A new season begins for Ocean Township ice hockey at Jersey Shore Arena in Wall Township. The team represents both Ocean Township and Shore Regional high schools.  Dave Smith, in his 7th year as head coach of Ocean Township, looks to lead the team to a better season than the previous year, when the Spartans finished with an 8-14-3 record and failed to qualify for the State Tournament. Ocean Township did lose their captain in senior Eric Bolsch, but added Elite Prospects League forward Robby Feathers, who told The Beacon that he plans on scoring 40 goals this year. Other forwards include senior captains Henry Cioffi (33 points) and Michael Steer (24 points). Steer was an Honorable Mention for Shore Conference-B All-Division Team, while Cioffi led the Spartans in points last year, and confidently told The Beacon that he plans on joining the 100-point club this season, and that Ocean Township will make the State Playoffs.

The defensemen, meanwhile, are not to be overlooked, either. Junior Joe LaValle leads the group, while Michael Nordstrom, Ian Hendricksen, and Michael Perri will also look to make big contribution to the 2015-16 Spartans. But the most important player might just be the man behind the pipes, Spencer Reu. The senior goaltender is coming off a year in which he finished 2nd in the Shore Conference in save percentage, and participated in the Asbury Park Press “All-Star Hockey Classic.” For the seniors on the team, who include Kyle Walker, Connor Scesa, Ryan King, and Brian Harlow, along with the others mentioned, this is their last chance to enter the State Playoffs. If they utilize the talent they have, there is no reason it shouldn’t happen.