Make sure to scroll to the BOTTOM for the CSHL’s NATIONAL BALL HOCKEY LEAGUE information!!!
Let’s kick off the newsletter with a little Drew Cswaykus ASMR.
Please note: It is NOT necessary to hit your friendly neighborhood cameraman’s fingers while setting up the GoPros…
Our last week of the regular season was shortened due to make-up games from week two, however we saw two games with first-place implications take place. Let’s jump into our B Division first-place matchup.
Let's hear some Words from Worters^TM on this battle for first:
The week's featured matchup had high stakes with High Voltage on a mission to secure the top spot in the B division, knowing that a win would solidify their claim to first place. The Charlottans, however, faced the challenge of being without Joe Petrellese, one of their (if not best) defensemen. Tom Carriero, the captain of High Voltage, stepped up when his team needed him the most. In a dramatic turn of events, Carriero scored the game-winning goal, delivering a decisive victory for his team. This win was significant for Carriero, as it set his team up well to make a deep run in the playoffs, a remarkable 36 years after his last championship win back on Long Island. Tom Carriero is CSHL INSIDER’s B Division Player of the Week.
This game not only had significant implications for the standings but also provided a stage for individual heroics, captain's leadership, and moments of drama that added to the intensity of the competition. Without further-ado, let's break down the stats. High Voltage's Brad McLane, led the charge with an impressive performance, notching a goal and assist. His offensive prowess was complemented by a solid defensive effort, recording two blocks and two steals. This well-rounded performance earned McLane a notable Game Score of 10, one shy of Nick Severins who put on an offensive clinic, who registered one goal, three shots, and two steals.w
On the other side, the Charlottans had their moments, with players like Jeff Kennedy, Nick Petrini, and Joe Berg making significant contributions to the team's offense. Kennedy managed to score a goal and an assist, trying to keep his team in the game. Defensively, Joey Petrellese and Jonathan Beachy were solid performers for the Charlottans, registering multiple blocks and steals. The game was chaotic, intense, even ugly at times, but High Voltage took a gamble and it paid off in the end.
GAME LOGS
No more game logs.
Mullets are sick. Completely forgot to turn on the cameras before this game so we only caught the third period. Helsinki & Jeremy are unstoppable as a pairing.
The Hooligans beat the crap out of the shorthanded Wieners. Jake Cuomo had a nice goal before things got out of hand.
Bobby, Greco & Campbell scored. Shocker. Hotch has maybe his best game of the season in net.
It was always the Mullet Men. In a battle for first place, the Mullets controlled this from start to finish. Helsinki had potentially the goal of the season in the second using every bit of his length.
This is a potential finals preview as these two teams ran through the opposition during the regular season. With 4G on the day Kevin Helinski is CSHL Insider's A Division Player of the Week.
The Bombers bombed against the Wieners as star replacement Sam Wood had a goal & assist.
CSHL INSIDER power-ranked all nine adult ball teams heading into the playoffs. Rankings were done based on strength/momentum in comparison to their league.
1. Mighty Mullet Men
First Place, A: 11-2-1, 52GF - 27GA
The MIGHTY MULLET MEN. Captain Jack Ingalls drafted an absolute powerhouse driving in the dark through the mountains. Long & athletic, we’ve seen Ingall’s contagious energy spread throughout the roster. Jeremy Hotchner was the steal of the draft putting up 12G 10A as a 6th round selection. Their only two losses came in a week where Jack, Helsinki & Becht were missing. Helsinki is out for championship weekend. If they face Cale & the Fridge Raiders in the finals, will they have enough firepower to win? With 6 runners at 5+ goals on the season, the Mullets have a lot of scoring options at their disposal.
2. Huntersville Hooligans
Second Place, A: 9-4-1, 49GF - 35GA
It’s crazy to think the 6th overall pick was a steal but here we go with Zach McKenna and his 17G & 10A. His partnership with Connor Malmstrom proved fruitful as their combined 44 points finished second in the league (to Hotchner-Helinski 45) of any pairing. This team hasn’t played together that many weeks as Forbes was out for most of the early season however they’re filled with high iq guys who know how to play roles. The Hoolies get a little shoot happy at times instead of working the ball around but on a Waymer-sized rink that’s usually a good strategy. As we said before the season, this team comes down to PMart and which version of him they get. Frank leads an elite defensive core who keep shots to a minimum.
3. High Voltage
First Place, B: 5-2-7, 48GF - 41GA
The best defense in the league with the least experienced goalie equaled the best GA of any teams in our B Division. Tom Carriero’s High Voltage had us on the edge of our seats all season as they mounted comeback after comeback in the final minutes of games. High Voltage won their first two games, tied seven of nine, then ripped off three wins in a row to end the season. Severins and McLane are the most athletic defensive pairing in the division by far as both are upper-level A athletes playing B. Rios & Tom score a ton of goals while Ajay & the Lavellas all had 6 a piece.
4. Fridge Raiders
Third Place, A: 7-6-1, 26GF - 27GA
This was pretty much the Fridge Raiders team we expected. Tied for first in GA thanks to Cale, struggled to score goals because they spent 1.03 on said goalie, and hard to play against because of Eric LeVigne hockey. Arkus is as pure of a goalscorer as CSHL has and the Fridge Raiders will need to squeak out close wins on the way to the championship. Prusia can be a difference maker here if the rest of the team can find Big Sexy in space.
5. Charlottans
Second Place, B: 6-5-3, 49GF - 51GA
We knew Joe P, Kennedy & Petrini were an elite trio going into the season but the rest of the roster needed to catch up for a chance at a championship; that happened as the Charlottans were 25 seconds away from first place in their respective division. Jenny had an amazing season constantly finding Kennedy around the net. Even with a core of defensive minded players on this team. They have a propensity to give up goals in bunches as Carson Philemon has had an up-and-down season. Nick Petrini won’t have to play extra games in the playoffs which will help his stamina as games wind down.
6. Waymer Cowbell
Third Place, B: 4-6-4, 36GF - 42GA
What a season from the Steckler household as they combined for 25 of the teams 36 goals. Nappy was amazing in net and he should improve in the playoffs as he won’t have to play the extra A Division games. This isn’t the deepest roster as far as scoring depth goes so it’ll be interesting to see who else steps up for the playoff run. On their final week of the season Cole Heslin stepped into net for the Cowbell but we expect Nappy to put on the pads as they need elite goaltending to stifle the teams with more firepower. James Terjesen made a big step this year and his athleticism has helped slow down some of the other team’s star players.
7. JJ’s Bombers
Fourth Place, A: 3-9-2, 35GF - 51GA
Gotta admit, I’m shocked the Bombers finished their season with 3 wins. Campbell completely nailed the top of his draft going Greco-Caleb-Cookie and the rest of the roster is filled with smart players. Speed definitely hurts them as they don’t get to as many balls as you expect which makes a much larger impact on the wider rink than the octagon. Caleb Brownlow had an elite season and is a contender for CSHL’s Defenseman of the Year Award. They’re going to need a lot of goals from Greco & Campbell to have a chance at a championship.
8. NorMonsters
Fourth Place, B: 4-6-4, 44GF - 43GA
The NorMonsters are missing captain & best player Brandon Brownlow (ankle) for the playoffs. They’ve been hamstrung by absences & as a result, tumbled to last place in the standings winning only one of their final eight games. Even without Brownlow, the quartet of Hollowell, Kerr, May & Sheridan can pour in goals. Can Bergie shake off the rust and win another championship?
9. Waymer Wieners
Fifth Place, A: 2-11-1, 31GF, 53GA
The Wieners fell short this year, something you mostly see from them in the winter season. They were out hustled and outscored by an embarrassing 22 goals in 14 games. Their playoff roster looks weak at 2nd pick Jon Hotchner is out with what’s believed to be a broken wrist. Spending early-round picks on guys who won’t be available for the playoffs kills any team’s chances. Fun fact, their only two wins were the first & last games of the season.
NATIONAL BALL HOCKEY LEAGUE
We asked Joe Petrellese for a quote about coaching the newest NBHL expansion team with Tom Carriero.
"LET Fucking go" - Joe P
From CSHL’s NBHL Office:
We would like to announce the kickoff of our 2024 NBHL campaign!
For the 2024 season, Charlotte ball hockey leadership has decided to enter 3 teams into the Carolina Division. While some details are still unknown, we would like to pass along details we DO know so you can complete an initial form that declares your interest in being considered for a roster spot on 1 of the 3 teams.
Here is what we know:
- The Queen City Crowns is open to appointing a head coach. Right now Jeff Kennedy is open to more of a consultant role if the search for a full-time head coach is found to be fruitless. He would prefer to have a say in the Captaincy since he knows he may not be able to make all practices and games
- The Charlotte Rise's Head Coach is Mike Steckler; the Assistant Coach is Colin Barrier. Captains have not yet been decided.
- The 3rd Charlotte team (team name unknown) is an expansion team; the Head Coach is Joe Petrellese; the Assistant Coach is Tom Carriero. Captains have not yet been decided.
- Games for the 2022 Carolina Division season took place on Saturdays. Games for the 2023 Carolina Division season took place on Sundays. It is not known which day games for the 2023 Carolina Division season will take place. We have included a question in the intake form below on your availability depending on Saturday vs. Sunday games
- The 2024 season, just like 2022 and 2023, will be played tournament style... meaning the 9 game season will take place over 3 separate weekends between April-July. Each team will play 3 games on these 3 weekends. Playoffs will take place over 1 final weekend (a 4th weekend) near the end of July, early August
- Games will be played at XL Sports Arena in Apex, NC (1016 Investment Blvd).
- There are talks circulating that part of the season could potentially take place at the Morrison YMCA right here in Charlotte - the NBHL has approved this rink for game play in the 2024 season. These details have not been finalized, but you should be aware there may be a couple games/weekends where we could play locally. This pertains to the 9 games mentioned above that are currently set to take place in Apex, NC.
- Key dates:
+ November 15th = initial intentions due to be submitted to the Carolina Division regarding number of teams we will be submitting
+ (roughly) January 6th (date not yet confirmed) = initial rosters due to the NBHL. Some roster changes can still be made. Rostered players can be removed or switched. No unrostered players can be added after this date
+ (roughly) March 15th (date not yet confirmed) = rosters freeze, no more changes
- Tryouts will be held here in Charlotte between now and the first roster submission date, (roughly) January 6th. We ask you to submit your availability pertaining to the dates mentioned in the intake form below. We understand people travel this time of year for holidays, etc. so this is why we'd like to document everyone's availability over the next 2 months. Tryout dates will be released next week once everyone completes the form
- COMMITMENT: this NBHL experience is for players who desire the next level of ball hockey playing experience above our local league. Coaching staffs are dedicating their time, effort, and bandwidth to prepare for and coordinate practices, communicate directly with players, meet with their coaching staffs, meet with Division Directors and administration, rent facilities for practice times, and many other things. What we ask from players is your commitment and your full participation for practices, games, and communication in between. The commitment starts during the tryout process. You will not only be evaluated on your hockey ability, but also your commitment level. In return, our (the coaching staffs') commitment to you is that everyone will get a fair look at making a roster. Everyone will be communicated either individually, as a group, or both throughout the tryout process. And at the end of the tryout process, you will have a direct connection with at least 1 of the coaches on why you did or did not make a roster. We recognize the importance of transparency in this process and will make every effort to let you know where you stand. Finally, it should be noted that as soon as we know more information about the 2024 season schedule, etc. it will be passed along as soon as we have it. We recognize that there will be some people who can only play on EITHER Saturdays OR Sundays. We highly recommend you engage in the tryout process regardless, and we want you to know we are pushing the Division to establish the playing dates ASAP - just know this information most likely will not come out until sometime in December.
- FINANCES: last season, the Crowns and Rise players paid roughly $325 each for the total seasons' fees. These fees went towards jerseys, game facility fee rental, referee and scorekeeper payment, rink rental for practice time, balls and other necessary practice expenses, and other miscellaneous expenses. This fee does not include USA Ball Hockey registration (which is separate from USA Hockey registration, so no, that registration will not apply) which is another $25 and is required to participate in the NBHL.
If you know someone else interested in being rostered on a team that has not been affiliated with CSHL in the past 2 years, feel free to forward this email/intake form to them to fill out.
Lastly, NBHL teams are not run by CSHL. This will be the last communication filtered through CSHL. From now on, communication will come from one or all of the coaching staffs. We ask that you fill out this form on or before Saturday, November 11th:
Resources:
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