The Ward Melville Patriots Season Preview

HAUPPAUGE N.Y. (LISN) — The Ward Melville Patriots returned to the playoffs in 2023-2024, snapping a three season long playoff drought in the process. The race for the 8th seed went down to the wire, as Ward Melville narrowly edged out West Islip in the final weeks of the season. It wasn’t always pretty, but the Patriots got the job done.

The Patriots lost six games by four goals or more last season, and were tied for last in power play goals against (24) with the Longwood Lions. At the same time, Ward Melville handed the 3rd seed Kings Park-Commack a 6-2 loss last season. It was the Knights worst margin of defeat of the campaign.

New Head Coach John Trapp is behind the bench as a senior heavy Ward Melville roster tries to build on their past success. 

Forwards

Senior Anthony Cerulli scored 7 goals and added 2 assists in 16 games. The shifty center came on late in the season, with 6 of his 7 goals coming in the final 7 games of the season. 

Senior Aidan Ayers scored 5 goals and added 2 assists in 19 games. Ayers is a scrappy winger who forces turnovers and creates chances with his speed. 

Senior Timmy Brown had 6 assists in 18 games. Brown is a speedy forward who is good in the face off circle, and a prime breakout candidate this year. 

Senior Michael Eilenberger played heavy minutes on defense last season, scoring 1 goal and adding 1 assist in 16 games. Eilenberger is a dynamic skater, who should thrive as a forward. 

Senior Ethan Tam is a strong two-way player who scored 2 goals and had 3 points in 20 games. Tam saw some action on defense last season. 

Senior Michael Maldari was selected in the SCHSHL Draft. Maldari scored 4 goals and added 5 assists in 14 games for the Dix Hill Hawks in the Atlantic Hockey Federation (AHF).  

Senior Anthony Giantinoto scored 10 goals and had 12 points in 18 games for Ward Melville JV. 

Senior Jacob Sandak netted 8 goals and added 2 assists in 20 games for Ward Melville JV. 

Senior Hayden Jarit scored 1 goal and added 4 assists in 18 games for Ward Melville JV.  

Senior Kenny Allen scored 5 goals and added 1 assist in 18 games for Ward Melville JV. 

Senior Christian Tyler scored 2 goals and added 2 assists for Ward Melville JV. 

Defense

Senior Daniel Breslin is a dynamic, offensive defenseman who had a balanced 4 goals and 4 assists in 16 games. 

Senior Patrick Scali is a defensive defenseman who played big minutes for Ward Melville in his first season at the varsity level. Scali had 5 assists in 19 games. 

Junior James Fisher anchored the Patriots top pair last season. The two-way blue liner scored 1 goal and added 5 assists in 20 games. 

Junior Tyler Curley lit the lamp for 2 goals and had 6 points in 13 games for Ward Melville JV. 

Senior Zevi Asner had 1 assist in 13 games for Ward Melville JV. 

Senior George Oliva returns to the program after recording 2 assists in 13 games for Ward Melville JV in 2022-2023. Oliva scored 9 goals and added 7 assists in 20 freshman games in 2021-2022. 

Goaltending 

Senior Luke Tannenbaum, who has made 30+ starts for PatMed JV, was selected in the SCHSHL Draft. Tannenbaumhad a GAA of 2.11 and racked up 15 wins in 18 games. Tannenbaum is an athletic, technically sound netminder who has a knack for making the big save. 

Junior Max Blasberg spent last season with the Freeport Arrows 15U AAA team in the Tier 1 Hockey Federation (THF). Blasberg went 5-5 in ten starts last season. The newly minted Patriots goaltender had a 2.77 GAA and an .877 SV%. Blasberg made the move to the Ramapo Saints 16U AAA team in the Atlantic Youth Hockey League for the 2024-2025 season. 

Coaching Staff

Coach Trapp is joined by assistant coaches AJ Cassara, Ed Eilenberger and Kevan Goumas.