1-16-2023 9:02pm

BYSNS varsity ice hockey team hosts community skate night at Brewster Ice Arena

Sarah Gayden Editor

The BYSNS varsity ice hockey team hosted a community skate Monday night at the Brewster Ice Arena (Benjamin Allen / HudValley Photo)

The Brewster-Yorktown-Somers-North Salem varsity ice hockey team hosted a community skate night at the Brewster Ice Arena Monday to introduce local kids to the team and its members. BYSNS players skated alongside attendees in an informal open skate session that also served as a fundraiser for the team.

Candace Munoz’s son James, a freshman, has been playing for the past two years and started out on the modified team. Mrs. Munoz co-organized the event along with other team parents.

“I was inspired to host this program so that the youth in our school communities could meet our players and have the opportunity to skate with them. Since we are a combined team it is more difficult to get the word out and gain a fan base for our team,” Munoz said. “The funds raised will help with things like Senior Night, our end of the year banquet and ice time expenses not covered by the school budget.”

As this was the first year the team hosted a community skate, Munoz said they didn’t know what to expect. As the ice filled up with young children, parents and even grandparents, it quickly became apparent that there was strong community interest. Turnout greatly exceeded organizers’ expectations.

The BYSNS has 24 rostered players, representing four area high schools. Michael Bonelli is the lone North Salem student on the team this year.

While the team's players represent different schools, Munoz noted that many of them already know each other from playing on travel teams. “The hockey culture in our community is very close-knit,” she said. Still, she acknowledged the challenge in getting fan turnout to the games because of the team being composed of players from four towns.