Ryan defenseman
has them stopped cold

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

Donald Oliveri, a junior defenseman on the Archbishop Ryan High School ice hockey team, has led the Raiders to postseason play for two consecutive years.
Now he’s skating toward lucky number three.
"The season is going great," said Oliveri. "We started off a little slow, but now everything is coming together and we’re playing good."
Ryan has glided to an 11-7 record this year, placing second in the Lower Bucks County Scholastic Hockey League, which includes local teams Holy Ghost Prep, Father Judge, Roman Catholic, Pennsbury and Neshaminy. The season — which consists of 22 games, plus playoffs — begins in October and wraps up in mid-February.
"I really think we’re going to win it all this year," said senior goalie Jack McCarthy, a four-year varsity player. "The team is playing harder. We have more experience. We have the confidence. We’re going to win."
Even with their positive attitude and determination, the Raiders suffered a tough 6-1 loss to Pennsbury on Jan. 11. They are scheduled to face off against Roman Catholic High School on Thursday.
"We had a lot of injuries and penalties, so we were playing short-handed," said coach Joe Blaszcyk, who has been with the organization for 11 years. "But the team’s commitment and dedication to each other as players, and with the ultimate goal constantly evolving . . . I think that shows in every game. Instead of worrying about their own stats, they’re more concerned with the team. They’re willing to do anything to benefit the team."
For a defenseman like Oliveri, that can mean taking some vicious hits. But the guardsman doesn’t seem to mind. In fact, he enjoys returning the favor.
"It’s a fun position. You have to make a lot of quick decisions. But it feels good to be able to help your goalie out, and it’s fun to hit," he said with a smile.
Oliveri got his start on the ice when he was 7, while watching his older brother Lou in action.
"I remember going to all of his games," said Oliveri, referring to his brother’s playing days with the Pennsauken Thunderbirds, a South Jersey youth team. "That’s what inspired me to play."
Since then, Oliveri has evolved into one of the top players in the city, earning the most valuable player award last year as a Ryan sophomore.
"It’s a great honor," he said. "I was surprised because there were a lot of good seniors last year and I really didn’t think I was going to get it."
But Oliveri’s aggressive play on the ice has earned him more than accolades. It also has earned him a few trips to the emergency room.
"Sophomore year I tore a ligament in my knee. I was out for six weeks," he recalled. "I broke my collarbone too, which knocked me out for a month. Plus a few broken fingers here and there."
But that wasn’t enough to persuade Oliveri to stop skating.
"It’s definitely tough to get back into conditioning and get your head turned on straight after an injury," he said. "It was pretty hard to come back. At first, I was definitely nervous. It took a while to get back in your normal mindset. But now, looking back, I think it made me stronger."
Oliveri coped with the injuries enough to help the Raiders get a chance to compete in last season’s championship series. Ryan ended up losing, two games to one, to Holy Ghost Prep, the eventual Flyers Cup AAA champion.
But it’s a new season, perhaps with another chance.
"We’re playing well together," said Oliveri. "We’re hoping to bring back a championship to Ryan."
With 12 seniors on their roster, the Raiders have plenty of talent and experience this year, key factors that could take them to their third straight playoff appearance.
Though Oliveri is a junior, his play has gained a lot of notice.
"Donald is one of the elite high school players in the area," said Blaszcyk, Ryan’s coach. "He has an ability to lead. He’s probably the best offensive defensemen in high school hockey. He has a future beyond here."
The 16-year-old player still has time before making any decisions about his future on the ice. But he has taken it upon himself to get started.
"I definitely want to go to college and play for a D-1 school," he said. "If not, I’ll play juniors. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep up my hockey career. It’s really competitive, but you have to fight for your position. You have to always play hard, and if you work hard enough, maybe something will happen." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com