WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS

After 20 years of frustration, Hamden High is once again, the division I state CIAC high school hockey champions. Under the direction of head coach Bill Verneris, associate coach Todd Hall, and assistant coach George Jerolman, the Green Dragons swept through the state playoffs.

Hamden, known as a hockey power since high school hockey started, is back on top for the first time since 1989. The Green Dragons have made the playoffs every year except one, but just couldn't seem to climb to the top until this 2009 edition.

The Green Dragons just kept coming at you. The closest Hamden had to a superstar was goalie Anthony Avitable who has to be rated with some of Hamden's best. When it came time to pick the player of the final game, dummy WAVZ play-by-play announcer George “Coach” DeMaio picked the entire Hamden team. DeMeo said,. "There was no way Glastonbury could skate with only two lines and keep up with the hard-hitting multiple line attack." Hamden just wore them down, DeMaio said.

Let's not kid ourselves. Hamden has not been a patsy for 20 years, but just couldn't seem to grab the golden ring. But this year, led by nine year coach Bill Verneris and nine seniors – Dave Cusano, John Teulings, Anthony Avitable, Dan Wheeler, Pat Morgan, Scott Walsh, Dave Findley, John Berezecky and Mike Pierce, Hamden was determined.

Let's not worry about next year, though. The Dragons have a core of returning sophomores and juniors and promises to have another superior team