Shady Young, somewhat of a local hockey legend has come back to his home ice to help coach the Comet Bantam and Midget 16 teams.  The kids are really excited and many have already begun practicing with Shady and Head Coach Dr. Tom Renaldo.

      Shady, whose real name is Shaylun, got his nickname as a baby.  He grew up in East Allen Township  and attended Northampton High School.  He started skating when he was 4 years old, and joined the Comets when he was 5. Shady was a Comet until he left for the Hill School after his Junior year at Northampton. 

     As a seventh grader, Shady played J.V.  hockey for Northampton and by eighth grade he was playing Varsity.  Shady enjoyed playing for Northampton’s Coach Brian Ruff, stating, “He is a great guy, I really respect him.”  Coaches and fans alike saw Shady’s talent as a youngster and he was advised to attend The Hill School after his Junior year of High School.

     While playing for Hill, Shady started thinking about college.  He looked at a few schools but decided that he really liked Middlebury.  A coach from Middlebury came to see him play and Shady ended up attending the following year.  Shady majored in History and Economics.  His College Hockey career has given him bragging rights to two National Championships for which he acquired two championship rings.

     When asked why he came back to coach for the Comets he replied, “ I want to to help kids who really want to learn the game.  Comets is my heart, I’ve been a Comet since I was 5 years old.  All of my best childhood memories are with the Comets.” 

     One thing is certain and that is that the kids are lucky to have an assistant coach like Shady whose skill and talent remains unmatched in the Lehigh Valley.

              Head Coach Tom Renaldo, Shady Young, and Rich Plinke

                *

 Bantam Head Coach  Dr. Tom Renaldo

     Coach Renaldo is anxiously looking forward to his second season as a Comets coach.  Last year Coach Renaldo assisted Coach Mike Kokolus with the Bantam team. 

     Dr. Renaldo grew up playing pond hockey in the Slate Belt and of course loved watching it on T.V.  But it was when he was doing his medical residency at Haverford Hospital that he was able to delve into the world of the NHL.  Dr. Renaldo worked with Orthopedic Doctors who took care of the Philadelphia Flyers.  Needless to say he learned alot about sports medicine during that time.  The Comets parents love having a doctor on the team.  “ We know our kids are in good hands” said Mike Hart whose son had a serious injury that Dr. Renaldo was able to assist with until the ambulance arrived. 

     Coach Renaldo started playing organized hockey 15 years ago with the Ice Palace’s Men's League.  He was also the coordinator for the inhouse program for 3 years when his son, Mark, started to play hockey.  When asked how he felt about such a full Bantam roster and the number of new players, he replied  “This year will be a  good year, we have a great mix of kids both seasoned and new.”  He also said, “I had a chance to meet with Dick Vermeil on a few occasions and I’ll always remember something he said,  “ I always look at every mistake a player makes as an opportunity to teach”.

     Also helping to coach now and through the summer is Ian DeLong.  Ian is an 18 year old  Kutztown High School graduate who now plays Jr. A hockey for the Oswego Admirals.  Ian is looking to play D1 hockey and has been approached by the University of Connecticut and Providence.  He played for the Jr. Flyers PeeWee  through Midget Major.  His talent is a nice addition to the staff.

Ian Delong

*

Midget 16 Coach

    The Midget 16 team is pleased to announce the return of Coach Chris Crossing who will be assisted by Lucky Yaple.  Chris grew up in Canada  outside of Toronto.  He played hockey as a kid and always loved the game.  He moved his family to the U.S. about 15 years ago because of a job transfer.  During his time here, Chris became involved in coaching with the Comets because his sons were playing.  He has been coaching for about 12 years and has coached at every level from squirt to Midget.

     Chris also coaches for the Parkland J.V. team and assists at the Varsity level.  Anyone who knows Chris knows that he is a true “hockey guy.  “ What can I say, he’s Canadian and he really knows the game. H e’s a great guy.” said Pete Bryant  a long time Comet parent.

Chris said his goal is for the kids to have fun and learn this season.  “They are a great bunch of kids, really dedicated,” said Chris “and we certainly welcome every and all players who are still looking for  a team.”

*  Coach Chris Crossing

Shady Young, somewhat of a local hockey legend has come back to his home ice to help coach the Comet Bantam and Midget 16 teams.  The kids are really excited and many have already begun practicing with Shady and Head Coach Dr. Tom Renaldo.

      Shady, whose real name is Shaylun, got his nickname as a baby.  He grew up in East Allen Township  and attended Northampton High School.  He started skating when he was 4 years old, and joined the Comets when he was 5. Shady was a Comet until he left for the Hill School after his Junior year at Northampton. 

     As a seventh grader, Shady played J.V.  hockey for Northampton and by eighth grade he was playing Varsity.  Shady enjoyed playing for Northampton’s Coach Brian Ruff, stating, “He is a great guy, I really respect him.”  Coaches and fans alike saw Shady’s talent as a youngster and he was advised to attend The Hill School after his Junior year of High School.

     While playing for Hill, Shady started thinking about college.  He looked at a few schools but decided that he really liked Middlebury.  A coach from Middlebury came to see him play and Shady ended up attending the following year.  Shady majored in History and Economics.  His College Hockey career has given him bragging rights to two National Championships for which he acquired two championship rings.

     When asked why he came back to coach for the Comets he replied, “ I want to to help kids who really want to learn the game.  Comets is my heart, I’ve been a Comet since I was 5 years old.  All of my best childhood memories are with the Comets.” 

     One thing is certain and that is that the kids are lucky to have an assistant coach like Shady whose skill and talent remains unmatched in the Lehigh Valley.

              Head Coach Tom Renaldo, Shady Young, and Rich Plinke

                *

 Bantam Head Coach  Dr. Tom Renaldo

     Coach Renaldo is anxiously looking forward to his second season as a Comets coach.  Last year Coach Renaldo assisted Coach Mike Kokolus with the Bantam team. 

     Dr. Renaldo grew up playing pond hockey in the Slate Belt and of course loved watching it on T.V.  But it was when he was doing his medical residency at Haverford Hospital that he was able to delve into the world of the NHL.  Dr. Renaldo worked with Orthopedic Doctors who took care of the Philadelphia Flyers.  Needless to say he learned alot about sports medicine during that time.  The Comets parents love having a doctor on the team.  “ We know our kids are in good hands” said Mike Hart whose son had a serious injury that Dr. Renaldo was able to assist with until the ambulance arrived. 

     Coach Renaldo started playing organized hockey 15 years ago with the Ice Palace’s Men's League.  He was also the coordinator for the inhouse program for 3 years when his son, Mark, started to play hockey.  When asked how he felt about such a full Bantam roster and the number of new players, he replied  “This year will be a  good year, we have a great mix of kids both seasoned and new.”  He also said, “I had a chance to meet with Dick Vermeil on a few occasions and I’ll always remember something he said,  “ I always look at every mistake a player makes as an opportunity to teach”.

     Also helping to coach now and through the summer is Ian DeLong.  Ian is an 18 year old  Kutztown High School graduate who now plays Jr. A hockey for the Oswego Admirals.  Ian is looking to play D1 hockey and has been approached by the University of Connecticut and Providence.  He played for the Jr. Flyers PeeWee  through Midget Major.  His talent is a nice addition to the staff.

Ian Delong

*

Midget 16 Coach

    The Midget 16 team is pleased to announce the return of Coach Chris Crossing who will be assisted by Lucky Yaple.  Chris grew up in Canada  outside of Toronto.  He played hockey as a kid and always loved the game.  He moved his family to the U.S. about 15 years ago because of a job transfer.  During his time here, Chris became involved in coaching with the Comets because his sons were playing.  He has been coaching for about 12 years and has coached at every level from squirt to Midget.

     Chris also coaches for the Parkland J.V. team and assists at the Varsity level.  Anyone who knows Chris knows that he is a true “hockey guy.  “ What can I say, he’s Canadian and he really knows the game. H e’s a great guy.” said Pete Bryant  a long time Comet parent.

Chris said his goal is for the kids to have fun and learn this season.  “They are a great bunch of kids, really dedicated,” said Chris “and we certainly welcome every and all players who are still looking for  a team.”

*  Coach Chris Crossing