Feb. 8, 2026
By Nikalena Iacono
Managing Editor
The hockey team, which is co-oped with Mahwah and Paramus High Schools, had a 10-9-2 record as of Feb. 8.
Junior defenseman Ryan Lemanowicz, who is a three-year varsity member and one of three LHS players on the 24-person team, said playing on a team consisting of multiple schools is both beneficial and challenging.
“It is good because we can have more kids on the team, but it can be bad because [there] can be people you don’t know that well and will have to meet and learn how to play with them,” Lemanowicz said.
He said this year’s team is better than last year’s — which finished its season with a 7-16 record — because there are more high-quality players available to play on the ice. However, he said the team needs to improve at finishing games with a win when they have the lead.
“One of the most challenging things for me is playing at the end of a close game knowing I can’t mess up and have to find a way for our team to win,” Lemanowicz said. “I learned that playing with more energy can help me play better as long as the team does the same.”
“We were the underdogs going into the game, but we proved we can play [against] anyone.”
Sophomore forward James Vuono Reid, who transferred from Don Bosco Preparatory High School in Ramsey last March, is in his first varsity season with the team.
“I’ve played with a lot of these guys on various club teams throughout my career, so coming together as a varsity team to achieve one goal together in high school is special,” Vuono Reid said.
He said his most exciting memory from this season was upsetting Passaic County Technical Institute in overtime on Dec. 17, 2025, at the Ice Vault Arena in Wayne. The game ended in a 4-3 win.
“We never gave up and gave it our all,” Vuono Reid said. “We were the underdogs going into the game, but we proved we can play [against] anyone.”
Sophomore left wing Mason Young, who has been on varsity for two years, said it is important for players to always be a step ahead, anticipate what is coming at every moment and look out for their teammates.
He said to be successful, the team must focus on preventing penalties that lead to unnecessary goals.
“I expect our team to keep getting better as a whole and make it to the playoffs,” Young said.
He said the team has improved since last season and works well together.
“The team is very supportive. Everyone is always positive and lifts each other up on and off the ice,” Young said. “I love being a part of a team and the bond we share. [We have] become one big family.”
