The skates are laced up and one by one they enter the rink. Soon after, the buzzer rings for the end of warm-ups. Warm-ups then conclude with a quick pep talk at the bench and the moment everybody has been waiting for is right after: Face-off.
The Cabrini roller hockey team goes through this process every Sunday and to them, it is more than just a game. Friends, family and casual fans gather at Marple Sports Arena in Broomall to watch a variety of collegiate teams play, but the Cavaliers stand out as a team with an intense determination to win.
Cabrini plays teams in the PCRHL (Philadelphia Collegiate Roller Hockey League) including St. Joe’s, Villanova, Widener, University of Pennsylvania, Kutztown and West Chester.
Former team captain and Cabrini alumnus Nick Paone is at the helm in his first year as head coach.
The club team began at Cabrini in approximately 2003. “We have always been a good, competitive team that has always been successful,” Paone said. During his time with the team, the Cavs appeared in three consecutive championship games, including the lone championship title in his sophomore year, where Paone was the starting goaltender.
Coming up to the full speed, the Cavs have lost a noticeable amount of men, but are always looking for people interested in playing. Paone said, “We are always trying to spread awareness of our club to gain popularity and hopefully recruit new players and fans.” He also added, “We may not have the most players or even the best players but we always strive for greatness and to achieve that goal [referring to the championship].”
Current captain Anthony Sestito said, “I decided to join the team so I can continue to play the game that I love. Although it is only roller hockey, this is still a chance to get out there skate and play some puck.” Sestito enjoys playing hockey because “It is fast paced sport and one of the hardest sports to play. It’s a full 60 minutes of hockey.”
Paone decided to make the switch to coaching because he wanted to “Give back to the team that had given me four great years of the game I love.” He added, “My favorite part about coaching is that I am able to stay involved with the team and I get to see it from a different perspective.
Sophomore goaltender Chris Treat is playing his first year in net for the Cavs. Treat said, “I’ve gained a lot of new friends and playing is also helping me get in shape for lacrosse season.”
Sestito added, “My goal as the captain of the team is to bring home another PCRHL championship.”
Paone concluded, “You can ask any true hockey player if their interest in hockey has grown over the years and they will all give you the same answer: ‘absolutely.’ It is the kind of game that becomes part of you and you feel like something is missing when it’s gone.”
If you’re interested in playing for the Cabrini roller hockey team, contact Orlin Jespersen, assistant director of athletics and recreation. (ojj722@cabrini.edu)
