As Palm Beach Garden’s Noah Babin celebrates his 23rd birthday today, chances are his mind is not focused on cake and candles.
Babin is enjoying the Cinderella season that most young hockey players only dream about.
“It’s awesome, just unbelievable,” Babin said, from the Notre Dame campus in South Bend, Ind.
Notre Dame’s men’s hockey team has been ranked No. 1 in the country — for the first time in school history — for five consecutive weeks.
For Babin, the icing on the cake came Feb. 19, when the Central Collegiate Hockey Association named him its Defenseman of the Week. Babin earned the honor during Notre Dame’s two-game road trip to Fairbanks, Alaska, where the Irish swept the Nanooks 1-0 and 3-2.
Babin had two assists and helped stop all 13 Alaska power play opportunities.
The performance helped cement his role this season as Notre Dame’s top-scoring defenseman, with two goals and 19 assists for a career-high 21 points.
The Irish led the nation in defense and penalty kills this season, giving up just 1.71 goals per game, while allowing only 16 power-play goals on 170 chances.
As the first Floridian to play hockey for Notre Dame, Babin has grown accustomed to good-natured ribbing, and answers to “Hey, Surfer Boy”.
The surfer image is one that Babin has come to enjoy. His ideal weekend includes a windy day at the beach, a surfboard and a very big wave.
“Half the team is getting into [surfing] now,” Babin said. “They’ll be watching surfing on TV and call me and say, ‘Hey, dude — you’ve gotta see this.'” As he juggles studies, early-morning hockey practices and looming playoffs, Babin reflected on how far he has come since he played roller hockey as a small child outside his Palm Beach Gardens home.
“One night, when I got back to my room, it all kind of hit me — and I was like, ‘Holy cow,'” Babin said. “And to have people telling me that playing professionally is even a possibility for me, it kinda blew me away.”
A free agent, Babin has a representative speaking with NHL teams on his behalf.
“We’ll be talking about things when the season’s over,” Babin said. “We’ll look at what’s on the table and see if there’s a deal I like.”
Babin said that the ideal situation would find him playing for a team based near the ocean.
“I’d be a very happy person,” he said. “That would be everything I could want in life.”
FSHL’S PRESIDENTS CUP
The Florida Scholastic Hockey League presented its sixth Presidents Cup Tournament and Skills Competition on Feb. 15-18, at Pines Ice Arena. The event included high school teams from as far away as Canada and Minnesota.
In its fourth consecutive appearance, Saint Thomas Aquinas Secondary School, from Brampton, Ontario, Canada, went undefeated to win its first Presidents Cup title.
The tournament also included defending champion Stoneman Douglas, Osseo-Maple Grove A (Minn.), St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale), Chaminade-Madonna, Coral Springs, Cypress Bay, Summit Christian, Nova and Cooper City.
In a solid effort to defend their title, the Stoneman Douglas Eagles made it to the final, only to be denied 8-0 by the high-flying Cardinals.
While Douglas came up empty in the final, its players swept the Skills Competition, winning all three events. Bryan Hyman won the Goaltending competition, Connor Cafferty aced the Stickhandling event and Scott Schwartz outpaced his opponents to earn the Fastest Skaterchallenge.
PBHO
Palm Beach Scholastic Roller Hockey League results through Feb. 14
Varsity I
WELLINGTON 4, PALM BEACH CENTRAL 3 (OT): WELLINGTON KEY PLAYERS – Jacob Verella (two goals, assist), Ken Porto (winning goal, in a shootout), Bobby Moon (two key assists), Kyle Fink (assist), Ryan Scantlebury (strong in net). PALM BEACH CENTRAL KEY PLAYERS – Alex Koteles (two goals), Anthony Livolsi goal), Drake Fallah (assist), Stephen Mereck (strong in goal).
MONARCH 8, PARK VISTA 1: MONARCH KEY PLAYERS – Costa Tigulev (hat trick), Jarrod Freeborn (two goals, assist), Blake Johnson (goal, two assists), Sean Simpson (goal), Justin Miller (assist), Greg Kneeves (assist), Phil Diorio (winning goalie). PARK VISTA KEY PLAYERS – A.J. Makler (goal), Jake Griffith (assist).
Varsity II
PARK VISTA 9, ROYAL PALM BEACH 8: PARK VISTA KEY PLAYERS – A.J. Makler (hat trick, assist), Jeff Lasecki (goal, assist), Trevor Lucas (goal), Ryan Johnson (goal), Daniel Gwynn (goal), Brennan Coffey (assist). ROYAL PALM BEACH KEY PLAYERS – Mike Costa (four goals, assist), Anthony Gelin (two goals, two assists), Eric Wagner (goal), David Croll (goal), Nick Ross (assist).
STONEMAN DOUGLAS 5, WELLINGTON 1: STONEMAN DOUGLAS KEY PLAYERS – Nick Stollings (goal, two assists), Joey LaRocco (two goals), David Segal (goal), Dominick LaRocco (goal), Connor Cafferty (assist). WELLINGTON KEY PLAYERS – Ethan Malik (goal), Andrew Livoti (assist), Phil Livoti (assist).
Junior Varsity
MARTIN COUNTY 7, SOUTH FORK 6: MARTIN COUNTY KEY PLAYERS – Zach Berndt (hat trick), Jason Burkhardt (two goals), Michael Lathrop (goal), Alex Desman (goal), Michael Wiltrack (two assists). SOUTH FORK KEY PLAYERS – Nick Martini (hat trick, two assists), Dean Wolfe (goal, assist), Colton Sawyer (goal).
JUPITER 9, SUNCOAST 6: JUPITER KEY PLAYERS – John Hanna (two goals, two assists), Benjamin (two goals), Craig Hughes (goal, assist), Robby McCormick (goal), Jesse McPherson (goal), Michael Cote (goal), Dillon Pettyjohn (goal). SUNCOAST KEY PLAYERS – Jason Stubba (two goals), Stephen Griesmer (two goals, assist), Johan Olofssen (two goals, assist), Danny Frank (assist).
PARK VISTA J.V. BLUE 4, PALM BEACH CENTRAL J.V. WHITE 2: PARK VISTA J.V. BLUE KEY PLAYERS – Ray Ebersole (goal, assist), Nick Reciniti (goal, assist), Max Burstein (goal). PALM BEACH CENTRAL J.V. WHITE KEY PLAYERS – Max Hints (goal), Andy Fiore (goal).
PALM BEACH CENTRAL J.V. BLUE 9, PARK VISTA J.V. WHITE 2: PALM BEACH CENTRAL J.V. BLUE KEY PLAYERS – Jared Peterson (four goals, assist), Jason Hanson (goal, two assists), Danny Tadual (goal, assist), John Adams (goal), Jessie Issely (goal), Eric Marcus (goal). PARK VISTA J.V. WHITE KEY PLAYERS – Ryan Schmidt (two goals), D.J. Josephus (assist).
Middle School
INDEPENDENCE 5, CHRISTA McAULIFFE 3: INDEPENDENCE KEY PLAYERS – Brian Schulker (hat trick), Austin Ringer (two goals), Rick Novak (assist). CHRISTA McAULIFFE KEY PLAYERS – Shea Keller (two assists).
WOODLANDS 7, HIDDEN OAKS 5: WOODLANDS KEY PLAYERS – Austin Hefferen (four goals, assist), Devin Van Wieringen (two goals), Robert Sciandra (goal), Jesse Sobel (assist), Austin Hefferen (assist), Jasey Sanders (assist). HIDDEN OAKS KEY PLAYERS – Tim Wiltrack (two goals, assist), Matt Thorsteinson (goal, assist), Scott Mulligan (goal), Aaron Markoya (goal).
PAHA
Panther Adult Hockey Association results from week ending Feb. 21
B League
ICE DOGS 4, PREDATORS 3 (OT): ICE DOGS KEY PLAYERS – Jason Scarberry (two goals, game-winner in OT), Bo Lamon (goal, assist), Jim Platis (goal), Michael Miller (assist), Nick Gullman (stellar in goal). PREDATORS KEY PLAYERS – Rob Wills (goal, assist), FrankValli (goal, assist), Ira Binder (goal), Robert H. Wills (assist).
BOOZIN’ BRUINS 3, KNIGHTS 1: BOOZIN’ BRUINS KEY PLAYERS – Bob Behan (goal), Jeff Podwika (goal), Bill Capplis (goal), Joe McHugh (assist), Kenny Riccioli (assist), Mike Maicon (assist), John Liotta (winning goalie). KNIGHTS KEY PLAYERS – Max Soroka (goal), Bob Nealon (assist).
BOOZIN’ BRUINS 8, PREDATORS 4: BOOZIN’ BRUINS KEY PLAYERS – Bob Gauvreau (two goals, two assists), Dennis Hoover (two goals, two assists), Bob Behan (goal, two assists), Nick Comsa (goal, assist), Jeff Podwika (goal), Mark Noordmans (goal), Joe McHugh (assist), Steve DeLeon (assist). PREDATORS KEY PLAYERS – J.P. Stratton (two goals), Frank Valli (goal), Joe Lanser (goal), Robert H. Wills (two assists), Lenny Dichiara (assist), Chris Oltmann (assist).
WOLVES 8, KNIGHTS 4: WOLVES KEY PLAYERS – Eric Lamchick (two goals, assist), Brian Schoenbach (two goals), Greg Thomas (two goals), Ryan Boleen (goal, assist), Adam Nogowski (goal, assist), Paul Tosone (solid in goal). KNIGHTS KEY PLAYERS – Jean Lessard (hat trick), Fred Case (goal), Alain Tremblay (two assists), Dave Moran (assist).
C 1
AVALANCHE 4, CRUNCH 2: AVALANCHE KEY PLAYERS – Brian Kelly (goal, two assists), John Zednarcik (goal), Brett Waldman (goal), Brian Lalik (goal), Brian Lynn (two assists), Doug Warner (two assists), Jason Cruz (winning goalie). CRUNCH KEY PLAYERS – Mark Johnson (goal, assist), Jason Malecki (goal), Claude Champagne (assist), Frank Rhodes (assist).
CHIEFS 7, BREAK-A-WAYS 1: CHIEFS KEY PLAYERS – Jeff Kalpin (two goals), Patrick Marchan (goal, assist), Brad Bargman (goal, assist), Gary Simon (goal), Rob Trokey (goal), Ross Taylor (goal), Paul Koch (assist), Joe Guttuso (assist), Craig Romer (assist), Igor Korenblat (assist), Ed Plavin (assist), Saul Sztam (strong in goal). BREAK-A-WAYS KEY PLAYERS – Steve Kohn (goal), Rob Rickel (assist).
X-PRESS 7, CHIROPRACTIC U.S.A. 5: X-PRESS KEY PLAYERS – Bret Childress (four goals), John Daley (four assists), Jack Hakim (goal, two assists), Mitch Riback (goal), Jackie Tripp (goal), Scott Zuckerman (assist), Mike Nash (assist), Don Wilkie (assist), Joseph Marvelli (solid in net). CHIROPRACTIC U.S.A. KEY PLAYERS – Rodrigo Santos (goal, two assists), Erik Kirtman (goal, assist), Justin Moody (goal), Dominic Camarda(goal), Jordan King (two assists), Brian Dodge (two assists).
C 2
OLD PUCKS 10, ICE BEER FROGS 1: OLD PUCKS KEY PLAYERS – Edward Demas (two goals, three assists), Dan Marfino (two goals, assist), Tim Russo (two goals, assist), Collin O’Brien (two goals), Trevor Peeke (goal), Ron Garcia (goal), Rob Denton (two assists), Seth Fellausbee (assist), Rich Ringel (assist), Bobby Zimmerman (assist), Gary Levins (winning goalie). ICE BEER FROGS KEY PLAYERS – Bob Loudis (goal), Ken Sabacinski (assist).
PHANTOMS 6, SHARKEY’S ICE HOLES 2: PHANTOMS KEY PLAYERS – Kevin Whyte (hat trick, assist), Bob Spilka (goal, two assists), Mike Conners (goal), Andres Manniste (goal), Kyle Love (two assists), Mike Porcaro (assist), Glenn Notice (assist), Rob Litterio (solid in net). SHARKEY’S ICE HOLES KEY PLAYERS – Michael Romance (goal), Michael Sandler (goal), Rich Farrah (assist), Mike Tuttle (assist).
OLD PUCKS 2, WINGS 1: OLD PUCKS KEY PLAYERS – Trevor Peeke (winning goal, assist), Edward Demas (goal, assist), Bobby Zimmerman (assist), Gary Levine (winning goalie). WINGS KEY PLAYERS – Brian Cohen (goal), Ed Dunne (assist).
40-and-Over
BOOZEHOUNDS 2, STARS 2: BOOZEHOUNDS KEY PLAYERS – Nick Comsa (goal), Jeff Faigman (goal), Joe Devingo (assist). STARS KEY PLAYERS – Jay Strahan (goal), Mitch Millowitz (goal), Robert Reiff (assist).
SENATORS 4, BOOZEHOUNDS 3: SENATORS KEY PLAYERS – Mike Haines (two goals), Mitch Dauerman (goal, assist), Anthony Scaturro (goal, assist), James Donnelly (two assists), Dan Koscher (two assists). BOOZEHOUNDS KEY PLAYERS – Bob Behan (goal, assist), Rick Gauvreau (goal, assist), David Ross (goal), Bob Caggiano (assist).
BIG TOMATO 9, NORSEMEN 6: BIG TOMATO KEY PLAYERS – Ron Keys (hat trick), Curt Hibbs (four assists), Brad Himmel (two goals), Greg Zaparanuik (goal, assist), Pete Nalasco (goal, assist), Brad Protas (goal), Kris Zaparanuik (goal), Dan Serafini (two assists), Bill Hobson (winninggoalie). NORSEMEN KEY PLAYERS – Scott Marshall (four goals, assist), Scott Simmons (two goals).
REGISTRATIONS, TRYOUTS
SOUTH FLORIDA PROSPECTS CAMP: Next Level Hockey will present the South Florida Prospects Camp, April 26-29, at Incredible ICE.
Players born 1988-1993 are invited to showcase their talents before a large contingent of coaches, scouts and agents from the NHL, junior hockey, prep schools and colleges.
All players will have five hours of ice time, including a preliminary practice session and four games. The cost is $400 per player.
For more information, contact Tim Kyrkostas at 561-324-5616, or e-mail or Rob Tallas at .
ECHO QUALIFIER: East Coast Hockey Organization will present a regional qualifying tournament April 13-15 at the Palm Beach SkateZone in Lake Worth. Participating teams will be eligible for the ECHO Nationals. The qualifier has 10 divisions, including 8-, 10-, 12-, 14-, 16- and 18-and-Under, plus High School, Master Adult, Adult and Women. Age will be determined as of Dec. 31, 2006.
The entry fee is $465, including a three-game guarantee. The tournament is a sanctioned USA Hockey Inline event. All players and coaches must be active USAHIL members, or purchase a weekend warrior pass for $10.
Interested teams are asked to call 850-391-2181. For more information, visit
Maureen Boyce can be reached at 954-771-4602 or fax to 954-771-1027 or e-mail .
