Judge senior is the
leader of the pack

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

Vince Velicov has come a long way since playing roller hockey as a kid, behind his Mayfair home.
About six years ago, Velicov decided to leave his roller skates behind and make a breakaway for the ice. He teamed up with the Blazers ice hockey squad in seventh grade, and, two years later, earned a spot on the Father Judge High School squad.
Now Velicov is a senior captain for the Crusaders and has led them to 15-10-1 record this season. Judge scored a thrilling 8-4 victory over Archbishop Ryan High School in the AAA Flyers Cup quarterfinals on March 12.
"It was a big relief for the whole team when we beat Ryan. That was paybacks," said Velicov, referring to Judge’s two regular-season losses to the Raiders. "It gets personal with the big rivalries like Ryan, because we know pretty much the whole team.
"A lot of Judge and Ryan kids play for the Blazers," he continued. "So it’s personal. We’re calling the other team by their first names."
After hooking a quarterfinal win, the Crusaders faced off against undefeated La Salle High School in the semifinals, where they lost, 10-1, on March 14 at the Hatfield Ice Arena.
The loss officially ended the Crusaders’ season and Velicov’s high school ice hockey career.
"I’m going to really miss playing with all my friends here," said Velicov, a four-year player for the Crusaders. "I’m planning to play next year at college, but I’ll miss my teammates."
Throughout his tenure with the squad, Velicov has witnessed playoff action for four consecutive years. This season, the defenseman had two goals and seven assists. He has consistently improved his game, and this season was elected team captain.
"It feels good that everyone voted for me in the beginning of the season," he said. "I like the responsibility."
The leadership role is nothing new for Velicov, though. He’s also Father Judge’s senior-class president.
"It’s really time-consuming, but I enjoy it," said Velicov, who has been a member of student council for three years. "I’m in charge of blood drives and open houses ad other school-related activities. We actually just got done prom plans. I help plan all the dances and fund-raisers and stuff like that.
"It’s a real friendly environment here," he added. "I know pretty much the whole school, so it’s a lot of fun."
Between leading his senior class as well as the school’s ice hockey team, Velicov found time to earn a 4.0 grade point average, which includes acing three advanced-placement classes — calculus, biology and government.
"I don’t mind school," he said. "It’s hard. My calculus class is killer. But I like my government class. We learn about current events and civil liberties and civil rights. It’s interesting."
Next year at college, Velicov pans to study biology or business. Although he has not decided which school to attend, he has narrowed it to three — St. Joseph’s University, Villanova and Seton Hall University in New Jersey.
"I really like all three schools," said Velicov. "I’m still deciding. I’m a little nervous for college because I know I’ll miss Judge and the comfort of knowing where everything is and knowing everyone in the school.
"But at the same time, I’m excited for the change. I’m excited to take it to the next level." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com