsequently, Pete played three (3) seasons at Post University (NCAA DII) and scored the first goal in the teams history. Pete also served as Asst Captain during his time at POST.

Rachel Ricca is the Director of Ice Skating at Milford Ice Arena and brings over 20 years of experience as a power skating coach to the Stars. Rachel is a certified coach and a member of US Figure Skating Association, Professional Skating Association (PSA) member, Ice Sports Industry (ISI) member and a USA Hockey Level 1 Coach. Mrs. Ricca was a Special Education teacher for 17 years and is also the lead instructor for the Milford Mission special needs skating program. Rachel is an integral component at the rink’s Learn to Skate and Learn to Play House programs. She is currently the House League Coordinator.

JP Shimko (Squirts) is the Director of Milford Mudhounds House Programs, an Assistant Coach of Team Doritos Peewee Quebec, the Southern Stars Squirt A1 Head Coach. He is currently the Squirt Coordinator.  JP has played for over 15 years with the Wonderland Wizards, Joel Barlow Flacons, Canterbury Saints, and Ohio State Buckeyes.

Pat Thompson(Mites, Squirts) is a USA Hockey Level 4 certified coach who has been coaching with the Stars for 6 years, at the Mite, Squirt and Pee Wee level. Pat is currently the Mite Coordinator.  He grew up playing youth hockey in rinks all over Connecticut before moving on to play high school hockey at Hamden Hall (NEPSAC) and college hockey at SCSU (ACHA Division 2).  He also coaches lacrosse with the Milford Mustangs.

Mike Warhola(Pee Wees) is currently an assistant coach with the Southern Stars A team. Mike is a level 3 USA hockey coach with 5 years of coaching experience. He has enjoyed many successes over his coaching years leading the Riverhawk Mite A team to an undefeated state Jamboree, as well as winning 2 tournament championships as an assistant coach with the Stars Squirt A1 team.  Mike played his youth hockey at Southern.  Hockey has been a passion of his since being a child and he enjoys being able to coach and share his experiences with future Stars!

Zack White(Midgets, Bantams) –Three year All State High School player (Milford), and all-time leading scorer. Was named All State MVP his Senior Year and had his Jersey number retired. Upon graduating HS, Zack Played Juniors for the New York Applecore (EJ)in Brewster, NY. The following year, Zack played for the Men’s DIV III Hockey Team at Curry college in Massachusetts for four years.  While at Curry Zack appeared in all 26 games his senior year and was named to the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Team.  Zack Ranked in the top 10 in all of NCAA Division III goals per games and points per game. Led the conference in goals and was second in Hat Tricks.

Zack currently plays for the South Carolina Thunderbirds (on loan from Danbury)

The SCYH BOD is pleased to announce the following Level Administrators for the 2021-2022 season. The Administrators job descriptions are located in the Documents section of the SCYH Website. The Administrators will be helpful for coaches, parents and the members of the BOD, especially during tryouts and the off season. There were many challenges that had to be overcome due to COVID this season. The BOD is hopeful these additions will make things easier for everyone in the future, as we continue to learn and adapt to the ever changing challenges that arise.

The Administrators Contact info will be located (soon)under the Contacts Tab on the SCYH Website.

House Coordinator – Rachel Ricca         

Mite Coordinator – Pat Thompson          

Squirt Coordinator – JP Shimko             

PeeWee Coordinator – Matt Boyhen              

Bantam Coordinator – Chris Godek        

Midget Coordinator – Brian Hopper