2004 EAGLEBROOK SCHOOL ALUMNI MAGAZINE

By, Vicki Jenkins 

    Eaglebrook School's ice hockey program has grown exponentially in recent years.  In 1998, with the completion of the state of the art McFadden Rink at Alfond Arena, made possible through the generous support of friends, parents and alumni, the Eaglebrook hockey program was given a huge boost. Word of the fabulous facilities and first rate education spread rapidly through the hockey world.  The program has expanded to include four teams: Varsity, Varsity "B", Junior Varsity "A" and Junior Varsity "B". Eaglebrook's Director of Ice Hockey and Head Varsity Coach, Jeff Quebec organizes competitive schedules against other junior boarding school teams, secondary school teams, as well as regional select and club teams.  Eaglebrook hockey is now regularly producing student-athletes with great aspirations for future success.  While many young hockey players dream of a future playing college hockey, and maybe even the NHL, our boys are seeing those dreams come true with increasing regularity. 

    Alumni from recent classes have found great success at secondary school, with many current Captains and Assistant Captains among them.  Commitments to play hockey on the collegiate level are widespread, with scholarship offers to attend and play hockey for these schools. It is quite an honor for these alumni to be committing at such an early age. Numerous other alumni are involved in active discussions with schools regarding their future placement. 

    At his graduation from St. Paul's school this past spring, Jonathon Peros (EBS '01) of Falmouth, Massachusetts was awarded the distinguished Benjamin Rush Toland Prize, recognizing intellectual achievement, athletic ability, and a gallant spirit.  In addition to his success on the ice, Jon has become an integral part of St. Paul's crew program as the team's Varsity Captain. The former Eaglebrook Hockey Captain has been honored to travel to Oxfordshire, England this summer to race in the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta.  In the fall, Jon will be arriving on the Clinton, New York campus to attend Hamilton College.  Jon will study and play for the 2004 NCAA NESCAC Semi-Finalists Continentals.  St. Paul's will be Captained next year by another EBS alumnus, Dewey Thomson (EBS '02) of Northbridge, Massachusetts - surely to commit to a Division I College soon.  This past season Jon and Dewey played with former Brookies Ed Ross of Mendon, New Jersey and Roly Morris (EBS '02) of Bronxville, New York for Coach Tim Pratt's Big Red. 

    Former Forward and Assistant Captain Derek Milkie (EBS '01) of Glastonbury, Connecticut has committed to the 2004 NCAA ECAC East Semi-Finalist New England College.  Derek recently graduated from the Westminster School.  Fellow former Eaglebrook linemate and Assistant Captain Derek Davidson (EBS '01) of Southington, Connecticut recently graduated from Choate Rosemary Hall School and will be attending Wesleyan University in the fall, where he will be playing both ice hockey and lacrosse in the NESCAC.  This past season, Derek joined Eaglebrook classmate Frank Divittorio (EBS '01) of Mendon, Massachusetts as Co-Captains of the Wild Boars, a team which also included another Eaglebrook alum - forward Justin Mitchell (EBS '03) of Darien, Connecticut. 

    Defenseman Stanislav Vylet (EBS '01) from Brno, Czech Republic recently graduated from the South Kent School.  This past winter he helped lead the Cardinals to the 2004 New England Prep School Ice Hockey Division II Championship Title - a journey which began with a victory over Brewster Academy here at our McFadden Rink at Alfond Arena as Eaglebrook played host to a capacity crowd this Prep School Playoff Game.  South Kent Coach Geoff Marottolo stated, "I wish we had your rink at our school. When Mr. Alfond decides to get involved, he always does a top notch job. Y ou are so lucky!"  Coach Marottolo also spoke high praise of Stanislav, "I am so pleased with all that Stan has accomplished. He is a great community kid and expects so much from himself in everything that he does. He is exactly the type of kid we want here (at South Kent School). He oozes character. Stan has the ability to help shut down the top player on opposing teams and keep them scoreless."  Next year, Stanislav will be attending Hobart College and will play for former Eaglebrook forward and current Hobart College Assistant Ice Hockey Coach, Matt Lindsay (EBS `92). 

    While the class of 2002 still has a year before graduating from secondary school, college commitments are already sealed for many.  Former EBS Assistant Captain, Jerry Pollastrone (EBS '02) of Revere, Massachusetts has committed to the Hockey East and NCAA Division I powerhouse University of New Hampshire.  Jerry was an Assistant Captain as only a Junior this past year at the Salisbury School in Salisbury, Connecticut.  After graduation he will join the Wildcats in the fall of 2005. When asked about Jerry's achievements and his potential to play in the National Hockey League, his current Salisbury Hockey Coach (and Associate Director of Admissions) Dan Donato stated, "It's funny that you ask that, as I have talked to three NHL teams in the last two days about Jerry. He is obviously so much fun to watch skate. He brings energy to his team and puts other teams back on their heels with his speed. There are only so many premier skaters in the world, and I believe that Jerry is one of them. His family is what helps make him so well rounded. He also plays Varsity Baseball and Soccer."  Joining Jerry at UNH in the fall of 2005 will be former EBS defenseman, Kevin Kapstad (EBS '02) of Boxborough, Massachusetts, who is currently attending Governor Dummer Academy.  Kevin has been named Captain for the Governors for next year. 

    Former forward and EBS Team Captain Jon Rheault, also from the class of 2002, of Deering, New Hampshire has committed to the NCAA Hockey East's Providence College.  Jon is currently playing for the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs of the Eastern Junior Hockey League.  This past season Jon led the Monarchs to the Eastern Junior Hockey League Championship title, and led the league in scoring.  Jon was named both the league's "Rookie of the Year" and the league's "Most Valuable Player".  Jon plans to attend Providence College this coming fall. 

    Eaglebrook classmates Alex Berry (EBS '02) and Jerry Pollastrone had the unique honor of representing the United States as two of only twelve forwards on the Under-18 Select National Team at the Junior World Cup, held in Solvakia and the Czech Republic last summer.  For the first time in the history of the tournament, Team USA brought home the Gold by beating the Russians.  Alex Berry has committed to attend the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and will be arriving in the fall of 2005. 

    Each summer Eaglebrook School sees more and more of its former, current, and incoming student athletes selected to represent their USA hockey districts at the United States National Satellite Festivals held throughout the country.  Last summer more than a dozen Eaglebrook student-athletes were selected for this honor. 

    Coach Jeff Quebec said, "I am very proud of all of my current and former players.  It is exciting to see the many great things that they are doing both in the classroom and on the ice.  It is fun to keep in close contact with all of the alums and watch the progress that they are making.  Several former alums have had some nice decisions to make in regards to their college plans.  Scott Sporn (EBS '01) will be attending college and playing lacrosse with former Eaglebrook teammate Scott Murley (EBS '00) at Dickinson College; Frank Divittorio (EBS '01) finished this past season as the number one cross-country runner in all of New England with record breaking times and will be taking his talents to Chestnut Hill to study and compete for the Boston College Eagles; I just spoke to a college coach the other day about former defenseman Jayson Lee (EBS '02); I think that we will also being hearing good news shortly in regards to Alex Muse (EBS '02 - Lynnfield, Massachusetts), Lukas Friedl (EBS '02 - Amstetten, Austria), Jake Davis (EBS '02 - Dallas, Texas), and numerous others.  It is all pretty exciting."