This year SSM Boys Hockey had all five teams achieve a spot in the 2025 Chipotle-USA Hockey National Championships. Overall the SSM Boys Hockey program finished nationals with 23 wins and three losses including the boys U16, U18, and Prep teams winning the National Championship.
Beginning in the U14 division which consisted of the best 2010 players, SSM traveled to Plymouth, Michigan. SSM was the number two seed and achieved a four and one record, outscoring opponents 35-10. The U14 team had their national championship aspirations cut short on Saturday, April 5 where their comeback was cut short losing four to two to the number four seed Minuteman Flames (MA). Tournament leading scorer Cam Evans who had six goals for 13 points in five games was asked about the experience of his first National Tournament and how coming up short in semi-finals motivates him and his crew of guys heading into the next season. Cam Evans responded by saying, “Now we know for next year that you can’t only show up for 80% of the games, you have to show up for every game.”
The U15 and U16 2025 Chipotle-USA Hockey National Championships took place in Madison, Wisconsin. Both the U15 and U16 SSM teams were set to be the favorites in this tournament as they were both awarded the number one seeds.
The U15 team struggled early as they lost their opening game against Mid-Fairfield (CT) in heartbreaking fashion four to three in overtime. SSM blew a three to zero lead heading into the third period of the game as Mid-Fairfield (CT) scored four unanswered goals. SSM went on to outscore their opponents 11 to two during their last two round robin games. SSM ended up being eliminated by the 10 seed Long Island Gulls (NY) as they suffered a four to two loss in quarter-finals. Forward Gerry DiCunzolo finished the year smashing the SSM boys U15 goals, assists, and overall season points record.
U16 wins in Madison, Wisconsin
On the other hand, the U16 SSM Boy’s team slid past their first four games, scoring 24 goals. They won the semi-finals two to one in overtime thanks to overtime heroics from both goalie Michael Iliff ‘26 and forward Emilio Bedoya ‘26. Iliff stopped 32 shots and Bedoya sent his team to the National Championship with a slick shot with 9:30 left in the first overtime period. SSM 16U Boys went on to win the National Championship four to one marking their first National Championship since 2016. Head coach Rich Metro was asked to talk about how special it was to win his first National Championship with SSM. Coach Metro said, “First time here at SSM, you know goes down with one of my favorite experiences in hockey and it couldn’t have happened with a better group of guys and obviously with Coach Rob.”
U18 wins for the fourth consecutive year
Heading over to Irvine, California the SSM Boys U18 team looked to win their fourth National Championship in a row. And that is exactly what they did. Their championship game was against Fairmont Prep (CA) who got to play at their home rink. SSM Boy’s U18 were down two to zero with a little under three minutes left to play when Forward Davis Damrow scored a goal on a six on five. One minute and four seconds later SSM tied it up and forced overtime. During overtime SSM was carrying the action of the play as Forward Boris Posinger ‘25 found Forward Mark-Alan Jr Araujo ‘26 for the historic comeback to win the High School 3A National Championship for the fourth time in four consecutive years.
Boys Prep First three- peat in history
Lastly, Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania hosted the boys U18 National Championships as the number one seed SSM Boys Prep team looked to three-peat for the first time in SSM Boy’s Prep history. In quarter finals, SSM was trailing the entire game until the third period when Forward Noah Davidson ‘26 scored on the Powerplay which led to Forward Alex Donovan ‘25 scoring in overtime which was assisted by Forward Luke Puchner ‘26 to help SSM reach the semifinals. In the semifinals, SSM won seven to zero clinching a spot in the National Championship game. SSM played against the Boston Jr. Eagles who were the number two seed in the tournament. SSM Boy’s Prep went on to win the National Championship eight to one. Head Coach Tom Ward received his 11th National Championship title at SSM and Coach Horstman won his fifth National Championship title with SSM.
Overall, the 2024-25 season of hockey was Special for SSM as three out of five Boys teams won a National Championship. All of these boys made memories that they will remember for a lifetime as they worked extremely hard on and off the ice to be the best players and people they can be.
