DHI Cup & Garden State Games Info

The scouts perched above the ice Tuesday night at the Virtua Center Flyers Skate Zone were treated to a pair of contests that more closely resembled playoff games than all-star games. The hitting was fierce and the intensity was palpable as the top high school seniors from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware squared off in the 3^rd annual DHI Cup Showcase.

Prior to puck drop, Flyers center Danny Briere and former Flyers Captain (and DHI Cup founder) Keith Primeau visited each team’s locker room to visit with the players and wish them well. Clearly their words resonated with the high schoolers, as NJ Central defeated NJ South, 4-3, and NJ North downed PA/DE 3-0 in games featuring a dazzling array of skill.

Scouts from 20 college and junior hockey programs watched the games with great interest and took ample notes. The DHI Cup was established to promote talented local players, while encouraging them to stay home and finish their secondary education before moving on to higher levels of hockey. The formula seems to be working, as 90% of last year’s DHI Cup participants are currently playing in college or juniors.

Tony Valentino (Red Bank Catholic) converted on a controversial 5-on-3 opportunity with 5:47 remaining in the 3^rd period to force overtime. After a scoreless 5-minute extra session, Central Jersey won the game in a shootout. After a top-shelf goal by Donald Kleckner (Lawrenceville), South Jersey’s Nick Allison (Gloucester Catholic) knotted the shootout with a nifty backhand move. On the third and final shot, Central Jersey’s Andrew Canitano (St. John Vianney) slid the puck through the five hole of goaltender Nicholas Casella (Bishop Eustace) to seal the victory for NJ Central.

Charles Robinson (Gloucester Catholic) led all scorers, taking advantage of his 6’4” frame and pacing NJ South with two goals and an assist.

Goaltending was the difference in the second semifinal, as PA/DE shooters were unable to solve North Jersey goaltenders Sam Morelli and Nicholas Vanderlinden, who combined to make 31 saves. Brian Purcell score twice in the 1^st period to pace NJ North on the scoresheet. Paul Kenny (Bishop Shanahan) stopped all 12 shots he faced in relief of PA/DE starter Shane Lewis (Twin Valley), who made 12 saves on 15 shots.

The DHI Cup Final will take place on Monday, November 3 (7:00 pm) at the Wachovia Spectrum. The game is open to the public and admission is free. All fans in attendance will have the opportunity to meet Keith Primeau. Full team rosters can be found by visiting www.durhamhockeyinstitute.com.

Memo
To:        High School Hockey Coaches, Players and Parents
From:   Rob Baer, Philadelphia Flyers and Keith Primeau, Durham Hockey Institute
Date:     9/20/2008
Re:        DHI Cup All-Star Scholastic Preview

Attention High School Seniors!
Before the upcoming Scholastic Ice Hockey season gets underway, the Philadelphia Flyers are proud to sponsor an opportunity for high school seniors to play in an All-Star Showcase to be held at the Virtua Center Flyers Skate Zone at Voorhees and the Wachovia Spectrum.

Last October, the Flyers, along with Keith Primeau’s Durham Hockey Institute, hosted the first DHI Cup Senior All Star Game. Eighty seniors representing the best talent from Eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware high schools played before representatives from the NHL, NAHL, Canadian junior leagues, and US colleges and universities.

The success and strong support of this event has enabled Durham Hockey Institute to again join forces with the Philadelphia Flyers and offer this opportunity to a new crop of players for the 2008-2009 season. Coaches are asked to do everything they can to make their players aware of this event. Qualified players will nominate themselves via the online application form at www.durhamhockeyinstitute.com

There is no fee to apply or participate. The only requirements are that all players must be Seniors during the 2008-2009 scholastic season on a New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania, or Delaware varsity high school team and have completed the online application available at the Durham Hockey Institute website prior to the October 5 application deadline. A panel of scholastic coaches selected by Durham Hockey Institute will choose the final rosters. There are no tryouts for the DHI Cup.
The DHI Cup will give high school seniors the chance to showcase their skills in front of representatives from a variety of college and junior teams. We hope that you’ll take advantage of this tremendous opportunity for local student-athletes. Thank you for your support and best of luck during the upcoming season.