Newsday's All-Long Island ice hockey team 2026

Newsday Player of the Year: Nate Pitman, Chaminade, G, Sr.

Chaminade ice hockey has had some great goalies over the last decade, and Nate Pitman is among the best. In 20 games played against some of the top competition in the tri-state area, Pitman recorded four shutouts and only allowed a total of 26 goals.

“He was just laser focused on getting us a championship,” Chaminade coach Keith Macias said. “He has drive, determination, focus and his puck tracking is perfect. He never needed extra movement.”

Pitman helped Chaminade win the CHSHL “AA” championship. The Flyers took down top-seeded Iona Prep in the Catholic league title series. Throughout those two games, he faced 75 shots from the Gaels and made 72 saves. This landed the Flyers in the state championship game against Canisius (Buffalo), but they fell short.

“He stood on his head in those two games against Iona Prep,” Macias said. “It was an unbelievable performance there, and the non-league games — the list goes on and on. “I would put him in the same breath as Chaminade goalies Trent King and Harrison Chesney. Those are the three.”

Nassau Player of the Year: Liam Young, Long Beach, F, Jr.

This ended up being Long Beach’s year for a county championship after falling short a year ago. And it wouldn’t have been possible without the presence of Liam Young and what he provided outside of the scoresheet.

“Last year he earned a letter as a 10th grader, I’m not sure if we’ve ever had that for our program,” Long Beach coach Rob Carson said. “It’s not just his play — that’s phenomenal — but it’s the maturity he has and the impact he has for our guys to play hard.”

Young then delivered when it mattered most in the county championship series, scoring the overtime winner in Game 2 to lift Long Beach over Bellmore-Merrick for the title. He totaled 17 goals and 13 assists in league play, while also having an excellent state tournament. Young’s versatility was huge, as he played everywhere for the Marines and was a vital part of their championship run.

“We needed a veteran presence on defense and Liam was the first to step up and go back there,” Carson said. “In the championship series he was on defense, we won the first game and it was great. In the second game we trailed by two and he switched to offense. And to have the impact he did and score the game-winner, it shows the type of player he is.”

Suffolk Player of the Year: Anthony Cutalo, St. Anthony’s, F, Sr.

In a tough battle with Smithtown/Hauppauge, coach Bob Lund relied on his top line to get them to the finish line. That’s where Anthony Cutalo thrived. In the big moments the speedy forward was huge for St. Anthony’s.  He had four points in that three-game series and added two more in the semifinal against Northport/Huntington.

“He is very elusive and you don’t realize how quick he is,” Lund said. “He has an awesome shot and most goalies didn’t have much of a chance of stopping it.”

Cutalo was a threat every time he touched the puck. His calm presence was noticeable on the ice before he’d accelerate and attack. He finished with 22 goals and 20 assists on the season, lifting the Friars to their second consecutive Suffolk championship and their first Long Island championship.

“Just a super calm demeanor in the locker room,” Lund said. “And the kids rally around that. You have loud guys, which you need, but his demeanor is just ‘we got this.’ ”

“I can’t tell you how many times I looked at him throughout the playoffs and said we need you, and he calmly said no problem,” Lund said with a laugh. “There was never a doubt he would compete and deliver.”

FIRST TEAM

J.T. Caruso, Northport/Huntington, F, Sr.

Caruso led the Tigers to a Suffolk semifinal appearance. The senior forward played his best against the top teams in the county. Caruso elevates the play of his teammates and totaled 24 goals and 17 assists.

Asher DePierro, Syosset/Jericho, D, Jr.

DePierro was a calm presence on the back end and was a tremendous puck-moving defenseman. He had 11 assists and used his versatile skill set to guide Syosset/Jericho to the Nassau semifinals.

Mikey Johnson, Chaminade, F, Sr.

The captain for the Flyers had a knack for finding the back of the net. He scored twice in Game 2 of the Catholic League championship game. He was voted as the top forward in the Catholic League by the coaches and finished with 34 goals and 17 assists.

Liam McNamara, Smithtown/Hauppauge, F, Soph.

The crafty forward has incredible hands and finishing ability. In his first varsity season he led Suffolk in points with 32 goals and 38 assists, guiding the Bulls to a county championship appearance.

Declan Munkwitz, Middle Country, D, Sr.

One of the top two-way defensemen on Long Island. Munkwitz led all Suffolk defensemen in assists with 23. He created constant offense for himself and his teammates while slowing down the opposition’s top forward line each night.

Luke Tepfer, Bellmore-Merrick, D, Jr.

Tepfer was one of the most reliable defensemen on Long Island. He moved the puck well, made good decisions and was a steady presence against top forwards throughout their run to a state championship.

Jordan Valcich, St. Anthony’s, G, Sr.

Valcich is a big presence in net and rose to the occasion in the Friars’ biggest games. He made dramatic saves and played a pivotal role in St. Anthony’s second straight Suffolk title and first Long Island championship.

Joseph Villani, Connetquot/Sayville, D, Jr.

Villani has been the team’s captain since his sophomore year and was an anchor on defense this season. He led all Suffolk defenders in goals with 18. Villani rarely left the ice in big games and helped Connetquot/Sayville compete against some of the top teams in the county.

Jonathan Wheeler, Half Hollow Hills, F, Sr.

One of the most dangerous forwards on Long Island, Wheeler had the ability to take over games and helped Hills average a conference-high seven goals per contest. The speedy forward had 20 goals and 19 assists on the year.

Suffolk Coach of the Year: Bob Lund, St. Anthony’s

Lund helped St. Anthony’s win its second consecutive Suffolk title as it beat top seed Smithtown/Hauppauge in Game 3 of the Suffolk title. The Friars then captured their first Long Island championship with a 3-2 win over Long Beach. He posted a 20-4-1 record.

Nassau Coach of the Year: Rob Carson, Long Beach

After falling short in the county championship a year ago, Carson guided Long Beach to a 13-game win streak that led to a title, where the Marines swept top-seeded Bellmore-Merrick to capture their first county championship since the 2019-2020 season.

SECOND TEAM

Luke Anderson, Smithtown/Hauppauge, F, Jr

Anderson sees the ice very well, he led suffolk in assists with 44.

Thomas Azzariti, St. Anthony’s, F, Sr.

The speedy forward had 27 goals and 14 assists, including two goals in the Long Island championship game.

Christian Buttacavoli, St. Anthony’s, D, Sr.

An anchor on the back end, he scored key goals in the Suffolk championship series and the Long Island title game.

Aidan Cleary, Syosset/Jericho, F, Sr.

The crafty forward had two goals in their quarterfinal win and finished with 23 points on the season.

Damon Datlo, Friends Academy/North Shore, F, Jr.

The dynamic forward dominated in Conference 2 and led all of Nassau with 32 goals.

Maximus Hludzinski, Kings Park/Commack, D, Sr.

He guided his team to a playoff upset victory over Sachem. He had 14 goals and 13 assists on the season.

Cameron Kalberer, Sachem, F, Sr.

An explosive and versatile forward, scoring 31 goals and adding 29 assists.

Evan Lafata, East Islip, F, Sr.

LaFata had great hands and was a dangerous goal scorer. He had 26 goals and 11 assists.

Daniel Lee, Plainview-Old Bethpage/Island Trees, F, Sr.

He had 25 goals and 20 assists and led Plainview to a crossover playoff win, moving it up to Conference 1 next season.

Lucas Lucchi, Bellmore-Merrick, F, Sr.

The big and fast forward was a key piece on both sides of the ice in Bellmore-Merrick’s state title run.

Jourdan Luskoff, Bellmore-Merrick, F, Sr.

A prolific scorer. Luskoff led Nassau Conference 1 in goals with 28 and in points with 44.

Justin Mele, Long Beach, G, Jr.

He made a number of key saves to guide Long Beach to a county championship.

Jack Petrone, Chaminade, F, Sr.

The elusive forward has excellent vision. He finished with 10 goals and 34 assists.

Cody Pichichero, Long Beach, D, Jr

He contributed as a forward and defender, consistently delivering in big moments for the Marines.

Brendan Power, Smithtown/Hauppauge, D, Sr.

He had nine points during the playoffs and was one of Suffolk’s top defensemen.

William Raia, Garden City/Herricks/Mineola, D, Sr.

In just 11 games, Raia had 19 goals and 13 assists.

Boden Rudloff, Northport/Huntington, G, Sr.

The senior netminder was reliable, consistent and always gave his team a shot against the top teams in Suffolk.

James Steinberg, Valley Stream/Sewanhaka/Lynbrook, F, Sr.

He registered six points in a crossover playoff win and finished with 18 goals and 13 assists.

Phillip Uspensky, Rockville Centre/East Rockaway/Hewlett, F, Sr.

A terrific scorer and distributor, collecting 18 goals and 22 assists.

Jaden Wang, Manhasset/Great Neck/Port Washington, D, Soph.

He tallied nine points and helped his team reach the Nassau semifinals.