MKA's Team Defense Vital
In Rise Up In Kelly Division

MONTCLAIR- Much of Tim Cook’s mass appeal with his Montclair Kimberley Academy hockey players is the positive attitude he projects day after day while leading the Cougars out on the ice, whether it’s at the local Clary Anderson Arena or at any other North Jersey rink.

Even during last winter’s 1-15-2 campaign, where victories were very hard to come by, he persevered along with his Cougars, who have certainly progressed to a new level this season while surging of late in the N.J. Interscholastic Ice Hockey League’s very competitive Kelly Division which promises to have one heck of a battle in all rounds in early February when the NJIIHL Cup playoffs commence.

MKA (6-3-2 overall, 6-2-2 in the Kelly Division) knocked off previously-undefeated Scotch Plains (10-1-3, 5-1-2), 5-1, on Tuesday (Jan. 14) and then neighboring Verona-Glen Ridge (6-4-3, 3-4-1), 5-3, on Wednesday, and its archrival Montclair, 4-2, Friday, to help make it an even closer regular season race in the Kelly Division where Scotch Plains and the Frisch School (9-4-1, 6-3-1) are among the other current main title contenders.

MKA has played some of the better defense in the NJIIHL this season while allowing less than two goals per game.

“Our team defense has also been strong with great backchecking and in-zone defense by our forwards, and – overall - it has been led by our six defensemen,” said Cook. “(Senior tri-captain) Henry McCann, (junior tri-captain) Ibou Conteh, and (senior tri-captain) Ayan Flowers are towers of power, and (junior) Alex Shilkrot is one of the best skating and positional D-men in the league.

“(Sophomore) Tyler Parliman continues to show a steady and smart game that is consistently developing. (Junior) Thomas Meeker has gone back and forth from forward to D without comment, and brings leadership and physicality no matter the position.

“(Goaltenders) James Bronson and Daniel Canizares have shut the door all year and given us a chance to win every game. They have been exceptional!”
Bronson, a promising sophomore, was between the pipes as MKA defeated Verona-Glen Ridge this past Wednesday at the Anderson Arena.

McCann had two goals and two assists, while sophomore forward Adrian Caninzares, who is senior Daniel’s younger brother, had a goal and three assists as the Cougars prevailed vs. an always-tough V-GR, and veteran coach Ken Lilien, who has guided the combination of Hillbillies and Ridgers for the last several seasons, points to the highly-competitive nature on a day-to-day basis in the Kelly Division.

“Anyone can beat anyone in this division, regardless of what their record might be,” said the highly-regarded, veteran NJIIHL mentor. “Just the other night MKA knocked off an undefeated Scotch Plains team 5-1, and we went out and edged Summit from the McInnis Division, 1-0.

“The McInnis may have state ranked programs, and they are good teams, but the Kelly can hold its own, and the competition within the division is simply first rate.”

V-GR is led by its superb, two-way junior defenseman James Benson (9 goals, 6 assists), senior forward Jack Budnick (5 and 6) and impressive sophomore goaltender Jackson Soshnick.

Meanwhile, MKA continues on its recent ascension in the Kelly Division after absorbing more than its fair share of setbacks last season while competing in the McInnis.

“The team forged its identity last year in the McInnis,” said Cook. “They never quit last season, and we only got blown out one game. Every other game was a battle. They have taken that compete level, along with another year of skill development, and are beginning to believe that they cannot just compete, but can win, no matter the opponent. Also, the leadership and camaraderie has been top notch. This is one of my favorite teams in nine years of being at MKA.”

And, along with his stellar defensemen and reliable goalies, Cook has a group of forwards also on the rise.

“Our forwards continue to develop their skill set and game tempo,” the veteran Cougars head mentor noted. (Sophomore) Ethan Kilcullen is making plays and we trust him in any situation. Adrian Canizares is a pit bull and epitomizes it is the "size of the fight in the dog, not the dog in the fight."

"Junior) Ethan Frey is also very smart and makes good things happen, and (junior) Owen DuHaime has a nose for the net and is not afraid to block shots.

“(Junior) Aiden Jia is probably our most talented forward, and has a next gear in his speed.

“I think they will all populate the score sheet more in the second half of the year, and I am excited to see where their game ends up next year and beyond.”

And, while the competition will remain fierce the rest of the way in Kelly Division, the always-upbeat Cook continues to enjoy the process.

“The Kelly is a super-fun league this year,” he said. “Every team is at the same level, basically, and anyone can win any game.

“It is great to have this parity. Honestly, it is anyone's title to win. It should be a fun race to the finish!