SHRUB OAK, N.Y.—The Cortlandt Rebels ice hockey team celebrated their 25th anniversary with an alumni game on Dec. 28 at the Brewster Ice Arena, something that hit Bart Mucci, who has coached the Rebels for their entire existence, in the heart.
“It is hard to put into words,” Mucci said. “It was overwhelming, it was awesome. I was excited to see a good game with a lot of quality players.”
The game provided a lot of excitement, with the over 30 squad defeating the under 30 squad 12-6.
Of course that game would not have happened if it weren’t for a group of passionate, hard-working people that started the program a quarter century ago.
Mucci was part of a group of parents, which included hockey moms, led by Kathy Lynder. and Maryanne Russo, along with Rob Santini, Dan Poccia, and Ben Santella, that got things started.
“As a group, we put a modified, JV, and varsity teams in a high school club league in Orange County,” Mucci said. “We spent three seasons there, before moving to Section 1.”
The team started as Lakeland/Panas, but now also includes kids from Putnam Valley, Hendrick Hudson, and Haldane.
“The ability to merge districts has helped with the survival of many programs, giving hockey players the ability to represent their school,” Mucci said. “The reality is the commitment of players and parents, their love for the game of hockey, is why we have existed for 25 seasons and going on strong for many more.”
Mucci couldn’t have imagined that he would still be at the helm of the Rebels but now can’t think of doing anything else.
“I can't say I planned to coach this long,” Mucci said. “I will say I don't plan on stopping anytime soon. I've been blessed that I have the opportunity to coach and still can't wait to get to the rink.”
One of the organizers of the alumni game was Mucci’s son Dan, who played defense for the Rebels before graduating from Lakeland in 2006.
“We have been talking about it for some time and with it being the 25- year anniversary, we felt we needed to make it happen to honor all Bart has done to start this program, giving us all a place to play and make memories we will never forget,” Dan Mucci said.
Dan also was an assistant coach for the Rebels, along with his brother Nick, for three seasons before stepping down in 2020 due to the birth of his daughter.
“It was a different experience from playing and made me appreciate the time and energy he (Bart) has put into the Rebel hockey program,” Dan said. “It was an honor to be part of that legacy and help to make an impact on the players we coached together.”
The alumni game was a special event according to Dan.
“It was amazing to see how many people came out and made it possible,” Dan said. “We had people from just about every team over the last 25 years, it’s incredible that everyone wanted to be a part of honoring Bart and all he has done. It’s clear he (Bart) made a positive impact on many of us over the last 25 years.”
Dan said that his favorite memories are from his playing days.
“Some of my fondest memories are from our practices at Bear Mountain, being with the team and our coaching staff,” Dan said. “I made many friendships, which I still have today. A good group of us still play men’s league together and keep the bond that Rebel hockey and my father made possible alive. We always looked at our teammates as family, something my father taught us, and it has helped us to create lifelong friendships and memories that many of us are hoping to pass down to our own kids.”
Rob Santini Jr. who graduated from Lakeland in 2004 and played center for the Rebels, also helped organize the alumni game.
“This event was long overdue and we had so many guys from the past that were interested,” Santini Jr. said. “Seeing all these other schools do it every year was making us think, man we got to get this done. We had a great turnout with close to 40 guys, with only three weeks of planning. Seeing as it was the 25th anniversary of coach’s career, I thought, what better time than now as a tribute to his dedication to the game.”
It meant a lot for Santini Jr. to be part of the alumni game.
“It truly was great to see so many guys, catch up with old friends, and to see a smile from ear to ear on coach’s face while he watched from the benches the entire time, was heartwarming,” Santini Jr. said. “The fact that so many guys came back, that still love the game, loved coach Mucci, and wanted to come back and kind of ‘play for him again’ if you will, is awesome. We know it (the alumni game) will continue to grow from here.”
Santini Jr. is now coaching Carmel, which won six of its first seven games.
“I was actually Bart’s assistant coach with Lakeland/Panas from maybe 2009-2013, when I left to coach AAA travel hockey in Brewster,” Santini Jr. said. “This is my second year as the head coach of Carmel and playing for coach and his love and passion for the game made me want to pass that on to younger generations. Being a role model and being able to continue passing on my knowledge of the game and being able to just enjoy and have so much fun with coach every time we are together, means a lot.
“Coach always got respect from his players and wasn’t afraid to hold guys accountable,” Santini Jr. added. “He ran a very good off-ice program and has his guys in the weight room as well the track in order to be prepared in all facets of the game.”
Santini Jr. said that his best memory of playing for the Rebels was winning the Orange County League championship in 2002, his sophomore year, when he led the team in points.
His best memory as a Rebel assistant coach was the 2009-10 season.
“My youngest brother was on the team that year when we won the league and advanced to the section final at West Point vs. Suffern, which we ultimately lost, but every game leading up to it and that game was such an amazing thrill and ride the whole way,” Santini Jr. said.
Angelo Catafalmo (2014 graduated), Dom Catafalmo (2018), Brandon Vazquez (2013), Ryan Lynagh (2013), Matthew Piciocchi (2018), Anthony Capello (2017), James Gerard (2018), Frank Celentano (2011), Richie Santini (2011), Joe Ruiz (2008), Frank Vazquez (2006), Rob Belger (2010), Rory Saulch (2000), Rob Caffrey (2011), Nick Chip (2011), Nick Mucci (2008), Greg Scavelli (2003), Christian Gjelaj (2012), Greg Yovane (2018), Quintane Evangelou (2018), Dylan Gullo (2017), PJ Kowal (2020), Frankie Koval (2023), Kyle Park (2010), John Park (2007), Christian Ormsby (2019), Jack Jimenez (2024), Adam Ogunc (2004), Doyle Farr (2004), Matthew Kness (2017), Nick Mele (2023), Colin Cody (2023), Kyle Carroll (2017), Jim Lennox (2018), and Frank Tedeschi (2018) also took part in the alumni game.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here