Hitmen Elite Name Captains for 2015-16 Season
WAYNE NJ – The Hitmen are proud to announce returning forward Devon Palmieri Captain of the 2015/16 season. A native from Montvale, NJ, Palmieri scored 34 points with 24 goals last season for the Elite team. In addition to Palmieri, we are pleased to recognize Assistant Captains – forward Ian Malone from Middletown, NJ, defenseman Tom Brennan from Suffern, NY and last year’s U18 Captain James Hunt from Ramsey, NJ.
Head coach Dan Henningson on his Captains, “It was a no brainer why the players voted unanimously for our Captains. They bring a great work ethic to the rink, lead by example and illustrate a calming influence in the dressing room. Not to mention all have been developed, groomed and moved their way up through the organization for years. I expect them to show the newcomers on what being a Hitmen is all about.”
Returning from last year’s Elite team are forward Ian Bernes, defensman Walt Keiper and goalie Nick Modica. Moving up the ranks are Hitmen Empire standouts Riley Flynn, Brett Connon, Blair Barrows, Josh Welte, Ross Mantione. Brendan Pepe and Casey Delorenzo join us from last year’s U18 Championship team.
The Hitmen will lean on their leaders after dropping back-to-back 3-2 loses against the Rochester Americans. The Hitmen dropped their season opener in a 3-2 shootout loss. Newcomer Christian Bierker (1) and Empire standout Riley Flynn (1) added tallies for the Hitmen. Starter and returner Nick Modica made 33 saves and kept the game within reach. Unfortunately the Hitmen were skunked in the shootout.
Ross Mantione got the start in Game 2, making 31 saves, following up Modica’s quality start. Riley Flynn (2) scored on the power play and Andrew Saccente (1) scored late in third cutting into the Americans’ lead to 3-2.
UP NEXT
The Hitmen will travel to Foxboro, MA to find their game in a 2-game weekend series against their northern conference foe, the South Shore Kings. South Shore is 3-0 to start the season beating the Bay State Breakers in their season opener and sweeping the Providence Capitals.