Flyer History - All-Delco Hockey: Always steady DeFruscio repeats on defense


	All-Delco Hockey: Always steady DeFruscio repeats on defense

By CHUCK SMITH , Special to the Times 03/12/2004

In addition to Player of the Year Chris Brennan, the 2003-2004 All-Delco hockey team includes:

Nick DeFruscio, Monsignor Bonner (I): DeFruscio, a repeat All-Delco selection, was the captain for the Friars and Bonner's most experienced player on defense. A stay-at-home defenseman, DeFruscio was in charge of leading a young defensive unit in the rugged AAA Elite Division, which proved to be a tough task. While the Friars did not achieve much team success this season, DeFruscio was as solid as ever. His aggressive and physical style of play were needed on the Friars' blue line to compete against area powers like Malvern, O'Hara, and LaSalle. "Nick responded on the ice this year for the team," said Bonner coach Mike "Bubba" Barry. "He was solid for us all year and we usually had him paired with our fourth and fifth defensemen in a rotation. He stepped up to that challenge and helped make those players better around him."

Nick Ryder, Radnor: Ryder, a senior, who was a third-team All-Delco selection last season, has been the Red Raiders' No. 2 center for the past two years and has tallied 21 goals and 23 assists for 44 points this season. Ryder's consistency and overall excellent play have been an enormous part of Radnor's three straight division titles. "Nick does so much for the team," said Radnor coach Ed Ritti III. "I give a lot of responsibility on the guys that play center for me and Nick has embraced that. He has improved his game in every aspect and has been an important part of this team since he got here." In his career, Ryder, who plays club hockey for the Junior Flyers Midget 17 club team, has been a member of two Flyers Cup Class A championship teams and one state title team. "When I need someone to win an important draw or to shut someone down, I look to Nick," said Ritti. "To do all that and put up the points that he does is impressive."

Mike Cauley, Cardinal O'Hara (I): The sophomore burst into the Delco spotlight this year with an amazing year competing in the AAA Elite Division. While routinely matching up against some of the finest AAA competition in the state, Cauley excelled as he has scored 20 goals and had 14 assists this season. Cauley, who plays for the Little Flyers Midget 16 club team, was looked to provide offense on a team that desperately needed it and he did not disappoint coach Bill Swahl. "Mike has a natural ability to score," said Swahl. "He really matured this year. Every team saw him as a target and keyed on him. As a sophomore, to come in and lead our team in scoring, while playing the schedule that we had was great. I can't say I'm surprised at how well he performed because we knew he had this kind of ability."

Anthony Fitti, Haverford High (I): Fitti, a junior, was a third team All-Delco selection as a sophomore. Fitti is also a member of the Junior Flyers Midget 16 club team and has 20 goals and 23 assists for 43 points this season for the Fords. His excellent overall play, combined with his dazzling skills has made Fitti the most feared player in the EHSHL AA Division. Even with his offensive ability, Fitti was more than willing to drop back and play defense when Haverford needed him to when it was ravaged with injuries at the blue line earlier in the season. "Anthony has had a great year for us," said Fords coach Brian Cleary. "He did so many things for us on the ice this season and is really one of the most dangerous players in this area. He's got great skills and draws so much attention from other teams, that it opens up the ice a lot for his teammates."

Mike Cassidy, Springfield: Cassidy, who plays for the Valley Forge Minutemen club team, stepped into the role as the Cougars top defensemen this season and did so with ease. The scrappy and physical senior has been a long-time fixture in the Springfield lineup and was one of the top defensemen in the area this season. "Mike made the switch from forward to defense in his sophomore year because we were short on defensemen," said Cougars coach Jack Burke. "It turned out to be a good move for him. He's got good speed and good hands, but the great thing about him is that he's always willing to do what we ask him to do." Cassidy, who constantly drew matchups against opposing teams' top lines, chipped in with four goals and 12 assists for Springfield this season. Cassidy was an All-Delco honorable mention selection last season.

Dan Corey, Cardinal O'Hara (I): Corey has been one of the most steady and consistent players for the Lions over the past three seasons. The gritty senior played extremely well for O'Hara this season against high-powered offenses like Malvern Prep (I), La Salle (I), and Germantown Academy. "Dan is one of the best leaders I've had in my 13 years," said Swahl. "We had a vote (for captain) before the season and every single guy voted for Dan. I think a lot of our success has been based on his leadership. When we had tough times, he was there to step in. That carried out to his play on the ice, too." Corey, an All-Delco honorable mention selection last year, also contributed offensively from the blue-line as he had one goal and eight assists this season.

Jason Mardinly, Cardinal O'Hara (I): Mardinly, an All-Delco selection as a sophomore and a member of the All-Delco second team last season, is one of the state's top goalies. Mardinly, a member of the Junior Flyers Midget 17 club team, did not post numbers like some of the county's other goalies (7-4-1, 2.83 GAA, 92.4 save percentage), but the level of competition he saw night in and night out was at a higher level than anyone else. "I think that Jason is flat-out the best goalie in the area," said Swahl. "He's a leader on this team and we're going to go as far as he takes us. He knows that kind of pressure is on him and he accepts it. He's been a big part of our team's success in each year that he's played with us." Mardinly's performance in the Lions' EHSHL Class AAA Division championship series against archrival Monsignor Bonner (I) further enhanced his reputation as one of the best goalies to come through Delco in recent years.
©The Daily Times 2004