Graves Steps Down While on Top at Malvern

Malvern Prep ice hockey coach John Graves has achieved the level of success that rivals only dream about.

In his 10-year tenure with the Friars, Graves led his program to six Flyers Cup AAA Championship titles -- including a current consecutive streak of five -- as well as a state championship in 2004.

On Thursday, the private school announced that Graves has decided to go out on top and officially step down as head coach. Graves will remain with the Friars in an administrative capacity and maintain his position as vice president of the Inter-County Scholastic Hockey League.

The former coach was unavailable for comment Thursday.

Friars assistant coach and former West Chester University ice hockey coach Bill Weil was officially introduced as the new Malvern Prep head coach.

Graves' inner circle had known about his decision long before it was announced, including his assistant coach of eight years, Father Ed Casey.

"He had mentioned that it was a possibility last season," Casey said. "Talk about going out on top. I don't see any team ever equaling five consecutive Flyers Cups."

Casey, who will remain as an assistant coach under Weil, was impressed with the way Graves approached the game of hockey.

"John wanted to make the game fun for the kids," he said. "He didn't rule with an iron fist and he was always willing to take input from the coaches. Working with him was a great experience."

It could be argued that Graves' best coaching performance came in his final season. He had lost 11 of the 19 players from the 2004 state championship team and the Friars were in the midst of a rebuilding phase. With the help of Graves' creative lineup tweaking and a more defensive approach, the Friars came within one goal of repeating as state champions.

Bill Hammond, head coach of Malvern rival Archbishop Carroll, always looked forward to facing Graves' talented Friars squad.

"John had the teams that opponents measured themselves against," Hammond said. "I enjoyed competing against his team and I know that he will still be involved. He's been too successful to give it up."

Weil faces a big challenge in the 2005-06 season with a young team that lost four key underclassmen to transfer or junior hockey, including Matt Campanale and Geoff Mucha, along with a group of senior leaders to graduation.

"With so many young talented players, the big challenge always seems to be in getting the team to play together, to work within a system," Weil said in a statement released by Malvern Prep.

Casey looks forward to working with Weil this season as the Friars go for their six consecutive Flyers Cup title.

"Bill and I get along very well," Casey said. "He brings a lot of experience and is an excellent technical coach. It's a good fit."