Vinnie Mondano did not expect to be coaching the Edison High School ice hockey team this winter season.
But a couple weeks before the season started, Edison coach Russell Berner found out that he needed shoulder surgery.
“Russ planned on getting another shot in the arm,” Mondano said. “But this time the doctor said he needed surgery.”
After Berner got the unfortunate news, his assistant coach from the last two years, Mondano, asked the school’s administration if he could take over the team.
“I felt it was important to have someone who had been here, knew the players, knew what was going on. That was the main reason I decided to do this,” Mondano said. “The administration agreed.”
Mondano coached the team during its season opening loss, 13-1, to Monroe Township High School on Nov. 30. He faces a significant challenge this year. Edison went 0-21-1 in 2017-18.
But before he suffered his injury, Berner built up Edison’s program to 35 players, enough for a varsity and junior varsity team. The Eagles field only a varsity team last winter.
The program, which is open to male and female players from Edison, Metuchen High School and John P. Stevens High School of Edison, is on better footing.
And Mondano is responsible for guiding it toward the next step.
“It might be a one year thing. It could turn into more. If Russ comes back, he’ll be back. If not, we’ll see what happens,” Mondano said. “I’m definitely expecting more wins than last year. With the freshmen we got and other guys coming in, we are expecting a good season. Our goal is to make the playoffs.”
Edison has 18 returning varsity letter winners and some talented young players.
Junior Christian Osma scored Edison’s only goal on Nov. 30. Junior Jackson Schnarre assisted on the goal.
“Christian should be our big scorer again. He’s a great playmaker,” Mondano said. “Him and Jackson should be a nice tandem. Jackson has great vision. He sees everything that’s going on.”
Freshman Vincent Tiempe and junior Pawel Stalenyj should also get time on the first line. Team captain Jakob Cherry can add offense as a center and winger. Jake DeVito scored five goals in Edison’s first two JV games and got called up to varsity. Mondano is hoping he can add scoring, too.
Seniors Alex Holloway and Ryan Doyle are Edison’s top defensive pairing. Senior Jared Manley and freshman Vincent Bella make up the Eagles’ second defensive tandem. Junior Ian Emanuele will also play a lot on defense.
“We have a lot of defensemen this year,” Mondano said. “I’m hoping it’s a strength since we have so many.”
Edison’s goalie, Aurora O’Connor, started playing the position last year and won the starting job during preseason practices.
“We knew both goalies last year were seniors. We told the players last year that anyone who wants a lot of time next year, we’ll need a goalie. She was the first one to step up. We got her pads and the last month of the season she played goalie,” Mondano said. “The practice before the game we told her she’d get the start. She was very excited, like, ‘I got this.’ She was all in. It didn’t seem to bother her.”
O’Connor’s mood is the mood of the Edison program right now. Committed, excited and unafraid.
“As long as the defense helps out and our goaltending stays strong, we could get in the playoffs, which would be the first time the program has done that,” Mondano said. “We have a lot of talent this year.”
