Vote now: Who is the lohud hockey player of the decade?
Mike DoughertyThere have been a number of special players on the ice in the Lower Hudson Valley over the last decade. We selected some of the top hockey standouts who graduated between 2010 and 2019. You get to vote for one finalist you think was better than all the rest.
Read about the decade’s biggest stars and cast your vote in our poll below. We’ll reveal our all-decade teams in December — including our own choice for player of the decade.
To be considered, players had to play more than one season of high school hockey.
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Ben Hurd
Pelham, Class of 2017
He developed into the headliner on a talented Pelicans squad that came home with a long-awaited state title in 2017. Hurd piled up 38 goals and 42 assists that season, which is the most productive campaign in program history. Hurd was a lohud player of the year in 2016 and shared the honor the following season with Tommy Spero.
James Nicholas
Scarsdale, Class of 2015
He was talented and tireless, leading Scarsdale to back-to-back Section 1 titles and NYSPHSAA semifinal appearances. Nicholas had 100 goals and 86 assists in his final two seasons for a team that routinely went deep into the playoffs without a lot of depth on the bench. He was a lohud player of the year in 2014 and 2015. Nicholas played golf at Yale, winning Ivy League player-of-the-year honors in back-to-back seasons.
Brett Pesce
Sleepy Hollow/Irvington/USNTDP, Class of 2012
He played three seasons of high school hockey before focusing on travel and then a stint with the U18 national team. Pesce is best remembered for ending Pelham's season in a 2010 semifinal. He went to the University of New Hampshire and is now playing for the Carolina Hurricanes.
Richie Prunesti
New Rochelle, Class of 2011
He ranks among the most passionate hockey players in Section 1 history. Prunesti was forever working to develop next-level physical skills, but a high IQ and lively hands were enough to make him the lohud player of the year in 2011. He was a natural finisher who scored 60 goals in the 2009-10 season.
John Redgate
Suffern, Class of 2012
He played a starring role in the program's second NYSPHSAA title in 2012 and ranks fifth on the school's all-time scoring list with 53 goals and 60 assists. Redgate was the best athlete in a locker room that included several noteworthy talents. He regularly outworked and outhustled teammates and opponents, and was named a lohud player of the year in 2012.
Steven Santini
Kennedy Catholic/USNTDP, Class of 2013
He was everywhere on the ice for an undermanned team that was usually an unwelcome playoff opponent. Santini played two seasons for the Gaels, finishing with 70 goals and 24 assists before heading for the U.S. National Team Development Program. He played at Boston College, was drafted by the New Jersey Devils and traded in June to the Nashville Predators.
Tommy Spero
Mamaroneck, Class of 2017
He nearly stopped everything for the Tigers during a 2016 state championship run and set a state record by graduating with 21 career shutouts. Spero made 27 saves in a 1-0 win over West Genesee in the state title game. He was plain stubborn and only gave up 18 goals in 19 games his senior season, sharing lohud player of the year honors in 2017 with Hurd.
Joe Wegwerth
Brewster/USNTDP, Class of 2014
He was a sizable threat even in eighth grade. Wegwerth played three seasons with the Bears then headed for Michigan and the National Team Development Program. He was the definition of a power forward who had no issues scoring in a crowd. Wegwerth played a year of juniors then went to Notre Dame and was drafted by the Florida Panthers.
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