After months of planning, The Second 20th Century New Jersey Hockey Reunion is a mere six weeks away. If you haven't purchased your ticket(s) yet, it's time. Ticket prices will progressively increase as we get closer to the event date. Delaying your purchase creates a burden for planning this event. More than $5,000 has already been invested to ensure Reunion 2025 exceeds everyone's expectations. Here's a short video to get you moving. Don't put this off. Purchase your ticket, sign up for the Old Timer Game, and add a Reunion polo if you need something to wear. We're almost there. Just do it. https://www.njhockeyhistory.com/reunion-2025

The Sheraton in Parsippany, NJ, a Marriott property, has been designated as the official hotel for the Second 20th Century Hockey Reunion. Conveniently located at the intersection of I-80 & I-287, the Sheraton is only six-miles from The Hanover Manor in East Hanover, NJ. An 11-minute drive (on a good day in New Jersey). The hotel features a full complement of amenities, including a full-service dining room for breakfast, lunch & dinner - opening at 7:00 am till 10:00 pm each day. The bar is open from 4:00 pm to 2:00 am on Friday and Saturday nights. A limited number of rooms, which include a buffet breakfast, have been reserved for Thursday 10/16, Friday 10/17 & Saturday 10/18. Here is the Booking Website: https://book.passkey.com/e/51055355 Rooms MUST be reserved no later than Thursday, September 11, 2025. If you're traveling from afar for the Old Timers Game and/or Reunion 2025, this will be a comfortable place to park your butt. I'll buy the first round.

Reunion 2025 Adult & Kid tickets, tables of 10 or 12, and Old Timers Game slots are now available for purchase in the NJHH Store. The Second 20th Century NJ Hockey Reunion, in conjunction with the New Jersey Golden Blades 50th Anniversary, will take place on Friday, October 17, 2025, at The Hanover Manor in East Hanover, NJ. Anyone involved in New Jersey amateur hockey (and their children), born prior to 2001 are invited to attend. The Adult ticket price is $125. Kid ticket price is $75 and includes $50 in Reunion Bucks that can be used for purchases at our NJHH Merchandise table the night of the event - maybe some Holiday gifts for dad. Each ticket purchase includes a FREE Reunion 2025 or NJ Golden Blades 50th Anniversary magnet or bumper sticker. Be a part of one of the most amazing events in New Jersey hockey history. We hope to see you in October. Life is too short to pass up this event. Tables are now available. Talk to your friends and former teammates to put together a table of 10 or 12 and experience your own mini reunion within the larger reunion. It's a win-win. Table purchases include: one free ($125) ticket per table, customized table art, priority placement, a full-page ad in the Reunion Souvenir Program. and other perks.   NJHH Old Timer Game. Dust off your old equipment and take part in a fun event the night before the Second 20th Century Reunion. The NJHH Old Timers Game will take place on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at South Mountain Arena (Richard J. Codey Arena) in West Orange, NJ. Blades down at 10:00pm. Relive your hockey memories on the "BIG RINK" at SMA. You may never get another chance.  The non-checking event will be limited to thirty participants, born in the 20th Century (prior to 2001). Slots, limited to thirty total forwards, defensemen & goaltenders, are offered on a first-come-first served basis.  Each participant will receive a commemorative jersey. Even if you're not planning to participate, stop in at SMA on Thursday night for some reminiscing with old friends. Reunion Ad Program. If you can't make it to the Reunion, or even if you can, help offset the costs associated with hosting this event by purchasing an ad and including a personal message in the Souvenir Program. These funds help cover the cost for printing, postage, banners, magnets/stickers, table art and other material things. No one benefits financially from the funds contributed to NJHH.   Click this link to download a Reunion Ad Order Form . It's going to be AWESOME!!!

Well, a hockey brother's son. David Pecora is from Livingston, NJ, and played for the State Champion Livingston High School Lancers in 1980. He's living in Georgia today and his son, Nicholas has been selected to represent our country playing for the USA Deaf National Hockey Team, who will be competing in the World Deaf Ice Hockey Championship in May. Nicholas is excited for this dream come true and in a poignant open letter has asked for help to offset the expense for this ten-day trip to Vancouver, BC. Here's the link to his Square page - https://square.link/u/wOedloCq I know we're asked too often to help some cause, but this is different - it's special. Please consider helping this exceptional young man pursue his dream, allowing him to focus all his attention on the game we all love. Below is Nicholas's letter. You decide. Dear Family and Friends,   I am writing to share some exciting news and to ask for your support as I embark on an incredible journey representing the USA Deaf National Hockey Team at the World Deaf Ice Hockey Championships. This prestigious event will take place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, from May 7th to May 17th, 2025. Being selected to play for the USA Deaf National Hockey Team is a tremendous honor and a dream come true. It represents the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and passion for the sport. Competing at the highest level against six other international teams is an opportunity that I have long aspired to achieve. However, attending the World Deaf Ice Hockey Championship comes with significant costs, including travel, accommodation, equipment, and other expenses. As an athlete, these financial burdens can be daunting. Therefore, I am reaching out to you to seek your generous support in helping me defer these costs. Your contribution, no matter the amount, will make a substantial difference and will be deeply appreciated. It will enable me to focus on training and competing without the added stress of financial constraints. If you wish to contribute, please consider donating through  https://square.link/u/wOedloCq  Additionally, sharing this letter with others who might be interested in supporting my journey would be immensely helpful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your consideration and support. I am genuinely grateful for your belief in me and my dreams. Together, we can make this incredible experience possible and represent our country with pride and honor. Warmest regards, Nicholas Pecora USA International Deaf Hockey Team Here's the link to David Pecora's Who's Who profile: https://www.njhockeyhistory.com/who-s-who/pecora%2C-david

This popped up on my timeline yesterday and it caused me to pause... and think. It needed some modification.   I know dozens, maybe hundreds who still have solid friends from PeeWee (6th & 7th Grades), Squirt (4th & 5th Grades) and even Mite (2nd & 3rd Grades). It may have been the result of playing together for several years, or it may have just been that one special season. There's something about this sport of ours that binds people closer together. I don't know if it's the long seasons, the sweat, the conversations in the locker room or the car, or the uncompromising commitment to defend and support one's team and teammates without question. It's why I'll debate hockey, in any form, as being the greatest sport on earth!   When a parent chooses hockey for their son or daughter, they're not simply providing another activity. It's a mind, body and character-building experience you can't find in any book or video. It can't be packaged or reproduced. There are no shortcuts. It has to be lived. Know that should youngsters stick with it, rest assured they'll have "solid" friends for their entire life. Birthdays, weddings, funerals. They'll never have to go it alone.   I'd love for someone studying social science to write a thesis exploring the above statement. I know it's true. I don't understand why. Maybe it's not important. On October 17th, many of those friendships forged decades ago will be rekindled at The Second 20th Century New Jersey Hockey Reunion. Proof positive the above is true. https://www.njhockeyhistory.com/reunion-2025

Early Access tickets, discounted at $100, are now on sale for The Second 20th Century New Jersey Hockey Reunion to be held on Friday, October 17, 2025, at The Hanover Manor in East Hanover, NJ. Head on over to the NJHH Store to purchase your ticket, along with other Reunion/Anniversary merchandise. Each ticket purchase includes a FREE Reunion/Anniversary magnet or bumper sticker. Refunds, less a small transaction fee, will be honored until September 1, 2025. So, there's little risk in purchasing a ticket early. If you would prefer to pay by personal check, you can go to our Reunion 2025 page and download a ticket order form. Any player, parent, coach, manager, official or administrator involved in New Jersey amateur hockey and born before 2001 are invited to attend. It's going to be awesome. Life is too short to pass up this event. Even if you're not ready to purchase a ticket, pick up a magnet or bumper sticker to display on your ride to let everyone know where you'll be on October 17th. All Reunion 2025 / Golden Blades Anniversary magnets and stickers ship free. Now's the time to start talking to friends and former teammates about putting together a table, so you could enjoy a mini-reunion with your close friends, while being a part of the larger reunion with hundreds from across the State. Table purchases will include a ticket discount, custom table art, a free program ad and other perks. Tables, including complete details will be available beginning June 1, 2025.   I'm looking forward to seeing all of you in October.

Introducing the New Jersey Amateur Hockey Who's Who - a new feature launching today on the NJHH website. Who's Who is a comprehensive listing of individuals, past and present, associated with New Jersey's rich hockey history. Each of us has a story. Here's your chance to tell your story for the world to see… today, and for future generations in the years to come. Browse through the current Who's Who list to get an idea of what your profile may look like. The registration process is simple. Go to the Home Page and make a $5.00 (or more) donation, checking the box, "Please send me a Who's Who Registration Form." We'll walk you through the required steps. All donations are earmarked to offset the expense associated with hosting the site, ensuring NJHockeyHistory will be active long into the future. Entries are searchable via Google, Bing and the NJHH website.   Share this post with your hockey friends so they can add their names to the database. After hundreds, or even thousands of names have been added, it will become the go-to destination to find details of former teammates, coaches, associates and friends.   Be a part of what is sure to become the most comprehensive list of its kind.     Some additional info. Registration is limited to those 18 and older, living or deceased. The $5.00 (or more) donation will provide you a registration entry, and one optional entry for a child, sibling or a dad who may have been associated with New Jersey amateur hockey as a player, coach, official, manager or administrator. If NJHH doesn't already have them, we'll need "then and now" front facing photos to accompany your entry. Dynamic links to the New Jersey High School Ice Hockey HoF, Hockey DB and other notable sites will be added to your profile where applicable. NJHH reserves the right to reject or edit any entries deemed inappropriate or inaccurate.

Good ideas never die. They get tabled until the next opportunity comes along. Welcome to the THR Blog. A throwback to The Hockey Review, an amateur hockey newspaper - one of the first of its kind, that I began publishing in 1977. A lot has changed these past fifty years, and I thought, 'why not bring back THR via a new medium', So, here we are. Michael Leuzzi - a familiar name to most, has been appointed Editor-in-Chief, and will be searching out a few writers for his staff. In addition, we're planning to provide opportunities for guest writers to contribute to the blog. I'm honestly not sure where this is going yet, but expect to see fresh New Jersey amateur hockey editorial content along with some history mixed in. And, of course, future Reunion news. We'll try to keep the writing upbeat and fair and ask that you do the same with your comments. I hope I don't have to ban anyone for misbehaving. You will need an account to comment on posts, though I promise none of your personal information will be shared outside this website. It only takes a couple minutes with minimal info required (name and email address). Tells your friends about our new blog, especially those who don't subscribe to Facebook. What better way to stay updated and informed of New Jersey hockey happenings. Thank you.

Turn some heads at the rink, on the course, or wherever with these classic design New Jersey Rockets caps and polos. Add a car/refrigerator magnet to complete the look. Browse the NJHH Store for Brewers, Golden Blades, Olympic Stars, Garden State, Monmouth Hawks, Essex County Chiefs and NJ Rockets polos, caps and magnets. See something listed for Pre-Order - go ahead and place your order. We'll bring the item into our inventory and have it headed your way in two to three weeks. These Yesteryear designs are conversations starters and make for great gifts this holiday season.

It's time to clear up an urban legend. The columnist who wrote SKATESTEPS for The Hockey Review was none other than Joe Cheslock, a boyhood friend of Ben Leuzzi's. He was a bit down on his luck and in 1975 Ben decided to give Joe new purpose in his life by making him the Assistant Coach of the New Jersey Golden Blades Midget AA team. The players immediately connected with Joe and treated him with the upmost respect. We all loved Joe. Joe was a student of the game and was constantly conveying his observations to the players on the ice or the bench. With his life experiences came vast wisdom. He was not short on opinions and always spoke his mind freely - never holding back. Here's one of I Seymour's columns from July 14, 1977. Rest in peace, Joe. WHAT SYSTEM ? ? ? Does it exist?? If it does is it working? And when I speak of the system I am speaking of offensive, defensive organizational play in youth hockey. In my vision, although some might say it has been distorted by the plexiglass, attempts have been made to implement the system and it works at best until the ice has been covered with shavings. It's our fault. You, me, organizational leaders, parents and all those interested gallery gods who watch the youth in action and never offer any suggestion or the self-proclaimed professional who never volunteers. Only discipline will make the system, which is based on fundamentals, work when those responsible do their best to see that it is used. For example, in a practice, skating drills in all its variations are droned upon then simply forgotten in the scrimmage or game as forwards or defensemen refuse to break to skating stride on the tips if their skates. In full stride they won't bob or weave crossovers with an attempt deft stickhandling or playmaking with variations of the pass to the open man who should be there. It is a six-player effort, from the back ice to the opposition goal; not with the best six players or combination thereof; but with the full roster. And why should need a coach need a program or introduction to meet new players at gametime, which has become an addicted habit of a high organizational man. The faithful, for better or worse, come first and ring of perspiration and toil in practice for the ringers. And it's a two-way system built on two-way honest hockey players. To gain possession of the puck all players must skate their checks tightly. Back checking wings sometimes fail to keep their checks between themselves & the boards to cut down the lateral movement of the check so the defensemen can hit. Centers, who should be the strongest and most heady skaters continue to drift aimlessly waiting and watching the work being done in hopes of a loose puck or gift. Defensemen must become aggressive, lateral movements and timing sharpened for body checking and an alert goaltender who can direct all in the defensive zone. I mention only a few of the most glaring mistakes in regard to fundamentals. What are your suggestions?

Generally, you'll see dads at the rink coaching or helping out youth hockey teams in other ways. But it's the moms, working in the shadows who keep everything purring like a kitten. Checking schedules, providing transportation for the urchins and their teammates, making sure the equipment is accounted for prior to each practice or game - trying to keep it (and them) "sort of" smelling less offensive, getting those skates sharpened regularly, and so on. Moms are youth hockey's biggest and loudest fans. What would we do without them?   One of the many fun parts for me being the curator at NJHH is getting to feel and touch things that contributors send me to photograph and scan. The souvenir and tournament programs are always interesting to look through. I carefully browse each page, trying to photograph them into my mental memory for that next time someone has a question.   Aside from all their other qualities, some hockey moms are poets. Below are three verses I plucked out of programs from the 70's and 80's. The words are as relevant today as they were back then. So, sit back and read along.   Thank you, hockey moms, ...the unsung heroes. This first verse is from Livingston Hockey mom, Melinda Kaplan   A HOCKEY MOTHER'S DREAM   As hockey season draws to a close, I discard woolen socks - take out panty hose, Bid adieu to alarm clocks and pale, tired faces Hello again world I'm going places!!! South Mountain Arena just ain't my bag And Sundays in Peddie have become a real drag I'll take bubble baths and have my hair curled So long Danny Michaels - I'm coming home world!!! The pro shop's business will suddenly fall, And Hermans I'm sure will vacate the mall There'll be no more shopping for sporting good sales - Open your doors, here I come Bloomingdales!!! As hockey season draws to a close, I wipe my eyes and blow my nose Discard woolen socks, take out panty hose And am forever so grateful for the sport my son chose! This unauthored verse from a 1980's Massachusetts Tournament program drives home a point still relevant today.   THE YOUTH HOCKY PLAYER   He skates on the ice with his heart beating fast. Sixty seconds of game left, this play is the last. The score's tied at two, a goal now would win it. His team wants to score in the final minute.   The puck flies to his stick - he shoots and he misses - There's a groan from the crowd, some boos and some hisses. A thoughtless voice yells, "Take out the bum!" Tears fill his eyes; the game's no longer fun.   Remember, he's just a little boy who stands in that place. That well-padded skater with mask-hidden face. So, open your heart and give him a break. For its moments like this a man you can make. Keep this in mind when you see someone forget. He's just a little boy and not a man yet. And lastly, from a 1980 New York Tournament program.   HOCKEY MOTHER   When he was born little did I know That I'd be spending so much time with frozen hand and toe. My son is a hockey player, he'd skate the whole day through. If you're reading this poem, odds are yours is one too. Practices are scheduled before the sun does rise - We leave the house in darkness, sleep still fills my eyes. My son is wide awake though, raring to hit the ice; Such eagerness on school days surely would be nice. We play home and away games at rinks throughout the State. Surprise - this one is all outdoor - isn't frostbite great! At six p.m. on Friday, we fight the L.I.E. Eight p.m. on Sunday finds us north of Poughkeepsie. We root, we cheer and sometimes we think we'd better pray. At this rate it's no wonder that my hair is turning grey. I love to see him skate and I'm ecstatic when he scores; But I cringe each time I see and hear him crash into the boards. At home he is my little boy, out here that must not show. A rough and tumble athlete now and not the boy I know. The friends I've made, good times we've had, yes these things are here too. Dear hockey playing son of mine, please know that I love you.

We have a nice collection of photos and other artifacts from 1972-75 recently added to the archive. We'll start with the 1972-73, 1973-74 & 1974-75 East Side High School team photos, courtesy of Jose Ramalhosa, who manages the East Side High School Ice Hockey Alumni Group. Lot of familiar faces, including fellow Skate Guards, Phil Sellinger and Richie Wojtasiak. It's kind of amazing that when Ironbound opened in September 1971, many of these kids had never been on skates or had worn hockey equipment. And one year later, the City of Newark (NJ) fielded four high school hockey teams. Today, most kids who play high school hockey started playing when they were six. Many of these kids started playing when they were fifteen! Reminds me of a goaltender from Staten Island who started playing hockey as a teenager and was invited to "three" NHL tryouts, attending two. Just sayin'.  We have a 1973 Ocean Hockey School Intermediates group photo, contributed by Jim Bracco. Lots of familiar faces. Kenny Gesner, Bryan Kull, Jeff Bastone, Tommy Kennelly, Mike Ashton. I worked as the OHC off-ice counselor for the last two sessions that summer, as Bob Sarnas - NY Raiders/NY Golden Blades Equipment Trainer had to leave his counseling gig early to get ready for training camp. I believe this was Session 4 - first two weeks of August. About half of these kids (the rest were day students) were with me for two weeks at a hotel in Lakewood, NJ, along with another fifteen or so Juniors & Seniors. I shuttled them back and forth from the hotel to Ocean Ice Palace twice a day in the rinks Ford station wagon. I was seventeen and had nearly thirty kids to look after 24/7. No one got hurt, lost, or arrested.   From contributor, Jason Gleicher - the first submission to our new website, there's a 1973-74 photo of the Bergen-Rockland Mites, who played that season at Fritz Dietl's in Westwood, NJ. That rink was just the right size for Mites. Jason tells me they moved up to Low Tor the following season. That was a little bigger - not much.   If you can identify most of the players in any of these team photos, you can help us and others by providing the left to rights using the "Fill in The Blanks Submission Form" on the Gallery page. It only takes a few minutes, though it will help others find their faces in the archive. That's a good thing.   There are a couple 1974 articles contributed by Bobbi Carlon, the first featuring an upcoming Bergen Brewers vs. Hawthorne College game. I remember that game well - reminiscent of Slap Shop. The NJ State Troopers on-site made sure everyone from Hawthorne College was on their bus and departed before they would let anyone out of our Brewers locker room. And a Brick High School Alumni game article that ended in a 5-5 tie. Perfect score for an alumni game. Finally, a 1974 Torspo hockey stick that I've previously neglected to add to the archive. Torspo was a new stick brand from Finland, attempting to compete with Koho - the top stick at the time. Tom Granelli, Brewers GM convinced Torspo to send him eight-dozen sticks to test. I picked them up at the Newark Airport North Terminal that spring before the Brewers moved from Newark to the Bergen Mall. The sticks were painted yellow, which rubbed off on the palm of player's gloves. Torspo's claim to fame was a seven layer laminated shaft, with short voids inside in the stick's shaft every couple inches. It was supposed to make the sticks lighter and more flexible. That was all good, but the blades sucked - like they were made of glass. This stick is fifty years old and has never touched the ice.   You can find these new artifacts and nearly 600 others in the NJHH Gallery. Enter your name into Search and take a step back to a simpler time. More to follow in the coming weeks.