Ringgold hockey exemplifies Valley pride
By JOSE NEGRON
jnegron@yourmvi.com
Valley pride is a term used often around the Mon Valley, especially by us sports guys.
We use it when local teams are making deep runs through the WPIAL or PIAA playoffs and when a local product excels at the collegiate or professional levels.
But when it comes to the term, I think it’s safe to say the Ringgold hockey team is “Valley Pride” personified.
“They’ve formed a true bond,” Ringgold head coach Rick Kalinowski said. “It’s a special thing, it’s a unique family.”
While some doubted what the Rams could accomplish heading into the season, Kalinowski’s bunch proved how good they were by claiming the program’s third PIHL title with a 4-3 victory over Burrell at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Monday.
It was their second Division 2 crown and first since 2010.
After the game, Ringgold captain Noah Schroeder accepted the championship trophy and skated over to celebrate with teammates.
He then headed toward the stands where loyal supporters stood, cheering with the type of passion only fans in the Mon Valley can provide.
If you examined the crowd, you noticed it didn’t just feature students, friends and family members from Ringgold.
Supporters from Rostraver, Charleroi and beyond attended the title game to watch a team made up of players from all around the Valley.
“We have Ringgold on the chest but every single school supported us,” said Schroeder, a senior at California High School. “Kids came out from every school and it feels great just bringing this (title) back to the Mon Valley.
“It means a lot to have the community behind us.”
The 2019 Ringgold hockey team is comprised of players from Belle Vernon Area, California, Charleroi, Ringgold, South Allegheny and Yough.
A co-op agreement with each of the school districts allows their students to don a Ringgold jersey.
Bradley Bujdos, Lucas Long, Ryan Marek and Camden Budd represent BVA, while Schroeder is joined by California students Ethan Saylor and Nathan Todd.
New Story: Ringgold wins PIHL Championship! https://t.co/EtazmqK0bQ
— California Athletics (@catrojans) March 21, 2019
Evan Cook, Jon Dumond, Jeremy Bednar and Gaige Gazellie attend Yough and Zach Kalinowski, Evan Eberlein, Evin Fries, Hunter Suarez and Hunter Hodgson are Ringgold students.
Justin Day and Clayton Colecchi attend Charleroi and South Allegheny, respectively.
Congratulations to Justin Day on the game winning goal in the PIHL Division 2 Championship Game! Congratulations to the Ringgold Rams Hockey team on their Championship Season!
— Charleroi SD (@CharleroiSD) March 19, 2019
PIHL Champs! Congratulations Ringgold Rams and @16Colecchi! pic.twitter.com/xjpHYSo3WN
— South Allegheny SD (@southallegheny) March 19, 2019
They all come from different backgrounds, proud to represent their hometowns.
Two things bond the young men together: love of hockey and the Ringgold logo on their chests.
“All of us have been playing together for a while now,” said Cook, who made 33 saves in the win Monday. “It’s weird having everybody from different schools but we’re all brothers; we all love each other and we would do anything for one another.”
The closeness of the Ringgold hockey program goes further than the ice.
After the Rams’ win on Monday, Rick Kalinowski was quick to show appreciation to his wife, Mindy, who made three team dinners over the last three weeks.
“She’s all about the team and I just want to thank her,” he said.
The Rams also rallied around another member of the hockey family, Kelly Vavasori, who passed away in September.
Vavasori is the mother of former Ringgold hockey player, Anthony Vavasori, who joined the team near ice level during the postgame celebration Monday.
“This year we played for Kelly,” Kalinowski said. “We told Anthony to come out on the ice because it was her season, it was all for her.”
When the Rams take the ice, local rivalries don’t matter.
All that does is the bond between members of the Mon Valley community, teammates and brothers.
“Valley Pride” is real.
And it’s a term that can perfectly describe the Mon Valley’s latest group of champions.
