Published in the March 23, 2017 edition
Sophomore Joshua Zelikman (3) and Sr Captain John Merullo (21) battle for the puck along the boards during North Reading’s MIAA tournament loss to Stoneham earlier this month. Merullo is one of four North Reading players named to the Cape Ann Lague all-star team, while Zelikman was one of five Hornets receiving league honorable mentions. (John Friberg Photo)
By Stephen Martellucci NORTH READING – Several players from the North Reading High boys hockey team, that won the Cape Ann League title this winter, recently received post-season honors. Four Hornets were named to the CAL All-League Team. Those four players were Tyler Collins (senior- defenseman), John Day (junior- goalie), James Doran (senior- defenseman), and Kevin Murphy (junior- defenseman). Four other players made the CAL All-Star team, John Merullo (senior- forward), Colin Chase (senior- defenseman), Matt Corrieri (junior- forward), and Patrick Scanlon (junior- forward). Five Hornets were league Honorable Mentions, Matt Gravallese (senior- forward), Jack Schille (senior- forward), Owen Maxwell (junior- forward), John Stringer (senior- forward), and Josh Zelikman (sophomore- forward). “It shows the tremendous amount of talent that we had on our team,” said North Reading head coach John Giuliotti, who just completed his eighth year at the helm. “It was a wonderful group of kids to coach.” It was another great season for the Hornets as they reached the Division 2 semifinals before falling to Stoneham, 2-1, in double overtime to end the year at 16-3-3. North Reading won the CAL crown going 9-0-3 in the league. Along with, Collins, Doran, Merullo, Chase, Gravallese, Schille, and Stringer the Hornets will also lose fellow seniors, Tim Ryan (defenseman), Mike Finocchiaro (forward), Kyle Corsetti (defenseman), Will Phelan (forward), Sean Buckley (defenseman), Jacob Zelikman (forward), and Ryan Bratton (forward). Although 14 seniors will graduate, the Hornets carry 27 total players so 13 veterans are slated to come back. “The seniors did a fantastic job,” stated Giuliotti, who was named the CAL Coach of the Year. “They helped grow the program to one of the top teams in Division 2. The Hornets have gone 64-13-8 in the past four seasons.
