Durfee Hilltoppers - Varsity Hockey: Ice Chips
ICE CHIPS"Ice Chips" is an informational catergory relating to events in Durfee Hockey between 1973 and the present.
Durfee's Head Coaches
BOB RICHARD was Durfee's first head hockey coach who was appointed back in the summer of 1973. He coached through the completion of the 1980-81 season. (8 YEARS)
JACK CAREY was appointed JV coach in 1978 where he remained until 1981 when he was appointed Coach Richard's successor and served as the Hilltoppers' head coach from 1981 through the completion of the 1986-87 season. In 2000, Carey returned to Durfee and was added to Coach Maurer's coaching staff as an assistant coach to the varsity team. In 2002, Carey was once again named head coach replacing 15 year veteran coach Steve Maurer who stepped down from the position. Carey himself, retired at the conclusion of the 2005-06 season. (15 years)
STEVE MAURER succeeded Jack Carey who stepped down after the 1986-87 season. Maurer was an assistant to Carey in the 1986-87 season. He just completed his 16th year at Durfee, 15th as head coach. Coach Maurer's hand picked assistant was Bob Costa who was appointed in 1987 and completed 13 seasons at Durfee before retiring at the end of the 1999-2000 season. Coach Costa also served as head coach for the junior varisty over that 13 year period. Bob Gagnon was added to Coach Maurer's staff in 2000 and was appointed new junior varsity coach. Coach Gagnon had served as a volunteer assistant for 7 years prior to his official appointment. At the end of the 2001-02 season, Maurer stepped down as the head hockey coach and was replaced by Jack Carey. Maurer remained on at Durfee Hockey as a varsity assistant for the 2002-03 season and stepped down at the conclusion of the season. In Maurer's tenure as head coach, the Hilltoppers captured six Big Three Conference Championships and seven Challenge Cup Championships. In stepping down, Maurer mentioned what he enjoyed most about coaching at Durfee. "From my 17 years at Durfee, I will always remember the wonderful kids who played for me, not just play but play hard. They built a winning tradition here that hopefully will continue for years to come. They were never presented with an easy schedule, it was highly competive. Our teams may have sacrificed some wins by playing this highly competitive schedule, but they never disappointed and turned in good efforts. It was proof that we belonged playing these type of teams and it gained our program a good name and respectability. Durfee Hockey had arrived! Our teams played the likes of power-house programs such as Austin Prep, Xaverian, Don Bosco, Billerica, Medford, Waltham, Falmouth, Malden Catholic, Central Catholic, Chelmsford and Waterloo (Maine). They also played strong teams such as Duxbury, Barnstable, Canton, Franklin, North Quincy, Braintree, Quincy, Silver Lake, Everett, Walpole, Wilmington, Weymouth, Coyle/Cassidy and Bishop Feehan. The players were all an honor to coach and I will never forget any of them. Also, having the opportunity to coach with highly qualified assistant coaches like Bob Costa and Bob Gagnon made my job as head coach easy. Also, working under two great AD's in Tom (Skip) Karam and Tom Burns was an honor. They were both always there for me. Finally, Im proud at my kids for the years of fundraising for local charities in Fall River (Fall River Food Bank, Our Sister's Place, The Letourneau Fund, The Thomas Giunta Memorial Fund) where we raised easily over $10,000 over the years. Im very proud at what we did here at Durfee High School and leave feeling a sense of accomplishment. Thank you all and best wishes. I will always be Durfee Hockey's biggest fan" (17 YEARS)
Durfee's 1st Hockey Roster (1973)
DEFENSEMEN: Kevin Considine, Tom Valenta, Art Tansey, Mike Cloutier, Dave Cabeceiras, Ken Searight
FORWARDS: Jim Carey, Bob Dunse, Jim Perreira, Steve Reis, Kevin Pare, Dave Tessier, Kevin Dopart, Mike Correia, Alan Pontes, Dave Soares, Mike Mzor, Mike Tessier
GOALTENDERS: Bob Farias, Larry Marshall, Paul Gagnon
COACH: Bob Richard
Durfee's Hockey Inaugural (December 1973)
The Durfee Hilltoppers' hockey program began interscholastic play in December of 1973. Bob Richard was named their first coach where he stayed at the Durfee helm until the completion of the 1980-81 season.
In the Hilltoppers' first game played in school history, Durfee dropped a hard fought 3-2 decision to New Bedford Voke in the opening round of the Silver City Hockey Tournament played at the Family Recreational Rink in Taunton. The game was tied 2-2 going into the final period but Voke scored with ten minutes remaining to play. Kevin Dopart and Dave Tessier scored goals for Durfee.
First Hockey Championship at Durfee (1991)
The 1990-91 edition of the Durfee Hilltoppers are the first Durfee Hockey team to ever win a conference championship. A 3-1 win over Brockton at the Asiaf Rink in Brockton on February 13, 1991 clinched the title. Durfee's offense was led by team captain Doug Smith who tallied two power play goals and defenseman Bobby Rapoza who scored an insurance goal midway through the third period. Hilltopper goalie Shawn LeComte was in top form recording 15 saves. The heart of this team is shown by the fact that this team recorded seven one goal victories, three of which were won in the fianl minute of play.
Big Three Conference Championships
The Durfee Hilltoppers have captured seven Big Three Conference championships: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2000, 2002 and 2003.
Doug Smith Sets School Record (1990)
On February 5, 1990, Doug Smith set a school record with an eight goal performance against Somerset in leading the Hilltoppers to an 11-3 victory at Driscoll Rink.
Career 100 Point Players @ Durfee
Scott Santos, Bobby Rapoza, Kevin Narciso, Keith Mello, Doug Smith, Kevin Brum and Kevin DaSilva are the only players in Durfee Hockey history to record over 100 points for a career.
Durfee Team Record For Most Goals In A Game
The Durfee Hilltoppers team record for most goals in a game is 26 in a game agianst the Bishop Stangs Spartans at Driscoll Rink.
Durfee Record for Most Points in a Career (Player)
Scott Santos holds the record for most points in a career at Durfee with 158 points. He was a Hilltopper from November of 1983 through March of 1987 (4 seasons).
Durfee Record for Most Points in a Season (Player)
Durfee's Bobby Rapoza holds the Hilltopper record for most points in a season with 62. He had 35 goals and 27 assists in 1992.
Durfee Record For Most Goals in a Season (Player)
Bobby Rapoza set the Hilltopper record for most goals in a season with 35. He accomplished this in 1992.
Durfee Record for Most Assists in a Season (Player)
Eric Araujo holds the Durfee record for most assists in a season with 30. He set the record in 2002 breaking the old record of Eric Bradbury who had 27 assists set in 1992.
Durfee Record For Most Goals in a Career (Player)
Bobby Rapoza holds the Durfee record for most goals in a career with 69.
One Record Tied, One Record Set (Player)
Durfee's Kevin DaSilva tied a record in 2000 for goals in a season by a freshman at Durfee with 14. The record was previously held by Chad Langlois who set the record in 1995. DaSilva however set a record for most points scored in a season by a freshman at Durfee with 26.
Durfee Varsity Hockey Record (Consecutive Wins)
The 1999-2000 edition of the Durfee Hilltoppers set a new school record with 18 consecutive wins.
1998-1999 JV Hockey Team Sets Record
Coach Bob Costa and the 1998-1999 edition of the Durfee Hilltoppers junior varsity hockey team set a school record by going undefeated with a record of 14-0-0 (W-L-T)
1996 Colby X-Mas Tournament (Maine)
The Durfee Hilltoppers particapated in the 1996 Waterville Christmas Tournament held at the Alfond Rink on the campus of Colby College in Waterville, Maine. In their opening round game, Durfee gave Maine's defending Division One State Champion Waterville all they could handle before bowing 5-1. The game was only 3-1 entering the thrid period. In their tournament finale, the Hilltoppers defeated Maine's defending Division Two State Champion Winslow by a score of 5-1 to win the consolation game.
Fall River Herald News All-Stars 1983-84
John Coleman and John Carroll were selected as Fall River Herald News All-Stars for the 1983-84 season.
SEMC All-Stars 1983-84
John Coleman was selected to the 1983-84 SEMC All-Stars.
Fall River Herald News All-Stars 1984-85
Joe Carey (goaltender), Bryan Palumbo (forward), Scott Santos (forward), Brian Farquhar (defenseman) and Scott Hornby (defenseman) were all named to the Fall River Herald News All-Stars for the 1984-85 season.
Fall River Herald News All-Stars 1985-86
Forwards Scott Santos and Doug Jarabek were named to the Fall River Herald News All-Stars for the 1985-86 season.
Fall River Herald News All-Stars 1986-87
Scott Santos, Scott Hornby, Doug Jarabek and Brian Farquhar were all selected as Fall River Herald News All-Stars for the 1986-87 season.
SEMC All-Stars 1986-87
Scott Santos and Brian Farquhar were selected as SEMC all-stars for the 1986-87 season.
Fall River Herald News All-Stars 1988-89
Russ Gagnon, Doug Smith, Chris Norman and Tim Furtado were all named as 1988-89 Fall River Herald News All-Stars.
SEMC All-Stars 1989-90
Jason Costa (goalie, 3.31 g.a.a.) and Doug Smith (forward, 19 goals, 14 assists) were named Southeastern Massachusetts Conference All-Stars for the 1989-90 season.
Fall River Herald News All-Stars 1989-90
Doug Smith (forward), John Brum (forward) and Jason Costa (goaltender) were all named as 1989-90 Fall River Herald News All-Stars.
Big Three Conference All-Stars 1990-91
Doug Smith (forward), Eric Bradbury (forward), Kevin Brum (forward), Bobby Rapoza (defense) and Shawn Lecomte (goalie) were all named 1990-91 Big Three Conference All-Stars.
Big Three Conference All-Stars 1991-92
Mark Carrolton (goalie), Bobby Rapoza (defense), Eric Bradbury (forward), Kevin Brum (forward) and Eric Bertrand (forward) were all named 1991-92 Big Three Conference All-Stars.
Big Three Conference All-Stars 1992-93
Bobby Rapoza (forward/defense), Kevin Brum (forward) and Steve Botelho (goalie) were all named 1992-93 Big Three Conference All-Stars.
Fall River Herald News All-Stars 1994-95
Keith Mello (forward), Tony Frias (forward), Chad Langlois (forward) and Cory Pereira (defenseman) were all named as Fall River Herald News All-Stars for the 1994-95 season.
Big Three Conference All-Stars 1994-95
Keith Mello (forward), Tony Frias (forward), Chad Langlois (forward), Cory Perreira (defense) and Jonathan Pimental (goalie) were all named 1994-1995 Big Three Conference All-Stars.
Fall River Herald News All-Stars 1996-97
Keith Mello (forward) and Kevin Correia (defenseman) were named as Fall River Herald News All-Stars for the 1996-97 season.
Fall River Herald News All-Stars 1997-98
Kevin Narciso (forward) and Craig Feldman (defenseman) were named Fall River Herald News All-Stars for the 1997-98 season.
Big Three Conference All-Stars 1998-99
Kevin Narciso (forward) and Craig Feldman (defense) were each named 1998-99 Big Three Conference All-Stars.
Fall River Herald News All-Stars 1999-2000
Kevin Narciso (forward), John Friar (goaltender), Craig Feldman (defenseman), Jason Crowley (defenseman) and Jimmy Connolly (forward) were all named to the Fall River Herald News All-Stars.
Big Three Conference All-Stars 1999-2000
Kevin Narciso, John Friar, Craig Feldman, Jay Crowley, Kevin Marques and Jimmy Connolly were all named to to Big Three Conference All-Stars.
Fall River Herald News All-Stars 2000-01
Jason Crowley (defenseman), Kevin Marques(defenseman) and Jameson Hart (goaltender) were all named to the Fall River Herald News All-Stars.
Big Three Conference All-Stars 2000-01
Jason Crowley, Kevin Marques, Ryan Bielawa and Eric Araujo were all named Big Three Conference All-Stars.
Fall River Herald News All-Stars 2001-02
Jameson Hart (goaltender), Josh Medeiros (defenseman), Eric Araujo (forward), Chris Tansey (forward), Kevin DaSilva (forward) were all named Fall River Herald News All-Stars.
Big Three Conference All-Stars 2001-02
Kevin Marques (defense), Josh Medeiros (defense), Ryan Bielawa (forward), Kevin DaSilva (forward), Eric Araujo (forward), Chris Tansey (forward) and Jameson Hart (goaltender) were all selectd to the Big Three Conference All-Star team. Hart was also named MVP of the Big Three Conference.
Fall River Herald News All-Stars 2002-03
Eric Araujo (forward), Chris Tansey (defense/forward), Nick Bellany (defense) and Kevin DaSilva (forward) were all selected to the 2002-03 Fall River Herlad News All-Star Team.
Big Three Conference All-Stars 2002-03
Kevin DaSilva (forward), Eric Araujo (forward), Chris Tansey (defense/forward), Nick Bellany (defense) and Jeff Gregory (forward) were all selected 2002-03 Big Three Conference All-Stars.