While defensemen do not necessarily receive the attention or generate the highlights akin to their forward counterparts, strength at the position remains a must to compete in Section V hockey.
Whether it be the Monroe County league or the handful of teams that compete as independents, the Rochester area boasts a pipeline of talented defenders who make their presences felt.
Here’s which defensemen rank among the best, according to Section V’s coaches:
Drew Ricketts, Pittsford
The Panthers lost a fair share of their talent from last season’s state-ranked team, due to graduation or prep school transfer, but Ricketts has been one of the constants. After finishing tied for second among all Section V defensemen in scoring last regular season, the right-hander is again playing at a point-per-game pace (4 goals, 10 assists through 14 games).
A returning All-Greater Rochester selection, Ricketts packages elite speed and decision-making with the puck.
“He’s a one-man breakout,” first-year Pittsford coach Rory Foster said.
What separates the good defensemen from the great is the ability to control a game, with or without the puck. While Ricketts had a goal and an assist in Dec. 3 win over Monroe County league rival Hilton, it was his late-game mentality that impressed Cadets coach Chris Monfiletto.
Described as a back-and-forth affair, Pittsford led Hilton 3-2 with a minute to go when the trailing Cadets pulled their goalie for the extra attacker. While some teams might fall back into a shell to protect their lead, Ricketts communicated otherwise.
“He’s screaming at his defensive partner, ‘Hold the line! Hold the line!’ He wasn’t afraid. He wanted to keep that puck in,” Monfiletto said. “I think he’s the best defenseman in the league. They go as he goes. He controls the game, and one of the other things I love about him, he’s not afraid to push it.”
Other coaches around Section V seem to agree. When asked to submit a poll judging who were Section V’s top defensemen, no player received more votes than Ricketts.
Marc Hillier, Fairport
In mentioning Hillier among Section V’s top defensemen, local coaches were consistent in noting the junior blueliners strengths.
According to Fairport coach Chris Moretter, that strength presents itself in multiple ways. There’s the physical strength, of a player who rarely loses a one-on-one battle for the puck. But also the mental strength, able to perform no matter the score.
“Whatever the circumstance, you need those student-athletes that are mentally tough. I’d put Marc right up there,” Moretter said. “He doesn’t get too high, doesn’t get too low. Very even-keeled throughout, and other kids look to him and see how he presents itself. He’s a model for the other kids on our team.”
Strength on strength was on display Dec. 14 when Fairport took on defending Class B section champion Batavia Notre Dame United. In that game, Hillier was tasked with slowing United senior Jameson Motyka, a prototypical power forward and one of Section V’s top scorers.
Hillier took the challenge head on, limiting the dangerous Motyka to a secondary assist, while also scoring the game’s opening goal, in a 5-1 win for the Red Raiders.
“Those two play together on travel, so i think there’s a good-humored rivalry between them,” Moretter said. “We had Marc shadow (Motyka) specifically, and he did a phenomenal job throughout the game. He kinda shut him down early on, which gave the entire team confidence that we could play with a team like that. That was a great win for us, probably our biggest win of the season to date.”
Hillier has a solid combination of skill and skating ability, with a booming shot that, Moretter admits, can be intimidating for teammate and opponent alike.
While Hillier opened the season at the point on Fairport’s top power-play unit, a recent adjustment entailed a move to the front of the net, where the blueliner can put his strength to good use.
“He volunteered to get in front and get in the goalie’s line of vision, and he can dig for loose pucks and rebounds,” Moretter said. “That was his idea as much as mine, but that’s the type of kid he is. He’s willing to do what it takes for the team, and that’s why we love having him.”
While Fairport has had its ups and downs this season, Hillier remains a bright spot. He currently ranks second on the team in points and, while he’s a defenseman, is the leader in assists.
“That kid’s a stud,” Hilton’s Monfiletto said. “He keeps that engine going for them. He’s great defensively but also really good on the rush. I really enjoy watching him.”
Anthony Pusateri, Webster Schroeder
Pusateri joined Schroeder’s varsity team as an eighth-grader and, by season’s end, was playing a pivotal role for the eventual Section V champions. Now a sophomore, this left-handed blueliner already has a wealth of experience at the varsity level, and manages to calm even the most pressure-packed of games.
“He doesn’t get rattled, he doesn’t get scared, he just does his thing,” Schroeder coach David Broussard said. “He’s just different. The kid is special. He’s really, really good.”
Expected to be counted on entering the season, Pusateri had a turning point during the team’s trip to New York City during the holiday break. There, Broussard explained to his defenseman that the truly elite players at that position can naturally control the pace of the game — to speed it up or slow it down, to their liking.
“Ever since we had that conversation, he’s taken it to heart and been doing a good job with it,” Broussard said. “The flow of the game goes through him when he’s out there, and when he gets his hands on the puck he has full control of whatever is happening on the ice.”
Though left-handed, Pusateri is capable of playing on either side, depending on how Schroeder wants to apply its matchups against the opponent’s top forwards.
“He’s tough to play against, because of his skating,” Aquinas coach Chuck Dossier said. “He’s always making the right play and doesn’t get flustered.”
Caleb Wood, Aquinas
A throwback of sorts, this junior brings a physical presence to the Lil Irish’s back end. Dossier, who has coached Wood for four high school seasons plus time in youth hockey, said physicality has always been a major part of this rearguard’s game. Wood is more than capable of clearing space in front of Aquinas’ net, making life easier on his goaltender, or separating the puck from the stick of an oncoming attacker.
“He will try to make contact with somebody every time he steps on the ice, whether it’s a 30-second shift or he gets stuck out there,” Dossier said. “He’s laying the body on someone. Just a nightmare to play against. He has an old school mentality.”
Such a style doesn’t come without a price, one that Wood is willing to pay. Dossier noted that if his junior defenseman isn’t on the ice, he’s likely training at Relentless Strength and Conditioning, an outfit run by Rochester native and former SUNY Geneseo player Andy Rice.
His game also features an offensive side. Wood is more than willing to jump into the play and is a capable scorer, proof of which coming Dec. 5 in a win over Fairport when Wood was credited with four goals (he has 20 points through 15 games this winter).
“When he’s jumping into the play and he’s able to make his way back if something doesn’t happen right away, he can be a big asset to a team’s offensive scoring,” Dossier said. “If you’re in a game that’s tight, he can add that dynamic.”
Alex Schram, Portside Royals
Schram’s contributions to Portside’s success may not be obvious to the casual observer, but this senior is routinely employed against other teams’ best forwards and shuts them down with regularity.
“His hockey IQ, strictly on the defensive side, is head and shoulders above 90 to 95% of the kids in this league,” Portside coach Bill McGrath said. “He knows inside-outside shoulder, he knows how to angle kids out of the play, he wins footraces and his compete level is through the roof.”
Despite the difficult assignments, Schram rarely makes visits to the penalty box. Over the last two years, he’s been called for only two infractions which, if McGrath’s memory serves, were “good penalties” because they prevented breakaway opportunities.
Such a stat is a reflection of Schram’s positioning.
“That’s part of what sets him apart. He knows how to make plays without reaching. He’s never out of position where he has to hook somebody,” McGrath said. “A lot of guys have a tendency to coast because they’re already beaten, so they’ll put their stick in the legs or in the ribs and get called. (Schram) always has a knack for being in the right position.”
Though not known for his scoring ability — Schram has four goals in 57 career games — a recent play revealed some untapped potential in that respect. In a mid-January meeting with Greece, Schram went coast-to-coast and finished on a backhand shot from a severe angle to win the game in overtime.
An impressive play for any player, let alone a defenseman, but not a surprising one for Portside’s coach.
“I see it every day in practice,” McGrath said. “The stuff he does — I’m constantly talking to the other coaches and saying, ‘Did you see that?'”
Grayson Galliford, Churchville-Chili
Galliford, a junior, leads the Saints in scoring (six goals, 18 points) through 15 games.
His shot is among the most dangerous in Section V. Stationed at the top of the zone for the Saints’ top power-play unit, Galliford has a wide wheelhouse and an underrated ability to shoot around would-be blocks.
“He’s the best I’ve had in a long time at taking one-timers from the point,” Churchville’s coach Young said. “He sees shooting lanes well, and literally anybody could send this kid a puck and he’s gonna put a good shot on net.”
Young pointed to Galliford’s late goal against Fairport on Dec. 3 as the prime example. The Saints had fallen behind in the third period when Galliford wired a shot from deep that found the twine and, eventually, forced overtime.
The Saints went on to win that game in sudden death. And in the process, Galliford’s late goal offered confidence, for a team unsure who’d provide an offensive spark, that the point man was an effective option.
“In terms of a critical moment early on in the season for us, that was a great goal,” Young said. “We lost one of our leading scorers from last season (Parker Farnham), so the team was trying to figure out everybody’s roles and how we’d get some scoring. For Grayson to tee one up and roof it into the corner, it was great to see knowing the kids could have confidence getting the puck to the point.”
While Galliford’s offensive ability might be his calling card, his well-rounded game sets the example during the team’s film studies.
“It’s one thing to draw up Xs and Os for each kid, it’s another for them to see something doing it,” Young said. “‘Watch No. 11 with this breakout here, watch how he uses his angles, how he’s able to close gaps and separate the man from the puck.’ It’s a lot of things like that, where you see him constantly do very well.
“He’s just steady in general, and a reason we’ve kept some of these games close.”
Luke Zelesnikar, Hilton
Only a sophomore, Zelesnikar’s game embodies that of a seasoned veteran. Capable of playing in all situations, the right-hander is commended for his ability to “just make the right play a lot of the time.”
“You want a defenseman to make the safe play, whether you’re the top guy or the sixth guy,” Aquinas’ Dossier said. “He is very good at making the right play. He head-mans the puck nicely, very consistent with his zone entries and zone exits. He does a really good job of beating a guy or two and making the right play to start the breakout.”
While Hilton possesses plenty of experienced defensemen on the back end, it’s Zelesnikar that’s been tasked with running the No. 1 power-play unit.
The rewards have been obvious. Hilton is clicking at a 33% pace, second among all teams in Section V (only Batavia Notre Dame United, at 37%, has been better).
“He brings an extra element that we’ve not had in a few years,” Hilton’s coach Monfiletto said. “Our power play is what it is because of him. Even when things don’t go the way he wants, there’s zero panic.”
Because he doesn’t boast size, Zelesnikar has to lean on his smarts to maneuver around the ice. In a recent game against Portside, Zelesnikar was exiting Hilton’s zone when an oncoming forward tried to sting him with a check. Anticipating the attacker, Zelesnikar delivered a pass on the tape to a teammate and deftly avoided the contact.
“He’s played at a high level his entire life, so I think that’s part of the reason he’s so composed,” Monfiletto said. “Sometimes the talent level isn’t as high (in high school versus travel), but you’re playing against 18-year-olds with full beards. From Day 1, he was able to step in. He has a little bit of a physical element to his game too.”
Other Section V defensemen of note:
— Schroeder’s Nick Scott was also mentioned by Section V coaches as ranking among the best, along with the aforementioned Pusateri. While the pair are longtime teammates — they play together on the Rochester Coalition’s 16-U AAA team during travel season — shared ice time for the Warriors is limited.
“I want one of them on the ice at all times. I’d rather spread the mustard, so to speak, than be top heavy,” Broussard said. He alluded to Schroeder’s two top defenseman, Casey Winn and Ryan Winn, from the 2014 state title-winning team as an example.
Scott, a junior, is also Schroeder’s leader in all facets. “With the off-ice stuff, practices, the day-to-day, Nick is the leader of the team,” Broussard said. “He plays valuable minutes for us and plays in every situation.”
— Section V coaches were split on who drives the bus in Victor, where the Blue Devils are averaging a meager 21.8 shots against per game and a league-low 15 total goals against. Seniors Justin Slavny and Ian Kloiber and sophomore Brennen Paskins were among the individuals mentioned. Paskins, a sophomore, is one of Victor’s leading scorers with 16 points through 12 games.
“Victor gave us fits,” Broussard said. “They have four lines and four sets of defense that just keep coming.”
— McQuaid also features a deep core of defensemen in the mix among Section V’s best. Senior Eli Wiegand is a returning All-Greater Rochester selection, while junior Eoghan Maier and sophomore Ryan Kozara were also highlighted by local bench bosses. Maier and Kozara have each contributed over a point per game.
— Two defensemen from Penfield were included among Section V coaches’ choices: Seniors Rory Gately and Jack Reichard.
Gately was noted by coach Nathan Miller for his “speed, hockey IQ, competitiveness, leadership.” On Reichard, another Section V coach noted that Penfield’s offense has suffered from some departures, but the defense remains steady. “Reichard is a great defenseman and has been for years for them.”
— Spartan Hockey, which combines players from Gates Chili and Rush-Henrietta among other schools, has had a resurgence of sorts this year. That defensive group is averaging about 2.77 goals-against per game.
Among the team’s defensive leaders are juniors Matt Turner and Dominic Mariano. Mariano was described by coach Joe Jehlen as a “Very solid stay at home defenseman. Is steady and always makes the simple plays. He’s a great communicator on the ice.”
— Section V’s group of defensemen includes plenty of multi-sport athletes, perhaps none better than Fairport senior Mitchell Monte. Monte is one of Fairport’s minutes-eaters, and according to coach Chris Moretter, a captain who “leads by example, has great on-ice awareness, has the ability to lead rushes in the offensive zone.” Monte was an All-Greater Rochester selection for boys lacrosse last spring, and will continue his athletic career in that realm next year at Dartmouth.
— Portside’s Joe Mallette was a popular name for coaches around the section. The junior right-hander blends offensive ability and a mean streak.
“He’s very aggressive in how he attacks the game,” coach McGrath said. “He’s very energetic, likes to take control, likes to quarterback one of our power plays. He sees the ice and reads the play very well.”
— Canandaigua’s Alex Chen moved to defense this season and “he’s been a game-changer for us,” according to coach David Taft. “He’s very dynamic with the puck and makes plays in all three zones of the ice. He has a motor that allows him to defend any of the top forwards.”
— Other names of note: Webster Thomas’ Cole Burton and Batavia Notre Dame United’s Liam Berger. Both played roles in helping their respective teams reaching the NYSPHSAA tournament last winter, and are contributors again this season.
This article originally appeared on MPNnow: These blueliners wreak havoc: See Section V hockey’s top defensemen
Reporting by Justin Ritzel, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / MPNnow
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