West Haven has a rich history of ice skating, marked by the achievements of its athletes and the challenges of maintaining its skating facilities. This article delves into the past, present, and future of ice skating in West Haven, exploring the stories behind its rinks and the people who have contributed to its legacy.
Ice Skaters
Challenges with the Ralph Walker Skating Rink
The city shut down the Ralph Walker Skating Rink for this winter because it had fallen into a state of disrepair, and because it was losing $50,000 to $60,000 last year. “There is a significant amount of work that needs to be done,” Bombero said of the 1080 State St. rink. An outside management company took care of the day-to-day operations of the Walker rink.
“So it was really an opportunity to take a step back from that to really examine what type of programming, what type of facility, we’re looking for, so that we make the right investments." Bombero said a consultant was hired to help determine the market for skating in the city, especially given that other towns in the Greater New Haven area have built new state-of-the-art facilities. She said the report came back favorable.
Plans for a Temporary Outdoor Rink
How To Build Your Own Epic Backyard Rink - A DIY Guide
Read also: West Fargo Hockey Program
The decision to host a temporary outdoor rink came out of a challenge from alders and Mayor Toni Harp to figure out a way to hold skating in the city this year. “We can’t make an announcement until Mother Nature cooperates,” Bombero said after the meeting Monday. “So instead of just asking, ‘What should I look into?’ we started conversations about leasing their equipment from them,” she said.
Alders had a question about who would maintain the outdoor rink once it’s operational. Bombero said that since it would have a much smaller operations schedule than Walker rink, part-time recreation staff would handle rentals and rules enforcement. Park maintenance staff will clean the bathrooms, scrape the ice and make sure it stays in good condition.
Family Ice Skating
West Haven Hall of Fame 2023 Inductees
The West Haven Hall of Fame Committee has announced its newest inductees to be honored, Saturday, November 18 at Amarante’s Sea Cliff, 62 Cove Street in New Haven. With eight new members, there will now be 203 inductees in the prestigious club since the start two decades ago. The new soon to be inductees include Jackie Coyle (Tinker Blake Community Service Award), Shannon Connor Lang, Monica Yanez, Fred DeDomenico, Rich Boshea, and Mark Anquillare, George Hines, and Mike SanGiovanni, who comprised one of the best lines in the history of West Haven hockey.
Jackie Coyle (Tinker Blake Community Service Award) is being recognized as the Tinker Blake Community Service Award recipient, as he is universally appreciated with great affection by generations of West Haven hockey players and enthusiasts for his lifelong dedication to the sport and a friend to many. A longtime member of the West Haven Penalty Box Club, Coyle received the club’s Appreciation Award for his years of dedication and service to West Haven hockey upon his retirement in 2001. The annual Jamboree to open each season is named in Coyle’s honor.
Read also: West Virginia Activities
Hired in November of 1969 by the West Haven Board of Education, Coyle began his 31-year career at the Edward L. Bennett Rink as only the second full-time hire at the rink. During Coyle’s tenure, the Bennett Rink became known as one the finest, if not the finest, ice hockey facility in Connecticut. From the playing surface to overall upkeep and cleanliness, the rink was unmatched, due in large part to Coyle’s dedication and hard work.
Shannon Connor Lang is a 2011 graduate, starring in three different sports. The versatile athlete was a 4-year starter on the softball field for Hall of Fame coach Frank Biondi, played three years of volleyball for John Anderson and Kate Coldren, and two years of basketball for Jim Egan. Connor Lang was named to the Connecticut High School Coaches Association Class LL All-State teams in 2009 and 2010, was a New Haven Register All-Area and All-State selection in 2010, was named to the Academic All-State team in 2011, and was the Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2011. Connor Lang was also an All-Quinnipiac Division selection in 2009, 2010, and 2011.
Playing for Biondi, Connor Lang rang up the honors on the softball field as she finished her career with over 100 hits, was named the team’s Most Valuable Player in 2009 and 2010, and she helped her team to the state quarterfinals in 2010. Named team Rookie of the Year in both volleyball and basketball, Connor Lang played every position in her high school career in volleyball, and she was a guard on the basketball court. The 3-sport star was named captain of her volleyball and softball teams as a senior. Connor Lang, who finished fourth in her class academically, went on to play Division II softball at Bentley University, where she was named captain her senior year.
Monica Yanez is a 2010 graduate who starred in girls soccer, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field. Playing for coach John Camara, Yanez was an outside midfielder, while starring in the 100 meter hurdles, 300 meter hurdles, long jump and triple jump for Hall of Fame track coach Modestine Vaughn. The three-sport star played all four years in each sport. The Cheshire resident went on to play all three sports at the University of New Haven where she graduated Cum Laude in 2014 with a degree in Chemical Engineering / Chemistry.
Rich Boshea is a 1979 graduate, who is now the head football coach at the high school. Affectionately known as Coach Bo, Boshea has been the head football coach at West Haven since legendary coach Ed McCarthy retired, taking over the reign in 2015. Boshea has been with the football program since 1985 as an assistant coach, helping lead the Blue Devils to state titles in 1986, 1987, 1989, and 2002. In 2002, Boshea was named the Assistant Coach of the Year. He was named a 2006 Jimmy Fund Award winner, and he is a 3-time Southern Connecticut Conference Coach of the Year.
Read also: Winter Fun at Hamilton Ice Arena
Fred DeDomenico had a 37-year teaching career, 33 of which were in West Haven. His teachings led to a bruising ground game as the Westies took home the title. His teaching at West Haven led to his involvement in the West Haven High School sports community. Coaching for several years without West Haven having a pool, DeDomenico was instrumental in having the West Haven pool built. The inaugural coach led the team for 16 years and was honored with the scoreboard in the pool being named in his honor.
An assistant coach for the football program at West Haven for six years, DeDomenico was a key piece to the 1968 undefeated football team as one of the offensive line coaches. DeDomenico is a member of the New Haven Gridiron Club High School Hall of Fame, and he was also a recipient of the West Haven Twilight League Gold Bat Award.
Mark Anquillare, George Hines and Mike SanGiovanni comprised one of the best lines in the history of West Haven hockey. As part of one of the most feared hockey lines in the state in 1984, SanGiovanni was a force to be reckoned with. Finishing his high school career with 103 career points, SanGiovanni’s senior year was every bit impressive. SanGiovanni was a 4-year player on the baseball diamond as well under Hall of Fame coach George Hanchette, making his mark in the outfield on the state championship team in 1984.
A 4-year player, who graduated in 1984, Anquillare was another key player on the famed all-star line under Crouse. Anquillare finished his hockey career at West Haven with 52 goals and 64 assists and a member of the esteemed 100-point club. The West Haven sniper went on to play collegiate hockey at the University of Notre Dame.
Hines was a four-year hockey star, who was also from the class of 1984. As part of the 1984 state championship team, Hines finished the season with 21 goals and 24 assists, being named to the All-District Second Team and Honorable Mention All-State. Playing for coaches Crouse and Art DeLucia, the prolific scorer had his number 15 retired following the campaign.
The senior co-captain and right wing under legendary and Hall of Fame coach Art Crouse finished his senior campaign in 1984 with 20 goals, 25 assists and 45 points, joining the 100-point club in the state championship season. A 4-year player, SanGiovanni was named to the All-Tournament Second Team and All-State Second Team his senior campaign. SanGiovanni was also a co-recipient of the Michael Green Scholarship Fund.
A center for the Westies, Anquillare was an All-District selection in 1983 and 1984, and an All-State selection in 1984 when he finished with 24 goals and 34 assists for 58 points. Hines was a forward and senior co-captain, Hines finished with 74 career points, including 45 in the memorable senior campaign.
West Haven Hockey Team
West Haven Hall of Fame Inductees
The table below lists all the West Haven Hall of Fame Inductees mentioned in this article:
| Inductee | Category | Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Jackie Coyle | Community Service | Lifelong dedication to West Haven hockey, Edward L. Bennett Rink management |
| Shannon Connor Lang | Athlete | Three-sport star in softball, volleyball, and basketball |
| Monica Yanez | Athlete | Three-sport star in soccer, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field |
| Rich Boshea | Coach | Head football coach at West Haven High School, Assistant Coach of the Year in 2002 |
| Fred DeDomenico | Coach/Teacher | Assistant football coach, instrumental in building the West Haven pool, swimming coach |
| Mark Anquillare | Athlete | Key player on the famed all-star hockey line, All-District and All-State selection |
| George Hines | Athlete | Four-year hockey star, All-District Second Team and Honorable Mention All-State |
| Mike SanGiovanni | Athlete | Force on the hockey line, All-Tournament Second Team and All-State Second Team |