TOMS RIVER – The 2009-2010 High School South hockey squad, which won the Public A state title, is being inducted into the New Jersey High School Hockey Hall of Fame.
“This is a great honor for our school’s ice hockey program,” said High School South Principal and newly-appointed Superintendent Mike Citta. “That title is part of our school, our district, and Toms River’s history, and I’m thrilled that the team will be immortalized in the Hall of Fame.”
That HSS team’s run toward the title is the stuff of legend. They entered the playoffs a 16 seed, and knocked off top-seeded Morris Knolls in the opening round. From there, they never relented, ultimately defeating 3-seed Randolph in the finals on the New Jersey Devils home ice at Prudential Center.
“We had a successful regular season,” said coach Bill McKinnon, “including a Christmas tournament win, a regular season division title, and a conference championship title. But for whatever reason the seeding committee for the state tournament wasn’t impressed, which resulted in the 16 seed. The rest, as they say, is history.”
Among the 2022 individual inductees is Steve Hippel who manned goal for High School North before graduating in 1990. In 2016, Hippel was named one of the top 30 goalies of all time in New Jersey by NJ.com.
The New Jersey High School Hockey Hall of Fame inducts worthy athletes, teams, coaches, and contributors once every two years. The 2022 induction ceremony will take place May 1 in West Orange. Those interested in purchasing tickets can do so online at njhshockeyhof.com.
Those interested in relieving the glory of that remarkable, culminating 2010 Public A state final can browse through the gallery of photos below, all courtesy of the New Jersey Devils.
