By: JJ Michalski
Photos: Kathy Leister
PHILADELPHIA– Following a year that most would consider to be the worst year they’ve experienced; a sense of normality has begun to return to our lives in 2021.
For the 16 seniors at Roman Catholic High School who are members of the ice hockey team, normality is playing games with their best friends and competing for a spot in the annual Flyers Cup. Leading goal scorer for the Cahillites, Brennan Whittaker, is hoping to bring home a Philadelphia Catholic League title in his final weeks skating for Roman Catholic.
“Obviously it’s hard with most of the team being seniors,” Whittaker said. “It’s our last ride and everyone wants to go all the way. It’s good to see the underclassmen putting their bodies on the line for us seniors.”
Cameron Walls, Tyree Petteway, Spencer Wunder, Brennan Whittaker, Andrew Mulvenna, Shea Brophy, James Brennan, Colin Roesner, Gavin Yeager, Andrew Hodolitz, James Tammaro, Brandon Finnimore, Andew Beach, Nate Butler, Taylan Weiszer, and Edward Kelly Jr. have less than ten regular season games left in their high school careers. Head coach of the Cahillites, Greg Watkins, is excited to see the team complete its goal of winning the PCL.
Roman Catholic senior Brennan Whittaker #7 scores in OT to give the Cahillites at 3-2 victory vs. Cardinal O'Hara - Video by JJ Michalski
“It's a pleasure to watch a lot of these kids play and grow up,” Watkins said. “Almost all of them have been with me for all four years. It's just fun to watch them come in as freshmen when they're 14 or 15 years old and see them when they're 17 and 18. Their commitment to Roman hockey has kind of put us where we're at.”
A 3-0-1 record this season has the Roman Catholic squad excited about its potential and Watkins believes he has the right group of players to clinch that elusive PCL Championship. Everyone in the senior class plays a special role, but Brandon Finnimore has been a leader in 2021.
“He has been a four-year player,” Watkins said. “Finnimore is the heart and soul of our team and a true leader.”
Roman Catholic senior Brandon Finnimore #27 has played on the team for four years and has been a key leader for the Cahillites - PSD Photo by Kathy Leister
Finnimore was elected to wear the "A" on his chest in 2021, an honor received by only one Roman Catholic player each year.
“It means everything,” Finnimore said. “I’m glad that my coaches recognize me as a leader and trust that I can lead the team the way I do to help out anyone that I can on the team. It has taught me a lot about leadership and how to be a team player. It doesn’t take just one player to run the team and be successful; it takes everyone.”
The bond of the class of 2021 has been evident since they first took the ice together and although there isn’t one specific moment Gavin Yeager could pick out, he will carry memories of the last four years with him for a long time.
“The bond that I got between all of the players that have been here is amazing,” Yeager said. “It’s amazing to make friendships and to see them outside of school every day.”
While there might be a PCL Championship ring on the line in 2021, for the younger generations of Roman Catholic hockey rebounding next year after losing 16 seniors, including 11 varsity players will be important.
“It's the largest graduating class since I've been here,” Watkins said. “We do have two freshmen on our team this year. The seniors are really helping them out and kind of bringing them up to speed with everything. We know we have a large freshman class coming in next year so, we'll be right there next year.”
One of those incoming freshmen who will enter the high school program next year is Christopher Zampirri, a current member of Roman Catholic's middle school team. Zampirri will have to wait at least a year to earn the starting job. Junior goaltender Millard Worszylo will take his spot as a leader to teach the next generation of Cahillities during his senior campaign.
For now, Watkins is excited to see the men that he has helped mature win Roman Catholic’s first championship during the tenure of the class of 2021.
Roman Catholic vs. DMA-Tatnall Photos by Kathy Leister
“I just want to thank each and every one of them,” Watkins said. “They just mean so much to the program and the way they carry themselves, the way they play the game is incredible. I appreciate all of their help over the last four years. It's been great and it’s been fun to watch them play.”
(Please contact jonathanmichalski06@gmail.com for team updates or story corrections.)