Neil McNeil Senior boys hockey team wins city championship, prepares to take part in next week’s OFSAA tourney

The Neil McNeil Catholic High School Maroons Senior boys hockey team is heading to the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) championships next week.

The Maroons earned the trip to the provincial championships by winning the Toronto District Catholic (Colleges) Athletic Association (TDCAA) crown late last month.

In the city championship game on Feb. 27, Neil McNeil beat Father John Redmond of Etobicoke 1-0. The game-winner, and only goal of the contest, was scored by Remi Kishk.

“It was a great game as both teams played incredible,” said Maroons coach Eric Naranowicz of the city championship tilt.

He had praise for all of the team’s players, and in particular the shut-down line of Ryder Chang, Nikhil Soreng and Chris Kyriazis (all products of the Ted Reeve Hockey Association) along with the outstanding goaltending by Jacob Gorny who earned the shutout for the Maroons and was named the game’s MVP.

“He made important saves in big moments and helped steady the team with his calm demeanour in between the pipes,” said Naranowiz. “Both our goalies this year have played incredible this year, Jacob Gorny and Quinn Charles.

Gavin Matthews, Sam Alderdice and Keaton Oldman led the defensive effort for the Maroons in the city title game, said the coach.

Naranowicz said the Maroons players are looking forward to this year’s OFSAA championships taking place in LaSalle (just outside Windsor) from March 24 to 26. The Maroons will play in the AAA hockey division of OFSAA which is the highest level in the province and there will 16 teams competing for the title.

This will be the sixth appearance for the Maroons at the OFSAA championships, and the fourth time this decade the team has qualified. The Maroons took part in the OFSAA tournament in 2023 and 2024. The team also qualified for OFSAA in 2020 by winning the city championships but that year’s tourney was cancelled due to COVID-19, as were the tourneys in 2021 and 2022.

In 2019 in Barrie, Neil McNeil won the OFSAA hockey championship.

“The team looks forward to being back at OFSAA,” said Naranowicz of this year’s tournament. “The group of young men have worked so hard on preparing themselves for this tournament all year. It is a tight-knit group with many student/athletes being lifelong friends, playing the game of hockey together now for many years.”

He said the closeness of the team’s players on and off the ice contributes to the Maroons’ success.

“The character of the group for me, is what really stands out. Each member of the team is really committed to the team’s success. It shows in the way they play on the ice but more so how they are with each other off the ice,” said Naranowicz.

The team is made up of three Grade 12 students, 12 Grade 11 students, five Grade 10 students and one Grade 9 student.

“As a teacher and coach it’s really inspiring to see a group of young men come together, from all different grades, and everyone pulling in the same direction,” said Naranowicz.

“Neil McNeil has a motto of ‘Brotherhood’. This group really embodies that model. They want to see how far they can go if they completely commit themselves to playing a certain way for each other.”

For next week’s OFSAA, Neil McNeil has been seeded seventh among the 16 teams taking part.

The Maroons opening game at OFSAA is 8:15 a.m. on March 24 against Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School from Sudbury, followed by a 12:15 p.m. match against Cobourg Collegiate. Neil McNeil’s final game in pool play will be on March 25 at 8:30 a.m. against Brooklin High School.

Depending on their records in pool play, teams will either advance to the tournament playoffs or be eliminated from further play.