Back row from left are Darren McCarthy, Garrett Martin, Julian Cooke, Ryan Smith, Billy Christopher, Braydon Karrer, Sean Cleveland, Andrei Radkevich, Cooper Olivieri, Kristopher Walsh, Head Coach Josh Mander and Assistant Coach Tim Vant. Front row from left are Hayden Sarno, Jeremy Lennon, Jonathan Gray and Stephen Nixon.
There was something special about the Atlantic City Sharks 18UA ice hockey team from the start. This group of young men, most from Atlantic County, exhibited a willingness to work hard and a hunger to win during their New Jersey Youth Hockey League (NJYHL) regular season, which ran from September through November.
Some were seasoned players with the Sharks while others were first-timers. The team also included boys who technically should be playing 16U, but with hard work, earned a spot on the 18U squad.
All of the Sharks’ home games and practices are held at the Atlantic City Skate Zone, which is also the home rink for EHT High School, Mainland Regional High School, Stockton University and the Atlantic City Seals junior team. All of the other teams in the league are from North Jersey such as Old Bridge, Union, Montclair, Nutley and Hunterdon. The Sharks have always been viewed as underdogs as other hockey teams have larger programs, rinks and more funding.
The 18U Atlantic City Sharks players proved their potential with a 12-2-1 regular season record, with the Old Bridge Junior Knights being the only team to defeat or tie the Sharks. The playoffs and championship were held at the Richard J. Codey Arena in Essex County with the top four teams competing in a round robin to determine the state finalists. The first game of states ended in a heart-stopping, 3-2 Sharks win over the Hunterdon Bears in four overtimes, but then the Sharks lost to the first-place Old Bridge Junior Knights, 3-4.
Facing a must-win game, the Sharks rallied to defeat the Montclair Blues convincingly, 5-2. This win brought them to the championship game against their biggest rival, Old Bridge. The Sharks fought hard and prevailed, 6-5, against the Junior Knights, led by Atlantic City High School junior Hayden Sarno with 3 goals, EHT senior Billy Christopher with 2 goals, and EHT junior Andrei Radkevich with the game-winning goal in double overtime. Postgrad goalie Jeremy Lennon had an incredible game in net. This was the first time since 2019 that the Sharks won the championship and qualified for districts.
Junior leftwinger and Assistant Captain Andrei Radkevich had a stand-out season, leading the Sharks and the NJYHL in scoring with 47 goals and 34 assists for a total of 81 points in 19 games.
Playing ice hockey since the age of 6 for the Dinamo Minsk organization in Belarus, Radkevich has played for the Sharks since arriving in the United States two years ago. He loves everything about hockey including playing and watching it, but mentioned a particular challenge. “We had a lot of players that needed to improve, and they did improve during the season, which allowed us to win in the playoffs.”
One of the challenges that the Sharks now face going into districts, is that they haven’t practiced or played together since November. When the players are not on the ice for the Sharks, they are often opponents of each other as students playing in the South Jersey High School Hockey League (SJHSHL). The majority of the team represents EHT High School or Mainland Regional High School.
The Sharks needed some time together to play before districts coming up in March, so they competed in the One Hockey Philadelphia MLK Tournament Jan. 17-19 in Aston, Pennsylvania, and claimed that championship as well.
The Sharks won their opening game against the Mount Laurel Jaguars, 6-5, before falling to the Philadelphia Blazers, 4-7. Again, it came down to their last, round-robin game to stay alive and the Sharks tied the Delco Phantoms, 4-4, which sent them to the finals. Just like the states, the Sharks had to face the one team that beat them in the tournament, the Philadelphia Blazers.
The team fought hard and defeated the Blazers, 3-2, with 2 goals by Sarno and the game-winning goal from Radkevich.
“It was tough winning this tournament with all that time off and only two practices (since November) before this weekend,” said Kristopher Walsh, a postgrad assistant captain who came back to play for the Sharks after being a part of the Mount Laurel Jaguars.
Head Coach Joshua Mander and Assistant Coach Tim Vant are both Atlantic City Sharks alumni who played several years and won the state championships as players in 2014.
Both of them went on to play junior hockey and Coach Vant also played in college. Coach Mander said he knew this team had potential to win the state championship from the start.
“This championship is a reflection of the kids’ commitment to each other. They showed up every day willing to work, learn and support their teammates,” Mander said. “I couldn’t be prouder of this group. They trusted the process, played for the logo on the front of the jersey, and every player accepted their role. This was truly a team effort.”
Coach Vant grew up playing for the Sharks from 5 years old until age 13 when he left and played for other programs including juniors in college.
“I’m super grateful to be able to come back with Josh (Mander) and coach this team as players on the ice and people off the ice,” he said.
The Sharks’ captains feel the same way.
“It’s very rewarding to get this far,” said team Captain Cooper Olivieri, a senior forward from EHT. “We’ve been practicing so hard on the ice and outside workouts starting in July and August. We knew we had a shot and we got the job done.”
Walsh, who can play goal or defense, added: “The Sharks are honestly one of my favorite teams, and it’s a great way to end my final season.”
Sean Cleveland, a junior at St. Joseph Academy in Hammonton, has played for the Sharks for four years. Cleveland talked about what the team needs to focus on at districts. The defenseman and assistant captain said “the hardest part of districts will be getting past the first round. If we win the first round we’ll have the momentum to keep us going to win it all.”
He said he is grateful for this team.
“It’s great to be on a winning team for the first time. I’m thankful to have the opportunity to play for the Sharks and that my dad (Ken Cleveland) agreed to be our manager as he has supported me all through my years of hockey.”
The Atlantic City Sharks 18UA team will be playing in the Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association (AAHA) Tier II Championships March 6-8 at Hollydell Ice Arena in Sewell, Gloucester County. As a community let’s cheer on these local teen boys in this exciting opportunity!
The Atlantic City Sharks Ice Hockey Club has programs for 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U. All practices are held at the Atlantic City Skate Zone. Game locations vary depending on the opponents. Tryouts for next season will be held in March and April. To learn more about the Atlantic City Sharks Youth Ice Hockey Club visit www.acsharks.com.
